‘Suburgatory’ completes lineup

McClatchy Newspapers

LOS ANGELES

ABC has tried since 2009 to find the fourth piece of its comedy block puzzle on Wednesday nights.

“The Middle” and “Modern Family” give the network two strong anchors and “Happy Endings” has been a solid draw with young viewers.

Finding the fourth show has been the test, as programs such as “Hank,” “Better With You” and “Mr. Sunshine” came and went.

ABC reached a point where it aired repeats of “Modern Family” while the search went on to find that fourth solid comedy.

The solution came this year with “Suburgatory.”

The comical and catty look at life in the suburbs has become the perfect hammock between the family comedies of “The Middle” and “Modern Family.”

ABC Entertainment boss Paul Lee says Wednesday nights have become a destination for viewers and advertisers because of the strength of the four comedies.

What “Suburgatory” has that was missing is the smart — and offbeat — writing about family life featuring a strong ensemble cast, the same formula that make “The Middle” and “Modern Family” hits.

Casting Jeremy Sisto as the star was a surprise, considering he came to the comedy after a long run on “Law & Order.” His resume is dominated by dramas, including playing Jesus in a TV movie of the same name.

Executive producer and creator Emily Kapnek gave Sisto a chance because she was a huge fan of his work. Plus, she was looking for an actor not firmly planted in the half-hour comedy format.

She says the comedy that comes out of the relationship between father and daughter is influenced by the dramatic weight Sisto brings to the role and the fresh approach of Jane Levy.

“I think that part of the relationship she shares with George is fresh in that they really seem to enjoy each other and, in some ways, feel like obviously he was a young dad when he had her, so it feels, in some ways, like they’re growing up together,” Kapnek says.