Video: The Fox Trots Faster

With its biggest hit, The Simpsons, getting ready to challenge NBC's The Cosby Show, Murdoch's network makes its boldest bid yet for parity with the Big Three

In this corner . . . the champion. TV's No. 1-rated show for four straight years. Slipped to No. 2 last season, but still a powerhouse in the ring. Has the experience, the moves, the fan loyalty. The only uncertainty: most of its victories have come against weak competition. Can it still take a punch?

In this corner . . . the challenger. Television's fastest-rising new hit, a frequent finisher in the Nielsen Top 10 just eight months after its premiere. Its unorthodox style has thrown opponents off balance, but experience is a question mark. Can it go the distance against...

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