Entertainment

New sitcom ‘Dads’ isn’t controversial or funny

CHEEKY: The cast of “Dads” features (seated) Seth Green (left), Giovanni Ribisi and Brenda Song and (standing) Vanessa Lachey (left), Martin Mull, Peter Riegert and Tonita Castro. (
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You might have read by now that a prominent group called MANA (Media Action Network for Asian Americans) has complained vociferously about Fox’s new fall sitcom, “Dads,” calling it “racist” by perpetrating Asian stereotypes — and demanding that Fox reshoot some of the pilot episode’s scenes MANA deems offensive.

Having now watched that episode, I can tell you that, in its blatant efforts to be an equal-opportunity offender, “Dads” isn’t offensive, it’s just not funny. Think of an early episode of “All in the Family,” with Martin Mull in the Archie Bunker role immortalized by Carroll O’Connor, and you’ll have some idea of the “Dads” pilot’s flight path.

But, let’s face it, “All in the Family” was funny in its groundbreaking portrayal of prejudice and ignorance embodied in Queens loading-dock foreman Archie Bunker. And this isn’t 1972 anymore; we’ve come a long way regarding what’s acceptable, at least in prime-time TV.

And did anyone really think that “Dads” — which premieres Sept. 17 and counts “Family Guy”/“American Dad” guru Seth MacFarlane as one of its executive produers — would not at least attempt to offend anyone and everyone with sophomoric jokes (targets here include gays and Asians). With Mull’s character delivering lines like “Where’s your gay guy? Show him your gay guy!” or “There’s a reason ‘shanghai’s’ a verb” (one of the lines cited by MANA), it’s all predictable.

When all is said and done, “Dads” isn’t what the industry likes to call “edgy”; in fact, it’s totally bland — a factory-issue, cookie-cutter sitcom with cardboard characters, a hyperactive laugh track and actors who you can almost see grimacing while delivering lines they know are as stale as yesterday’s leftovers.

And that’s a shame, because “Dads” has assembled a talented cast headed by Mull (“Fernwood Tonight,” “Roseanne”) and Peter Riegert (Otter from “Animal House” to people of a certain age). They play the titular 65-ish “Dads” who live with their best-friend sons — Mull’s Crawford with son Warner (Giovanni Ribisi), wife Camilla (Vanessa Lachey) and kids and Riegert’s David with bachelor son Eli (Seth Green).

The “jokes” run the gamut from Crawford referring to Asians as “Orientals” and a boxing match as “punch the Puerto Rican” and David warning Eli to stay out of the bathroom between 3 and 4 a.m. because “that’s my go time.” Really?