Although its previous efforts at original series have been largely provocative but not necessarily programs of much distinction beyond shock value (see: "Queer as Folk"), Showtime is moving in the right direction.

	Click photo for larger image. "Huff" When: 10 tonight on Showtime. Starring: Hank Azaria.

Certainly "Dead Like Me" has grown into a smart, hip, entertaining series. And I have confidence in the new executive regime led by former Fox executive and "Six Feet Under" executive producer Robert Greenblatt.

I'm especially intrigued by the upcoming Kirstie Alley series "Fat Actress," starring the former "Cheers" star as a semifictional version of herself.

However, I'm not sold on "Huff," but Greenblatt is, giving the show a second season renewal in July, long before its premiere tonight at 10.

Don't misunderstand: "Huff" is not a bad show, it just doesn't feel sufficiently new. Both structurally and thematically, it shares some similarities to the more outrageous and, frankly, more fun "Nip/Tuck" on FX.

Hank Azaria stars in "Huff" as Dr. Craig "Huff" Huffstodt, a psychiatrist who cares too darn much about everything. So imagine what a bad day it is when a gay teenage patient puts a gun in his mouth and commits suicide in Huff's office.

(Even the suicide ? shown in all its gory detail ? isn't that original. "Six Feet Under" did the same gross-out scene in its most recent season finale. I guess even attempts to be edgy have their creative limits.)

Huff's home life isn't strife-free, either. His patrician mother, Izzy (Blythe Danner), doesn't get along with his wife, Beth (Paget Brewster). Other than a conflict generator, Izzy also serves as a fount of outrageous statements: "That is one thing I'll say for the Jews: Their food is clean." She calls Huff's dead patient a "poor tortured little homosexual."

Actually the most intriguing relationship on the home front is between Huff and his teenage son, Bird (Anton Yelchin), who exhibits many of Huff's selfless traits, but they're more pure and innocent in Bird.

"It's probably gonna be OK, you know," Bird tells his dad after the suicide. "And if you feel like it's not, you can always come to me because I'm your son and nothing's ever gonna change that."

It's the kind of thing you'd expect to hear a father tell a son rather than vice versa. I liked the genuineness with how it plays.

Not content to deal with enough dysfunctional characters at work, Huff has a best friend, Russell (Oliver Platt in his best TV role yet), with a self-destructive personality. He's also a lawyer who comes to Huff's defense after the suicide.

"He's always disappearing," says his law office assistant, "and like sludge from a pond, he always resurfaces."

Russell provides some of the show's highlights (arguing on behalf of Huff in a deposition) and lowlights (Russell gets coked up and hires a hooker).

Huff's visit to see his brother, Teddy (Andy Comeau), caps every episode. Teddy is a schizophrenic who lives in a locked-down facility.

One other significant character: A homeless Hungarian man (Jack Laufer) who seeks Huff's help but may not be real.

"The audience is supposed to assume whatever they want to," said series creator Bob Lowry at a Showtime press conference in July. "He has been constructed in a way where he could be a figment of Huff's imagination. He could be Huff's shadow. He could be an angel if you want to push it that far."

Lowry said he was inspired to write "Huff" because he believes "people don't wake up until they learn they're going to die." The death of a patient serves as that wake-up call for Huff.

Lowry said the show's uneven tone ? tragic one minute, funny another, poignant later in the hour ? is intentional. He said to pick just one tone would not be accurate or truthful.

In theory, I agree, but I think other series have offered that mix better than "Huff."