THE MICHAEL J. FOX SHOW
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Betsy Brandt, Wendell Pierce, Katie Finneran, Juliette Goglia, Conor Romero, Ann Nogueira
Created by Will Gluck and Sam Laybourne
Written by Sam Laybourne & Will Gluck, Directed by Will Gluck
The Michael J. Fox Show is a new sitcom that brings
Family Ties and
Spin City star Fox back to the small screen. In this show, Fox plays Mike Henry who, like Fox, has Parkinsons and has taken time off to deal with the disease. Mike Henry used to be a star local news anchor in New York City and is coaxed back to TV by friend and executive Harris Green (Wendell Pierce). This means he'll no longer be a stay-at-home dad which is great relief to his wife Annie (Betsy Brandt), sons Ian and Graham (Conor Romero and Jack Gore), daughter Eve (Juliette Goglia), and sister/neighbor Leigh (Katie Finneran). Rounding out the main cast is Henry's assistant Kay Costa (Ann Nogueira).
THE GOOD: Michael J. Fox is as likable and enjoyable to watch as ever. He has a charisma that pops on screen whether he's Alex P. Keaton, Mike Flaherty, Marty McFly, or Mike Henry. With all the struggles he's been through, it really makes the audience root for both Fox and his character. While this is a family sitcom, I actually enjoyed the work scenes more (save for an awkward cameo by Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie). Fox seems in his element as the news anchor and tough journalist. Basically, the best of this show (like
Family Ties) starts and ends with Michael J. Fox
THE BAD: I wanted to like this pilot more than I did. The biggest problem for me was the family. Betsy Brandt was serviceable as Fox's onscreen wife but I didn't like the kids at all and it's 0 for 2 with Katie Finneran for me (after the awful
I Hate My Teenage Daughter). In a year full of family comedies, this is far from my favorite family with not overly likable characters and actors who do not seem very natural in their roles. I already mentioned Lauer and Guthrie who were terrible in their cameos (is Savannah Guthrie that much of a ditz regularly on
Today?) Everyone is concerned about product placement on
The Crazy Ones but I'm more concerned that there is going to be too much NBC on this show.
BOTTOM LINE: I am far from writing off this show because of Fox but hopefully the surrounding cast, especially his family, can get to his level. NBC has given this show a full 22 episode commitment so there's time to work out some issues but hopefully the audience will stick around for awhile. I don't want to give up on this show but Fox can't do it alone. He deserves better, come on people!
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