Michael J. Fox: 'Incurable Optimist'

By Rick Porter, Zap2It.com | March 9, 2009

Michael J. Fox

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Actor will star in ABC May sweeps special

Michael J. Fox will make a return to television in May to star in a special about keeping a positive outlook in tough times.

The hour-long special, titled "Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist," will follow the former "Spin City" star as he tries to get at "the nature of optimism," as the network puts it. Fox travels to Bhutan, whose king has said that "gross national happiness" matters more than gross national product, and looks into research that's trying to pinpoint what makes people feel hopeful.

Fox will also present himself as evidence, as he continues to live with Parkinson's disease and heads a foundation that funds research into the neurological condition.

"For everything this disease has taken, something with greater value has been given," Fox says. "So, sure, it may be one step forward and two steps back, but after a time with Parkinson's, I've learned that what is important is making that one step count."

The special will come about a month after the release of Fox's second memoir, "Always Looking Up." It's a follow-up to the best-selling "Lucky Man" and chronicles his life with Parkinson's over the last several years. "Adventures of an Incurable Optimist" is scheduled for Thursday, May 7.