GOING DARK

Kelsey Grammer isn't the first sitcom star to shake up his image. Here are four more comedic faves who went over to the dark side:

Light side: Hal in "Malcolm in the Middle," a befuddled father with a big heart who can't control his kids -- or his childish behavior.

Dark side: Walter White in "Breaking Bad," a befuddled father with a dark heart who can't control his drug partners -- or his demonic behavior.

Light side: Beverly Barnes in "The Larry Sanders Show." An unflappable, loyal assistant to a talk-show host, she'll do almost anything to help him succeed.

Dark side: Sherry Palmer in "24." An unflappable, loyal wife to the president of the United States, she'll do absolutely anything to help him succeed.

Light side: Mary Richards on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," a big-city single gal who shuns no one and can't throw a decent party.

Dark side: Beth Jarrett in "Ordinary People," a suburban socialite who shuns her family and can't get over the death of her oldest son.

Dark side: Ted Buchanan on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," a smooth salesman/robot who likes to take loved ones to their grave.

NEAL JUSTIN

Kelsey Grammer isn't the first sitcom star to shake up his image. Here are five more comedic faves who went over to the dark side: Check out the rest on page E2.

Light side: Sam Malone in "Cheers," a charming, self-obsessed, womanizing bartender in a place where everybody knows your name.