O Show de Michael J. Fox

I really wanted to like this. My mom has Parkinson's, so I'm always thrilled to be tuning in to a Michael J. Fox appearance. He's inspiring and entertaining, and he does a lot for the cause. But this show is a clunker. It feels artificial, as though designed by a committee. All the kids are sarcastic and uninteresting, the adults are lifeless annoying, and there was no charm, no warmth, and no laughs. The whole thing is awkward and hectic, and shows no promise.

It isn't hard at all to watch him, despite the fact he clearly has all the symptoms of the disease. It isn't formulaic like most of the sitcoms he's been in over the course of his life. It's just bad. He carries himself with the same relaxing charm he's always had. He appears to have shown up ready to give a great performance, but the people behind the scenes really let him down with this charmless bomb.

I couldn't make it to the end of one episode, much less the second that aired right after.

Bummer.

Episode 1 = tried too hard, too big a role given to Parkinsons.

Episode 2 = tried too hard and humor a bit too contrived

Episode 3 = only one reference to Parkinsons but tight and subtle humor. Great chemistry between the characters and situations most of us can relate to.Michael J. Fox has the kind of talent that can't be suppressed and although his illness was a big part of episode 1 and less so by episode 2, by episode 3 (thankfully) the script writers realize that there is humor in almost any situation and they don't have to force each one.

The absence of a laugh track in the show is most welcome and anyone who tolerated the first two episodes and came to episode three with the attitude of "I'll give it the 5 minute test and change channels if it does not grab us" - as my wife and I did - prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

Trust me and watch the first two episodes with the objective of getting to know the characters then sit back and enjoy episode 3 and hopefully many more excellent episodes to come.

i really wanted to love this show.. ill watch anything with Fox in it.. i still watch spin city all the time.. I'm really sad that the writers ruined this show before it ever really got started.. it was almost like there was no plan, i feel like the just said well Fox is in it so we can't fail doesn't matter what we write.. hopefully very soon some good writers will do the world a favor and put Fox back on TV..

I also don't think the acting was up to par.. it's Michael J. Fox!!! you can't get a bunch of bad actors its noticeable.. his great acting makes their bad acting so much worse..

i want to see him back on TV with better actors and writers

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!

Michael, Michael; what in the world is going on? Don't get me wrong. I like MJF. But I don't like this show. It is poorly scripted, poorly shot and BADLY in need of a genuine sense of humor.

After the first three parkinson's jokes the rest of them just fell flat. Enough was enough already. I didn't know if I was supposed to laugh, feel sorry for him or what. For me, it just didn't work.

The characters in the supporting cast are not well defined. I don't know who the heck they are or what they're supposed to be. They just kind of wander in and out of camera view doing a fast and furious set of blackout jokes; kind of like a rude and crude vaudeville routine.

Speaking of rude and crude about one third of the "humor" was on the level of nine year old toilet jokes.

Your show is not for me, Michael. You're better than that. Or, are you?