NBC orders Michael J. Fox sitcom pitch straight to series; 22 episodes debut fall 2013

Hot off a 2011-2012 TV season that finds him up for two Emmy Awards, Michael J. Fox has used his heat to win him a new sitcom series with NBC — the place where he earned his big break a generation ago as Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties.

Fox’s new sitcom doesn’t have a title, nor even a pilot. It does have, however, a 22-episode order from the Peacock Network, to go into production in New York City for a fall 2013 debut. The sitcom pitch is loosely based on Fox’s own life, starring as a husband and father trying to balance both of those roles with an illness.

“From the moment we met with Michael to hear his unique point of view about this new show, we were completely captivated and on board,” NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said. “He is utterly relatable, optimistic, and in a class by himself, and I have no doubt that the character he will create – and the vivid family characters surrounding him – will be both instantly recognizable and hilarious.”

“I’m extremely pleased to be back at NBC with a great creative team and a great show,” said Fox. “Bob Greenblatt and all the folks at the network have given me a warm welcome home, and I’m excited to get to work.”

Fox has two nominations in next month’s Emmys — one for his guest-starring appearance in an episode of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm (shown above with Larry David)the other, for his role on the CBS drama The Good Wife.

That makes two former NBC sitcom hitmakers granted early green lights from NBC. Matthew Perry’s Go On, which debuts next month but already has aired multiple times (including once during the Summer Olympics) in previews, earned the network’s first sitcom series order for fall 2012.

Any other blasts from NBC’s past that you’d like to see back in primetime?

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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