Before there was Survivor and The Amazing Race, there was comedy, and this year’s new top comedy shows prove not to disappoint.

Some of the new fall comedy shows hitting the airways are Listen Up (CBS), Rodney (ABC), Joey (NBC), Complete Savages (ABC) and Commando Nanny (WB). All are unique in their own right, providing their own brand of humor.

Commando Nanny stars Owen Yeoman as a newly released British commando in search of a job, which he finds babysitting three children unique in themselves, presenting problems in daily life situations. This premise is based on a truth — this happened to megaproducer Mark Burnett. The producer brought his real-life situation to the screen for what will prove to be a great recipe for comedy.

In Complete Savages, the Savage family’s housekeeper quits. The boys want to hire a French maid; however, their father has other plans. He thinks it is time for the boys to learn to take care of themselves. The comedy is based on the premise of a father trying to cope with the daily life of caring for five boys on his own.

Listen Up stars Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) who plays an irreverent, renowned sportscaster trying to earn the same respect and attention from his family that he receives from fans. The show is based on the life of real sports commentator and columnist Tony Kornheiser. Alexander plays Tony Kleinman who carries the show.

Real-life comedian Rodney Carrington stars in Rodney, a comedy about a husband and father trying to make it as a comedian on the circuit. His character is a down-to-earth guy with good-old-boy intelligence. The comedy is funny and very entertaining with heartfelt moments also. In the pilot, Rodney loses a bet and walks through Wal-Mart butt naked and, at the end, while Rodney is entertaining guests with a song in the back yard, their youngest son walks through the crowd naked as well. Rodney’s wife gives him a look, knowing that he had something to do with it. This is just one of the comedic scenes that becomes candy for the soul. Once it finds its groove, it is sure to become a hit.