Better odds than usual: Two out of three comedy series premiering Thursday are worth watching.

‘Sirens’

Viewers who liked FX’s “Rescue Me” will probably enjoy USA’s first, original scripted comedy, “Sirens” (back-to-back episodes at 10 and 10:30 Thursday), which plays like a more comedic “Rescue Me” focused on EMTs rather than firefighters.

“Rescue Me” star Denis Leary is one of the creators and writers of “Sirens,” which is reminiscent of the talkier, guy-banter portions of “Rescue Me.”

“Sirens” follows three EMTs on and off the job. Usually their experiences at work provide the spark for a theme or plot that runs through an episode.

The leader, Johnny (Michael Moseley, “Pan Am”), is the most similar to Mr. Leary’s Tommy on “Rescue Me.” He has relationship troubles and makes bad choices but is generally smiling. New recruit Brian (Kevin Bigley) is a smarter version of the probie character from “Rescue Me.” And Hank (Kevin Daniels) is Johnny’s smarter best friend (AKA Lou from “Rescue Me”).

The series premiere was not made available for review – never a good sign -- but a second episode airing Thursday at 10:30 begins with a lightning strike at a church picnic, leading to discussions of karma as the guys behave selfishly during a CPR class for kids.

The March 13 episode, the funniest of three sent to critics, features the EMTs in their ambulance discussing their online porn-viewing habits, inspired by a patient who begs them to return to his apartment to erase the web browser history on his computer. They oblige but first take a look at what he’s been watching and are horrified. It’s a funny scene played for maximum laughs that makes good use of their post-viewing stricken expressions, which get replayed later in the episode when they encounter other unexpected, memorable sights.

Another upcoming episode includes a plot about Johnny’s relationship with his father, played by “Rescue Me” regular Lenny Clarke.

It’s worrisome that USA did not make the pilot available for review but later episodes are funny enough. Perhaps it’s just the usual early episode growing pains.

Read reviews of "Review" and "Saint George" after the jump. ...

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