Fox sitcom ‘Dads’ blasted weeks before its debut

Giovanni Ribisi, center, a cast member on the FOX series “dads,” addresses reporters as fellow cast members Vanessa Lachey, left, and Seth Green look on during the FOX 2013 Summer TCA press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

BEVERLY HILLS, California – It doesn’t debut until next month, but the Fox sitcom “Dads” is already taking heat in early reviews for being crass, sexist and racially insensitive.

The stars and producers of “Dads” faced reporters Thursday and defended the show as focusing on human frailties for the sake of laughs and enlightenment. At the Television Critics Association meeting, they vowed to tweak the tone of the series as appropriate as the season unfolds.

The comedy stars two friends, played by Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi, whose politically incorrect fathers re-enter their lives and disrupt them. The dads are played by Martin Mull and Peter Riegert.

A producer of the series is Seth MacFarlane, whose animated comedies, including “Family Guy,” have won him popularity as well as criticism for their rawness.

“Dads” premieres Sept. 17.