Red Band Society, which could turn out to be one of the best new shows of the fall, is like that, constantly catching you unexpectedly.

An exhilarating burst of fresh air.

Narrated by Charlie (Griffin Gluck), a 12-year-old in a coma (yes, it's very "If I Stay"), Red Band boasts a telegenic young cast that otherwise spends little time lying down.

Red Band Society has a tone that is both sassy and sorrowful, a carefully calculated balance of humor and sentiment. The pilot episode, however, leans too heavily on emotional tugs.

The writing is loaded with cheap sentimentality, and dripping with saline poignancy, as you might expect. The likability of the young cast members almost counterbalances the schmaltz.

The premiere feels less inspired than cynical--a project where the motivation seems not so much inspired by creativity as by demographics, and the potential to reel in a younger audience.

Red Band is larded with quirk, twee, and pop music, all of which set my teeth on edge even as they sent my tear ducts into spasm.

This show is absolutely amazing. I'm so proud of Ciara. I've grew up watching her on Big Time Rush and to see her in a mature role is like a parent watching their child grow up. I'm so unbelievably proud of her, the cast, the show and the journey they are taking. This is going to be a show to watch.

I'm torn on this show. Overall, I think it is a very good show. Lots of positive, good TV here. But I'm not the audience for this show. It looks to me as a TV show for teens and young adult. From that viewpoint, I think it would be a good solid 8. But it's not for me.

"Cancer is SO hot right now!" - Fox Executive sometime during the development of this show. RBS is kind of fun, kind of funny, and not much else. They seem to have edited around Octavia Spencer's performance leaving nothing but some sass and some knowing looks. The pilot is watchable and will likely manipulate an emotional response in most viewers. I hope it gets better.

Red Band Society is waaay too manipulating. The show tries really hard to bring tears to your eyes, but I never got any tears because I felt it was trying to cleverly 'twist' and direct me into crying. Also, how can these kids be sick enough to be hospitalized yet run around the hospital like healthy vibrant teens?? None of them appear sick at all. RBS contains too much sappy, teen, emotional exploitation for primetime TV... seems like a small notch above a Disney Channel show.

I wanted to like this show, but it's SO awful. I thought it would be appealing to adults as well as teens, but it delves way too much into the teen sappy drama/comedy category. It doesn't COMPARE to other great well-written shows like Modern Family or Glee. It should be moved to the CW or Nickelodeon channel to make room on FOX for something better than this.