After its Feb. 16 premiere, Fox’s latest comedy Animal Control has become the network’s most-streamed scripted debut. According to Variety, Animal Control initially earned 4.5 million total multi-platform viewers in its first three days of availability — an increase of 114% from live + same day figures.
The Fox sitcom premiered on February 16. It was was created by Rob Greenberg (How I Met Your Mother) and Bob Fisher (Wedding Crashers) and follows the personal and professional lives of group of Animal Control workers in Seattle who deal with all kinds of critters and creepy-crawlies.
This new series stars American actor Joel McHale (Community). In this workplace comedy/sitcom, McCale is the lead character of the series. His character Frank is an oddball animal control officer whose past efforts and initiatives to expose the underlining corruption in his former police department landed him in his current gig.
Animal Control is reminiscent of other popular workplace sitcoms that have gained popularity in the media. Similar to shows such as Abbot Elementary, The Office, and Superstore, Animal Control checks the boxes of many inside jokes, rivalries, and a very diverse mix of personalities.
Some of these character personalities that make up the cast are known American comedians Ravi Patel (Come As You Are), his character Amit is a father that takes personal calls during work where he sings to his son over the phone. Comedian Michael Rowland (This Week at the Comedy Cellar) plays McHale’s partner Fred, “a former snowboarder who loves his new job with puppyish enthusiasm”, via PrimeTimer. Also joining the cast is actress Vella Lovell (Your Place or Mine), their nervous and awkward boss Emily, and actress Alvina August (The Boys), the in house vet Dr.Summers.
This show marks Joel McHale’s debut return to television. In addition to starring McHale serves as executive producer alongside a team with Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg , Dan Sterling (The Office) , and Tad Quill (Scrubs).
Animal Control airs Thursdays on FOX.