AN UNENGAGING `ENGAGEMENT'.

Byline: David Kronke Television Critic

CBS' new relationship sitcom ``Rules of Engagement'' manages the unthinkable: It makes Fox's similarly themed ``'Til Death'' seem somewhat thoughtful, and it proposes that the humor of the network's own Charlie Sheen comedy ``Two and a Half Men'' is vaguely progressive.

Smirky and cynical, ``Rules of Engagement'' presents the battle of the sexes as an endgame with no winners. Even given that that might be true, the players are generally more sympathetic than those proffered here.

Adam (Oliver Hudson) is tremulously engaged to Jennpifer (Bianca Kajlich), while watching his confirmed-bachelor pal Russell (David Spade) blithely blither his way through superficial relationships, and also notes that his neighbors Jeff (Patrick Warburton) and Audrey (Megyn Price), a couple married for a dozen years, scarcely communicate.

So the joke is, marriage can be emasculating. At least in ``'Til Death'' one can at least buy Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher's semi-chemistry.

This is one of those shows where the creators are fairly contemptuous of their characters, and if they don't like them, why should viewers? Performances are lazy (though in Spade's case, that's a given), and the show's over-reliance on sex gags suggests that no one involved has ever been in a meaningful relationship.

(The rough cuts of the screeners made available for review suggest that the studio audiences weren't much amused, either.)

In a future episode, a series of jokes depends upon Russell staring at Audrey's breasts, no matter how she attempts to dissuade his lusty overtures.

Finally, she announces, ``I think we're done here.'' Truer words have rarely been spoken.

David Kronke, [phone]

[e-mail]

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT - One star

What: Ostensibly a relationship comedy.

Where: CBS (Channel 2).

When: 9:30 tonight.

In a nutshell: Cynical and bereft of humor.

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

Oliver Hudson, left, Bianca Kajlich, David Spade, Patrick Warburton and Megyn Pryce star in CBS' new ``Rules of Engagement,'' a no-winners battle of the sexes.