Among multiple hot new shows this fall season is  the Red Band Society on Fox. Red Band Society is a program based on the social life of six teens with illnesses that put them indefinitely in the hospital. The narrator, Charlie, is stuck in a coma but humorously informs the watchers that yes, he can hear everything that happens. His roomie is snarky Kara who has an enlarged heart that requires constant monitoring and eventually, a donor. Emma is the hospital’s sweetheart. She’s a compassionate and cultured girl who is burdened by the psychological distress of an eating disorder. There is mischievous Dash with cystic fibrosis who is always looking for a new way to cause ruckus in the hospital. Also there is Leo, every show needs a bad boy and Leo is the king of the hospital. He has been there the longest and rocks the single leg he has. Because he has a potential terminal cancer he mostly gets away with everything. He even gets to demand his own room that should really be one for two people, until Jordi that is. Jordi also has a possible terminal cancer and has crossed over the border of Mexico illegally in order to have Dr. McAndrew as his doctor because he is the best. With a dead mother and deadbeat father Jordi was in the care of his maternal grandmother who didn’t believe in his cancer.

Apart from the gravity of the teens’ situations, Red Band Society is actually filled with hilarious scenes as the teens constantly live up to their titles and do borderline illegal things as Nurse Jackie catches them at the very last minute. Jordi and Leo actually get along great at first because Leo sees Jordi as a fellow comrade with both of them having the same cancer. But then there is a conflict between Jordi and Leo over Emma’s heart. Leo and Emma broke up just before Jordi’s arrival, Leo being the one to call it off but as boys do, once Jordi shows interest, Leo wants her back.

It’s hard to find a balance with a topic as delicate as cancer and add an element of comedy with it but Red Band Society masters it perfectly. The show is hilarious and I really love watching it. Also, the real life elements it includes is outstanding. I do not have a terminal illness but watching this show I feel like now I can sympathize with those who have them, only if it is an infinitesimal amount. Of the many shows premiering this fall, Red Band Society is probably in my top two and I’ll continue to watch it.

Rating: ★★★★★