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2 Sep tember 14 - 20, 2014 Br ainerd Dispatch By Jacqui Wiens TV Media C oming of age is never an easy thing. As youths become adoles- cents and begin to stretch their boundaries, they run into the adults who enforce limits for their own good. It's a topic that has been ex- plored in literature, film and televi- sion as long as those mediums have existed, but Fox is putting a fresh — if melancholic — spin on the whole idea. Set in a pediatric ward, the dramedy "Red Band Society" will premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 17, on Fox. "Red Band Society" goes inside a tumultuous world in which the ado- lescents are all struggling with seri- ous illness, and their authority fig- ures are the doctors and nurses who care for them. The show is based on the highly successful Spanish series "Polseres Vermelles" and was adapted by writer and producer Mar- garet Nagle ("Side Order of Life"). When she was young, Nagle's broth- er was in a lengthy coma. As a result, she spent a significant amount of time in hospitals and has a very per- sonal connection with the world "Red Band Society" will bring to life. In fact, Nagle's brother is repre- sented in "Red Band Society" by one of the patients — a young, co- matose boy named Charlie, played by Griffin Cluck ("Private Practice"). Charlie isn't able to interact with the other characters directly, but the character has been developed with collaboration from the real Charlie — Nagle's brother. Drawing from personal experience, the character Charlie will be able to hear conver- sations taking place around him. He will also act as narrator for the first season, giving viewers an inside look at the character that wouldn't otherwise be possible. Additionally, all of the stories in the show will have some basis in re- ality. The younger cast members, along with Nagle and co-producer Justin Falvey ("Falling Skies"), visit- ed pediatric wards to hear from real children living with and fighting against the illnesses they will por- tray. Those interactions have worked their way into the very fab- ric of the show, inspiring details for many of the characters' back- grounds. It certainly seems like a grisly premise, but while at the Television Critics Association media tour this past summer, Nagle stressed that "pediatrics goes through age 24, and 85 per cent of all kids with any one of these diseases recover. It's really about that time you spend in the hospital, how it changes you and what you learn … there are serious things that these kids have to face, but this is not a show with a body count." Instead, "Red Band Society" ex- amines the complex relationships these young people have with each other, as well as with their medical team. In a method similar to Netf- lix's "Orange is the New Black," the show will use flashbacks to give viewers insight into the lives of the juvenile pa- tients before they lived in the hospital, as well as following them home after their stay. The personal lives of the health-care providers will also be explored, helping to flesh out characters who are forced to act a certain way by their profes- sions. Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer ("The Help," 2011) is step- ping into the role of nurse Jack- son. Along with Dr. Jack McAndrew (Dave Annable, "Broth- ers & Sisters"), nurse Jackson will attempt to balance the need to enforce rules with the need to let kids be kids. Their wards in- clude Jordi Pala- cios (Nolan So- tillo, "Prom," 2011), Emma Chota (Ciara Bravo, "Big Time Rush") and Kara Souders (Zoe Levin, "The Way Way Back," 2013). Chafing from their confinement in the hospital, the teens form friendships by breaking the rules in what has been described as a "Breakfast Club" fashion. Spencer pointed out another similarity to the beloved 1985 film in an interview with "The Daily Beast": "She's sort of like the principal in 'The Breakfast Club.' My character is pretty strict, and it's not sentimental or sad; it's more life-affirming." "Red Band Society" is one of several series in Fox's new premiere schedule that received commit- ments to develop an entire season. It's a new move for the network, and it looks like it could work out in "Red Band's" favor, especially since it wasn't guaranteed a whole sea- son when the show's concept was first bandied about. "Red Band So- ciety's" pilot was originally devel- oped by another network, but it failed to pick up the series. In early May, Fox chairman Kevin Reilly announced bold plans to rein- vent Fox's pilot season. As it has al- ways been, networks all premiere their new shows at the same time, and those that don't draw enough viewers get axed. Reilly proposed to do away with the feeding frenzy by distributing pilots throughout the year. This would quell the desperate sprint to stay on the air, and the net- work was poised to give more shows series commitments, spread- ing out fully developed concepts and seasons while giving them a chance to build an audience. Later that month, however, Reilly announced he would be leaving the network. This throws the future of Fox's pilot schedule up in the air, al- though Reilly said in a interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," "I hope it's the beginning of a dia- logue." Whatever they're going to do in the future, Fox has committed to "Red Band Society." The heart- warming dramedy will bring to- gether a cast of diverse characters who are all dealing with similar is- sues. Despite their differences, un- expected friendships and romances are bound to pop up. Come visit the pediatric ward in "Red Band Soci- ety" when the premiere airs Wednesday, Sept. 17, on Fox. Tender loving care Fox's 'Red Band Society' gives darkly comedic take on pediatric patients Cover Story this week Nolan Sotillo and Ciara Bravo in a scene from "Red Band Society" 001128330r1 "Your One-Stop, Locally-Owned Medical Supply Company." FREE Delivery in our service area! 8-5:30pm M-F, 9-12 Sat. 206 W. Washington, Tyrol Hills Center Brainerd 218-829-2100 BRAINERD MEDICAL SUPPLY We Process Medical Assistance, Medica, Blue Cross, Medicare and Most insurance. 24 Hour Emergency Oxygen Service Your Full Service CPAP/BIPAP Dealer Complete Inventory of Replacement Masks & Parts "Full Service Center" COMPLETE LINE OF DIABETIC SHOES & SUPPLIES Great Selection of Styles and colors. Certified fitters.Covered by most insurances. Medicare with provide with a qualifying diagnosis a pair of shoes and 3 insoles per year. HOES & S n of Styles and colors. 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