For the last year, the “Blue Comedy Tour” headliner has been starring in his own self-titled sitcom on TBS.
Thursday night, that half-hour show will debut its second season at 9 p.m.
In “The Bill Engvall Show,” the “Here’s Your Sign” originator stars as Bill Pearson, a family counselor who lives in a Denver suburb and struggles with understanding his own family.
A throwback to the classic family sitcom, the show focuses how Pearson interacts with wife Susan, played by Nancy Travis, headstrong daughter Lauren, played by Jennifer Lawrence, less than bright teenage son Trent, played by Graham Patrick Martin, and gifted youngest child Bryan, played by Skyler Gisondo.
Rounding out the classic sitcom formula is Pearson’s lovelorn best friend, Paul, played by “Saturday Night Live” alum Tim Meadows.
But don’t expect these characters to resemble the snarky yet trendy sitcom family we’ve grown accustomed to seeing on television.
“The Pearson family is not hip,” Engvall said in a recent telephone interview from Los Angeles. “This family loves each other.”
Instead, the show’s story lines and humor are inspired by everyday family life.
“All these story lines we’re doing, anybody can relate to,” Engvall said.
For instance, the first season’s episodes included the Pearson family grappling between using their savings to take a dream vacation or to get help for their ailing dog, Bill giving his children too much help in school and their sports activities and the Pearson parents wondering whether they’re too lenient with their children.
In one of Engvall’s favorite episodes from the season, Chris Isaak guest stars as Susan’s old boyfriend who needlessly stirs up insecurities in Bill.
“I really enjoyed the Chris Isaak show,” Engvall said, explaining that the episode’s topic was especially poignant. “After you’ve been married for a while, it’s easy for a husband to ask himself, ‘Do I still turn her on? Does she still really love me?’ ”
With those relatable topics, the show’s executive producer and writer intends his show to drive home a single message.
“The biggest achievement in life is to raise good people,” Engvall said, speaking from experience as a married father of two children.
As he looks toward Thursday’s second season premiere, Engvall believes viewers appreciate that message and the universal appeal of “The Bill Engvall Show.”
“Personally, I think we’ve tapped into something audiences want to see,” the show’s executive producer said.
When you consider ratings, audiences agree. According to data provided by Nielsen Media Research, 4.1 million viewers tuned in to see “The Bill Engvall Show” premiere last July.
Engvall points out that another reason for the success of “The Bill Engvall Show” is the fact that the humor is clean.
“People want to know the whole family can sit down and watch a show without worrying about what they’re watching,” Engvall said.
Season two will maintain that family-friendly content while upping the ante.
“It’s funnier this year,” Engvall said, “and I think there’s going to be some guest stars.”
“The Bill Engvall Show” may be gearing up for its second season, but its creator had the idea for the show way back in the 1980s.
“I said 20 years ago I wanted to do a family sitcom,” Engvall said.
Instead, he went on to star in several Comedy Central specials, including the “Blue Collar Comedy” series, which went on to spin off the former WB network’s “Blue Collar TV” series, and “Here’s Your Sign, Live” which later became a multiplatinum selling DVD. Engvall also went on to record several comedy albums, including the certified platinum “Here’s Your Sign.”
With a number of successes to his credit, Engvall still wanted to create his own family sitcom.
“For a while I didn’t think I’d get to,” the Galvaston, Texas, native said.
But executives at TBS approached the Billboard chart-topping comedian with the intent on reviving the family-comedy genre.
“I said, ‘I think I’ve got something for you,’ ” Engvall recalled.
Now that his dream has been realized, Engvall hopes its success will create a ripple effect.
“I would love for this to be the impetus of the return of the family sitcom,” he said.
• WHAT: “The Bill Engvall Show”
• WHEN: 9 p.m. Thursdays
• WHERE: TBS
Special photo/TBS
In his sitcom about family life, “The Bill Engvall Show,” Bill Engvall, seated is joined by, from left, Graham Patrick Martin, Nancy Travis, Jennifer Lawrence, and Gisondo, in portraying the Pearson family.
Special photo/TBS
In the second season premiere of “The Bill Engvall Show,” Bryant Pearson, played by Skyler Gisondo, misuses an old Thigh Master he finds when the Pearson kids are told to clean the garage.
Special photo/TBS
Nancy Travis, left, and Bill Engvall play Susan and Bill, heads of the Pearson family on “The Bill Engvall Show.”
Special photo/TBS
In the season premiere of “The Bill Engvall Show,” Lauren, left, played by Jennifer Lawrence, tries to convince Trent, played by Graham Patrick Martin, that they shouldn’t have to clean the garage.
Special photo/TBS
In “The Bill Engvall Show,” Tim Meadows stars as Bill’s lovelorn friend, Paul DuFrayne.
Special photo/TBS
Comedian Bill Engvall first thought of creating his own family comedy two decades ago. The idea finally came to fruition last year when “The Bill Engvall Show” debuted on TBS.