Carol's Second Act

It stars Patricia Heaton, late of “The Middle,” in a role that takes the energy of her character there and shapes it into something different and fresh. ... If you aren’t ready to turn up your nose at any multi-camera comedy created in this century — and really, kids, there is life in that form beyond “Friends” and “Seinfeld” — you’ll find a fine addition to the canon: a completely conventional, entirely satisfying sitcom that breaks absolutely no new ground even as it sets off its star to good advantage.

Heaton nails the role because she's had so much practice at this, but "Carol's Second Act" does her — and the trope — one better, by ever-so-slightly inverting our Heaton expectations. ... Heaton is back in another "family" sitcom. As expected, a good one.

The joke-telling isn't particularly sharp — a lot of punchlines revolve around slapstick mischief and the rookies' fear of killing their patients — but Heaton's veteran comic timing and Jalees' sardonic delivery keep the energy afloat. Carol comes across as the dorky mom who sends you "chin-up!" memes on Facebook: groan-inducing, but sweet. ... There's potential here, but first Carol needs to stop tripping over her own compassion.