TV Reviews : CBS’ ‘First Impressions’ Series Falls Flat

“First Impressions,” the eight-part CBS comedy series premiering at 8 p.m. Saturday on Channels 2 and 8, creates mostly bad impressions.

No, “First Impressions” is not the story of Republican vice presidential nominee Dan Quayle’s relationship with the media. It’s about the owner of a small Omaha company that produces radio commercials. Frank Dutton (Brad Garrett) is still reeling from his wife’s walkout, and all he has left are his nine-year-old daughter (Brandy Gold), his job and the impressions he does of famous people.

The likable Garrett’s clever mimicry is the only highlight of this otherwise lackluster, wit-starved opener in which Frank works on a crash campaign for a coveted client. If the premiere is an indication, what producer/writers Fred Freeman and Lawrence J. Cohen need most is a crash campaign for laughs.