ABC’s ‘Line of Duty’ sturdy, but nothing groundbreaking

Network executives aren’t giving any gifts to the producers of new TV shows when they launch them in the midst of the holiday season, when many are too busy to even watch anything except evergreens such as “Frosty the Snowman” or “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

At least ABC is giving “Line of Fire,” which debuts at 10 tonight, a fighting chance. The new FBI-vs.-the Mob drama gets the time slot of “NYPD Blue” in an effort to eliminate reruns of the venerable cop drama. So maybe viewers tune in, don’t find “Blue,” but stick around anyway to try out the new show. Maybe.

“Line of Fire” takes a slightly different approach to storytelling, following both the cops and the robbers in the city of Richmond, Va.

The local FBI branch is headed by Special-Agent-in-Charge Lisa Cohen (“24” refugee Leslie Hope), who is that TV staple, the hard-bitten career woman whose sensitive side is buried. Working under her are a crew of young but experienced agents and two new trainees.

The feds are working to build a case against a crime syndicate headed by Jonah Malloy (David Paymer), a paternal but ruthless leader.

The quick-cutting drama does an admirable job of giving equal dramatic weight to both sides. Even with a sizable ensemble cast, it’s relatively easy to follow along with the story and keep the characters straight.

Still, consider that ratings-weak ABC held this from a fall launch and had it revamped, despite having many holes in its schedule. While it’s sturdy, “Line of Fire” isn’t anything that hasn’t been done before. It may get a second life somewhere in ABC’s lineup, but fans of the past-its-prime “NYPD Blue” needn’t worry.

Also tonight, Paris Hilton (heir to the hotel fortune) makes her scheduled video debut, with close friend Nicole Richie (Lionel’s daughter) joining her, in “The Simple Life,” airing at 8:30 p.m. (Episode 2 airs tomorrow at 8:30.)

The two L.A. celebutantes without any obvious skills got plunked down in tiny Altus, Ark. (You know they’re out of their element when Paris asks, with a straight face, “What’s Wal-Mart?”)

Hmmm, Paris Hilton, her ditzy pal and farm animals. Must be a Fox show.

Here’s the shtick: The two girls must survive, without cell phones or credit cards, for 30 days on an Arkansas farm, working like any other member of the extended Leding family.

Based on the first two episodes, boy, are they in trouble. The only natural abilities they have are those of the idle rich. But they can’t hold onto a job long enough to earn money to go shopping, and there’s not much of a club scene in rural Arkansas.

Think of this as a reverse “Beverly Hillbillies,” in which the rich move into a working-class region, but the upshot is the same, with the common man poking fun at the privileged.

Finally, a reality show with the soul of a sitcom.

Lastly, debuting tonight but not reviewed is “The Tracy Morgan Show,” starring the former “Saturday Night Live” player in a family comedy, which airs at 8 on NBC.

Dale McGarrigle is the Bangor Daily News TV critic. He can be reached at dmcgarrigle@bangordailynews.net.