From the days of cave drawing, the...

From the days of cave drawing, the simple-minded male has been a staple of storytelling.

Often, this creature is boorishly entertaining, like Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden in “The Honeymooners” or Carroll O’Connor as Archie Bunker in “All in the Family.” Even Jim Belushi was a hoot as Rob Lowe’s blustery pal, Bernie, in “About Last Night ... ,” the 1986 romantic comedy movie.

Unfortunately, Belushi’s latest Annoying Man incarnation, the title character on the sitcom “According to Jim,” is more likely to make viewers wince than laugh with his crude quips. For this kind of humor to work, the writing needs to be sharper than the protagonist.

In tonight’s episode (8:30, ABC), Jim tells his much better half, Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith), that he let her win a racquetball match years ago as part of his sly courtship strategy. When an irate Cheryl demands a rematch, the rules get trampled in the ensuing battle of the sexes.

The episode is loaded with the kind of relationship humor done better on “Everybody Loves Raymond”--and just as blandly in other prime-time slots and at open mike nights across the country.

Jim and the fellahs make pizza smoothies (don’t ask), quaff beer and gripe about those “feelings talks” that women always seem to be instigating.

As usual, the rare funny moments come whenever Jim’s mildly creepy brother-in-law, Andy (Larry Joe Campbell), offers up one of his non sequiturs.

Everybody may not love Raymond, sweet as he is, but it’s hard to see how anybody could fall for the retread humor of “According to Jim.”