Charmed, which joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer on the WB in 1998, flourishes thanks to its seasoned cast and their ability to deliver a balanced combination of comedy, melodrama and female empowerment.

Foremost is series star Shannen Doherty, a prickly and coolly confident presence as Prue Halliwell, the oldest and most powerful of the three-witch San Francisco brood. Doherty may have once inspired an "I Hate Brenda" zine with her messy exit from Spelling's Beverly Hills, 90210, but she carries this show with her practiced chops and sure hand, easily justifying her industry-vet boss granting her another shot.

Providing capable backup is Doherty's co-star, Who's the Boss and Melrose Place alum Alyssa Milano, whose Phoebe struggles to earn the respect of her older, more grounded siblings. A regular uniform of flimsy tube top and profuse sweating don't help her cause, but Milano's spirited portrayal provides Charmed with a light comic touch (as well as hallmark Spelling cleavage).

Middle sister Piper (Holly Marie Combs), provides a buffer between her two sibs and also oversees Charmed's convenient excuse for established-band guest gigs (The Goo Goo Dolls et al.), a Spelling staple. Combs not only runs club P3, she also spends much of her time juggling two romantic interests, Leo (Brian Krause) and Dan (Greg Vaughan), in a love triangle that is one of the show's most compelling and enduring storylines.

Charmed deservingly has found a happy home among such WB success stories as Angel and Buffy. And because of its aforementioned strengths, it's unlikely that the drama will be overshadowed when ABC's fellow magic vehicle, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, moves to the WB this fall. Prue, Piper and Phoebe may also make practical magic their lifestyle of choice, but their spellcasting is secondary to the chemistry among the lead actresses.

Tonight, a doctor investigating the sisters accidentally imbues a monkey with their special abilities.