Animal Practice

2012 American TV series or program

Animal Practice

Promotional image

Genre| Sitcom
Created by|

* Alessandro Tanaka
* Brian Gatewood

Starring|

* Justin Kirk
* Crystal the Monkey
* Joanna García Swisher
* Bobby Lee
* Kym Whitley
* Betsy Sodaro
* Tyler Labine

Composer| Ludwig Göransson
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 1
No. of episodes| 9
Production
Executive producers|

* Scot Armstrong
* Brian Gatewood
* Ravi Nandan
* Anthony Russo
* Joe Russo
* Alessandro Tanaka

Camera setup| Single-camera
Running time| 22 minutes
Production companies|

* American Work, Inc.
* Universal Television
* Open 4 Business Productions

Original release
Network| NBC
Release| August 12 (2012-08-12) –
November 28, 2012 (2012-11-28)

Animal Practice is an American sitcom television series which aired on NBC from August 12 to November 28, 2012, on the network's Thanksgiving 2012 television schedule. The series premiered after the end of the 2012 Olympic games (which the network was showing) and was produced by Universal Television and American Work. The series starred Justin Kirk and is set at a veterinary office.[1] The series was canceled on December 3, 2012, due to low ratings,[2] and replaced by Whitney on November 14, 2012.[3] In addition, the final three episodes were released on NBC.com and Hulu on November 20, 2012.

## Cast and characters

[edit]

### Main cast and characters

[edit]

* Justin Kirk as Dr. George Coleman
* Wyatt Oleff as Young George
* Joanna García Swisher as Dorothy Crane
* Bobby Lee as Dr. Robert Yamamoto
* Kym Whitley as Juanita
* Betsy Sodaro as Angela[4]
* Tyler Labine as Dr. Doug Jackson
* Crystal the Monkey as Dr. Rizzo[5]

### Recurring cast and characters

[edit]

* June Diane Raphael as Dr. Jill Leiter
* Brian Huskey as Nurse Howard

## Development and production

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The show was originally known as Animal Kingdom when it was in development. The network placed a series order in May 2012.[6] Amy Huberman played the role of "Dorothy Crane" in the original pilot; however, the role was recast with Joanna García.[7][8]

Crystal the Monkey's character was originally known as "Dr. Zaius" but the rights to the name could not be obtained.[5] At the time of production, Crystal was known for her appearances in a number of motion pictures, most notably the Night at the Museum series.

Marco Pennette replaced Gail Lerner as showrunner after the third episode had been shot.[9]

## Promotion

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> NBC executives "are high on [the show]. I'm not sure they're high on it because of the writing or if it's a real good show, or because it tested well with the monkey."[10]

> — Sam Armando, senior VP
> at SMGx, a unit of Publicis Groupe

While promoting the show to ad buyers, NBC told them that "Crystal" the capuchin had had "powerful reception among test audiences", and "is perhaps the best-known element about the new show--and, maybe, NBC's entire fall season."[10]

NBC ran a sneak preview of the series on August 12, 2012, as a lead-out for the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics; controversially, the already tape-delayed and abridged broadcast was interrupted to air the pilot, causing the finale (which featured a performance by The Who) to be preempted after late local newscasts.[11][12]

## Episodes

[edit]

No.| Title| Directed by| Written by| Original release date| Prod.
code| U.S. viewers
(millions)

|
|
|
|
|
|

1| "Pilot"| Anthony & Joe Russo| Brian Gatewood & Alessandro Tanaka| August 12, 2012 (2012-08-12)| 101| 12.80[13]
2| "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong"| Jeff Melman| Jamie Rhonheimer| September 26, 2012 (2012-09-26)| 103| 5.19[14]
3| "Clean-Smelling Pirate"| Anthony Russo| Aseem Batra| October 3, 2012 (2012-10-03)| 102| 4.56[15]
4| "Dr. Yamamazing"| Jay Chandrasekhar| John Blickstead & Trey Kollmer| October 10, 2012 (2012-10-10)| 104| 3.80[16]
5| "Who's Afraid of Virginia Coleman?"| Jeff Melman| Curtis Gwinn| October 17, 2012 (2012-10-17)| 105| 3.85[17]
6| "The Two George Colemans"| Elodie Keene| Steve Hely| October 24, 2012 (2012-10-24)| 106| 3.68[18]
7| "Wingmen"| Jeff Melman| Amelie Gillette| October 31, 2012 (2012-10-31) (broadcast)
November 1, 2012 (2012-11-01) (NBC.com)| 108| N/A
8| "Ralphie"| Joe Russo| Brian Gatewood & Alessandro Tanaka| November 7, 2012 (2012-11-07) (broadcast)
November 20, 2012 (2012-11-20) (NBC.com)| 107| N/A
9| "Turkey Jerky"| Eric Appel| Laura Chinn| November 20, 2012 (2012-11-20) (NBC.com)
November 28, 2012 (2012-11-28) (broadcast)| 109| N/A

