Bette Midler plays herself in new series, but that may not be enough.

Byline: Ken Parish Perkins

Although she's starring in a sitcom that, so far, shows scant sign of excellence, Bette Midler is nonetheless one of the promising pleasures of the new television season. Rarely has there been an actress as energetic and effervescent as Midler, who gleefully punches holes in her renowned appeal _ which, of course, only ends up making her seem that much more appealing.

Bette Midler in a half-hour series about Bette Midler might sound brazenly simplistic, but there's no better way of explaining the essence of this new sitcom that CBS is blissfully expecting to be its next great hit.

Except to say it has even greater potential to be its next great bust.

In a long and decorated career, Midler, now a bouncy 54, has starred in more than a dozen films, including both sentimental dramas and irreverent comedies, written two books, one of which _ a story for children _ was a bestseller. She has won Emmys and Grammys and Tonys and Golden Globes and was nominated for a couple Oscars.

But Midler's career-long challenge has always been exactly how to creatively satisfy this hybrid of a performer. What's clear is that…