New comedies are rare, and mostly dreadful

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'Valentine'
Remember “Cupid,” the short-lived 1998 ABC show starring Jeremy Piven as a guy who thought he was the god of love?

Well this hour-long romantic comedy is like that, except that Cupid now goes by Eros and looks like actor Kristopher Polaha. And this time, Eros’ whole family of matchmaking gods secretly lives among us.

The Valentine family is led by mom Grace (“Hustle” star Jaime Murray), who’s really the goddess Aphrodite. Eros goes by Danny Valentine, and according to a network press release, he’s ditched the bow and arrow for some sort of gun. Phoebe Valentine (“The O.C.’s” Autumn Reeser) is the goddess of the Oracle at Delphi, who helps the family find new lovebirds each week.

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Polaha and Murray are charming actors. Still, it’s yet to be revealed how she plays his mom when he is actually a few months older than she is.

One to watch? This one’s likely for die-hard romantics only. (Premieres Sept. 21, CW, 8 p.m.) —Jeff Hidek

‘Worst Week’
It’s not like the concept of this show, adapted from a British version, is anything new: A young man is having a tough time impressing his soon-to-be in-laws.

Image: Kyle Bornheimer and Erinn Hayes on "Worst Week"
Robert Voets / CBS
Yet plenty of slapstick, tempered by star Kyle Bornheimer’s sweetness, make "Worst Week" the comedy to watch this fall. CBS has faith in it as well, planting it right behind ratings powerhouse “Two and a Half Men” at 9:30 on Mondays.

As Sam Briggs, Bornheimer can’t help but making a bad situation worse, and adorable fiancee Melanie (Erinn Hayes) has his back at all times, even while her parents (sitcom vets Nancy Lenehan and Kurtwood Smith, aka Earl and Randy Hickey's mom and Eric Forman's dad) are wondering why she’s marrying this buffoon.

Love conquers all, of course, but if Bornheimer gets into as much self-induced chicanery in the following episodes as he does in the pilot, Hayes might start second-guessing herself.

One to watch? Absolutely. Even if watching live, it might be best to record on TiVo to catch the jokes missed because of laughing too hard. (Premieres Sept. 22, CBS, 9:30 p.m.) —S.L.

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