‘SMILF’ struggles early, but star Frankie Shaw scores

he new eight-episode Showtime comedy “SMILF” is a messy business.

Adapted by Frankie Shaw (“Hello Ladies,” “Mr. Robot”) from her Sundance-winning short film of the same name, the series deals with the travails of being a single workingclass mom. (You can work out what the acronym of the series means.)

Shaw stars as Bridgette Bird, a South Boston actress who is tutoring the children of a rich woman Ally (Connie Britton) in order to support herself and her young son, Larry. Yes, Larry Bird. Bridgette’s a basketball junkie and clearly smarter than all those she tutors, although they get into top schools.

Her mom, Tutu (Rosie O’Donnell), lives nearby but isn’t much help. Her husband, Bridgette’s stepdad, is recovering from a stroke, and she mostly lives in regret, listening to “Angela’s Ashes” and purchasing appliances.

While Bridgette loves her kid, she hasn’t reached maturity herself. She’s lonely and has no idea what she wants. She fantasizes about a guy she meets at a pickup basketball game and then a woman. Her dream of being an actress remains shooting a PSA for a bunch of amateurs.

There are moments of inspiration in “SMILF,” like when she imagines a job counselor suggesting prostitution as a career move, but most of the time the moments peter out.

Shaw is likable and undoubtedly a selling point for the series, but unless the show finds its focus, it’s not going to be enough. Only three episodes were available for review, and the third has an extended dialogue between Bridgette and a man she meets through Craigslist that finally puts an edge on the story.

It seems to get Bridgette out of the funk she’s been in. Hopefully, there will be more moments like that.