Work It (ABC) - Series Premiere: Synopsis and Review
On January 3, the new comedy series ‘Work It’ premiered on ABC, replacing the cancelled ‘Man Up!’ in the 8:30/7:30c timeslot.
The pilot starts off with two friends, Lee Standish (Ben Koldyke, 'Big Love') and Angel Ortiz (Amaury Nolasco, ‘Prison Break’), who have been unemployed for over a year now. According to their friend, it’s not a recession that is going on, but a ‘man-cession’. Lee learns that they are hiring sales reps at a pharmaceutical firm; female sales reps. Suddenly indebted 900 dollars to his doctor, he decides to go to the interview dressed in heels and a skirt and wearing a wig and make-up. Of course, although it is plain obvious that he is a man, he gets the job.
Seeing Angel miserable at his new job at some lousy fast food restaurant, Lee decides to tell Angel what he did and convince him to do the same. Angel doesn’t get hired at first, but then Jessica, the manager, has problems with her car and Angel repairs it for her. Apparently, repairing cars is an important skill for sales reps, because he gets hired after all.
When looking out for upcoming comedy series, I was quite negative about ‘Work It’. In fact, I called it “an offense, especially to cross-dressers and transgenders, but also to people who think that a comedy series should be funny”. On top of that, I finished with “it’d be best if this show would be canceled [..] before ever premiering”.
After watching the pilot, I would still say those things. However, it did surprise me in a positive way; some of the jokes were actually funny (and this isn’t me being sarcastic). Maybe that was because I expected absolutely nothing from this show. But for a comedy series to be successful or even watchable, it needs more than the occasional funny joke.
What do you think of 'Work It'?
- Upcoming Comedy TV Series: Midseason 2011-2012
Other comedy series that are premiering in Midseason 2011-2012. Shows that are featured are 'Are You There, Chelsea', 'Don't Trust The B--- In Apartment 23', 'Angry Boys', 'Napoleon Dynamite', and many more.