The Michael J. Fox Show
(NBC, Sept. 26) (Eric Liebowitz/NBC)

The Crazy Ones
(CBS, Sept. 26) (
)

Sean Saves the World
(NBC, Oct. 3) (Vivian Zink/NBC)

From Robert Young on “Father Knows Best” to Ray Romano on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” television has reflected the changing nature of fatherhood with a bemused eye. Over four decades, Young’s all-knowing, soothing Jim Anderson evolved into Romano’s befuddled Ray Barone, the guy who went nuts trying to keep everybody happy.

TV producers went into dad overdrive this pilot season and scheduled several new series where the father in the family, and all of his imperfections, is front and center. “[NBC president] Robert Greenblatt has gotten away from the workplace comedy like ‘30 Rock’ and he’s focusing on families, a tradition that goes back to when he had ‘Family Ties’ and ‘The Cosby Show’ on,” says Brad Adgate, senior vice president of research at Horizon Media. “There’s a twist in each one of these new shows to help them stand out. You just don’t want to have female-targeted comedies.”

In order of premiere date, here are the new dad shows.

* Dads

(Fox, Sept. 17)

Two young entrepreneurs (Giovanni Ribisi and Seth Green) learn that patience is a virtue when their respective fathers (Martin Mull and Peter Riegert) move in with them.

* The Michael J. Fox Show

(NBC, Sept. 26)

A TV newsman (Michael J. Fox) returns to work after many years despite having Parkinson’s disease.

* The Crazy Ones

(CBS, Sept. 26)

A nervous advertising executive (Robin Williams) gets his mojo back, thanks to his energetic daughter (Sarah Michelle Gellar).

* Sean Saves the World

(NBC, Oct. 3)

A divorced, gay dad (Sean Hayes) has to improvise when his 14-year-old daughter (Samantha Isler) moves in.

* About a Boy

(NBC, midseason)

A womanizer uses a young boy to get dates by pretending he’s the kid’s father.