Entertainment

Lovable goof bro gets laughs

Ben is the big brother who never grew up and Kate is the younger sister who grew up too fast. That’s what we’re told, and that’s the hook upon which new sitcom “Ben and Kate” hangs its hopes.

But once you get the hook, it’s a toss-up whether you’ll bother to take the bait.

The boy, Ben, is played by Nat Faxon, and he’s genuinely funny, while Kate, played by Dakota Johnson (daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith), isn’t. But then she’s not supposed to be. Kate’s supposed to be the one with the good head on her shoulders, while Ben can’t keep his on straight.

Even though Kate is a single mom who works as a bartender at Buddy’s Bar & Grill, (the baby daddy ran away), she is apparently the best bartender this side of Iraq, because she lives in a beautiful home with (of course) a precocious 5-year-old daughter (Maggie Elizabeth Jones).

Because Ben has a habit of showing up spontaneously, often laden with oddities — “Jason” masks, a drum set, you name it — Kate is not surprised that, yes, he’s come back to his hometown once again to live. Wow. That’s different.

His ex is getting married, and he wants to stop it from happening.

Even though Ben is a seriously annoying intrusion and a social klutz, he is, underneath it all, a wonderful guy. Or something.

The supporting cast, Kate’s British co-worker at the bar, BJ (“Do you know what BJ means in my country?”) played by Lucy Punch, and Ben’s best friend Tommy (Echo Kellum), are the glue that holds this bro and sister together. Or at least this show together.

Some good laughs, but since it’s up against “The Voice,” and “Dancing With the Stars,” chances are good that your dance card is already full.