Animal Practice

Say goodbye to Crystal the Monkey: NBC has pulled Animal Practice from its Wednesday night time slot in order to put Whitney in its place, effectively canceling the freshman series starring Justin Kirk. The new show had been struggling in ratings, and it comes on the heels of NBC's recent announcement that Whitney and Community wouldn't be debuting their new premieres this Friday, as originally scheduled. In fact, it looks like neither show will be on Fridays this season at all, if NBC keeps up this reshuffling (maybe Community will end up back on Thursdays after all!). As for Animal Practice, RIP George Coleman and furry friends.

Think your furry, feathered, or fishy friend could go paw-to-paw, wing-to-wing, or fin-to-fin with one of Tinseltown’s top pets? Check out the competition on NBC’s wildest new comedy, Animal Practice (starring none other than the Hangover monkey herself!), then enter our Animal Practice Instagram Contest. You could win a $1,250 to splurge on your sidekick—Hollywood-style!

How to enter:

1. Take an Instagram photo demonstrating your pet’s devastating good looks, monster talent, or show-stopping personality
2. Hashtag #AnimalPractice on your photo to enter for a chance to win

Plus, share some QT with your critter every week by making an appointment with Animal Practice, Wednesday nights on NBC. Visit the Facebook page now to learn more about the show and its stars.

Official rules.

The cast of NBC's Animal Practice includes Justin Kirk and JoAnna Garcia, but the charming actors were easily upstaged by their costar Crystal the monkey at the TCA panel for the new sitcom. As the cast chatted about the kooky series set in an animal hospital, it seemed like everyone wanted to talk about Crystal even though she wasn't there — until she showed up in the most dramatic fashion: riding on a mini ambulance! Find out about her grand entrance and why the cast treats her like she's the biggest star on Animal Practice.

• By now, Crystal has a lot of credits under her belt, including The Hangover Part II and We Bought a Zoo, and her fame is not lost on Kirk, even though he's the (human) star of the show. He said, "She's just super cool. She's the most famous monkey in Hollywood, so you try to be cool around her."
• Garcia gives credit to Crystal's professionalism: "She hits her mark, certainly better than I do."
• Kym Whitley, who plays a nurse, is already feeling competitive, joking, "I put it in my contract not to be in scenes with her because she is a scene stealer!"
• And just when we thought that Crystal was going to be a no-show to the panel, a loud siren blared from the side of the stage, and out she came, driving a miniature ambulance and wearing scrubs. It's the cutest thing to happen at TCA so far, and I can absolutely see why Whitley called Crystal a scene stealer.

To see more pictures from the panel, just read more.

The Fall TV season is edging closer, and we're taking a break from Summer shows to check out the new pilots. I was particularly intrigued when I found out Justin Kirk would be starring in his own sitcom on NBC, Animal Practice, since Weeds is about to come to an end. On Animal Practice, he plays veterinarian George Coleman, whose world is thrown into turbulence when his ex steps back into his office — and his life.

• What it's about: Dr. George Coleman is a great vet and gifted with his animal patients, but he's slightly less receptive when it comes to people. Though he's happy hanging out with his slightly off-kilter coworkers and watching horse races, George gets a dose of reality when his ex Dorothy (Amy Huberman) comes in to run the practice.
• Where it works: The zany sidekick isn't a fresh sitcom element, but I love Reaper's Tyler Labine. He plays a fellow vet and adds a little bit of down-to-earth comedy to the show.
• Where it doesn't: It's just too silly for words, and all the animal hijinks made me feel like I was watching a parody of a TV show (not to mention the ridiculous animal metaphors).
• When it's on: Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
• You might like this show if: You've been secretly hoping Justin Kirk would get his own show.

To see a preview of Animal Practice, just keep reading.

The networks will trot out their brand-new TV shows at next week's upfronts, but before we get a look at previews and find out the schedules, we're going to acquaint you with the upcoming series. First up are the shows coming to NBC, so check out the comedies and dramas that the network has picked up for the Fall 2012 season.

COMEDIES

• Go On: Matthew Perry stars as a sportscaster who starts attending group therapy sessions after he suffers from a loss and bonds with the members of his group.
• Animal Practice: Weeds star Justin Kirk plays a veterinarian who loves his furry subjects but doesn't like their human owners.
• The New Normal: A gay couple played by Justin Bartha and Andrew Rannells use a surrogate to start their family in this comedy from Glee creator Ryan Murphy.
• Guys With Kids: Three dudes (Jesse Bradford, Nick Cregger, and Anthony Anderson) experience the joys of being dads together.
• Save Me: Anne Heche plays a woman who thinks she can channel God after she has an accident.
• 1600 Penn: This White House-set comedy follows a fictional president played by Bill Pullman, his first lady (Jenna Elfman), and his goofy son (Josh Gad).
• Next Caller: This workplace comedy takes place in a radio station and stars Dane Cook as a chauvinistic DJ who butts heads with his female colleague.

DRAMAS:

• Revolution: This drama, produced by J.J. Abrams and written by Supernatural's creator, depicts a world where all technology has suddenly stopped working and its characters (played by Giancarlo Esposito and Billy Burke) struggle to connect with their loved ones.
• Hannibal: This drama explores the relationship of notorious character Dr. Hannibal Lecter as he mentors detective Will Graham, played by Hugh Dancy.
• Chicago Fire: The staff of a Chicago firehouse is the focus of this action-packed drama, which stars Taylor Kinney of The Vampire Diaries and House's Jesse Spencer.
• Do No Harm: A neurosurgeon struggles with his job and personal life because he also has a Jekyll & Hyde-like alter ego.
• Infamous: A female detective (Meagan Good) goes undercover to return to the home of the wealthy family her mother was a maid in and solve a murder.

Photos courtesy of NBC