‘Red Band Society’ Premiere: Three Things to Expect

“Red Band Society” lured me in with its sneak preview of the first episode. The teen-centric show manages to convey a sense of lightness, normalcy, and hope while a dark veil of reality looms over Ocean Park Hospital. The vibe readily shifts from grim as two characters tease each other about their maladies to saccharine lines that make Little Orphan Annie seem emo.

Hospital Protocol Doesn’t Apply

From “E.R.” to “Grey’s Anatomy,” hospital shows have a long history of using painstakingly accurate medical jargon and procedures to enrich their storylines.  Expect a more lax approach from “Red Band Society.” Its pediatric ward is more like a college dorm or apartment complex with spacious rooms and lots of freedom. Seemingly absentee parents leave the patients to turn to each other for support.

Some of the medical details and finer points get a bit fuzzy (Doesn’t the vital info on hospital bands keep patients from swapping them like friendship bracelets? Why are a teen girl and tween boy rooming together?), but this ultimately works in the show’s favor since it leaves the story free to evolve without succumbing to the stringent constraints of true-to-life medical dramas.

Astro is Prominent

You may remember Brian “Astro” Bradley as the “astronomical” teen rapper from the first season of “X-Factor.” Now he is a bonafide actor with “Person of Interest” and the extraterrestrial movie, “Earth to Echo” on his resume.  His “Red Band Society” role definitely has shades of his own swagger and personality, but it works out since it meshes with his character, Dash.

The show's other familiar faces include Octavia Spencer (“The Help”), Dave Annable (“666 Park”), Wilson Cruz (“My So Called Life”), Ciara Bravo(“Big Time Rush”), Griffin Gluck (“Back in the Game”), Charlie Rowe (“Pirate Radio”), Zoe Levin (“The Way Way Back”), and Nolan Sotillo (“Prom”).

It’s a Bit Like ‘Glee’

“Red Band Society” relies on archetypes a la “Glee” or “The Breakfast Club” and tosses in an in-hospital classroom to mimic the standard high school dynamics. It isn’t quite as quirky as “Glee,” but it has a similar sense of humor with touches of irony. (When the mean queen cheerleader passes out at practice, the squad encircles her and snaps camera phone pics instead of offering first aid.)

Leo, who lost a leg to cancer, is the leader/jock type who is having some kind of inner turmoil (adult maturity?) that saps his confidence. Emma, who is hospitalized for an eating disorder, manages to shake her shy, brainy persona long enough to exchange insults with her ex, Leo. Hospitalized for cystic fibrosis, Dash is the party-starter and comic relief. Twelve-year-old Charlie is comatose, but serves as the omnipotent narrator who sometimes communicates telepathically. Mean girl Kara is new to the ward and shaking things up with her bad attitude. Her quick hospital pit stop leads to a dire diagnosis. Determined to find the best possible treatment for his cancer, newest patient Jordi illegally crossed the border. His medical challenges seem to rekindle Leo’s leadership skills.

Prognosis: I don’t expect to tune in regularly, but I’m open to routine check-ups.

“Red Band Society” airs Wednesdays on FOX.