"Speechless" on ABC is receiving plenty of positive feedback and critics are hailing the show as a different kind of family comedy. Its focus is on a special needs kid and his dedicated mother, who also has to balance parenting two other children.
Minnie Driver plays the mom and John Ross Bowie is the father. The actor believes that "Speechless" has the opportunity and a huge responsibility to get this show done right."I have friends who have children with various disabilities, and I was able to talk to them about just sort of the struggle and the extra effort that has to be put into very commonplace things," John Ross Bowie said via E! Online.
Minnie Driver believes that most people are still unaware of what it's like to have a disability or to live and care for someone with special needs "They're scared of what that means, of how they're supposed to look and how they're supposed to interact," the actress also told E!.
The stars know that with "Speechless," people's preconceived notions and biases about special needs and disability will hopefully be debunked or torn down. The show is supposed to help open conversations about these things. But treated as comedy, the conversations should be a lot less awkward. "Speechless" creator Scott Silveri has based the show on is life as he has a brother with special needs.
The series also features a teen actor with cerebral palsy. Micah Fowler's JJ is lending an authenticity to the series. Buzzfeed cites that "Speechless" and Micah Fowler are already breaking ground on sitcom television. The actor admits there's also a tremendous responsibility for him to get his part right, so as not to misrepresent people living with disability. But he's getting support from his family, friends and the cast and crew.
Meanwhile, "Speechless" Season 1 Episode 2 will have Maya (Driver) stressing over JJ's (Fowler) new aide, Kenneth (Cedric Yarbrough). The episode airs on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.
