The Michael J. Fox Show

It was over a decade ago when Michael J. Fox stepped away from headlining Spin City and entertainment in general. Sure he had stints in shows such as Scrubs and Boston Legal but it wasn't till 2013 when he took the lead and starred in his own Michael J. Fox Show.

The comedy based on his life documents the family life and comeback of a news presenter who stepped away owing to Parkinsons Disease. Fox doesn't shy away from his affliction and instead highlights it by mocking it happily. It's like a fat kid telling fat jokes and you have to think it's acceptable if he/she does it because, well they're fat.

Wendell Pierce flexes his comedic muscle (the guy is everywhere!) and shares an enjoyable chemistry with Fox while Betsy Brandt compliments him as he's lovable and laid back wife.

in 1982 the family comedy, Family Ties is what gave Fox his big break and it's poetic that it's the same genre that's brought him back. It's not the funniest show out there but it is more entertaining and funnier than most and to be honest, with Michael J. Fox back on our screens, the land of television and entertainment are better for it. The Michael J. Fox show is a comedy enjoyable for the entire family.

I've heard it said that only two people can get money for a show in Hollywood without doing a pilot--Michael J. Fox and Bill Cosby, and certainly we all understand why that is. Michael J. Fox is a wonderful and funny actor who can "accidentally" throw a dinner roll at a man's crotch and joke "Parkinson's!" and it's funny.

However, the rest of the cast doesn't quite live up to the star. The premise is that Michael Henry, beloved New York news anchor, left his job because of Parkinson's, but is now returning to work.

His family is a deadbeat son, smart teen daughter, and young son who is so far no more than a punchline occasionally. His sister is a selfish freeloader, and his wife is there, too. She's just there. All the family characters are stereotypes and not too interesting. I don't think this is the fault of the actors--they play stereotypes just fine.

Only two shows have aired so far, but I feel disappointed. If it wasn't Michael speaking, my attention wandered. The other characters just can't seem to hold their own against Fox.

The two plots so far have been Michael's return to television, which was somewhat fun, and flirting with the sexy upstairs neighbor (Michael's real-life wife, Tracey Pollan) which was so trite I was truly surprised it made it past the drawing board.

The most interesting characters so far are Michael's TV friend, Harris, played by Wendell Pierce, and the "lesbian" friend of his daughter, who was on screen for less than 5 minutes.

His news channel "family" is a bit more interesting, and perhaps if the show focused on that aspect of his life, it might be worthwhile.

I'll give it a few more tries, but am not too hopeful--so far it's thumbs down. I really wanted to like this, but it needs a big rewrite and perhaps some recasting.

"The Michael J. Fox Show" is about as generic a sitcom as its title. It sucks to admit this, since Michael J. Fox is such a likable talent, and solely on the basis of his returning to television, I *wanted* to like this new show -- but it just isn't that great, and barring a huge revamp of its approach, I doubt there will be much room for improvement.

It is a modern sitcom, which is to say it has been inspired by Modern Family with its talking head interviews, which don't flow very naturally with the procession of the storyline.

Obviously there's no dismissing the elephant in the room, which is Fox's battle with Parkinson's Disease, but...the show goes the opposite route, by embracing it and poking fun at it a little too much. We're supposed to feel comfortable with the sitcom put-downs and quips at his expense because he's cool with it, but that doesn't make them any less uncomfortable, to be totally honest. Honestly, they'd have been better having a couple jokes in the beginning of the episode, then moving on. Instead, they've worked the entire NARRATIVE of the show around his disease -- his character, Mike Henry, is a hugely famous broadcaster who had to quit at the peak of his career due to his Parkinson's struggles. Sound familiar?

The show keeps beating you over the head with this, which, I guess, I could put up with more, if the supporting cast - and writing - compensated. Neither does. From the promiscuous aunt character to the precocious teenager, these are all tired caricatures and none of them quite feel real.

Perhaps most disappointing is that in struggling to overcome all these obstacles he's faced with, Michael J. Fox isn't even given much to work with. He carried Spin City with his easy charm, but with this program he's basically the brunt of a lot of jokes about his physical ailment and playing an exasperated dad whose family is constantly ribbing him -- it's just not that funny or amusing.

I hope it improves, but frankly, they'd have to revamp the whole show and its format, I think, to overcome these problems. I'd be very surprised if this lasts beyond a single season.

I'm a fan of Michael J Fox since the 80's so when I heard he was coming back to TV, I was excited. But I was also anxious about the show making me feel bad for him or being a pity party to give it good reviews even though it wasn't good. But I'm so happy to say that after watching the 1st 2 episodes, this show is WONDERFUL! Using his Parkinsons as a base line for his character really works because they don't try to hide or sugar coat anything. The honesty makes it more funnier. The casting is right on too! Great family dynamic. You can see and appreciate the cast chemistry right from the start. If you like smart writing along the lines of Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, or Malcolm in the Middle, you will love this one. Welcome back MJF!

"The Michael J. Fox Show" is about Mike Henry, his down-to-earth wife, their diverse kids, and their modern progressive aunt—is about fully functional family—and Mike Henry's career as a newscaster and above all, in the most good spirits, the Parkinson's disease, which inspired it.

A Full Life, in Spite Of

Obviously, the newscast things is really sticking out. It really influences the dynamic of the sitcom—the family. The show is full of it—everybody in the New York knows him or as Mike thought. I always love that as the source of my laugh; and where those laughs will be going; get better.

You won't want to miss out the excitement of the first episode where it introduces the characters. I'm very sure this show will has its moments, you and I could see it; Michael J. Fox just saving it for later.