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Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

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Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Old 02-23-14, 02:35 PM
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Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman





IT'S NOT EVERY FAMILY THAT'S BROUGHT CLOSER TOGETHER BY DIVORCE, BUT THE FISHER FAMILY IS ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL

11-year old Henry (Eli Baker) met the most amazing person he'll ever meet in his life when he was four-and-a-half minutes old, his dad, Mel Fisher (J.K. Simmons). Mel's an incredible father and successful lawyer...who happens to be blind. Ever since he can remember, Henry has always been his dad's eyes and wingman, so when his parents decide to separate, he's less than thrilled that his job has been outsourced to Mel's new guide dog, Elvis. Meanwhile, his mother, Joyce (Jenna Elfman), begins a quest to find herself, essentially becoming a teenager in her forties. This is an unfortunate turn for the family's actual teenage daughter, Katie (Ave Deluca-Verley), who finds herself reluctantly taking on the maternal role in the family. Lance Lim also stars as Henry's best friend, Runyen. Voice-over by Jason Bateman. Harold Perrineau, Matthew Glave, Bill Fagerbakke, Isabela Moner, Carla Jimenez and Sam Pancake guest star. The pilot was directed by David Schwimmer. TV-PG



Jason Bateman is a Producer and Narrator on this show.

The Pilot was directed by David Schwimmer

Jenna Elfman actually replaced Parker Posey who was in the original Pilot.

This premieres tonight at 10:36pm ET/PT on both coasts after the closing ceremonies.

Preview:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cA7R8Ddurhk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


This actually looks like it could be funny. Set the DVR to check this out.
Old 02-23-14, 03:10 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

I've seen commercials for this all through the Olympics and it looks like a Saturday Night Live sitcom parody skit. I can hear the theme music: "He's blind, he can't see, oh the shennanigans he'll get in! He bumbles into stuff, because he's blind, and we'll make witty puns based off his lack of sight!"
Old 02-23-14, 03:25 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

how was this greenlit? Seriously NBC, the premise is beyond ridiculous probably as bad as the inconceivable show they had a while back.
Old 02-23-14, 07:43 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Doesn't look to promising. Bateman's involvement and narration can only be a good thing though, so I may record it.
Old 02-24-14, 04:24 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

I liked it but don't expect it too last long. Elfman seems to be a better fit for the flighty mom character than Posey since it seems to be very much like an older Dharma.
Old 02-24-14, 10:22 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Not bad. I'll watch it again on Tuesday. Had more sweet moments than funny, but then again, I've seen the promos way too many times.
Old 02-24-14, 10:34 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Originally Posted by chowderhead
how was this greenlit? Seriously NBC, the premise is beyond ridiculous probably as bad as the inconceivable show they had a while back.
It is based on a true story.

I had no idea Elfman was in this, as the previews had been pretty much all centered around Simmons. I liked this a bit more than About A Boy.

The weird part was that this show is based on a true story, is told as a flashback through the narrator, but they decided not to make it a period show. It's an odd choice, but I guess with the blind gimmick they didn't want to make it an 80s or 90s show as well.
Old 02-24-14, 10:46 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Originally Posted by DJariya

Jenna Elfman actually replaced Parker Posey who was in the original Pilot.
Old 02-24-14, 11:52 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Really? Had no idea it was based on a true story. The part where he hid his blindness can't be true, can it?
Old 02-24-14, 12:20 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

This was awful, particularly because of the asian kid.
Old 02-25-14, 02:32 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

I actually liked this. The relationship between Henry and Mel really made this work. A lot of nice moments between them. Eli Baker was surprisingly really charming and he had good chemistry with Simmons.

I liked the last scene where Henry met the cute neighbor. I'm glad they stayed away from making him nervous and shy and made him confident taking to her.

Chowderhead and Malichai were being way too judgmental without actually seeing the show.

I think its kind it neat that this was based on the creator of the show's experiences with his Dad.

I liked Jason Bateman's narration. I think it worked here.
Old 02-25-14, 02:49 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

I didn't think it was bad at all.
Old 02-26-14, 06:22 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

That was Bateman narrating? Odd. I thought that was the weakest part of a very enjoyable show. I'm sticking with it.
Old 02-26-14, 08:42 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

In what reality does a Jenna Elfman marry a blind guy 20 years older than her?
Old 02-26-14, 01:00 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

$$$$
Old 02-26-14, 01:08 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Originally Posted by madcougar
In what reality does a Jenna Elfman marry a blind guy 20 years older than her?
Because Mel is a successful lawyer.
Old 02-26-14, 02:26 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Originally Posted by DJariya
Because Mel is a successful lawyer.
Originally Posted by Michael Corvin
$$$$
I guess they explained this. I watched the first five minutes yesterday and tuned out. JK Simmons is damn near 60. I couldn't suspend my disbelief that far.
Old 02-26-14, 02:35 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Yeah because older men dating/marrying hot younger women never happens







Old 02-26-14, 03:12 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

So you're comparing JK Simmons' looks to THESE guys... and you're comparing the character on this show who happens to be a blind lawyer to international movie stars? Good job.
Old 02-26-14, 03:16 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

You weren't referencing looks or occupation. Sounded like mainly had a problem with Simmons character being 59 and his ex wife being almost 20 years ago.


I'm not saying comparing those characters to movie stars is a really fair comparison, but plenty of older men marry much younger women.

Last edited by DJariya; 02-26-14 at 03:23 PM.
Old 02-27-14, 08:58 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Originally Posted by DJariya
You weren't referencing looks or occupation. Sounded like mainly had a problem with Simmons character being 59 and his ex wife being almost 20 years ago.


I'm not saying comparing those characters to movie stars is a really fair comparison, but plenty of older men marry much younger women.
I'm 43 and my girlfriend is 29 and hot. I hear ya...
Old 02-27-14, 03:22 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Originally Posted by TheKing
It is based on a true story.

The weird part was that this show is based on a true story, is told as a flashback through the narrator, but they decided not to make it a period show. It's an odd choice, but I guess with the blind gimmick they didn't want to make it an 80s or 90s show as well.
This was exactly my problem with the show. Is this a narrator from the distant future like HIMYM? It doesn't feel like a true story if you're nostalgically talking about how your mother used to smoke e-cigs. It's like The Wonder Years without the period setting -- it's just odd. I have to think it was going to be set in the 80's until NBC cut the budget or something and the producers just said "Fuck it, we'll make it present day. Nobody will notice the difference".
And all that's before we get to a lawyer who works in a firm and hides his blindness. Do all legal documents and law books come with braille printing? Because if not, I find that concept a little difficult to swallow.
Old 03-05-14, 10:24 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Liked last night's episode. I actually liked it a little more than the Pilot.

Henry acting like a blind kid to impress the older girl with glasses was cute. I'm sure a lot of us have done stupid shit like that pre-puberty.

Mel pretending that he could see for their client at the dinner was amusing, especially when the check caught on fire and then when he whacked his car with the cane.

The strongest points for me are Mel and Henry's relationship.

Although, Jenna Elfman was really annoying. I can't stand older women trying to act young to fit in with a younger crowd. She was acting like a total ditz, which I found really annoying.
Old 04-23-14, 08:20 AM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

Really enjoying this as well as About A Boy, so since AA B got a bump, I think that a bump is due for this as well.

Not sure if it has always been there, but I like the picture of the father and son that it is based on in the credits.
Old 05-08-14, 06:30 PM
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Re: Growing Up Fisher (NBC) -- S: Elfman, Simmons, Bateman

For those speaking of ages, the 16 year old daughter is played by a 24 year old:


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