TVSquad

ABC has a certified hit with their big sprawling look at an American Modern Family. But this isn't their first foray into a big family sitcom. In 2006, they aired a partially improvised comedy about a big, sprawling American family.

Sons & Daughters was barely on a month, but it sunk its talons into me and still hasn't let go. With mostly improvised dialogue, there was something very honest about the language they spoke, complete with the stammers and stutters that make up real conversation. The show was honest, heartfelt and funny. And with a massive cast, it felt like we were constantly on the verge of total chaos somewhere.

It looks like Sons & Daughters was ahead of its time, hitting the air when Americans were touting the sitcom as a dying format. Goss needed to hold out until this season, somehow. Now we're taking a hard look at the sitcom again, and finding that we do like it. It just has to be good. Sons & Daughters was good.

Want to know how Fred Goss REALLY feels about the cancellation of Sons & Daughters? Well, you could check out his blog on ABC.com -- while it's still up -- but you could just skip that and check out the blog he has set up on his MySpace page, where he's a bit more vocal about his situation. While he's upset that S&D is gone, he is still happy for the opportunity and informs readers that he and partner Nick Holly are developing shows for Touchstone. So, it's not like he burns any bridges here. But let's just say that he's not a big fan of According to Jim.

ABC gave the greenlight to two new comedies, including Let's Rob Mick Jagger, which is a single-camera comedy about a janitor and his friends who plan to rob Mick Jagger. It's executive produced by David Letterman. The original plan for the show was to rob Jeff Goldblum, but he's already busy with NBC. Jagger just recently signed on to appear in several episodes of the show that is all about robbing him.

ABC also picked up A Day in the Life, which has different views of a couple's wedding day. How are they going to get an entire season out of this premise? I dunno, either. The network also renewed What About Brian? for a second season.

And, part-improv/part-scripted comedy Sons & Daughters did not get renewed for a second season. Creator Fred Goss (interviewed earlier this year by Joel) confirms cancellation on his website.

I was pretty down on Sons & Daughters last week, mainly because they aired two fairly laugh-free half-hours that were also short on the dramatic touches that have made this show one of the more unique programs on TV. But Fred Goss and company have come roaring back with two fine and funny episodes this week, each revolving around a singular event in the Walker extended family.

The "Hospital Visit" referenced by episode one's title occurs after some normal family strife and an argument with Cameron about her separation sends Colleen to the hospital with chest pains.  So all of a sudden, people that were being driven nuts by Colleen's passive aggression -- like Sharon, maybe? -- all of a sudden talk about what a saint she was. "I mean, when we came home from school, she'd have food for us to eat, and the power was always on..." Sharon says with a straight face. But the big event is that Colleen and Wendal, who can still bring in the buxom young bartenders, get back together after he rushes to her side.

Just like in scripted comedy, episodes of improvised comedy can be hit or miss. Sometimes the hits and misses happen in the space of a single episode. That's what happened tonight's two episodes of Sons & Daughters. Both had their funny moments, but both also dragged in spots, but not because there were overly dramatic moments like there were last week. It's because the funny lines just didn't fly. And I think I can pinpoint the problem: Not enough Carrie.

Just kidding. I really did think, though, that I'd see more of her after the strong showing she had in the first two episodes. She really hasn't had much to do in any of the four that have aired since then, which is unfortunate. In fact, most of the supporting characters get the short shrift in both these episodes, with the possible exceptions of Don and Whitey. This is a problem; as much as I like Cam and Liz, they're probably the least interesting characters in the show. It's the "How I Met Your Mother dilemma": do you stay with the boring leads that you've built the stories around or go off and explore the more interesting people in their universe? Unfortunately, S&D is staying with it's central couple right now, and it's less funny because of it.