Growing Up Fisher is an American sitcom that began airing mid-season on NBC as part of the 2013–14 United States network television schedule. The semi-autobiographical single camera series was created by D. J. Nash. On January 10, 2014, NBC announced that Growing Up Fisher would premiere following the 2014 Olympics on Sunday, February 23, 2014, at 10:30 pm, and then move to its regular timeslot on Tuesday, March 4, at 9:30 pm following About a Boy. On May 9, 2014, NBC canceled Growing Up Fisher after one season.
Plot
The family of 11-year-old Henry begins to function after the divorce of blind father and lawyer Mel and mother Joyce. The series follows everyday situations the family goes through, often involving Henry's sister Katie and normal situations the parents handle, usually in a comical way.
The series first appeared on the development slate at NBC in October 2012 under the title ...Then Came Elvis. The network placed a pilot order in January 2013. The pilot episode was written by D. J. Nash, and directed by David Schwimmer. Casting announcements began in February 2013, with Parker Posey first cast in the role of Joyce Fisher, Henry's mother who attempts to reclaim her youth, post-divorce. J.K. Simmons was the second actor cast, in the series regular role of the blind family patriarch, Mel Fisher. Shortly after, Eli Baker and Ava Deluca-Verley were then added to the cast, with Baker cast in the lead role of Henry Fisher and Deluca-Verley to the role of Katie Fisher, Henry's older sister, who Joyce desperately wants to be close to. In May 2013, NBC placed a series order for the comedy under the new title The Family Guide, and in June, it underwent another name change to Growing Up Fisher. In July 2013, Jenna Elfman replaced Parker Posey in the role of Joyce Fisher.
Episodes
Reception and cancellation
Initially sporting good ratings, viewership declined over the course of the season, ending with a 1.2 share when the show was cancelled. Only 2 of NBC's 8 sitcoms were renewed that year. Its politically incorrect story was unpopular with critics, producing a 35% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although audiences loved it twice as much, producing a 70%.
