J.K. Simmons
Jenna Elfman
Eli Baker
Jason Bateman

Created by:
DJ Nash

2014
Comedy
NBC
TV-PG

“Growing Up Fisher” is an NBC sitcom, based on creator DJ Nash’s childhood, that’s really an updated version of “The Wonder Years,” if “The Wonder Years” were written by amateurs. I watched the pilot and didn’t come close to laughing even once. It’s not trash, but it has nothing fresh to offer.

The pilot centers around Henry (whose older self – Jason Bateman – narrates the show, again à la “The Wonder Years”) and his relationship with his blind father (played by the always reliable J.K. Simmons, who does what he can with this material). The father’s blindness is supposed to be the distinguishing factor for this show, I guess. He’s been able to trick people, including his colleagues at a law firm, into believing that he can see.

Also, during this episode, Henry’s parents announce their divorce, and the mother (played by Jenna Elfman, who has nothing worthwhile to do here) regresses back to adolescence in response – something we’ve seen before.

“Growing Up Fisher” could really work if the writers knew anything about comedy, but none of this is funny; some of it has warmth, though. Just as in “About a Boy,” the actors are game; but “Growing Up Fisher” provides even less material for them to work with than “About a Boy” does.

I typically give a show two episodes before I decide to stop watching, but I’ve seen enough of “Growing Up Fisher” already. I need to watch a second episode only if a show has a premise that seems intriguing or if its pilot shows a little bit of promise. Neither is the case here. Just watch “The Wonder Years” if you’re interested, and you’ll be fine.

Verdict: Whatever

About: (Source: growingfisher)

It’s not every family that’s brought closer together by divorce, but then again, the Fishers are anything but typical. Take Mel Fisher (J.K. Simmons, “The Closer,” “Law & Order”), for example. He’s chopping down trees, showing his daughter how to drive, and playing football with his son… except that Mel’s blind. Then there’s Joyce (Jenna Elfman, “Dharma & Greg,” “1600 Penn”), who is your typical teenager – really into fashion, busy with school – but the problem is she’s Mom. That makes it difficult for her actual teenage daughter, Katie (Ava Deluca-Verley, “Southland”), whose advice (and clothes) Joyce is always seeking. At the center of all this is Henry (Eli Baker), the Fishers’ 11-year-old son. Having always been his dad’s eyes and wingman, Henry is less than thrilled when his job is outsourced to Mel’s new guide dog, Elvis. While the boy is at first reluctant to accept the changes that Elvis brings, adult Henry (voiceover by Jason Bateman, “Arrested Development,” “Identity Thief”) realizes upon reflection that his parents’ split finally allowed the Fishers to become one happy (divorced) family.

Inspired by his own life, DJ Nash (“Up All Night,” “Bent”) serves as executive producer along with Bateman, Jim Garavente (“Identity Thief”) and Tucker Cawley (“Up All Night,” “Everybody Loves Raymond”). “Growing Up Fisher” is a production of Universal Television and Aggregate Films.