ABC’s `Talk to Me’ lacks original plotline

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery. But that doesn’t necessarily means the copy has similar value to the original.

Take, for example, the new ABC sitcom “Talk to Me,” which premieres at 9:30 tonight. Created by former “Frasier” writer and producer Suzanne Martin, it’s meant to be a distaff version of that NBC hit, with elements of “WKRP in Cincinnati” thrown in as well.

“Talk to Me” is centered around Janey Munro, capably played by film actress Kyra Sedgwick (“Something to Talk About,” “Phenomenon”). She’s surrounded by a colorful cast of characters in the booth, led by her sound effects man Marshall (played by Brit Max Baker).

Janey is a hit on the air, but her personal life is more of a muddle. In one episode, she tries acting like a man after a breakup with her longtime boyfriend. She experiments with lesbianism in the second episode. Both plotlines yield minimal laughs.

The standout supporting character is conservative psychologist Dr. Debra, Munro’s foil archly played by Beverly D’Angelo (the National Lampoon “Vacation” films). But Christine Baranski had previously offered a better skewering of Dr. Laura in a guest spot on “Frasier” last season.

Unfortunately, in the media-centric world of TV, any radio-based series runs up against a “been-there, done-that” feel, after the success of “Frasier,” “Newsradio” and “WKRP.” “Talk to Me” would have to be spectacular to rise above that history, and it isn’t.

Also, while the series has its share of funny moments, it’s warming the time slot of the underappreciated “Sports Night,” and it just doesn’t measure up to that brilliantly written show. So “Talk to Me” needs to talk fast, because it’s likely to be off the air soon.