Michael J. Fox is doing a fantastic guest stint on Rescue Me these days, as an argumentative creep who makes Denis Leary seem as polite as Tim Gunn. Tonight, ABC is airing a special called Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist. It’s a TV variation on his recent bestselling book of the same name.
Now, I know you’re probably not likely to tune in to an hour of Fox roaming around, finding stories of hope and optimism in the face of his ongoing Parkinson’s disease, at 10 p.m. tonight, when you can watch Southland or a rerun of CSI. (That’s not sarcasm; that’s just the way network documentaries usually fare in prime-time against entertainment programming.)
But this one is worth seeing. Why? For a small reason and a big reason. The small one is the brief scene of Fox giving golf a try with Bill Murray. Fox swings and flails and the ball flies all over the place. Murray says with his deadpan candor, “I’ve never seen anyone hit the ball with such power and not know where it was going.” They have a good laugh, and Fox comments that all he’s trying to do these days is accept himself, “even when you screw up,” and to do “the next right thing.” Murray pauses and says, “I like that… as opposed to ‘do the next thing right’?” “Yeah,” says Fox. “I want to copyright that,” says Murray, writing the phrase down on a napkin next to his hot dog. It’s a great moment.
Oh, and the big reason. Just to spend an hour with Michael J. Fox. There’s no self-importance, no self-pity, no star ego, no change in behavior whether he’s talking to Bill Murray or a guy who sells newspapers on the street.
Me, I take every opportunity I can to see Michael J. Fox these days. I think you ought to, too.
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I will be tuning in for sure. Here in Canada, Southland, CSI and Grey’s Anatomy plays back to back to back, all before 10 pm ET, so I get to watch all of it, and catch J. Fox.
As someone with a physical disability since birth, I can tell you that he is indeed not looking for pity. Humour is key. Thanks Michael for showing the world.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/05/07/tv-tonight-thursday-may-7th-2009/
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve always loved Michael J. Fox and think it’s amazing that he didn’t crawl into a box and disappear. He has a lot to offer.
I’ve been a fan of MJF since the 80s. His humor is wonderful. I am currently reading his latest book and it’s just as good as the first one. He’s truly an inspiration.
I’m a moron – everytime I read this, I thought you meant that it was on Fox and I was going to be like, “isn’t it on ABC?” Yes, it’s on ABC. Fox is his last name! duh!
I do find it a little difficult to watch him because he looks so intense, but he seems like a great guy, and he’s still really cute and has that familiar voice.
Whatever happened to MJ Fox returning to Scrubs for the final season? He didn’t show up the whole season so I expected to see him in the final scene where JD walks down the hall of 50 past guest star, but no, he was not one of them.. why not???
I’ve loved MJF since his Alex P. Keaton/Marty McFly (I even entered a contest to win his 50’s vest from “Back to the Future” because I had such a crush on him. To live with such a debilitating disease like Parkinson’s and yet still have the optimism and positivity is absolutely amazing to me. I’d be wallowing in the pain and cursing my life if it were me, but not him. You can’t help but like the guy and want to root for him.
LOVE MJF, incredible man.
Brandon, I was just going to say that, I loved Dr Kevin Casey on Scrubs! Just saw those epsiodes again recently, Michael J Fox was so great in them. Would have been awesome to see him in that hallway! (PS – one of the best series finales I’ve seen in ages).
I’ll be tuning in tonight, I’m all about spending an hour invested in such positive messages.
He is such a classy guy, really like him, his values, his optimism, his love of family, his talent, his humor. And REALLY LOVE the fact he is Canadian!!!!
I loved him before the illness, now i love him even more. and yeah i know i don’t even know him personally but i love him just because of how he looks at life. He is my hero and i hope that people start looking at themselves in different ways so that they can live more meaningful lives.
I grew up watching Michael J and I know God is using him to find a cure for this disease. He has done so many things in his life and I think he has a great attitude through it all.
Michael J, wish you could meet my sister who has MS-59yrs-also never gives up-”eternal optimist” & a spokesperson for many other issues!
