'Michael J. Fox Show' Pulled From Lineup After Slipping Ratings and Mixed Reviews
"The Michael J. Fox show" was pulled from the schedule by NBC after only 15 episodes of the series, which starred the titular character as a news reporter heading back to work and his supportive wife and family. The sitcom was expected to do better, as the network initially ordered 22 episodes.
"The Michael J. Fox Show" and its possible cancellation were reported on Wednesday by Vulture, but it appears the show may still appear later on down the line. Although "Hollywood Game Night" and the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia will take over the spot, Fox's comedy may come back in April.
The comedy "is not cancelled," an NBC rep told Vulture Wednesday. "We are looking for a place on the schedule after April 3."
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Whether the new comedy is canceled or not, it is still lagging in the ratings and the reviews. The star power and nostalgia of Michael J. Fox and his triumphant return to regular sitcoms brought in 7.5 million viewers for the beginning of the season, but by the new year that had dipped to around 3 million, sometimes dropping as low as 2 million viewers. In comparison, "Parks and Recreation," a relatively niche comedy, consistently gets between 4 and 5 million viewers.
Reviews have been mixed for the comedy, which mainly focuses on Mike Henry (Fox) and wife Annie (Betsy Brandt) and their family. While "The Michael J. Fox Show" was rated one of the best new sitcoms of the season, it was panned by The New York Times, which stated that some felt "off."
The sitcom ran on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. after "Sean Saves the World," which was canceled in late January following slipping ratings.
