Ten to watch

Who will be the breakout stars of 2003-2004? Who, like Jennifer Garner, will land big movie deals? Who, like Ray Romano will be around to get more than $1 million an episode?

From the current crop, here are 10 to watch:

JASON BATEMAN ("Arrested Development") — On TV for seemingly ever, the former child star has found his place as a beleaguered son trying to save his family’s business from extinction. Juggling a gallery of relatives (ranging from Jeffrey Tambor to Michael Cera), he keeps the comedy’s balls in the air and proves he isn’t quite ready for "Celebrity Boxing." Like Jodie Foster, he deserves a second chance. This is it.

D.J. COTRONA ("Skin") — While Ron Silver and Kevin Anderson huff and puff as adults caught up in a legal battle over porn, Cotrona quietly steals the show as Anderson’s confused son. The 21-year-old is making his TV series debut as Romeo to Olivia Wilde’s Juliet. Look for the two newcomers to have careers that will last longer than the rather thin "Skin."

OMID DJALILI ("Whoopi") — This takes guts. "Whoopi" features an Iranian who talks about terrorism, planes and national treasures. Djalili gets the thankless task and handles it with great aplomb. He’s a character actor who can get a laugh with an eye roll, not three pages of dialogue.

ELIZA DUSHKU ("Tru Calling") — Dushku must have learned plenty from her "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" star Sarah Michelle Gellar. She has the same work ethic, the same ability to embrace an audience through the small screen. While "Tru Calling" isn’t as inventive as "Buffy," it’s enough to keep her in the public eye until something bigger comes along. Trust us, it will.

EVE ("Eve") — The show’s a mess, but it could move Eve up a notch in the world of hip hop. Like "Moesha," Brandy’s calling card, it should show that Eve has more lives than the catty woman she plays in her videos. Note, though, the paws on her chest aren’t visible in the TV series. That’s acting.

TRAVIS FIMMEL ("Tarzan") — A former Calvin Klein underwear model, Fimmel sees this as his stepping stone to films. Because the role isn’t very taxing, it could give him the boost. Plus? He has a look that registers on screen. He’s electric on television. But in films? Watch out.

JOE PANTOLIANO ("The Handler") — He’s the go-to guy in films, one of the reasons why "The Sopranos" was so riveting in the last two years. But now Joey Pants (as he’s called) is a headliner and he handles the job well. As the leader of a "Mission: Impossible" group for the 21st century, he knows how to move and shake. And the hat looks good, too.

TERI POLO ("I’m With Her") — Playing an actress based on Brooke Shields doesn’t sound like much of a job, but Polo manages to go one better and turn the Shields-alike into another Julia Roberts. She’s charming (like Jenna Elfman in "Dharma & Greg") and witty. Expect her to make it down more than one red carpet.

KELLY RIPA ("Hope & Faith") — Moonlighting suits her. Although "Hope & Faith" is a pretty dumb show, Ripa gives it plenty of energy and lots of heart. She’s a nice foil for Faith Ford, who’s not the quirky one — for a change. Note the Emmy in the background. Someday, one might belong to Ripa.

AMBER TAMBLYN ("Joan of Arcadia") — The daughter of actor Russ Tamblyn, Amber makes the grade with an honesty that’s rare in young actresses. She’s a typical teen thrust in an atypical world. When God starts popping up in odd places, she knows how to deal. As a result, "Joan" will be one of the year’s more distinguished shows.