Sons & Daughters

Sons & Daughters offers such a fresh, funny take on family life that it could be a landmark comedy.

It has a sprawling cast, but even before the pilot is over, because of the clever way it's written, directed and acted, you'll know, and like, every single character.

It starts out a little cutesy but quickly finds laughs in crisp writing and really strong (and blessedly not-overblown) acting.

"Sons & Daughters" is a sitcom whose method -- a script embellished by actors at play -- celebrates the unexpected comedy that can emerge among talented people.

Those who enjoy Sons & Daughters enjoyed Arrested Development more, and the same viewers put off by the latter's off-the-wall humor will also be put off the new show.

Crowded, confusing and unafraid to be dull, "Sons & Daughters" also holds tremendous promise.

Most of the cast stammers its way through sentences as if awaiting a lightning strike of inspiration. When it doesn't come, the actors have to say something anyway, and that meandering search for structure is what winds up filling 30 shapeless minutes.