The New McCarthys?

Are the The Real O'Neals on ABC a repeat of the old The McCarthys on CBS.  You know, the comedy about an Irish family with a gay son that lasted one season?  Well, there is one difference.  The O'Neals are from Chicago rather than Boston, so it has to be different.  

You can find out tonight when it premieres tonight.  The official start of the series is not until March 8th.  Yes, it is confusing. 

Here is ABC's take on the show (and the extended trailer):

The Real O'Neals is a fresh take on a seemingly perfect family whose lives take an unexpected turn when surprising truths are revealed. Instead of ruining their family, the honesty triggers a new, messier chapter where everyone stops pretending to be perfect and actually starts being real.

Okay, ABC's summary says little about the contents of the show, but the trailer is more helpful.  One promising part of the new show is the involvement of Martha Plimpton and Jay R. Ferguson as the parents.  

Gay advice columnist Dan Savage had a hand in the show, which has caused some controversy. Then again, what show today lacks controversy unless it involves zombies, murder, or emergency workers? We like the peacefulness of blood and disaster. How dare a network introduces a gay teenager! 

Maybe that is why the show summary above is so bland. You cannot offend someone if you say nothing. Let's hope the show itself has something worth saying.