FLIPPER Syndicated (Check local listings)

In this remake of the '60s surf-and-turf series, our unsinkable dolphin hero Flipper has befriended a pair of Florida teens (Payton Haas and Jessica Marie Alba). These two are always enlisting their fin-ish friend in innocent commercial schemes. ("Fetch us those lobsters, Flipper. Tickets for the Nine Inch Nails concert go on sale tomorrow!") When danger looms--and it does in every tritely plotted episode--it's time to call on the grownups. The oldsters here are Haas's mom (Colleen Flynn), a Naval officer with an incredibly flexible schedule, and a marine biology professor (Brian Wimmer of China Beach). But enough about the humans. They're just the spear-carriers in this bouillabaisse. The real star of the show is now played by Slim, 19, and three backups. He is not as sleek or comely as the original, Susie, who died several years ago. However, Slim is a better actor. Anguish and concerned chiding are his specialties. Grade: C+

Flipper scenes, characters, and logos are a trademark of SGM Productions in association with Tribune Entertainment Last Modified: October 10, 1997