In ‘Fatherhood,’ animated support of family values

The Bill Cosby ethos has been high profile of late, with the recent controversy over his public critique of the lives of some African Americans.

The iconic star’s beliefs, more gently and indirectly aired, are at the heart of “Fatherhood,” Nick at Nite’s first original animated series, created and written by Cosby and Charles Kipps and based on Cosby’s 1980s bestseller of the same name. The series premiered Sunday but will regularly air at 9 p.m. Tuesdays.

As might be expected, family values, firm parenting and life lessons are what this prime-time cartoon sitcom is all about. And while it’s not “The Cosby Show” (the humor is mild ... very mild), there are inescapable similarities.

They start with Arthur Bindlebeep (voiced by Blair Underwood), the strong head of the family, who underscores each lesson learned, whether he’s teaching or being taught.

He has a lovely, strong wife, Norma (original “Cosby” kid Sabrina LeBeauf), and three offspring: slightly rebellious teenage Angie, bumptious 12-year-old Roy and sweet preschooler Katherine.

Arthur’s idiosyncratic parents (voiced by Lou Rawls and Ruby Dee), another major family component, are at the center of Sunday’s premiere episode, when a visit to Grandma and Grandpa sparks resentment in Angie, who’s missing a party, and brings out the operator in Roy, who works his doting grandparents for monetary handouts.

Arthur, reduced to his child’s role by his parents’ penchant for ladling out advice, finds himself having to become the parent to his father when Grandpa, a recent fitness convert, ends up in the hospital.

With its traditional animation style, strong colors and handsome design (veteran artist Serge Michaels is the art director), the show looks good, and its healthy parenting messages are welcome in a sitcom world ruled by cynical, too-knowing kids. Much missed in this latest “Cosby” incarnation, however, is a comedic spark and the sound of Cosby’s own unique voice.

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‘Fatherhood’

Where: Nickelodeon

When: 9 p.m. Tuesdays; repeats 10 p.m. Saturdays.

Rating: The network has rated the series TV-G (suitable for all ages)

Blair Underwood...Arthur Bindlebeep

Sabrina LeBeauf...Norma

Lou Rawls...Grandpa

Ruby Dee...Grandma

Creator, Bill Cosby. Executive producer, Charles Kipps.