35 reviews
why did the writers ruin this
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 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
- cassidyorme
- Jun 2, 2015
- Permalink
3rd times a charm
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.
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.
- mccallumclan01
- Oct 3, 2013
- Permalink
I turned it off before it ended
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.
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.
A welcome breath of fresh Fox.
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.
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.
If you like Michael J Fox and Modern Family you are in for treat. I love it after the first two episodes...
The Michael J Fox Show is very funny. It feels like Modern Family but it revolves around Michael J Fox (who parodies himself except is a loved news anchor instead of an actor) and his family. The cast is great, his wife Betsy Brandt (Walter White's sister-in-law on Breaking Bad) is hilarious. They have two sons and a daughter (Modern Family in reverse) who are funny and well cast. Fox essentially plays himself and is hilarious as ever...
I was born in 1979, so I grew up with MJF. Back to the Future was (and still is!) one of my favorite movies as a kid, as well as Family Ties being one of my favorite TV shows. I was saddened when I heard MJF was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease, as much of America was. The show plays of this brilliantly, and even spoofs their own ad campaign (the TV network his character works for mimics the ads NBC used to promote this show). Brilliant. The show really is a lot of fun.
After these first couple of episodes I am impressed, I am excited I have a new favorite show. I definitely recommend this show, whether you like Michael J Fox, like Modern Family, or just like good comedy. I'm excited for the potential, The Michael J Fox is off to a great start!!
I was born in 1979, so I grew up with MJF. Back to the Future was (and still is!) one of my favorite movies as a kid, as well as Family Ties being one of my favorite TV shows. I was saddened when I heard MJF was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease, as much of America was. The show plays of this brilliantly, and even spoofs their own ad campaign (the TV network his character works for mimics the ads NBC used to promote this show). Brilliant. The show really is a lot of fun.
After these first couple of episodes I am impressed, I am excited I have a new favorite show. I definitely recommend this show, whether you like Michael J Fox, like Modern Family, or just like good comedy. I'm excited for the potential, The Michael J Fox is off to a great start!!
Canceled BUT is it worth watching its one and only season?
Canceled BUT is it worth watching its one and only season? (available on the Internet etc.) In one short answer: No.
That doesn't mean that it was a bad show. Just mediocre.
It is inspired by the life of Michael J. Fox, with his disease (Parkinson's) and all, and it is basically a family sitcom. It has its own style of narration, with each member occasionally breaking the fourth wall looking at the camera and basically stating his or hers intentions.
There is no fake laugh track in this one, and for me that's a plus.
The premise was basically each kid of the family trying to outsmart each other and all of them their parents who were pretty smart themselves. That, and some secondary plots about M.J.Fox's job (an anchor in a TV channel) etc.
So, you can pass this one. It was occasionally funny, but overall was mediocre.
That doesn't mean that it was a bad show. Just mediocre.
It is inspired by the life of Michael J. Fox, with his disease (Parkinson's) and all, and it is basically a family sitcom. It has its own style of narration, with each member occasionally breaking the fourth wall looking at the camera and basically stating his or hers intentions.
There is no fake laugh track in this one, and for me that's a plus.
The premise was basically each kid of the family trying to outsmart each other and all of them their parents who were pretty smart themselves. That, and some secondary plots about M.J.Fox's job (an anchor in a TV channel) etc.
So, you can pass this one. It was occasionally funny, but overall was mediocre.
Glad to see Michael J. Fox back.
Maybe it's the sentimental factor that makes me really like this show or maybe it is just good comedy. Throughout this show I find myself laughing out loud and at the same time sharing Michael J. Fox's journey with Parkinson. He got dealt a bad card but he's working with it and is introducing Parkinson's disease to a world that has little understanding on the matter. Aside from the fact that Michael J. Fox is incredibly endearing the rest of the cast is also fantastic and all have their individual roles to play. The characters have been developed in a way that each one of them can carry portions of storyline.
This is a show that you need to watch first to see if you like it or not. I had lowered expectations but found I really liked it and others have felt the opposite. Give it a chance though because you may be pleasantly surprised.
