Was wondering how many on the board have seen the series, and, if so, have stuck with it. The first episodes were, for me, pretty difficult to watch (it's very tough seeing the guy who once starred in the "Back to the Future" trilogy struggling with his affliction, especially in a sitcom setting), but have to say I'm now quite enjoying the show (especially the recent "Christmas" episode).
I watched the first few episodes, but then gave up. Even though the Parkinson angle wasn't milked for sentimentality, it was difficult to watch this "character" in the context of a sitcom. Worse, there's no chemistry whatsoever between Fox's character and that of his wife. The scripts of the first 5 episodes weren't very funny either.
If it is renewed it will be solely on the basis of Fox's name recognition. Better sitcoms of the past few years were axed much earlier. Of the new sitcoms, I'm enjoying "Mom" a lot more, even though it's far from perfect.
I'm watching it, and at the moment I'm sticking with it, but I might drop it in the second half of the season, since Community is coming back and I don't know if I'll have time for both. I find everyone likeable enough but I'm not finding it as consistently funny as I'd like. It's very much in vein with Modern Family, so if you like that show you'll probably like this.
I don't remember them milking the Parkinsons for sentimentality, outside of maybe the first episode. Since then, the Parkinsons has been milked for some of the better jokes on the series (such as Fox's troubles with a touchscreen weather map in the most recent episode).
I forgive it a lot for NOT having a laugh track. And I was surprised how quickly Betsy Brandt put the neurotic character she played on BREAKING BAD out of mind with her adroit playing of supportive wife to Fox.
I sincerely hope NBC gives it a chance to find it's audience.
