It’s interesting that “Dads” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, two new comedies FOX is launching, seem to be directly correlated to how two summer comedies performed in the summer of 2012. When Andy Samberg’s “That’s My Boy” flopped big time, the outlook for his career wasn’t as rosy as it had been in the past, likely making the idea of being a lead on a TV program very appealing. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the massive success of Seth MacFarlane’s “Ted” likely made MacFarlane eager to expand his empire of comedy with another TV show.

This comparison becomes ironic when one considers how the creators of the gleefully unorthodox “Ted” fail to conjure even a smile during “Dads” excruciating half-hour run time. Meanwhile, Andy Samberg and his team have delivered an OK first episode that could turn into something special if the creators handle it properly.

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”’s first episode deals with a new captain coming to a police squad that consists of Andy Samberg and a variety of easy to describe TV stereotypes (i.e. the no nonsense cop, the schmuck of an officer).  While there’s nothing truly uproarious in the half hour, chuckles abound and the cast is top notch.  Andy Samberg in particular is a highlight with his character actually being useful in police cases, and not just being around to deliver one-liners. Although “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” initially feels like it is lacking in characterization and major laughs, it won’t be surprising if the show winds up developing into a great comedy, so long as they avoid making more obvious jokes like the ones shown in the pilot.

I’ll say this though; I was practically craving “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”’s mildly underdeveloped, but humorous personality by the time I was five minutes into “Dads”. This is the kind of show that thrives on stereotypes, cruelty and the worst offense of all: not doing anything funny. Two actually funny men are wasted in the leads roles, with Seth Green’s lack of humorous presence a shock considering how great he is on “Robot Chicken”. Meanwhile, Giovanni Ribisi, after appearing in the highest grossing film in the entire history of the human race, is now stuck wasting his talent in this messy dreck. Neither of the titular dads really do anything humorous, and the plot is about as cliche as they come (Awww! Seth Green and his dad don’t get along!).  Seeing this kind of programming actually make it onto the air is both insulting and infuriating; needless to say, “Dads” does not deserve your time, brainpower or even consideration.