Following the success ABC enjoyed last season with its single-camera comedies (including "Cougar Town" and the award-winning "Modern Family"), the network returns to set its sights on the more traditional multi-camera comedy format. Its newest effort, "Better With You," premieres tonight.

"Better With You" explores familiar sitcom ground -- relationships within a family and the couples who inhabit it. In this case, the focus is on three couples in varying stages of their relationships.

Joanna Garcia (Privileged) plays Mia, who surprises her sister Maddie (Jennifer Finnigan, Close to Home, Committed) by her whirlwind romance, engagement and pregnancy : in a six week period of time. Maddie is thrown off by her little sisters impetuous relationship, especially given her own steady, terribly comfortable boyfriend of nine years.

Rounding out their family are the sisters' parents, Joel (Kurt Fuller, Supernatural) and Vicky (Debra Jo Rupp, That 70s Show), who may have a thing or two to teach both of their children about how to have a successful long-term relationship.

"Better With You" mines the situation well for laughs. With plenty of experience on "Friends", creator Shana Goldberg-Meehan knows what it takes to create good multi-camera comedy. And its stars are pros at it as well. Joanna Garcia was the center of the critically-acclaimed Privileged during its short-lived life. Debra Jo Rupp and Joel Fuller are both comedy veterans. Theres certainly plenty of natural chemistry and humor in this group.

All in all, the series gives ABC a chance at stealing some success away from CBS's thriving multi-camera comedies (including perennial favorites "How I Met Your Mother," "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory").

They've slid it into a cushy time slot sandwiched between "The Middle" at 8 p.m. and "Modern Family" at 9. And Goldberg-Meehan has assembled a delightful cast who clearly can bring out the funny. The question is can they also bring out the ratings?

"Better With You" airs Wednesdays at 8.30 p.m. ET on ABC.