'CHAMPS' - A BUDDY COMEDY FOR '90S\Former teammates share teen memories and adult friendship.

Byline: Kate O'Hare Tribune Media Services 

After months and months of headlines, speculation, financial maneuvering and rumor-mongering, the powerhouse partnership of Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen - known as DreamWorks SKG - is about to unveil its first product.

It's not a huge, blockbuster, special-effects-laden science-fiction film. It's not even a computer-generated animated feature.

Rather, it's a half-hour comedy from Gary David Goldberg, the respected producer behind NBC's hit "Family Ties" and CBS' much-praised "Brooklyn Bridge."

"This is the only thing that counts. All the rest is foundation-laying," said Katzenberg, the former chairman of Disney Studios.

"This is what it's all about, creating a place of opportunity for talented people, of which Gary Goldberg is just a world-class talent. He's someone who has been a friend, a colleague, affiliated with both Steven and I for 20 years.

"The first one out of the box is as good as it gets," he said. "We couldn't be prouder of the work he's done."

On Jan. 9, "Champs" slides into the 9:30 p.m. slot formerly occupied by "Coach," which will return later in the season in a new time period.

Timothy Busfield ("thirtysomething") stars as family man Tom McManus, who balances his relationship with his wife (Ashley Crow) and kids (Libby Winters, Danny Pritchett) with his long-standing friendship with a bunch of former teammates on 1973 Western Massachusetts championship high-school basketball team.

Unfortunately, their personal lives are not as settled as Tom's: Marty's (Kevin Nealon) marriage is on the rocks; doctor Herb (Paul McCrane) is twice divorced; single dad Vince (Ed Marinaro) dates a lot but never finds the right woman; and Coach Harris (Ron McLarty) is a widower who's contemplating a more active social life.

"There's an element that runs through the show, because we're tied to our youth, to those friends, you sort of have this unconditional relationship," Busfield said. "It's there, but I really don't think it's that much of a nostalgic piece."

Busfield said the genesis of "Champs" dates to DreamWorks' inception.

"There was nothing else on the boards when we started. They hadn't even pitched anything. When we were negotiating my deal, they didn't even have a business-affairs department. They didn't know who was going to negotiate it. They put this thing together in such a hurry that they didn't have anything going yet."

Said Katzenberg: "Gary had been talking with me about coming back to television even before we put DreamWorks together as a company. And when we did put DreamWorks together, he was right there and said, 'Hey, I'd love to play with you guys.' It's great to have him as a flag carrier and a cheerleader for us in terms of what we've done.

"We'd love to do the same for him, because Gary is really a sovereign state. He brings with him an incredible team of talented producers, writers and directors; he's put a great cast together. Our principal role has been as his cheerleader.

"Gary is as low-maintenance as it gets. He requires very little. We've done everything in the world to only encourage them to do good work, and it's not about being first or ninth or whatever. Making a good television show is a near-impossible thing to do. To make a good and successful television show is a miracle. And you can't put on top of that, 'And by the way, it's the first thing from DreamWorks, so square it all again.'

"Nothing can bear that; you can't do anything productive out of that. So it's been a good year, a valuable year. Now the fun begins."

Said Marinaro, the former Minnesota Viking who came to acting prominence in "Hill Street Blues": "It's exciting being part of this, being the first project DreamWorks is doing. When Steven Spielberg comes to the tapings, it's kind of a kick. You can't help but be a fan of someone like that - I am.

"Jeffrey Katzenberg's a really sharp guy, impressive guy; I haven't met David Geffen yet. But Gary Goldberg is really the guy behind this whole thing. He's a real talent. I just sit and watch him. I've been fortunate to work with two of the best in the business - Steven Bochco and now Gary Goldberg. Plus, I played in two Super Bowls. I could leave the Earth now and be happy."

As a former athlete, Marinaro well understands the bond that keeps the "Champs" together.

"It's that shared experience of winning a high-school championship at basketball. I think a lot of people who were athletes bond with the people they played with. Some of my best friends are from my days playing high-school sports and college sports. It's just a natural thing, that you're young and innocent; you're a little insecure. You achieve some success in sports, and those impressions stay with you; those friendships stay with you."

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Photo (1--Cover--Color) ONETIME 'CHAMPS' Forever Friends (2) Ron McLarty, left, Ed Marinaro, Timothy Busfield, Kevin Nealon and Paul McCrane play best friends and "Champs."