Ted Danson has found out that Sam Malone casts a long shadow.

For a dozen years on the comedy classic “Cheers,” Danson played the lunkheaded but likable Malone, who tended the bar where “everybody knows your name.”

But the quick cancellation of 1996’s “Ink” left a stain on Danson’s record. So now he’s back to prove that he can draw viewers with the new CBS series “Becker,” which replaces “The Brian Benben Show” beginning at 9:30 tonight.

In “Becker,” Danson has taken a decidedly new tack, as he tries being a comedic curmudgeon. Now this is a risky departure for the actor, as curmudgeons in TV series generally don’t fare well (see every Dabney Coleman show).

Danson’s John Becker is a compassionate physician when dealing with the patients of his family practice in the Bronx. Other than that, he’s a flaming reactionary. As one character says, “He’s a brilliant doctor. As far as I can tell, that’s his only flaw. If it wasn’t for that, he’d be a perfect ass.”

“Becker” is the latest manifestation of TV’s current anti-political correctness backlash. As an archetype dating back to Archie Bunker, Becker says what he thinks, regardless of whom it offends. Unfortunately, in today’s kindler, gentler TV environment, it’s viewers whom “Becker” is most likely to offend.

The supporting cast is largely wasted thus far. Terry Farrell has the window-dressing role of diner owner Regina Costas, the obligatory possible love interest (she skipped the final season of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” for this?). Alex Desert is the blind proprietor of the local newsstand who explains Becker’s motivation to all who will listen. Shawnee Smith is the ditzy nurse’s aide in Becker’s office.

“Becker” tends to swing back and forth wildly between its two extremes. Is Becker the caring healer who is paying for a 7-year-old patient’s AIDS treatment? Or is he the loudmouthed lout who threatens to get his immigrant neighbor deported? The show’s writers seem to want it both ways, but that doesn’t quite work yet.

Like “Benben” before it, “Becker” has been scheduled to fail. It is woefully out of place following three family-oriented sitcoms on a network which attracts older viewers.

“Becker” is a show with edge, an edge that shouldn’t be blunted. This series about a doctor could develop into something worthwhile, but it’s the viewers and programmer who need patience.