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. Twelve years later, FOX renewed the show for a third season, despite there being no known existence of a second season. [4]
The show was originally known as Animal Kingdom when it was in development. The network placed a series order in May 2012.[7]Amy Huberman played the role of "Dorothy Crane" in the original pilot; however, the role was recast with Joanna García.[8][9]
Crystal the Monkey's character was originally known as "Dr. Zaius" but the rights to the name could not be obtained.[6] 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.
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."[11]
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."[11]
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.[12][13]
November 20, 2012 (2012-11-20)(NBC.com) November 28, 2012 (2012-11-28)(broadcast)
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Reception
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."[20] 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."
