‘Animal Practice’ Star Tyler Labine: ‘It’s Not the Monkey Show’

By now, viewers have probably become well acquainted with the sight of Crystal the monkey on NBC’s Animal Practice.

She has been the focal point of the network’s marketing campaign for the new fall show, which makes an early debut Sunday when the network airs its first episode after the Olympics closing ceremonies.

And while the cast have been vocal about being enamored with not only Crystal, but also most of the various animals they share the show with, one castmember wants to make something very clear…

“I think they have a built in promotional tool here, but I don’t want people to get the wrong idea,” Sons of Tucson and Mad Love actor Tyler Labine, who now plays Dr. Doug Jackson on the comedy, tells reporters during a visit to the set this week while they filmed their second episode.

the scene at NBCU’s 2012 TCA Press tour

“I keep getting approached, ‘Oh, you’re on the monkey show.’ Well, I’m on a show that has a monkey featured on the show,” he continues. “It’s not the monkey show. I think it’s a lot more clever. It’s not that shticky show that I think is coming across just because we’re using the monkey as a promotional tool.”

The comedy revolves around an animal hospital and its colorful staff headed up by Weeds star Justin Kirk as Dr. George Coleman, who’s much more interested in what the animals are feeling than their human owners.

It also features Reba star JoAnna Garcia Swisher as an old girlfriend who has come back into George’s life, Mad TV’s Bobby Lee, Upright Citizens Brigade alum Betsy Sodaro, and former NBC show School Pride host and veteran actress Kym Whitley.