San Fernando Valley : SUBURBAN SODOM

A new R-rated sitcom premiering Sunday night on Showtime, called “Sherman Oaks,” bares irreverent humor and the occasional breast.

“Sherman Oaks” promises not only to gaudy up the Valley’s image, it also is the first series in history to feature an earthquake in every episode--not a big earthquake, but one of the 4.1s and 3.6s that are as much a part of Valley life as SigAlerts.

Like “Soap,” the new show illustrates the truism that the term dysfunctional family is redundant, at least in and around the hot tub of new TV dad Sanford Baker, a Sherman Oaks plastic surgeon, his ditzy wife Beverly and their three over-the-top children--Tyler, who wants to be black when he grows up; Kenny, whose heart leaps up when Newt Gingrich speaks, and the nubile Tiffany.

It is no accident that the cable network scheduled “Sherman Oaks” from 11 to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays, when the kiddies are safely tucked in their beds. “We’re trying desperately to offend people,” said creator Chris Bearde, who was an Emmy-winning writer on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.”

Possibly more offensive to the Valley is the shoot location--Redondo Beach. Asked why, Bearde quipped: “Because it’s cooler, and it’s cooler.” Oh, Chris, Chris, the Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce isn’t going to think that’s funny.