"This high-concept comedy centers on two unrepentant guy's guys who, unable to find work, dress as women to get jobs as pharmaceutical reps. Not only do they pull it off, but they might just learn to be better men in the process.
"With unemployment an ongoing issue and women now outnumbering men in the workforce, the new comedy series 'Work It' follows two alpha males who realize the only way to beat the current 'mancession' and land a job in pharmaceutical sales is to pass themselves off as women. Combining all the best elements of the workplace comedy, the buddy comedy and the family comedy, Work It centers on Lee Standish (Ben Koldyke) -- a quick-witted and likable family man who used to be a top car salesman until he got laid off -- and Angel Ortiz (Amaury Nolasco) -- a single, hot-headed ladies' man with no filter -- who quickly learn there are fundamental differences in the worlds of men and women that go beyond teetering in high heels and tightening up with Spanx. Lee and Angel are determined to keep their ruse going for as long as they can -- and keep their newly found jobs — in this smart, funny and relevant look at male and female relationships at work, at home and socially. Being a better man sometimes means having to be a better woman."
I dunno.
Looks like another inane sitcom that normally I would never watch, but I will probably watch an episode or two because of the femulation angle.
There are a couple of comments from trans-folks on the ABC Work It website that are highly critical of the show claiming that it is disrespectful to transgenders.
The show has not aired yet, so those comments may be presumptive. but maybe not. We'll see.
It sounds like a Bosom Buddies remake, but instead of cannot finding an apartment, it is now a job. Did you know that Bosom Buddies was originally produced for ABC?
ReplyDeleteMaybe the negative comments were the result of the trailer, which is horrible.
"Work It" is an interesting concept from a social commentary standpoint. In an economy that increasingly favours female, rather than male, talent, just what are men supposed to do to earn a living and what will be their role in what is fast becoming a woman's world.
ReplyDeleteBut the sitcom itself won't last. It hasn't, pardon the pun, got the legs. Once the novelty factor wears off after half a dozen episodes it's hard to see how it's going to maintain momentum and, more crucially, ratings. I predict it will be a one series wonder.
I think we as trans people over-react (based on past experience no doubt) but raising a hue and cry is not going to endear general public to us- if they want to accept us, we have to accept them all the same- with all their faults such as depicting two "alpha males who have to dress as women to get jobs". A bone headed idea but but so what...they are still males and it is a situational comedy- the story line does not say two trans persons who are doing this. We should just learn to take it in the right spirit and the world will treat us the same. I say it is on the TV- turn it off if you don't like it or just skip to your favorite channel.
ReplyDeleteSounds like "Bosom Buddies" with a more modern and sexier angle to me
ReplyDeleteredo of Bosom Buddies (1980-1982) then With Tom Hanks,Peter Scolari, Donna Dixon, Holland Taylor. Oh well...
ReplyDelete-Andee
This show won't run for more than half a season. However, I bet some crossdresser at ABC is sure getting his jollies seeing this loser go into production. I've always believed that only a CD would conceive of this sort of project. That goes for Tootsie, Some Like it Hot, Ask Harriet, Charlie's Aunt, and all the other shows that have come and gone.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion.
It seems to me that they tried something like this before and called it "Bosom Buddies".
ReplyDeleteI have to laugh when I think of how Tom Hanks got his first big break in a dress.
Let's see.... It sounds kinda "Tootsie-ish" to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd the reverse of "Bosom Buddies", where the two pals had to dress as women to get a place to live but work as men.
Huh ~ maybe dressing up is a great career move. It sure worked for Tom Hanks!
With Bosom Buddies, the writers and producers realized pretty quickly that the basic concept for the show had limited story possibilities but also realized they had a great cast. Although the show kept the concept of the guys crossdressing to live in the all woman hotel, writers paid less and less attention to that storyline and the show evolved into a workplace comedy (with only the occasional reminder that Hildy and Buffy were really Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari).
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I could never keep track of who was Buffy and who was Hildy.
I don't know if we'll get this show over in the UK but I'll keep an eye out for it. At least it's inspired me to get a sexy secretary outfit for hubby... :)
ReplyDeletelockeduphubby.blogspot.com
I don't think there is a social group that isn't offended by most tv sitcoms.
ReplyDeleteAnd whining about it, as Anonymous said, only brings bad light on the complainant. We need to be able to put on our panties like everyone else and laugh our follies.
If I had my wish, they wouldn't be seen as women born female, but as women born trans, hired as transsexuals. Let me see the humor in having their co-workers deal with that, including the demand that they not live a double life.
ReplyDeleteNow, that's not going to happen. So at least give me a sassy trans-woman (and NOT a drag queen) who sees them as passing and can comment on their straight-boys in dresses games.
Now, there probably will be a woman born female confidant just to move the plot along, but show some trans, make it visible, and then see how they deal with the expectations society puts on women.
I suspect, though, that's too queer, and yes, I also suspect this won't last long if it airs at all.
I never liked "Bosom Buddies," "The Ugliest Girl in Town," the Klinger angle in "MASH" nor most of the other television fare that "portrayed" our sisters and I don't have much hope for this new effort. But, I could be wrong.
ReplyDeleteIt's always the same old same old. The guys desperately have to preserve their masculinity as they "fool" all the beautiful real girls around them. It's sheer idiocy. The film "Different for Girls" did a fantastic job with a trans-gendered character. While I might enjoy watching part of this show, there is no way on earth it will succeed. Tom Hanks was a success in spite of Bosom Buddies.
ReplyDelete