BATTLE OF THE NETWORK STAR POWER : IN MOST CASES IT'S NOT MUCH OF A CONTEST.

Byline: Keith Marder Daily News Television Writer

It's easy to tell where a television network resides on the broadcasting food chain. All you have to do is look at which stars are ushered in and out during the Television Critics Association Press Tour.

The WB network kicked it off with what it called a major announcement dealing with a big star. From behind curtain No. 2 came Tom Arnold, a two-time television loser.

Fox, much further along in its evolution than the WB or UPN, but still no match for the Big Three, came along with Pauly Shore, Scott Wolf, Judge Reinhold and Brian Bosworth, names that are known but are no guaranteed audience draws. As a matter of fact, the person who was the most talked to at a Fox reception of new and returning stars was Kim Delaney of ABC's ``NYPD Blue,'' who was the date of one of the producers of the Fox show ``Sliders.''

CBS, making a comeback as the No. 2 network, offered more legitimate talent, including Daryl Hannah, Jason Gedrick, Pam Dawber and her husband, Mark Harmon, at the press tour, which just concluded in Pasadena.

Delaney didn't show up for ABC, but it, too, brought in some real star power in the forms of Drew Carey, Meryl Streep, George Stephanopoulos, Arsenio Hall, Dennis Franz, Rebecca De Mornay and Stephen King.

And NBC, the top network, brought in Sharon Lawrence, Tea Leoni, Wendie Malick, David Spade and the cast of ``Law & Order.''

Here's a look at the TV tour's other happenings:

Call the movers: If you need any more proof that the O.J. Simpson trials - both criminal and civil - are too pervasive in our pop culture, consider that the situation persuaded television super producer Aaron Spelling to change the name of one of his future series.

Spelling, who brings us beautiful people in the forms of shows such as ``Melrose Place'' and ``Beverly Hills, 90210,'' has another show with an address in the title called ``Pacific Palisades'' in the works for Fox.

But, before there was ``Pacific Palisades'' there was ``Brentwood.'' The series is the same, only the name has been changed to protect the - well, you get the idea.

``We developed the script, and the name of it was `Brentwood,' '' Spelling said. ``With what has happened in our town of `Brentwood,' Peter (Fox Entertainment president, Roth) and I just thought that we should change the title of the show.''

Spelling said that in some ways, ``Pacific Palisades'' is similar to ``Melrose Place,'' only a few years later. ``Melrose,' by the way, is ``90210'' a few years later.

Sharin' Sharon: Don't look for detective Andy Sipowicz to become a widower anytime soon.

Sharon Lawrence, who plays assistant district attorney Sylvia Costas, Sipowicz's much better half on ``NYPD Blue,'' has been doing some double duty.

Lawrence is the star of NBC midseason replacement sitcom ``Fired Up,'' and continues to have a relationship with Bochco Productions and ``NYPD Blue.''

``I'll be used as they need a mother on a show about homicide,'' she said. ``So, that means that when Andy and Sylvia need to discuss a domestic issue you will see her there. I think there'll be a bit of an arc that moves her more legitimately out of her work environment. But, it's not as if Sylvia will be gone. She'll be in the kitchen.''

She did not say how many upcoming episodes she will appear in, commenting only that she is committed to be available to ``NYPD Blue.''

``We did delay production of `Fired Up,' for me to fulfill a half-a-season commitment for `NYPD Blue.' They were interested in being able to warp up the character in such a way that gave them flexibility of timing.''

Keeping it down: It was previously published that Tea Leoni threw up five times last year when she made the pilot of ``The Naked Truth'' for ABC.

Now, the show has moved over to NBC, the No. 1 network, has been given the most desirable time slot on television, and apparently Leoni now can keep her breakfast down.

Asked about her former urge to purge, Leoni said she's better now, thanks.

``Boy, that's a good subject, isn't it?'' she said. ``Anyone have lunch? I don't do it anymore. I have relaxed enough.''

When asked about the potential pressure of having the golden time slot at 9:30 Thursday nights, between ``Seinfeld'' and ``ER,'' her stomach started rumbling just a bit.

``OK,'' she said. ``I'm gonna puke now.''

Politically wrong: ABC's Bill Maher may be the guy with the show ``Politically Incorrect,'' but it is Brian Bosworth, star of the new Fox series ``Lawless,' who often says things that would get him busted by the P.I. police.

For instance, when talking about possible locations for ``Lawless'' he said that South Beach, Fla., got the nod over Hawaii.

``My estimation was, you know, people go to Hawaii, you know, to smoke dope and chill,'' he said. ``People go to South Beach to smoke crack and kill. And, I wanted an element of danger.''

Bosworth, who was forced to leave professional football in 1989 because of shoulder injuries, has been known to speak up for attention.

When the former Oklahoma Sooner and Seattle Seahawk was suspended from a college bowl game for using steroids as performance-enhancing drugs, he wore a T-shirt to the game calling the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) the National Communists Against Athletes.

Today, Bosworth says that he regrets wearing the shirt.

``I didn't realize the impact that it was going to cause,'' Bosworth said. ``But, at the same time, it was a very rash and emotional decision based upon what I felt I was singled out for.''

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1) Meryl Streep and Seth Adkins star in ABC's ``...first do no harm,'' about a mother who defies conventional wisdom in the treatment of her son's epilepsy.

(2) Her show having moved to NBC, and with the most desirable time slot on television, Tea Leoni says she's feeling better about ``The Naked Truth'' these days.

(3) Sharon Lawrence stars in NBC's midseason replacement sitcom ``Fired Up,'' and continues to have a relationship with Bochco Productions and ABC's ``NYPD Blue.''