Ole Sandbaek Joergensen There are some good things but what worked in Spin City, talking to the camera, being the smart man amongst crazy side kicks and other stuff, well all that is here in a different sense but it isn't really working out.It got better after episode two, but the first two didn't really sell it and the next couple of episodes are better but it didn't really grow on me. It seems like they are trying to hard, and maybe that is what ruined it for me, I watched the first five episodes, but never got hooked.I think Michael is on his way back and you really can't notice much about his Parkinson, but he really needs to do something more weird and awesome then this.

iHaveCellulite Of course if you're reading this review, you may be thinking to yourself "I'd love to see the return of Michael J Fox to TV, but I just know this is going to be one huge pity-party hoping for sympathy for ratings!"The writers of The Michael J Fox Show realized this, and instead of just making a great original show that proves otherwise, they literally make a show staring the returning MJF, about a guy also named Mike, who also has Parkinsons, also returning to work after a long hiatus, whose entire cast of characters revolve around making sure EVERYONE knows that he is not here for your sympathy!So OK, I get it, you want us to accept MJF's return to TV as a true return to TV, and not a "triumph" for his battle over Parkinsons. The point was made within the first 5 minutes of the pilot. GREAT! Now that the viewers know it's not a pity-party, let's start the show!.... ... and then you realize that WAS the show ! ... A show, that spends each and every scene, joke, character, and plot to tell you, "Hey! He's totally normal with Parkinsons!" That's it.As the moral of the "I don't want your sympathy!" story is endlessly drilled into your brain by Mike every episode, you soon (very soon) start looking for depth in the other characters' stories or plots, desperately looking for a reason to keep watching... only to realize the only reason the other characters exist is to tell you "This is how Mike reacts when you try to treat him special!" (_insert lesson-learning scene about how they were a fool to try and think he was any different than someone without Parkinsons_)." If you made it this far into the review, you're done! You have The Michael J Fox Show in it's entirety! Don't worry, there's nothing else to look for. You can practically "feel" the separation between all the supporting characters and MJF; the supporting characters' potential for great acting/talent/depth/humor all on the fringe of something that could-be, but never is... vs MJF and the writers on their own mission not to make a great show (or any show for that fact) but to prove a point to the viewers!

bragisvoice 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.

David McCallum 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.