From now through the end of July, we're going to be taking a quick look at the fall and mid-season pilots that the networks sent to critics after their upfront presentations.

Keep in mind that in each case, our opinions are based on a pilot that could be completely recast and reworked between now and the fall.

Show: 'Mike & Molly'
Network: CBS
Timeslot: Mondays, 9:30PM ET

The lowdown: Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell) is a Chicago cop who's desperate to lose weight, not only to stay healthy but also because he's lonely and wants a better shot at meeting someone special. When he goes to an OA meeting, he meets Molly Flynn (Melissa McCarthy), a sweet schoolteacher whose late father had size issues but who now has to contend with her skinny and clueless mother Joyce (Swoozie Kurtz) and sister Victoria (Katy Mixon). Can Mike and Molly negotiate a long-lasting relationship while battling their weight at the same time?

What we're saying: CBS has again invested in hit-maker Chuck Lorre, and with his co-executive producer, Mark Roberts, he gives us a sweet, meet-cute story that we don't usually see on TV (well, we see it, but usually with much younger and thinner lovebirds). Both Gardell, a longtime supporting player finally getting his chance to star in a show, and McCarthy, who has already shown her comedic chops on 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Samantha Who?', are charming and fun to watch.

Of course, this being a Lorre production, sweet and charming usually also comes with a layer of lowbrow. And in this case, it feels like the target -- obese people -- is just too damn easy. Most of the dumber jokes come from Mike's partner Carl (Reno Wilson), where he pokes fun of Mike's girth, his diet, and yells at two OA members who clog his path down a flight of stairs. There's nothing wrong at using the stars' girth as a source of humor, but there's got to be a way to do it that's more sophisticated than fat jokes and collapsing furniture.

Here's a preview:



Tell us what you think. Does Chuck Lorre have another hit on his hands?