Will Work It last for two years, two months, or two episodes? How long will it take to join the heap of canceled shows? Is it the next Free Agents? A couple weeks ago I caught a quick commercial surrounding Work It. I couldn’t quite decide if I hated it, loved it, or something in-between. I have always loved Bosom Buddies, which ABC also premiered in 1980, and secretly hoped that as the years progressed Tom Hanks would eventually agree to do a filmic sequel. Despite its cheesiness and my disbelief that NO ONE questioned the Buffy or Hildegard disguise, I watched every episode.
In case you don’t know (and actually care) WHAT Work It is, ABC describes it as a “new high-concept comedy about two unrepentant guy’s guys who, unable to find work, dress as women to get jobs. Not only do they pull it off, but they just might learn to be better men in the process.” Forgive me if I snort at the phrase “high-concept.” At the same time, they’re right. High concept exploits events that “appeal to a wide audience.” Work It definitely exploits a concept in the name of broad humor in the hopes of pandering to the Two and a Half Men type demographic. IMDb’s plot summary continues the description, stating the cross-dressing, drag-queening “makes them better men, husbands and fathers, but also makes them appreciate the sanctuary of their nights at the bar where they can be themselves.”
So, is Work It the next Bosom Buddies? Will it last for at least two years? Sometimes I wonder if executives get tired of saying “Hmmm … what show did we have on twenty years earlier that was really successful? Hmm … should we do a re-boot or a show that’s a thinly veiled remake with crappier plotting?” I think we know which the ABC production staff leaned towards with this show. Earlier this week, Brett placed his bets and invited us to do the same. By resounding CliqueClack opinion, Work It’s full season verdict is a resounding no.
Brett: I’m setting the over/under at three episodes for Work It to be canceled.
Bob: I’ll take the over, but not by much.
Carla: Quite a bit of speculation it will be canceled after 1 episode, but I don’t see that happening. Way too much promotion going into it for one and gone.
Though, I think Cougar Town is all set to replace it.
Given viewers — I wouldn’t be surprised to see it do well and get renewed even if it sucks.
Katie: The very set up just makes my stomach churn.
An: I always wanted a modern-day sequel to Bosom Buddies. I guess this is it. But based on this premise Bosom Buddies wouldn’t work post-1982. Seriously, cross-dressing makes them “better husbands” and helps them appreciate THE BAR they HANG OUT at moreso? Um, can’t they hang out at home … or ANYWHERE … and remember their gender? I’m thinking it might last to 5 episodes.
Chuck: It’s going to be the new According to Jim!
Ivey: I doubt Bosom Buddies could work today, what with Katie’s churning stomach and all.
Michael: *snort*
Kona: The comment about it being canceled after one episode is pretty apt. Frankly, I’m kind of surprised that they’re bothering to go ahead with it at all. It seems even more DOA than Cavemen did a couple of years ago. But that lasted 3 episodes or something, right? So maybe they still feel like it’s worth it.
Katie: Let’s ignore the fact that all clips I’ve seen of the main characters pretending to be women are based on lazy, antiquated jokes that are completely insulting to all women everywhere. Let’s ignore the fact that their female coworkers fooled by these disguises add another level of insult and reveals what the writers think of women. Just think of this: the entire premise of the show is that these men can’t get good jobs for months on end, but since all these women are getting jobs, they start cross dressing. Suddenly, boom … they have good jobs. The very idea that women have it easy in this economy is insulting beyond repair, especially considering it took me a long time to find a stable, good paying job after leaving school. I’ve worked very hard to get where I am, so I don’t really appreciate a show making jokes about how women don’t earn their jobs like men do. I can’t wait for this show to go down in flames.
Check out Chuck’s review, as well.
So, that’s our verdict. What’s yours?
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Jan 03, 2012 @ 22:45 EST5EDT
It had better not be more than one episode. Soooo bad looking.