## Reception

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According to Metacritic, the show has received a score of 48/100 and mixed critical reviews. Drusilla Moorhouse, of entertainment news website Zap2It, wrote that "It's too cringe-worthy for overempathizing animal lovers, but general audiences might tune in for a lighthearted, escapist laugh."[19] While Moorhouse's review was more positive, Robert Bianco of USA Today gave a negative review, stating "The shame is that Practice has a fine human cast...but Kirk and his cohorts quickly get taken down by the barrage of stupidity the show sends their way."

## Awards and accolades

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Awards and accolades for Animal Practice Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2013 | Young Artist Award | Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, Special or Pilot - Supporting Young Actress | Bobbie Prewitt  | Nominated  | [20]

## International broadcasts

[edit]

In the UK, Animal Practice aired on ITV2 beginning February 11, 2013.[21]

## See also

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* Mr. Smith, a 1983 NBC sitcom featuring an orangutan

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Bibel, Sara (June 14, 2012). "NBC Announces Fall 2012 Premiere Dates for 'Grimm', 'Revolution', 'The Voice,' 'Animal Practice' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
2. ^ Ausiello, Michael (October 18, 2012). "Monkey Flee: NBC Puts Animal Practice to Sleep, Replaces With Whitney". TVLine. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
3. ^ O'Connell, Michael (October 18, 2012). "NBC Cancels 'Animal Practice,' Adds 'Whitney' to Schedule". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 18, 2012). "Betsy Sodaro Upped To Regular On New NBC Comedy 'Animal Practice'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
5. ^ a b Rose, Lacey (July 24, 2012). "TCA 2012: NBC's 'Animal Practice' Cast Upstaged by a Monkey". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 7, 2012). "2ND UPDATE: '1600 Penn', 'Animal Practice', 'New Normal', 'Revolution' & 'Save Me' Picked Up To Series At NBC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2012). "Animal Practice To Recast Female Lead". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 24, 2012). "JoAnna Garcia Set As Female Lead In New NBC Comedy 'Animal Practice'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (21 August 2012). "Showrunner Change On NBC's 'Animal Practice' – Marco Pennette To Take Over". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
10. ^ a b Steinberg, Brian (September 25, 2012). "Can This Monkey Conquer Prime-Time TV?". Advertising Age. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
11. ^ "Viewers outraged after NBC cuts away from Olympics closing ceremony". CNN. 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2012-12-21.
12. ^ John Clarke (2012-08-13). "Is NBC's 'Animal Practice' The Most Hated Show On Television?". Forbes. Retrieved 2012-12-21.
13. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (August 13, 2012). "'Animal Practice' Preview Draws 12.8 Million Viewers". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 16, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
14. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (September 27, 2012). "TV Ratings Wednesday: 'The Middle' & 'Modern Family' Return Down, 'Animal Practice' & 'Guys With Kids' Go Low + 'The Neighbors' Premiere". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
15. ^ Bibel, Sara (October 4, 2012). "Wednesday Final Ratings:'The X Factor', 'Survivor' Adjusted Up; 'Animal Practice', 'Guys With Kids' & 'The Neighbors' Adjusted Down Plus Final Debate Numbers". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
16. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 11, 2012). "Wednesday Final Ratings:'The X Factor', 'Survivor', 'The Neighbors' & 'Modern Family' Adjusted Up; No Adjustments for 'Arrow'". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
17. ^ Bidel, Sara (October 18, 2012). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Modern Family', 'Survivor', 'Animal Practice' Adjusted Up; 'CSI' Adjusted Down Plus Unscrambled FOX Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
18. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 25, 2012). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'The Middle', 'Guys With Kids', 'Criminal Minds', & 'Law and Order: SVU' Adjusted Up + World Series Game 1 Final Numbers". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
19. ^ Moorhouse, Drusilla (September 26, 2012). "'Animal Practice' review: Charismatic cast delivers lighthearted fun for everyone -- except animal lovers". From Inside the Box. Zap2It. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
20. ^ "34th Annual Young Artist Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
21. ^ Munn, Patrick (30 January 2013). "ITV2 Sets UK Premiere Date For 'Animal Practice'". TV Wise. Retrieved 10 February 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Animal Practice at IMDb
* Wallace, Benjamin. "Crystal Takes Hollywood". New York Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-11-12.

*[No.]: Number
*[Prod.]: Production