“Animal Practice”: New NBC comedy is laugh-free

Justin Kirk (“Weeds”) stars as Dr. George Coleman in the new NBC comedy “Animal Practice.” George is a top veterinarian who has famous animal patients under his care at the Crane Animal Hospital in New York City.

George is much better at relating to animals than he is to humans, and as the series begins, he is faced with his ex-girlfriend, Dorothy Crane (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, “Better With You”), inheriting her family’s business and becoming his boss – and trying to bring some order to the pandemonium-filled hospital.

Other cast members include Tyler Labine (“Reaper”), Bobby Lee (“Harold & Kumar”), Kym Whitley (“We Bought A Zoo”), Betsy Sodaro (“The Nick Show Kroll”) – and capuchin monkey Crystal (“The Hangover II”).

The acting is sufficient, with the exception of Sodaro, who just plays her character as obnoxious, and this “comedy,” written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka (“The Sitter”), is stunningly unfunny.

The only element of this show remotely entertaining is the monkey, and if you think a line such as, “Don’t you see that his premature balding and feminine hands indicate masculinity issues, not unlike a dog who barks with no bite,” delivered by George to a man wanting to put a dog to sleep unnecessarily, is humorous, be sure and tune in to “Animal Practice.”

Viewers will get a sneak preview of the pilot following the Olympics Closing Ceremonies Sunday, Aug. 12, before its regular season premiere at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Consider yourself forewarned.

– Melissa Hayer

mhayer@opubco.com