`STYLE' CANCELLATION STUNS SMART.

Byline: Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Jean Smart says she's still reeling from the shock over the cancellation of her CBS series ``Style and Substance.'' She notes, ``The network said it was crazy about the show and, in fact, told producers who wanted to offer me other jobs that I wasn't going to be available. I thought I had learned not to be surprised by anything in this business, to take what people tell you with an entire shaker of salt - but this really floored me.''

The former ``Designing Women'' co-star, who has the Lifetime drama ``Change of Heart'' premiering on July 20, is discouraged enough about what's happened to ``Style and Substance'' after a tryout of just a few months that she's not sure she wants to do another series.

``It's so not about the work. The whole system has to do with demographics and such. I understand we're there to sell paper towels and dog food, but as an actor, it's frustrating.''

Back on track

``I feel like I'm just halfway through my career and am coming out steaming in the second half,'' reports Al Jarreau, who recently signed with Polygram Records. After years of feeling shunted aside by his former record label, the multi-Grammy-winning singer is pumped about his new deal. ``To have someone welcome you with open arms after being a recording artist for more than 20 years is great,'' says Jarreau, who'll perform at the 20th annual Playboy Jazz Festival taking place at L.A.'s Hollywood Bowl June 13-14. ``Polygram looks at me as an asset, not a liability. Isn't it awful that (so many record companies) may be looking at a George Benson, a Chaka Khan or a Stevie Wonder - after all they've contributed - as a liability when it comes to making new music?''

He expects to have a new CD out by next spring, and says he also has ``a big-band album inside me somewhere. There's a trio of albums George Duke and I want to do from tapes we recorded in the '60s, and I also want to do a Brazilian album.''

Who's laughing now

Bob Saget, who directed the Norm Macdonald big-screen comedy ``Dirty Work,'' isn't complaining because NBC has banned commercials for the MGM release. ``We've gotten more publicity because of it. We've been on all the news shows with the story. There have been clips from the movie everywhere,'' he points out. In case you've missed the story, Macdonald has been engaged in a feud with NBC West Coast president Don Ohlmeyer since Norm was removed from the ``Weekend Update'' segment of ``Saturday Night Live,'' and the network decided last week it didn't want to help promote his movie. ``The success of the film will be Norm's best revenge,'' says Saget, who feels there is some irony in the fact that the June 12 release ``is about two guys who get revenge on every small-time despot that crosses their path.''

The big-screen scene

Sounds like Albert Brooks is having his humorous way with Hollywood. According to sources familiar with the script of his October Films ``The Muse,'' it's chock-full of familiar industry-type characters, including ``a friend of Wolfgang Puck's, an agent everyone swears is gay, a super-achieving screenwriter-producer, the manager of the Beverly Hills Hotel'' - and more. Production begins Aug. 3.

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3 Photos

Photo: (1) Jean Smart

``It's frustrating''

(2) Al Jarreau

``Steaming in the second half''

(3) Bob Saget

Isn't complaining