not funny

I watched Family Ties growing up. I saw Back to the Future (on VHS and TV) and he was in a zillion movies as the super likable guy. Michael J Foxx has made appearances everywhere I watch and listen in the past few years since his Parkinson’s Disease has become his co-star. Every appearance, every interview and every PSA has the world (myself included) cheering for Michael J Fox. He wants to dance at his daughter’s wedding. I want him to dance at his daughter’s wedding. Only a monster wouldn’t want Michael J Fox to be cured of this punishing disease.

Along with 7.2 million other people I tuned in (rather, programmed my DVR) to watch the pilot episode of the Michael J Fox show. I watched the pilot and then I watched the second half hour and though it wasn’t particularly late I yawned, a lot. It just wasn’t a funny show. I wanted to like it, but I didn’t. Perhaps it will get better. I’m leaving it on the DVR and I’ll give it a scan but here’s where it’s clever.

Because the show is titled The Michael J Fox Show you can’t dislike the show without seeming to dislike Michael J Fox and MJF is unquestionably the most sympathetic man on TV. You can’t dislike the show with the shakes jokes or you hate disabled people and you aren’t inclusive and…

So I didn’t like it. It’s not funny. It’s missing humility and characters with depth. Of course it’s a sitcom and sitcoms don’t typically have much depth and it’s fair to note that I don’t love sitcoms as a rule but I’d never dream of missing an episode of Parks & Recreation.

I like Michael J Fox and I have at least three handicapable friends! There is genius in plastering Mr Nice Guy all over a network show because even Gawker gave it fake-love and pretended it was funny.

Oh someone just shoot me.