Don’t get ‘Committed’ to so-so new NBC sitcom

Well, it’s an improvement.

“It,” in this case, is the new NBC sitcom “Committed,” debuting tonight at 9:30. It’s better than the show it’s replacing, “Father of the Pride,” an animated series starring computer-generated animals so demeaning that it should have set both PETA and the ACLU into action. (The sparkling “Scrubs” moves up to 9 to start the hour stronger.)

This isn’t to say that “Committed” heralds the return to the golden age of sitcoms. It’s bizarre and quite non-PC, both points in its favor. Now, if only it could hold up for a whole 22 minutes.

At its core, “Committed” is a romantic comedy, as brilliant yet neurotic Nate (played by Josh Cooke) meets wacky but upbeat Marni (Jennifer Finnegan, “Crossing Jordan”) on a blind date screw-up, and they discover that they are soul mates. Each has a sarcastic, slightly more stable friend to advise them about their relationship.

The scene-stealer in “Committed” is the always reliable Tom Poston (“Newhart”), a dying clown who lives in a closet of Marni’s apartment (he came with the sublet). When you’re waiting impatiently for the two or three scenes an episode in which a minor character appears, that reveals that something isn’t working. So send in the clown. There’s got to be clown.

Don’t get committed to “Committed.”

Dale McGarrigle can be reached at 990-8028 and dmcgarrigle@bangordailynews.net.