Overrated and overhyped

The acting in this movie is really good.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Horrible. This is the Golden Age of television (in Cable), but the networks are blind and atrociously obtuse to the opportunities that are given to them every day and which they consistently reject for bland shows that don't take any risks and, because of this, are doomed for cancellation. As more people turn to cable and experience (finally) great television, the networks' shows (especially the comedies) will suffer. "Growing Up Fisher" is a perfect example. The idea of the show is great, but the execution is deeply disappointing. Everything is dumbed down, the jokes feel forced, the narration is ridiculous! If this is really about the creator's childhood, he did an excellent job to skirt any pain, for pain in comedy is always what works best. I love television and hope lackluster shows like these disappear to make room for better creators and writers, and also complicated characters that let actors really act.

Mel Fisher (J.K. Simmons) is a blind lawyer who often tries to pass. He is divorcing his wife Joyce (Jenna Elfman). Their kids Henry (Eli Baker) and Katie (Ava Deluca-Verley) have to deal with the divorce and their unique family. The show also gets into Henry's best friend Runyen (Lance Lim).This show started awkwardly with blind Mel passing for seeing. It's filled with stories from writer's life with his blind dad. Even though it may be real, it just sounds fake without being funny. Then there is Jenna Elfman. I don't want to be mean but she's too young and hot for Simmons. I love the guy but Jenna looks 30s even although she's in her 40s. Also the divorce is possibly the nicest one around. It feels like a lot of rough edges got rounded out. The kids are fine and the best character has to be the best friend Runyen. He's the funniest one in the whole cast. This is a functional network TV family sitcom. It's a mid season replacement show that got canceled after its half season run.

I had to watch the pilot due to the synopsis which is so annoying and unoriginal. Normal stupid family sitcom with blind dad?! Oh my lord! Who the F gave green light to this incredibly stupid and half ass idea? And who cares about washed up JK Simmons and double-washed up Jenna Elfman? You truly need to be retarded to enjoy this. The actors are pushing it so hard and there is no chemistry whatsoever. Jokes that you've heard zillion times... Isn't there anyone left who can make a decent clever sitcom?!It would make you less retarded to sniff thinner while watching Two and a half men, trust me... UGH

We were pleased to see that NBC has tried a couple of new family centered series of which this is one and the other being About A Boy.We think the star in this series will turn out to be young Henry (Eli Baker). He is a fresh young talent and we think he has great potential.J.K. Simmons as Mel Fisher the Dad is an enjoyable character. It was especially nice to see how Henry listens to everything Dad says and there are many large underlying "teachable moments" in this first episode. Mel is a good Dad.Jenna Elfman is someone we enjoy seeing anytime, and here in her role as Joyce she was true to type. We enjoyed this episode and will tune in again next week. Growing Up Fisher and About A Boy are a welcome relief from watching NCIS Los Angeles on that other network. That means it fills a time slot where the market is hungry for something new and in this case NBC did it.Keep up the good work and we may tune in to NBC for more than Grimm.