I think the ugly kids are meant to lead us to like Thomas Jane’s character. Besides having a huge dick all he has is his jock past and his athletic ability. He still seems to love his kids even though they didn’t take after him at all. It is reversing the stereotype of the jock dad who despises his fat wimpy kids.
I actually like the actress who plays Tanya, if only for the devastating scene in Happiness where she talks about the death of Jon Lovitz’s character.
This show is just OK and needs to move a bit quicker and rely less on the two lead actors to skate by.