Family madness runs in ‘Sons’
Is the sitcom dead? I prefer to think we live in interesting times, when modest hits like “The Office” and since-canceled series like “Arrested Development” serve as laboratories for comedy experiments. The new series “Sons & Daughters” (9 p.m., and 9:30 p.m., ABC) bears the genetic footprint of both series.
Fred Goss (“Significant Others”) stars as Cameron, the middle-aged, middle-class father and stepfather at the center of this sprawling series. While not presented as a documentary, “Sons” shares a loose, improvisational style with “The Office.” And in many scenes Goss appears to be channeling Steve Carell’s rather brittle, loopy manner.
“Sons” will appeal to fans of the unhinged cast of immature characters on “Arrested Development.” As on that series, both the adults and adolescents meet on the same emotional level, and nobody can keep a secret or repress their most mortifying instincts.
In the first episode, Cameron and his pretty, young second wife, Liz (Gillian Vigman), throw a party for his mother, Colleen (Dee Wallace-Stone), and his stepfather, Wendal (Max Gail). Things get complicated when Cameron’s surly teen son threatens to invite his “real mother,” Cameron’s feared ex-wife. But that crisis recedes when Wendal confides that he might want to leave Colleen after 25 years of marriage. In the second episode, Cameron’s efforts to get the family together for a bowling party run into emotional headwinds.
Juggling overlapping stories of Cameron’s family as well as those of his two very different sisters and their respective broods, “Sons & Daughters” has an enormous cast that demands considerable attention from its audience. With so much going on, it would be better if the action didn’t go over the top nearly all of the time. If the demise of “Arrested” taught us anything, it’s that it’s difficult for a large audience to develop much sympathy for characters who speak (or care) only about themselves.
Dennis Haysbert’s character President Palmer was recently bumped off “24,” but don’t go looking for him on the unemployment line. He returns as a key member of a special anti-terror squad on “The Unit” (9 p.m., CBS). Robert Patrick (“Terminator II”) portrays the no-nonsense head of the unit. Scott Foley (“Felicity”) also stars.
Filled with plenty of nail-biting action, commando raids and shoot-‘em-up scenarios from Afghanistan to Idaho, “The Unit” also concerns the wives and families of these secret agents. They live, like Desperate Housewives in the Witness Protection Program, in a picture-postcard cul-de-sac, with no one but each other to confide in.
Other highlights
Loose dog tags on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS). … The ladies sing to survive on “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox). … The return of Jess on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., WB). … A dead patient may hold lifesaving clues on “House” (9 p.m., Fox). … Competitive globe-trotting on “Amazing Race 9” (10 p.m., CBS). … Accused of rape, a jock says, “The steroids made me do it,” on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC). … Denny finds solace on “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC).
“REAL Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (10 p.m., HBO) revisits former NBA giant Manute Bol.
Series notes
On two episodes of “According to Jim” (ABC), neighbors (8 p.m.), paternity woes (8:30 p.m.) … On back-to-back episodes of “Scrubs” (NBC), a favorite patient fades (9 p.m.), wooing Molly (9:30 p.m.) … A search for dad on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., WB).
Late night
Rachel Weisz and the Beastie Boys appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS) … Jay Leno hosts Kristin Davis, Ang Lee and Kris Kristofferson on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC) … Amanda Bynes, Chuck Lidell and Jamie Cullum appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (12:05 a.m., ABC) … Sarah Jessica Parker and Matisyahu are booked on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (12:35 a.m., NBC) … Craig Ferguson hosts Tyra Banks, Jackie Collins and Nathan Sawaya on “The Late, Late Show” (12:37 a.m., CBS).