Dennehy Gets His Irish Up in ‘Fitzgeralds’

Not every actor follows an acclaimed Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman” onthe stage with a turn as a stock character in a routine sitcom. Not every actor would want to.

Yet here is Brian Dennehy in “The Fighting Fitzgeralds” as a retired firefighter who has it up to here with his adult sons, bellowing at them and swinging his big mound of gut with authority.

Only this time instead of Arthur Miller’s Biff and Hap, the sons are Terry (Chris Moynihan), Patrick (Jon Patrick Walker) and Jim (Justin Louis). One is an aimless slob, another has quit his job as a stockbroker and wants to move back home. Already living there, with his pregnant wife and cookie-cutter, cutesy little daughter, is the third son, a discontented gym teacher.

What’s a grumpy, bully of a pop with a heart of gold to do when his kids resist his old-school sage wisdom? Somehow get through the trifling premiere of this new NBC comedy, presumably, and hope to be bailed out by the sweetened laughter. And, of course, cap your rages with an episode-ending display of compassion and sweetness that identifies you as an old softy after all.

Its title tells you that this comedy turns largely on conflict, not only between father and sons, but among the sons themselves. And good actor that he is, Dennehy doesn’t squander the occasional good zinger he’s given.

One son to another: “Something in our backgrounds makes it hard to reach out emotionally.”

Pop: “All right, here’s your beers, morons!”

He’s delivering these beers to them in a tavern where the Fitzgeralds have gathered because, well, they’re Irish.

“The Fighting Fitzgeralds” embraces its cliches with zest. Dennehy, a co-executive producer here, visited this neighborhood himself in 1982 when playing a gruff but lovable fire captain in ABC’s short-lived comedy “Star of the Family.” His latest family, and its blowhard star, appear no more promising.

* “The Fighting Fitzgeralds” premieres tonight at 8:30 on NBC. The network has rated it TV-PG (may be unsuitable for young children).