There are Still Moments Left: Life in Pieces "Pilot"

One of this fall's new comedies is about a family in four stories.

Life in Pieces is a chapter of the Short family, each dealing with their family moments from dating, having a baby, and celebrating a birthday.

The show starts dry with Matt on a date and meeting Colleen's ex-fiance. Soon, they got to Matt's place, his parent's place. That led them to have sex in the car but was stopped by a cop who thought Colleen was a hooker.

The following story was of Greg and Jen having a baby and dealing with delivery. But it was after that Jen was to not look under the equator for six weeks because it wouldn't look pretty. She did look and described it as what the Predator looked like when he took his mask off—funny, but has a lousy image.

The next one was of Heather and her family as they dropped off her son to experience college. Being the mother she is, a helicopter mother. After dropping off their son, they head into the hotel and argue about Santa not being honest.

The children are funny in this scene. One had to stay in the bathroom, and the little one was smart enough to take some air and go into the closet to take in all the realism.

And finally, the last story was of John and Joan Short, who threw a funeral theme birthday party. It was weird at first but hilarious at times when each of their kids gave a eulogy to him. But it was til Joan didn't like it, and the family had a bit of time together, and John tells them that he doesn't think he has any more time for those family moments. Those are those little happy moments that come and go.

In the end, John gets into his casket, but Joan knocks on the door and is stuck in the coffin. The family races him out to get him out.

The show is hilarious at times. Some dry moments weren't able to get as funny, but I think this show has the benefit of the doubt to be a perfect family comedy. Dianne Wiest is hilarious as the mother, and so is Besty Brandt. Colin Hanks has a funny role, too.

Overall, I give the pilot episode 8.5/10.

You can catch Life in Pieces on Monday nights at 8:30/7:30 on CBS.