This is a show that you need to watch first to see if you like it or not. I had lowered expectations but found I really liked it and others have felt the opposite. Give it a chance though because you may be pleasantly surprised.
- Shopaholic35
- Feb 5, 2014
- Permalink
Fox deserves better than this.
"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.
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.
- MovieAddict2016
- Sep 27, 2013
- Permalink
Great new show
Comedy is hard. Every fall lots of new shows that are trying to be funny shows up, most of them with good actors, some with good ideas but very few with good material and writers. Most of the time they don't even last a full season. Either the jokes are cheap, the people unreal or there is some other serious flaw. This show seems to be an exception, I say seems to be since there have only been three episodes so far. I admit, I love Michael J Fox, and I was excited that he was back to TV, but it seems like he is working with good writers and good stories and characters that seems real. Like he almost always does. So I can recommend this show, if you saw and liked Spin City and Family ties, you will like this show too.
Sad it got cancelled
- taylorkingston
- Jun 7, 2015
- Permalink
It's Michael J. Fox!
- bragisvoice
- Oct 16, 2013
- Permalink
Wow.. Michael J. Fox is back to Rock!
We've all been waiting for a long time for this show to air..finally it's here..MJF is back in Television in this NBC series The Michael J. Fox Show as Michael 'Mike' Henry..After being a legend with the TV shows like Family Ties,Spin City and of course portraying some classic characters in a number of classic movies like Back To The Future(trilogy),Teen Wolf,The Secret Of My Success,Greedy,For Love or Money,The American President and so on..Our Marty McFly is back to rock again..he is fighting against his Parkinson's disease through out all this years..and the comedy show is actually based on his real life.Well as it's a MJF series,you can't expect it to be bad..and the show did justice to my thought.I would say it's a great watch.Again the main attraction of the show is Michael J. Fox.With all his enthusiasm and comedy timing,Mikey made it worth to watch the series and worth to wait for the next episodes.
- touseef_2010
- Sep 25, 2013
- Permalink
Likable but not that funny
Mike Henry (Michael J. Fox) is a TV anchor returning to the news with his disability. His family (Betsy Brandt, Juliette Goglia, Conor Romero)is lovable if somewhat chaotic with his sister Leigh (Katie Finneran) living in the downstairs apartment. His best friend Harris Green (Wendell Pierce) is his boss at the TV station.
I like all the characters, but they're not that funny. They're cute most of the time, charming, and likable. They just need to write better jokes. To its credit, there wasn't a laugh track. When Katie Finneran is the closest thing to a comedian, then it's time to see that there is a problem. My favorite episode is the second one with MJF's real life wife Tracy Pollan as the upstairs neighbor. It's the only episode where I actually laughed. This was canceled after airing 15 episodes.
I like all the characters, but they're not that funny. They're cute most of the time, charming, and likable. They just need to write better jokes. To its credit, there wasn't a laugh track. When Katie Finneran is the closest thing to a comedian, then it's time to see that there is a problem. My favorite episode is the second one with MJF's real life wife Tracy Pollan as the upstairs neighbor. It's the only episode where I actually laughed. This was canceled after airing 15 episodes.
- SnoopyStyle
- Feb 5, 2014
- Permalink
Just not good
- SanteeFats
- Oct 10, 2013
- Permalink
A Full Life
"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.
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.
- kindredparadox
- Sep 27, 2013
- Permalink
Don't come to the show with preconceived notions and you will be pleasantly surprised!
- edbelcher-2
- Oct 11, 2013
- Permalink
It's Michael J. Fox and that's great, but. . .
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.
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.
- grumpy_otter
- Sep 26, 2013
- Permalink
Funny, edgy, entertaining
- parrishfamilynw
- Nov 22, 2013
- Permalink
Bad, just bad.
Charming show! A must-watch...
- xmichellexlynnx
- Oct 10, 2013
- Permalink
new Fox show
I have always been a Michael J. Fox fan - loved him even on The Good Wife - however - this show really sucks. Mike is awful in this role and the other characters are all highly forgettable.... As I tried watching the second show, I found that I had completely dismissed whatever happened on the first show. And I don't even see an attempt at any real continuity on the part of the script context. Am I missing something? If I am missing something, it is no great loss because I definitely do not plan on continuing to watch the show. Sean Saves the World is also mediocre, but not as completely boring as Mike's show. Too bad, a better script for Mike and better supporting characters might have done something for NBC - but it's not happening !!
