SEARCH

    The preem efforts of Tony Franciosa and Doug McClure as separate
rotating stars (with the pilot's Hugh O'Brian) aired as the second and third
episodes of "Search," with each bringing a flavor of his own to the skein -
which may or may not be for the better.

    O'Brian is cast as an ex-astronaut, a posture that suggests a discipline
and a stature compatible with top-level international hi-jinks.  Franciosa's
character, as revealed, was far more mundane, inclined to wheedle with
underworld sleazy types and quick (too quick) to solve his problems with a
punch in the face.  McClure is even further down the hero scale, represented
as a surfing beach bum who blunders through despite a forgetful memory.  
Latter approach is supposedly for laughs.

    The change in focus from straight national-import threats being solved
with the aid of electronic gimmickry devices, does not, so far, seem in the
best interests of the series' rating future, slotted as it is at 10 p.m. at
night when the younger kids have been dispatched to bed.

    Both Franciosa and McClure play their parts with an eye for the ladies,
which presumably makes the skein more adult in content, but their forays
among the femmes is more clichéd than persuasive.  At present, "Search" seems
to be coasting on the promise and impact of its pilot (it has sampled well
enough in the early weeks), but it is placed in the toughest face-off of the
entire sked - and may have to pick up some depth to keep competitive.

                                                                             
               Bok.