Eye on fall TV: CBS, other networks face an uncertain season.

Byline: Hal Boedeker

The preview of the new CBS series "Wolf Lake" went strangely. Television critics had seen one version, but the show's executive producer cautioned that substantial changes were being made to the drama about wolves that shape-shift into people.

"By a show of hands, who are the wolves?" a reporter asked. Actors Lou Diamond Phillips, Tim Matheson and others raised their hands. "Tim is a wolf who's resisted the urge to engage in shape-shifting," said executive producer Alex Gansa, a veteran of "The X-Files."

What tone are they going for?

"We're starting to call it a supernatural drama," Gansa said. "And it's got some levity in it. It's got some horror in it. We're really trying to create a tone all its own."

Phillips described it as "'The Sopranos' with fangs."

They had better figure out what it will be soon. "Wolf Lake" is set to debut Sept. 12, a week before the fall TV season's official start.

There is usually uncertainty over a new television season, but most of it this year centers on CBS, the most-watched network last season.

Television critics at their summer tour last month in Pasadena, Calif., raved over the Fox entries, citing them as the most creative and interesting. There was general disappointment in the new ABC and NBC offerings.

That's bad news because hit new series are the lifeblood of the broadcast industry. "Many of us believe that any of the major networks are one big hit away from being No. 1," said Lloyd Braun, co-chairman of the ABC Entertainment Television Group.

As for the smaller networks, WB drew positive comments for a couple of new series ("Smallville," "Maybe It's Me"), and UPN's new, secrecy-shrouded "Star Trek" series, "Enterprise," held fascination.

But the CBS series were difficult to evaluate, and they probably will determine how good or bad the fall will be overall. The network has changed every night except Monday and added…