Andy From ‘Weeds’ To Co-Star With Monkey

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By Samantha Malone July 30, 2012

Any fan of the cult-hit Showtime series “Weeds” will recognize Justin Kirk as Andy, the love-him-then-hate-him-then-love-him-again Jewish brother-in-law of the show’s star matriarch, Nancy Botwin. In the show, Andy throws around Jewish jokes and stereotypes non-stop as he searches for his place in the dysfunctional drug-dealing family. (And while he might not identify as Jewish in the same way his character does, Kirk himself has Russian-Jewish roots, on his mother’s side.)

The Shmooze loves Kirk on “Weeds” but isn’t quite sure what to make of the fact that he’ll be starring in the new NBC series “Animal Practice” in the fall. In the show, Kirk plays George Coleman, a veterinarian who prefers the company of animals over their human counterparts. In times of trouble, Coleman turns to his capuchin monkey, alternately ignoring and butting heads with his ex-girlfriend (and owner of his clinic).

The show’s creators no doubt hope that “Animal Practice” will join the ranks of hit workplace comedies like “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation” and “30 Rock.” Brian Gatewood, the show’s executive producer and writer, asked “why there has never been a show about a veterinarian” when he found out that, though ideas for vet shows have been floated in the past, none have ever made it past the development stage.

The Shmooze has high hopes for Kirk in another offbeat comedy — and yet can’t help wondering whether there’s a good reason veterinary comedies haven’t made it to prime time (at least until now). For what it’s worth, Gatewood reportedly did his homework, interviewing New York City vets to see what they had in common with the Dr. Coleman. And as for Kirk starring opposite a monkey? We hope he knows what he’s doing.

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