The grass is greener on the new Fox series "Sons of Tucson."
Like "Hamlet 2" — the 2008 movie supposedly set in town but filmed in Albuquerque — the show is packed with scenery not easily come by in these parts.
The well-manicured lawns and vegetation seem more common to Southern California, where the pilot was filmed, than the dusty Old Pueblo.
Unlike "Hamlet 2," which referred to Tucson as a place "where dreams go to die," "Sons of Tucson" puts us in a more positive light.
"I love Tucson," said Justin Berfield, one of the producers of the series, known best for playing the second-oldest son, Reese, on "Malcolm in the Middle." "There is no reason why a great city should be portrayed for anything less than what it is."
The show (debuting during Fox's midseason premieres in early 2010) follows the Gunderson kids, three Jersey boys whose mother has left and whose father is in prison for white-collar crimes that have frozen the family assets.
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The boys, played by Frank Dolce, Davis Cleveland and Troy Gentile, go to Tucson, where their dad has an investment home and cash stashed. They hire Ron Snuffkin, a local loser ("Reaper's" Tyler Labine) with con-man tendencies, to play their father when their teachers or the principal come calling.
The sitcom is the first series created by writers Tommy Dewey and Greg Bratman and the first sitcom to be set in town since the WB series "Greetings From Tucson." It will debut in "Malcom in the Middle's" old time slot, right after "The Simpsons" on Sunday nights.
Berfield spoke to the Star last week from his Venice, Calif., office.
Was it a huge relief when Fox picked up the series?
"Yeah, it is always nerve-racking. You never know. You work really hard to put a show together, but there are only so many time slots.
"I was excited about this one because it got me back to Fox, which is where I was for seven years (with 'Malcolm'). It is great to be back home and to have a show I think will really find an audience."
Do any of you have ties to Tucson?
"No. No ties whatsoever except that Tommy, Greg and I love Tucson. I haven't been there in a little while. I'll be organizing a trip for the guys and for all of us at some point."
What were your first impressions when the series was pitched to you?
"I loved it. I loved the notion of three boys of three different ages having to make their way in their new lives."
Why cast Labine as Snuffkin?
"Tyler is incredible. He is probably one of the funniest guys I've met or been around in a long time. He is great with the boys and a real leader.
"He is really, really talented, and we all had a hand in casting him in the show. The studio and the network are really excited about him. I can't imagine anyone else playing Ron."
Any favorite characters?
"Being a former child actor and having grown up on television myself, I think all three of the boys are great. They are all fresh and really good. We were able to pull Frank Dolce off Broadway. He was in 'Billy Elliot.'
"Davis Cleveland is playing Robby. He is very funny. He is a great kid, and his timing is incredible. Troy Gentile has been in several movies, including 'Hotel for Dogs,' and he is doing very well."
"Greetings From Tucson" made regular references to Tucson-based products like Eegee's when it was on. Will "Sons of Tucson" have similar references?
"I think our whole production team, from (director) Todd Holland to our writers, believe it is important not to flood the show with Tucson references.
"The show is first and foremost about these boys and their hired dad. But we are certainly going to remind the audience that this takes place in Tucson."
