However, the early prognosis for the 'toon--airing Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m.--appears grim. Not only are critics slamming the British-born series, but one of the network's own affiliates is refusing to run the thing, because, in the words of a station exec, it's "crude, vulgar and stupid."
NBC's KSL-TV in Ogden, Utah, plans to show reruns of Mad About You rather than the animated tale of an accident-prone office drone and his self-absorbed ex-wife, allergy-plagued daughter, mute yet orally fixated son and alcoholic, vomit-spewing au pair.
"We are very disappointed in the network for launching this midsummer replacement, which is, in our opinion, way below the standard of 'Must-See TV' they try to maintain," Steve Lindsley, vice president of the Mormon-owned KSL-TV, told AP.
For its part, NBC says, "Our affiliates have the right to decline programming. And while we are disappointed with [KSL's] decision, we recognize their rights."
The network's first animated show since 1965's Mr. Magoo, Stressed Eric features the voice of Hank Azaria (The Simpsons' Apu, Chief Wiggum and Moe the Bartender, among others) as the clumsy, "stressed out" Eric Feeble.
Azaria's voice--which includes a mild British accent--was added to the show to make it more palatable for American audiences. That, reportedly, was one of many alterations made by NBC to Eric, which has already enjoyed British success. NBC will air six episodes of the cartoon.
Unlike Bob and Margaret, a UK-produced animated series currently running on Comedy Central, critics have been almost unanimously negative toward Eric: Noting that Stressed Eric has been accepted by British audiences, USA Today quips: "Of course, the English also have embraced Benny Hill, boiled vegetables and the monarchy, so their tastes are hardly infallible." "The two episodes distributed for review are crazy for sure, but witless. No Simpsons this," says the Hollywood Reporter. Adds the Los Angeles Times: "The characters on Stressed Eric lack that underlying affection [of the Simpsons] and come across as alienated, crass and nasty."