With midseason cuts over, television stations have begun the tedious task of finding passable shows to fill all the empty slots in their primetime schedules. From four brand new series — three comedies and one drama — it’s readily apparent that originality doesn’t have much place in the newest television lineup. It’s not all bad, though, because while we’ve already seen much of what the newest shows have to offer, several offer much more than what’s already on your regular viewing schedule.

“Sons And Daughters,” ABC,

Premieres Tuesday, March 7, 9:00 p.m.

Easily the best new show on TV (at least, of this post-midseason season), “Sons and Daughters” will do a great deal to fill in the comedy void left behind by the cancellation of “Arrested Development.” Produced by “Saturday Night Live’s” Lorne Michaels, “Sons” revolves around the extended family of Cameron, and is filmed in a frantic, quickly-paced style that seems to have been recorded with a handheld camera — think of a more family-oriented “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Always charming and often hilarious with its tongue-in-cheek and subtle tone, the show succeeds mostly because of its liberal use of an ensemble cast — the “extended” feature of the family allows the show to switch to different families and households at any time before it has a chance to lag. And, while the adults of the cast do a great job, it is the surprisingly funny performances of the kids that take the show to a more-than-special level. The youth always manage to be cute without being obnoxious, all the while with a great feeling of honesty. The greatest lines of the first few episodes belong to the kids — “Aunt Rae says we’re all going to hell...because we’re Jews!” a tutu-wearing four-year-old exclaims joyfully, oblivious of what she’s saying, while in another instance a thirteen-year-old with thick-rimmed glasses and imposing braces (who in most other cases would come off as the most typically annoying character) remarks that a harmonica is “like a little piano in your mouth.” While the laugh track-less fast-paced style is nothing new (ever since “Malcolm in the Middle,” traditional sitcoms have been disappearing steadily), what separates “Sons” from its competition is the earnest sincerity between the relatives. It truly feels like you’re watching a real family, and all the respect, regret, love and shame that comes with it. Hopefully, “Sons and Daughters” will succeed, and we’ll be watching this family for a long time.

“Conviction,” NBC,

Premieres Friday, March 3, 10 p.m.

Here’s an original idea: How about a drama, about lawyers? Yes, “Conviction”’s premise is nothing new. Created by “Law and Order”’s Dick Wolf, it even features “L&O:SVU”’s ADA Bureau Chief Alex Cabot. “Conviction’s” separating feature is its focus on the younger members of a district attorney’s office and their troubles due to inexperience. Fortunately, the show hits this angle hard, imbuing itself with a strong sense of style and an intensity not found on most law shows. It may be the same basic formula (check scene, get witness, go to court, celebrate/lament), but that formula is improved upon through creative changes. For instance, the pilot has newcomer assistant DA Nick thrown into the middle of a controversial case complete with terrified witnesses and even a murdered member of the DA team. Also, it uses more original — if not always realistic — events and interactions. It may be unusual that a new lawyer does not know how to handle her first case’s objections (Didn’t she go to law school? Jeez, I learned that stuff in high school mock trial...), but her emotional troubles in dealing with the case do make for good entertainment. “Conviction’s” ensemble cast (post-”Lost”/”Housewives,” everything’s an ensemble) also performs admirably, with no standouts, but a series of equally gifted young actors. If the show survives, it has a chance of being the next great law show — entertaining no matter how many times we’ve seen it before.

“Free Ride,” FOX,

Sundays 9:30 p.m.

There’s one good thing to say about “Free Ride” — it’s on FOX, whose historically poor handling of new shows almost guarantees that this one will flop within its first month. Yet again, we see the laugh track-less formula played out — this time about a college graduate going home to live with his parents. But, unlike “Sons,” the jokes themselves have been heard a million times before. The reuse of a formula is okay if something new or different or at least entertaining is done with it, but “Free Ride” falls flat. For one, it asks us to sympathize with lead character Nate — but he is so annoyingly played that it’s difficult to find any sort of connection. The show hinges on Nate’s embarrassment of his hometown, but the only one he should be embarrassed of is his himself. The show also doesn’t seem to know how it wants its characters to be viewed — is it funny or just annoying that Nate is so adamant in thinking that you never need to change a car’s oil? I wonder how he got through college assuming that one. Nate’s parents are confusing as well, at times overly goofy, at others a voice of reason, sometimes randomly hateful toward Nate, other times overly loving. Hopeless go-nowhere high school friend Dove (portrayed condescendingly as a failure, even though he’s become assistant manager of a department store and is so far more successful than Nate) comes off mostly like a failed audition for Jack Black’s role in “Orange County.” Worst of all is that there is no sense of respect for anything involved — it’s as if Nate thinks he’s above all the craziness of his hometown. Someone should tell him he’s the most irratating of all. Let it die, FOX.

“The Loop,” FOX,

Premieres Wednesday, March 15, 9:30 p.m.

There’s one bad thing to say about “The Loop” — it’s on FOX, whose historically poor handling of new shows almost guarantees that this one will flop within its first month. Another member of the new breed of sitcoms (no laugh track, one lead with crazy world around him), “The Loop” is a show with great potential. A sort of cross between “The Office” and “Scrubs,” “The Loop” centers on Sam, a recent college graduate who is the first of his friends to get a job — as an executive of a major airline. The show bounces back and forth between his serious working life (complete with mentally special boss and snarky secretary) and his home life (complete with hopeless/jobless brother and a best friend he’s been in love with for years), and unlike “Free Ride,” it has characters that both the audience and the show’s creators can love. The first few episodes were a little inconsistent (most comedies don’t jump out of the starting gate as well as “Sons” does), but made it clear that the show will only get better over time, and if given a chance could turn out to be one of the best comedies on TV. FOX, don’t let this one die.