My admiration,respect & love to you both. Saskatchewan Canada
Love MJK and now have made Ken Tucker an honorary Canadian. Even spelled ‘honorary’ in respect of his american heritage. Watching the show now. Very touching. Very proud of our fellow canuck.
Hi Michael – I definitely tuned in, and I’m so glad I did! I admire your hope and optimism so much. I only hope that when I’m faced with any kind of a trial, I might be able to exhibit even a portion of the kind of hope and optimism you hold. I’ve seen my mother display that same level of optimism in the face of cancer, and both of you have one thing in common – you both seem to have a “light” of some sort that radiates from you . . . I can’t explain it . . . I just know that when I’m in the presence of people like my mom and like you, I feel a kind of warmth that empowers me and fills me with strength. Only in the darkness of pessimism can you search for the light of optimism.
You’re a great blessing – Thank you!!
I missed the special tonight and didn’t get my dvr set. Does anyone know if it is going to being showing again? My husband and I would really like to see it. MJF was a favorite growing up. My brother and I watched all of his movies and everything else he was in. We both had all the Back to the Future movies memorized. We watched those over and over again. hmm I’m thinking now is a good time to dig those out and have a marathon.
Just diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and I want to thank Michael for helping to give me that positive attitude to go on with my life. I think your out look is half the battle. I hope we both last for years.
I was able to watch the special. It was well worth the time to miss the regularly scheduled shows. I would like to see Fox doing a few more specials of this nature. He is a very special man to be able to tell the world about his health and then physically travel to different places to prove his point about being an optimist. Also, I must congratulate his wife Tracy and his children for being with him through his PD.
I was channel surfing and found MJ Fox’s special last night and loved it…Until all the commericials dominated it. It was upbeat, inspiring, educated me about another culture, gave me insites on spiritual paths, got me talking to others about it…etc. If someone didn’t like it, it was anti=cultural in someways because we,in this country aspire for “things” and not pure happiness. Building relationships is hard, and the land is under assault in many places. I loved this program and I will be more positive in my life from now on,.Carol
I watched the show and loved it! What a nice guy Micheal J Fox is! Really down to earth and someone I would like to have as a friend. Genuinly interested in others and caring. You can’t fake that type of behavior. Praying for a cure for Parkinsons. God bless Micheal and his family. Hope he does another special soon
Does anyone know if this show will repeat of where I can watch it. I had to work and missed it. Thanks.
The MJ Fox Special is now available at http://www.abc.go.com (click free episodes and then michael j fox) If you missed it, WATCH IT!!!
http://www.lookuphistory.com/namedirectory/michael-fox.html
Mr. Fox- I’ve admired your courage so much, and wondered ‘what would I do if”?, and now, somethings happening to my body, and I’m frightened. We do okay, we own a small business, and I’m asking if you could tell me with what Dr.s to start with so we don’t get to far in debt. Thank you so much, Janie
I was just watching the Michael J.Foxx show and loved the piece with Bill Murray. I picked right up on the quote of doing the next right thing as opposed to do the next thing right and immediately wrote it down, then looked it up to make sure it wasn’t by someone else and found this sight. What a perfect quote I can use with my teachers and students!
I ENJOYED YOUR SPECIAL TONIGHT. I TOO AM AN OPTIMIST,AND THE OWNER OF A TRUE VALUE HARDWARE STORE. BUT WITH NATIONAL HEATH CARE COMING, CARBON CREDITS,AND A NATIONAL MINIMIM WAGE INCREASE. I FIND IT HARD TO BE AN OPTIMIST. YOU ASKED A LADDY IN WASHINGTON WHAT CHANGES SEE WANTED TO SEE, SHE RESPONDED WITH ANY THING IS POSSIBLE. YOU WERE DRIVEN DOWN A STREET IN N.Y. CITING STORE CLOSURES. GET OFF YOUR PRIVATE JET, SET YOUR FEET IN THE MID WEST OR ANYWHERE ELSE. AND THE PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU WE ARE ARE HURTING. OPTIMITS ARE ONE STEP BACK FROM REALIST.
hi i would realli like to see the abc special, i live in england and iclick on to the vid and it says a private video can you send it please it would make my year.