Animal Practice Information

Animal Practice is an American television comedy series which aired on NBC from August 12 to October 24, 2012 on the network's Fall 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.

The series was canceled on October 18, 2012 due to low ratings, and the series was replaced by Whitney on November 14, 2012. A total of nine episodes were produced, and the three unaired episodes were released on NBC.com and Hulu on November 20, 2012.

Cast

Main cast

• Justin Kirk as Dr. George Coleman
• Joanna García-Swisher as Dorothy Crane
• Bobby Lee as Dr. Robert Yamamoto
• Kym Whitley as Juanita
• Betsy Sodaro as Angela
• Tyler Labine as Dr. Doug Jackson

Recurring cast

• Crystal the Monkey as Dr. Rizzo
• June Diane Raphael as Dr. Jill Leiter (3 episodes)
• Brian Huskey as Nurse Howard (3 episodes)

Development and production

The show was originally known as Animal Kingdom when it was in development. The network placed a series order in May 2012. Amy Huberman played the role of "Dorothy Crane" in the original pilot; however, the role was recast with Joanna García. Crystal the Monkey's character was originally known as "Dr. Zaius" but the rights to the name could not be obtained.

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

Promotion and controversy

NBC ran a sneak preview on August 12, 2012, during the its coverage of the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics. 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." However, NBC's decision to cut away from the ongoing live broadcast of the London Olympics closing ceremony led to numerous viewer complaints, causing John Clarke of Forbes to ask if Animal Practice is "the most hated show on television?" before the first episode even aired.

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production code	U.S. viewers (million)	Viewers=12.80	ShortSummary= }}	Viewers=5.19	ShortSummary= }}	Viewers= 4.56	ShortSummary= }}	Viewers=3.80	ShortSummary= }}	Viewers= 3.85	ShortSummary= }}	Viewers=3.68	ShortSummary= }} (NBC.com)	Viewers=	ShortSummary= }} (NBC.com)	Viewers=	ShortSummary= }} (NBC.com)	Viewers=	ShortSummary= }}

Ratings

#	Title	Air date	Rating/share (18"49)	Viewers (millions)
1	"Pilot"		4.1/11	12.8
2	"Little Miss Can't Be Wrong"		1.4/4	5.19
3	"Clean-Smelling Pirate"		1.3/4	4.56
4	"Dr. Yamamazing"		1.1/3	3.80
5	"Who's Afraid of Virginia Coleman?"		1.1/3	3.85
6	"The Two George Colemans"		1.2/4	3.68

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." 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."

International broadcasts

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

See also

• Mr. Smith, a short-lived 1983 NBC sitcom featuring an orangutan