TV REVIEWS

After launching the season with a heavyweight story about teen-age suicide, ABC’s “Afterschool Special” returns today with a sly, engaging comedy about a teen-age boy who turns to the personal ads in hopes of finding a suitable date for his divorced mother.

“Wanted: The Perfect Guy” will be broadcast at 3 p.m. on Channel 10 and at 4 p.m. on Channel 3. KABC-TV Channel 7 plans to air the program Friday at 7 p.m.

What is noteworthy about this production is the skill with which it has been mounted by director Catlin Adams. Adams gets splendidly underplayed performances from the three principals--Madeline Kahn as the mother, Ben Affleck as the son and Pam Potillo as his best friend--and fills the hour with off-beat faces, quirky bits of business and a real kid’s-eye view of the adult world, mocking at times, confused at others.

Written by Mary Pleshette Willis and produced by Joseph Feury, “Wanted: The Perfect Guy” delivers no great message; it’s just a well-crafted little film that’s happy providing its audience with a few wry chuckles. That’s plenty.