The Michael J. Fox Show (2013–2014) User Reviews

why did the writers ruin this

[cassidyorme · 6/10 · 3 June 2015]

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

3rd times a charm

[mccallumclan01 · 8/10 · 4 October 2013]

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 turned it off before it ended

[AtariBaby · 6/10 · 26 September 2013]

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.

A welcome breath of fresh Fox.

[cultjones · 7/10 · 29 September 2013]

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.

If you like Michael J Fox and Modern Family you are in for treat. I love it after the first two episodes...

[bcbell79 · 9/10 · 27 September 2013]

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!!

Canceled BUT is it worth watching its one and only season?

[Dr_Sagan · 14 October 2014]

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.

Glad to see Michael J. Fox back.

[Shopaholic35 · 7/10 · 6 February 2014]

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.

Fox deserves better than this.

[MovieAddict2016 · 5/10 · 28 September 2013]

"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.

Great new show

[Solrosen · 9/10 · 4 October 2013]

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 · 7/10 · 8 June 2015]

I honestly couldn't believe that this show got cancelled. Well, I can, because it did, and nearly every new show that I love gets cancelled after it's first or second season. But I really thought that with the presence of Michael J. Fox, that the show would continue for at least two seasons. But alas, no. I thought this show was very funny, and Michael J. Fox really did a great job.

This show is about Michael, played by Michael J. Fox, duh, he is a newscaster. Throughout the show he and his family go through all sorts of adventures.

Overall, I give this TV show a 7 out of 10, which in my ratings book is: Great.

It's Michael J. Fox!

[bragisvoice · 3/10 · 17 October 2013]

In the first episode of the show we meet Michael's new character based loosely or partially on his own real life medical condition with Parkinson's Disease. Michael is, in a word endearing. It's simply hard not to have some warm fuzzy feelings for his character that loves his family, loves his career and is doing his best to cope with a debilitating disease process.

Sadly, he's the only character in the show to be so charming. His wife is pretty and she's a good wife, but utterly forgettable. His children are even more forgettable and they aren't even of the good variety. In the first episode we find his daughter doing a docu-drama using her father's illness as a manipulative device to get a good grade in school. When her instructor gives her a lesson in tough love and points out what she's done she then puts in the work, redoes the project and earns not only a better grade but a life lesson as well. This totally insipid story line does nothing to make anyone like her character or her father any more than they already do. Since we like Michael to start with, no gain. Since she's unlikable, again, no gain.

The rest of the family is equally unpalatable, including a mooching sister that whines about everything in her life and yet does nothing to change her circumstances for the better. The two sons contribute nothing of merit to the show. Even the work environment isn't really fertile ground for belly laughs or emotional hooks.

Michael J. Fox is as lovable and perhaps even more sympathetic than ever. If he had a cast or writers of merit this show would be a smash. As it is, it's canon fodder for ratings and plays on his good name for popularity. Michael is certainly deserving of his popularity, this show, not so much.

Wow.. Michael J. Fox is back to Rock!

[touseef_2010 · 10/10 · 26 September 2013]

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.

Likable but not that funny

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 6 February 2014]

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.

Just not good

[SanteeFats · 3/10 · 11 October 2013]

I really have liked Michael J. Fox in everything I have seen him in, Spin City, Doc Hollywood, all the Back to the Future movies, etc. In this one though the show just is not very funny to me. I have so much admiration for his return to TV. I am very glad that medical science has come up the better drugs for his disease. Now let's get cancer. I just don't think the writing is very good. The plot is actually good and the casting is decent, although kind of pedestrian. The family interaction is pretty lame and the aunt is just trying to hard to be hip, coll, with it, whatever. It just doesn't come across as a very good show in my opinion. I am very sorry too, as I had such high expectations for this series.

A Full Life

[kindredparadox · 28 September 2013]

"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.

Don't come to the show with preconceived notions and you will be pleasantly surprised!

[edbelcher-2 · 8/10 · 12 October 2013]

I wanted to like this show... AND I DO! The show is clever and funny. It is something that begins to grow on you if you give it a chance and put aside any preconceived notions about the show trying to simply exploit the disease angle. That is the obvious angle so they do not shy away from the topic and address it in the pilot.

