Fall TV preview: ‘The Michael J. Fox Show’ trailer creates a strong impression

As we promised over the weekend, we are kicking off our Fall TV Preview feature now that we actually have an opportunity to see some of the shows that have been picked up for new episodes in the fall. There’s quite a bit to get to so, we’ll be featuring a new show every day leading up to the point that we’ve finally run out (which could take us a while).

When you look at the pile of new programming out there, it really seemed appropriate to start off with a show that has been ordered for a full 22-episode season long before some of the competition was even in the pilot stage: “The Michael J. Fox Show.” This was an opportunity for NBC to get back an actor who has starred already in two iconic comedies (“Family Ties” and “Spin City”), and give him a chance to really return to full-time work in a role that parallels his own life.

Basically, Mike is playing a local news anchor at an NBC (natch) affiliate in New York City who decides to come back on the job after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. His family life is based on what he actually goes through, and the tone is very similar to some of his books: Realistic, but also funny and optimistic. It shows that you can have something that can devastate your life, but still find a way to get up the next morning and live as a positive influence to others.

While the message of “The Michael J. Fox Show” is great, equally important to the show’s success is that the trailer is funny. Fox still has incredible likability and timing on screen, and the comedy, even at the expense of himself, comes across as completely earnest and never forced. Another great casting choice comes here via Betsy Brandt as his fictional wife, a very different character than Marie on “Breaking Bad.”

Fox’s series will air Thursday nights at 9:30 p.m. Eastern this fall, following the Sean Hayes comedy “Sean Saves the World.”