NBC is pulling the monkey off the stage.
Starting next month, the network is yanking freshman sitcom Animal Practice from Wednesday nights.
Not only that: The returning NBC comedy that you’ve all been waiting for finally has a premiere date.
That’s right …
Whitney is coming back!
(No, there’s no date yet for Community). READ FULL STORY »
On Wednesday’s episode of Animal Practice (NBC, 8 p.m.), super veterinarian George (Justin Kirk) is called in to perform an operation on Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong, the dog belonging to fellow vet Doug (Tyler Labine). This clip is from the episode. This clip has nothing to do with that story line, though. This clip is of a man, his monkey, and their morning routine, set to Queen’s “You’re My Best Friend.” You’re…welcome. READ FULL STORY »
Image Credit: Chris Haston/NBC
Animal Practice may be a comedy, but there’s nothing amusing about how showbiz animals are treated, according to PETA.
The animal-rights group has planned a protest in front of NBC Studios in Hollwood tomorrow because of the network’s new show, which — as anyone who has seen the commercial is more than aware — features monkeys.
On the Facebook page advertising the event, which has 29 people “Going” so far, the PETA people asked that everyone wear black, and said that “monkey masks” will be provided. READ FULL STORY »
Gordon Ramsay beat up a slew of patriotic celebrities Monday night, while the return of Grimm couldn’t quite give NBC a happy ending.
Despite NBC’s promotions for Stars Earn Stripes during the Summer Olympics, and some timely controversy about the non-casting of Jack Osbourne, the new reality show was topped by Hotel Hell, Fox’s latest Ramsay shouter. At 8 p.m., the one-hour Hotel debut delivered 5.1 million viewers and a 1.9 rating among adults 18-49 at 8 p.m., edging out the two-hour series premiere of Stars Earn Stripes in the adult demo (5.1 million viewers, 1.7).
Fox touts Hotel Hell as the summer’s highest rated series debut, but that says more about this summer’s weak new shows (like ABC’s Glass House) then it does about the success of Hotel Hell. Still, the Fox show bested not only Stars but also ABC’s Bachelor Pad (4.1 million, 1.2) and Glass House (2.1 million, 0.7). All paled compared to the return of Hell’s Kitchen (6.5 million, 2.7) after an Olympics hiatus, returning to its second-highest rating of the summer. READ FULL STORY »
After closing ceremonies of the Olympics on Sunday night, NBC will transition from five rings to three when it previews the first episode of its new circus-like workplace comedy Animal Practice. (The show premieres in its regular time slot on Sept. 26.) You will meet the gold medalist of veterinarians: the highly skilled Dr. George Coleman (Justin Kirk), who, alas, often receives a DNF when it comes to his people skills. That’s where Dorothy (Joanna Garcia) comes in. She just inherited his respected-but-disorganized animal hospital from her grandmother, and she’s going to run a much tighter operation. Also, George used to date Dorothy until she left him without warning or explanation two years ago, so this shouldn’t be awkward at all.
Given that this is an animal hospital, laughs will be built around all sorts of critters, from snake to dog to turtle to monkey. Especially monkey. You see, Dr. George Coleman is often flanked by his simian sidekick, Dr. Rizzo. And Dr. Rizzo has his own lab coat and ambulance. Get your first look at the key art below, watch a clip from the premiere, and then start guessing how many Mountain Dew Meows this show is going to win come awards season. READ FULL STORY »
“I’ve got a monkey too,” teased CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler.
The executive took the stage at the Television Critics Association’s semi-annual press tour in Beverly Hills on Sunday to talk about the network’s fall shows. But it was her stuffed accessory that perked up reporters’ Twitter feeds.
Rival NBC has been heavily hyping its new fall comedy Animal Practice featuring the antics of Crystal the monkey. The show is even getting a preview lead-in from the Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony on Aug. 12. READ FULL STORY »
James Hibberd
@James_Hibberd
Lynette Rice
@EWLynette
