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The average commuter spends 38 hours per year stuck in their car. That’s almost the equivalent of a full workweek, just wasted, waiting to get where you’re going. Which is perfect for “Carpoolers,” considering it elicits exactly those same feelings and frustrations. You sit and watch and wait to laugh, but nothing, nada, zip—except, of course, a little tinge of road rage. And we’re assuming that’s not the kind of true-to-life storytelling the creators were going for.

Following four guys who—you guessed it—carpool to work together every day, they use their commute as a time to commiserate about their families, their jobs, their troubles at home. And every once in a while, they even break into song. We get to see glimpses of their work- and home lives too, but with so much time spent in the confines of a 1991 gold Lexus, the show often feels like someone fell asleep at the wheel.

Who’s that?: Fred Goss plays Gracen, a professional mediator who can’t seem to keep his own life in check (Faith Ford plays his wife Leila); Jerry O’Connell plays Laird, a recently divorced playboy dentist; Jerry Minor plays Aubrey, a pushover family man for whom the carpool is the only peaceful time of day; and Tim Peper plays the new guy, Dougie, an optimistic newlywed who has a hard time understanding the marital problems of his fellow carpoolers—at first.

Buzzed about: Sadly (and appropriately), the biggest buzz here is coming from environmentalist groups that are hopeful the show will raise awareness and encourage ride-sharing.

The “ooh” factor: There’s a glimpse of promise, when the guys enthusiastically sing along to “I’m All Out of Love” by Air Supply. And then one of them starts crying. And then you realize the show’s a one-trick pony, and they’ve just wasted their best joke. And then you’ll want to cry too.

The “eh” factor: Gracen and Leila’s son is the most shameless attempt at humor here: his name is Marmaduke (silly!), he walks around in tighty whities all day (zany!) and his first job offer is for more money than dear old dad makes (rife with comedic potential!). Another, um, interesting casting choice: O’Connell’s real-life wife, Rebecca Romijn, is making a guest appearance as his TV ex-wife. And her name is Joannifer. Yes, Joannifer. Come on people!

The verdict: If you’re cruising around, looking for something to watch, then why not, we guess. But if you have limited time on the freeway of your life allotted for TV-watching, better keep on driving.

“Carpoolers” premieres Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 8:30 p.m./7:30c on the ABC.

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