Special Plans

The word for the new season is "special." Although it will not be put to the test until the fall programs start in September, its Madison Avenue magic already echoes through the offices of network executives, clacks from the typewriters of network pressagents. Announced NBC last week: more than 200 hours will be devoted to specials, not only haphazard one-shots, but regular weekly series in prime time (total advertising tab: $57 million).

The list is rich with names--Olivier, Guinness, Bergman, Booth, Robards, Merman, Hope, Berle. The live drama, the comedies, the variety shows they will star in will be balanced by an ambitious slate including opera, public affairs, sports, education and adventure. There will be a record 250 hours of colorcasts.

CBS. planning a preview of its schedule this week, already counts 235 specials. Colbert, Preston and Bernstein are among the names that loom large, along with a promise of more prime-time news shows than before. Even ABC. generally content to ride the wave of the future buoyed up by an oversupply of westerns and private-eye programs, will weigh in with Crosby. Sinatra et al. in some 30 specials. Only apparent problem so far: with one scheduled practically every other night, a "special" may not seem special by season's end. If a new word is needed, the networks can always reach back a few seasons to a quaint, half-forgotten label --"spectacular."

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