- donpatters
- Oct 18, 2013
- Permalink
Fans of smart comedies will flock to this
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!
Great New Show - Get over Fox's Disability and enjoy - Haters, hate everything - Make up your own mind
This is a very funny new show, you have to get over the fact that Michael has Parkinson's, he is fine with it, obviously. I truly enjoy the show, as much as Modern Family, and The Walking Dead. I am looking forward to as many episodes as possible. By the way, Fox has a limited role, there are over a dozen characters who do an extraordinary job at making my family and I laugh.
I would recommend anyone who enjoyed Fox's past work to watch this show. You can tell from the first episode that this show had a no expense spared budget. The cast is first rate, the guest stars have been awesome. I can relate to this show, most any family could, we all have people in our lives that have difficulties, we laugh and love with these people too? Right?
I would recommend anyone who enjoyed Fox's past work to watch this show. You can tell from the first episode that this show had a no expense spared budget. The cast is first rate, the guest stars have been awesome. I can relate to this show, most any family could, we all have people in our lives that have difficulties, we laugh and love with these people too? Right?
Three episodes for good measure, but I am done.
Good show, given time it can only get better
What has happened to the attention span of TV Viewers, when I was growing up networks never canceled a show before it even aired, or after just showing the pilot. Sad that some of you post things like "Sympathy Viewing" or "only watched 3 episodes" It is really sad to see people judge things so quickly these days. This generation of humans is so "Instant Gratification" oriented.
Real shows need time to grow, to build upon their characters, to make cast changes, change writers, change story lines, etc The Walking Dead tripled it's numbers in the third season, prior to that it had no where near the numbers network shows pull, but it's on AMC, where they believe in their shows and let them air out longer then 3 episodes.
MJF is amazing, always has been, I for one will be giving him and his show all the time it needs, he makes me laugh, unfortunately I think the network is giving him a "pity" season for his illness and will most likely be canceled for next season. For some reason THE U.S. can't stand to see old people or sick people, or worse, old sick people, we just put them on an iceberg and send them out to sea. I live in the health care system, I know what I have seen and I have seen it more often then not.
However, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, for instance I can't stand the Big Bang Theory, it is juvenile and silly, yet everyone else I know seems to love it.
Am I biased, perhaps, I suffer an auto immune disease, have been bed ridden now for 3 years with deadly bacterial infections, watching MJF do his thing once again despite his illness gives me hope, perhaps some shows are all about perspective. No I don't simply support the show because he suffers an illness.
If this show isn't successful, then I hope he gets one that is, in the mean time I will have Michaels back and support his show fully, not because he is sick, because I love watching him and the show makes me laugh.
Just my opinion.
Real shows need time to grow, to build upon their characters, to make cast changes, change writers, change story lines, etc The Walking Dead tripled it's numbers in the third season, prior to that it had no where near the numbers network shows pull, but it's on AMC, where they believe in their shows and let them air out longer then 3 episodes.
MJF is amazing, always has been, I for one will be giving him and his show all the time it needs, he makes me laugh, unfortunately I think the network is giving him a "pity" season for his illness and will most likely be canceled for next season. For some reason THE U.S. can't stand to see old people or sick people, or worse, old sick people, we just put them on an iceberg and send them out to sea. I live in the health care system, I know what I have seen and I have seen it more often then not.
However, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, for instance I can't stand the Big Bang Theory, it is juvenile and silly, yet everyone else I know seems to love it.
Am I biased, perhaps, I suffer an auto immune disease, have been bed ridden now for 3 years with deadly bacterial infections, watching MJF do his thing once again despite his illness gives me hope, perhaps some shows are all about perspective. No I don't simply support the show because he suffers an illness.
If this show isn't successful, then I hope he gets one that is, in the mean time I will have Michaels back and support his show fully, not because he is sick, because I love watching him and the show makes me laugh.
Just my opinion.