The Michael J. Fox Show
Tonight is the premier of The Michael J. Fox Show. Two episodes. Tonight at 8 pm Central on NBC.
Most reviewers have called this the best new network comedy of the season. NBC, Fox, his foundation,and Parkinson's Disease has a lot riding on this.
The Fox name has been golden for network television. It started with Family Ties, followed by Spin City. More recently was a recurring role on The Good Wife, and he played himself, Parkinson's and all, on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
The Fox Foundation has over 1500 viewing parties throughout the U.S. and Canada. They'll use these as fundraising events. If it pumps up the ratings, even better.
Here's the show's premise....Fox plays a tv news anchor, who quit his job because of Parkinson's Disease. After years away, he decides it's time to return. I wonder how they came up with that storyline.
What are the implications of MJF returning to a full time television gig?
a. It shows that people with Parkinson's can do the same job as people without the disease.
b. "Handicapped" groups are hoping this show succeeds. They want Fox to be the face of whatever ailment they represent...at least the time primetime tv face.
Here's my problem with that....Mike has a lot more money than most of us with PD or any other disease. He even has his own foundation. That gives him access to things the average person can only dream about.
Remember when Magic Johnson became the face of HIV/AIDS? Remember how he had this cocktail of drugs he took every day?It worked so well that his HIV was not only in remission, but he said he was cured.
Hey, if Magic could do it, so can you....if you have his money and connections.
And there's the rub....we don't have the money or the connections of a Fox, Johnson or whoever else is the face of a disease/charity.
So what do I hope is accomplished by Michael J. Fox going back to work full-time?
a. Entertainment. For the most part, I like his shows and movies. I'll probably like this one, too.
b. Donations to the MJF and Parkinson's Foundation.
Good luck, Mike. A lot of people are counting on you to make their lives better. I'm just looking for a few laughs.