Father knows best...well, sort of. Surviving Jack is a new single-camera comedy based on best-selling author Justin Halpern's autobiographical book, I Suck at Girls. Set in 1990s Southern California, the ensemble series is about a man becoming a dad, as his son is becoming a man, in a time before "coming of age" was something you could Google. Jack Dunlevy, ex-military and an oncologist, is a no-bull kind of guy. He sees little, if any, need to sugar-coat the truth. Up to this point, Jack's been the parent who's left for work early, come home late, eaten the big piece of chicken, yelled at his kids and gone to bed. But after years of deftly raising and running the family, his wife, Joanne, is going back to law school, leaving Jack as a full-time parent for the very first time.

Jack's teenage son, Frankie, is just starting his freshman year in high school. Lanky, quick-witted, self-deprecating and not entirely sure of himself, all Frankie wants to do is fly under the radar. But over the summer, he grew 10 inches, threw a no-hitter against a rival team and started to attract girls - all of which put him in some awkward situations - especially when the only base he's ever been to is on the field. Fortunately, no matter how embarrassing the situations Frankie gets himself into are, Jack is there to pick up the pieces and lead his son to manhood...with the least gentle hand possible. Although Jack may be unorthodox, unfiltered and sometimes even unkind in his approach, his intentions are always good. For better or for worse, he's Frankie's only resource now. Even more confusing to Jack than Frankie's growing pains are those of his daughter, Rachel, a gorgeous and super-smart 17-year-old high school junior. Up until now, Rachel's done everything right. No longer under the watchful eye of her mother, she's now a handful. Jack considers the mind of the teenage girl beyond his (or anyone's) comprehension - a fact which Rachel will take full advantage of. For someone who is used to taking care of people with cancer, Jack's got this...right?  

Bill Lawrence (Cougar Town, Scrubs, Spin City), Jeff Ingold, Justin Halpern ($#*! My Dad Says), Patrick Schumacker ($#*! My Dad Says)

Didn't really picture Chris Meloni as the lead in a sitcom, but I can live with that. It comes from Bill Lawrence, which is always a good thing. Nothing new about the concept, but it's all about the chemistry between Meloni and his "son." I don't hate it, which, if you've been reading through the Preview, you can sort of take it as nearly high praise.