I do not tend to watch sitcoms. I do tend to flee a mile from anything resembling cringe comedy.

Same! I'm really not a sitcom person in general; the ones that I do get hooked on tend to be due to getting attached to the characters/ensemble, the way I have with this one. But I find this show very charming and addictive. The actors have a fantastic rapport with each other and, as you say, the characters are very convincing as people. (Well, most of them. I find the locals a little less so, sometimes.)

And having found out enough of the behind-the-scenes to know that it's a family project makes me happy.

I did not know that Eugene Levy was in Splash! Though it's also been absolutely ages since I watched it. I know I've seen him in a number of things, though.