It is great to once again see the clever comedic timing of Michael J. Fox that I love and remember. Yes, it is important that the show explain that he has Parkinson's and how he and his family are dealing with it, but there is so much more to the show than that one topic.

Michael J. Fox is all grown up now and works as a newscaster with a family. He comes across as a loving warm dad who does not necessarily have all of the answers but really loves his family and it comes across in the show.

One closing comment; try and give a few episodes a chance at least to get to know the characters and get a sense of the writing style before you make a final call. I hope it stays on and they continue to not shy away from "politically incorrect" and challenging topics like they've done so far.

It's Michael J. Fox and that's great, but. . .

[grumpy_otter · 5/10 · 27 September 2013]

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.

Charming show! A must-watch...

[xmichellexlynnx · 10/10 · 11 October 2013]

This show charmed me within the first two episodes! As someone with a parent who has Parkinson's Disease (my father- who was diagnosed early in life like Michael J. Fox), I was leery about the show in general. Would it be awkward? In poor taste? Just not funny? Well in my opinion it is candid, in good taste, and very funny! I have enjoyed the first four episodes and want to watch all of them as they come along. I really hope that the show airs for more than one season. Michael himself is spot on in his acting (as usual) and so is the rest of his "family" the Henrys. As you watch the show you feel sympathy for Michael but you don't feel bad for Michael. He has his supportive wife and three crazy kids (and a crazy sister-in-law to boot) to keep him busy and full of life. This is in general a family-friendly show, although it certainly has some adult humor to spice things up. I would recommend this show to any of my friends or family members.

Bad, just bad.

[Zatexdp · 1/10 · 26 September 2013]

We were quite interested in this new show. MJF is normally quite fun to watch. But after 15 minutes we just had to stop. The jokes are not funny, the characters are flat and vapid. The storyline starts with the characters assuming the audience knows who these people are. Not much in the way of clues other than MJF is a news personality. Who are these people? They come across as jerks with not redeeming social graces. I understand smart edgy material. But this did not have it. Then he political shot at Chick Fil-a? Really? A company all about hate? I'll watch MSNBC or Fox News if I want hard political commentary. Please. All of this add up to a fail. We won't be watching.

Funny, edgy, entertaining

[parrishfamilynw · 8/10 · 23 November 2013]

I happen to think this is a great vehicle for both MJF and cast. Each character is well developed. The combination of the acknowledgment of reality and the presence of unrealistic situations make for several levels of humor. The youngest child retaliating for the parents cleaning his room and giving things to charity, by taking random things from the house and taking them to donate without the parents knowledge was one of my favorite bits. The Thanksgiving episode with Candice Bergen and Charles Grodin was both laugh aloud funny and made you cringe with family uncomfortableness we've all experienced. The final scene between Charles Grodin and MJF was heart wrenching. I hope to see more.

new Fox show

[donpatters · 1/10 · 19 October 2013]

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 !!

Fans of smart comedies will flock to this

[CrackDima · 28 September 2013]

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

[prmoverz · 10/10 · 26 January 2014]

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?

Three episodes for good measure, but I am done.

[obiwayne · 4/10 · 8 October 2013]

First, it's not horrible.

I'm sure there are people who like this sitcom and it makes them laugh. Humor is subjective and I appreciate that.

I love Arrested Development and Parks & Recreation, but a lot of people don't.

I do not like HIMYM or Big Bang Theory, but a lot more people do.

This show is somewhere in the middle for me. I prefer a single camera sitcom and some of the jokes/story lines really are on the edge of good. Unfortunately, the rest seems like your standard overt set up to punch line that is far too easy to predict. The interview segments have been done to death at this point and should be forbidden in any new sitcoms for at least 7 years.

I do like MJF and think he is easily the most likable aspect of the show. On the flip side, the sister in law is a pointless addition and should be done away with immediately.

I also wish they would focus more on MJF going back to work. There is so much comedy potential in him out and about doing interviews with people on the street that it's a shame they are focusing on the family more than the workplace.

It's too bad, because I really wanted to like this. I just can't see looking forward to sitting down to this to be given the same tired formula I could get anywhere else.

Good show, given time it can only get better

[jwg_1968 · 8/10 · 25 October 2013]

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.