Many actresses turn to television as a way of extending their careers when starring roles in feature films peter out.But the transition from big screen to small has proven difficult for even the biggest and most beautiful stars.

As Glenn Close embarks on her series television career with her debut this week on FX ‘s “The Shield,” we took a look back at those who made it big – and those who flopped.

WINNERS

Barbara Stanwyck

The Big Valley

(1965-69)

In jeans and a black cowgirl hat,the butch Stanwyck was a real ball of fire as indomitable ranch matriarch Victoria Barkley on this hit ABC western.

Jane Wyman

Falcon Crest (1981-90)

The Oscar-winner (“Johnny Belinda “)who had the nerve to divorce Ronald Reagan showed just how tough she could be in this hit CBS prime-time soap in which she played vineyard diva Angela Channing.

Candice Bergen

Murphy Brown

(1988-98)

One of the best female characters ever written for television,Murphy Brown was a cantankerous news reporter who pushed everyone ‘s buttons,including Vice President Dan Quayle.She was played to perfection on CBS by Candice

Bergen.

LOSERS

Shirley MacLaine

Shirley ‘s World(1971-72)

MacLaine had yet to hit the jackpot with her reincarnation books (and “Terms of Endearment “)was a decade

away when she went slumming for a year as photojournalist Shirley Logan in this ABC comedy.

Geena Davis

The Geena Davis Show(2000-01)

Geena Davis had everything going for her – an Oscar ((“The Accidental Tourist “)and great looks,among them – and then she made a dreadul movie called “Cutthroat Island.” This equally dreadful ABC sitcom put a few more nails in her career coffin.

Bette Midler

Bette(2000-01)

Brash,irreverent yet endearing, Bette Midler seemed like a sitcom natural until “Bette ” got rolling.After a smash debut,the CBS show – and its ratings – quickly declined,while Miss M complained about how hard it was to do TV.Not so divine.