Let’s get real for a minute.

“The Real O’Neals” premiered on ABC on March 2. From what is seen from the pilot episode, the light may shine down favorable on this Irish Catholic family from Chicago. However, if that is to happen then the show needs to step up to the plate and do something to shake and shock their viewers. Right now it is just another typical comedy.

The show is about an Irish Catholic family in Chicago who have the “perfect” life. However, when the family begins to be honest with one another, they are thrown through a spiral. Yet this honesty that seems to be tearing them apart may, in fact, bring them closer together. That could not sound more like a cookie cutter sitcom situation if someone tried.

The shows stars Martha Plimpton (“Raising Hope”) as the traditional mother who needs to control every aspect of her family so it can be perfect. The only moment of true power in her performance comes at the end of the episode as she starts to go insane over a canoe her “rival” has won. She is the type of character who is not there to be funny all the time. She is more genuine and has her moment where she can land a powerful joke. Yet more can be done to play off both aspects of her character. Not to say that the show needs to center around her, just that with everything they tried to do in the episode, she is one part that should not fall to the wayside.

“The Real O’Neals” also stars Noah Galvin (“Futurestates”) who plays the middle child Kenny, who comes out of the closet in the episode. Kenny’s character is really well put together, which makes sense because, at least in the pilot, he is the center of the show. He is gay, but it doesn’t seem forced in either his performance or the writing of the show. It comes off as a very natural part of who he is. In addition, the show plays an interesting twist on the “Scrubs” fantasy-type moments where Kenny talks to Jesus, a colane model and picture his future being straight. Kenny is a good aspect to the show and as the series continues, it will be interesting to see what is done with his character.

Other members of the family include Jay R. Ferguson (“The Lucky One”), Matt Shively (“Expelled”) and Bebe Wood (“Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp”). The family members each have their own individual aspects and each have their moments. However, the pilot tries to throw a lot at the viewers at once so their character traits tend to fall to the way side for the moment. Each actor serves their function, but nothing really more. Shively gets a good moment where he fills his plate with food, gives it a good whiff and then drops it into the trash. The show could have easily played more with this if they wanted to, but it did not unfortunately.

The show had a decent beginning, but needed to do more. The world is filled with many comedies and people are tired of seeing the same jokes played out over and over again. ”The Real O’Neals” moves away at points, but still has a bit of a journey before it can become anything more than just another sitcom to fall by the wayside.

Rating: 4 out of 5