When I first saw commercials for the new Fox show Red Band Society, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. The show is a look at the lives of teenagers living in a hospital. Some of the characters have cancer, one has cystic fibrosis, one has an eating disorder, and another has a heart condition. What makes the show interesting is that each character fits a typical high school stereotype: the cheerleader, the jock, the nerd, the stoner, etc. It’s essentially a combination of Grey’s Anatomy and The Breakfast Club.
I had forgotten about the show until I was watching Wednesday’s episode of The Mindy Project last night on demand, and the pilot of Red Band Society started playing immediately after. Kudos to Fox, because I was instantly hooked.
Red Band Society is narrated by a young boy in a coma, who can see and hear everything that’s going on around him. The “red bands” represent the red hospital bands all of the characters wear that emotionally bind them as a group. The show is surprisingly light and funny even though concepts of death and loss encompass each character’s life. The nurse is played by Octavia Spencer, who provides the same comic relief she did in The Help while also playing the dramatic scenes perfectly. The writing is witty and original, and the acting is superb.
I haven’t read much media hype surrounding the show, so I have a feeling it might get cancelled. So everyone give it a shot! Wednesdays, 9 pm, on Fox.
*The actor who played Ricky Vasquez on My So Called Life has a small role as a nurse on the show. I feel that Homeland is Angela Chase all grown up, and this is Ricky Vasquez. Now Rayanne needs a television show.
Once Upon a Time Dating 