HispanicBusiness

May 13--At NBC's Upfront presentation Monday at Radio City Hall in New York City, the beleaguered peacock network was betting big on Michael J. Fox.

In a sign of its importance to the network, "The Michael J. Fox Show" was the first new series to be showcased during Monday's 90-minute presentation and was introduced by NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt.

It stars the much-loved actor -- who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1998 and left the ABC sitcom "Spin City" in 2000 to spend time with his family and raise awareness of the disease -- as a version of himself: a well-known newscaster afflicted with Parkinson's disease who decides to return to television after several years out of the spotlight.

From the preview above, it looks as if the show will use the tremors associated with Parkinson's as a source for comedy. NBC ordered a full 22 episodes of the series earlier this year, based largely on the considerable appeal of its lead.

"The Michael J. Fox Show" also will be a homecoming of sorts for Fox, who shot to fame in the '80s as Reagan-worshiping teen Alex P. Keaton on NBC's beloved Thursday-night sitcom "Family Ties."

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