NBC’s debuting two “new” comedies tonight (although one is a remake and the other an adaptation) but they’ve already shown the pilots after two different nights of the Olympics, so the secret’s out somewhat…
“Growing Up Fischer”…One long blind joke. See, the title kid’s father is blind and his newly divorced mom (Jenna Elfman) is struggling to find herself. It seems like just one more show trying to make it seem “new” that a couple would get divorced (a big theme in the pilot is that this isn’t a bad thing), when there’s now probably as many unconventional families on TV as nuclear ones. The largest share of the jokes are from or directed at J.K. Simmons’ blind father, and I don’t see that getting old in the very near future (eye roll). J.K. Simmons is a terrific talent, and almost rescues the material he’s given, but I can’t see growing up with this show while it finds its legs…[see what I did there, with the puns?]. Grade: C
“About a Boy”…This was always going to be the more promising show since I actually love the movie and book that it’s based off of (arguably the best Hugh Grant starring romantic comedy…although that sounds like a back-handed compliment) and now I guess they’ve decided to tackle the only medium left: TV. Can’t wait for “About a Boy” the musical on Broadway.
Also, it stars Minnie Driver (where’s she been? an always welcome presence though), and David Walton, who is seemingly making it his mission in life to star in quickly cancelled midseason NBC comedies (Quarterlife, 100 Questions, Perfect Couples, and Bent in just the last six years, this guy’s career definitely has a pattern). It was criminal how the network treated the excellent “Bent” and I’m hoping they don’t do the same with this not-quite-as-good but still really likable/watchable half hour. Grade: B+