TV has been getting all up in the political world lately, with the likes of “Veep,” “Political Animals,” and “Homeland.” Monday night, NBC’s “1600 Penn” begins its run as the jester in the court, a silly sitcom about a dysfunctional first family that has none of the withering wit of “Veep.”

The premiere, at 9:30 p.m. on Channel 7, relies heavily on the Chris Farley-like buffoonery of first son Skip Gilchrist (Josh Gad), who can’t stop getting involved in fires and causing trouble for the White House press secretary and security team. Skip’s idiocy — he has spent seven years in college — appears to be the show’s big draw, which is more like a big gnaw.