January 16th, 2012
01:59 PM ET
ABC pulls 'Work It' two episodes inAlthough GLAAD probably would have preferred that ABC's new comedy "Work It" had never made it to air at all, the network has canceled the comedy after just two episodes, reports the New York Times. Even ahead of its premiere, the sitcom, which focused on two men who dress as women in a last-ditch attempt to find work in a difficult economy, was met with negative reactions. Aside from looking like a knock-off of "Bosom Buddies," organizations such as GLAAD didn't find the premise funny. "During a period in which the transgender community now routinely finds itself in the cultural crosshairs, the timing couldn't be worse for a show based on the notion that men dressed as women is inherently funny," the organization said in a blog post on its site before "Work It" premiered.
Although the pilot didn't "explicitly address transgender people, many home viewers unfamiliar with the realities of being transgender will still make the connection," GLAAD said. After its debut earlier this month, "Work It" was widely panned by critics. According to Entertainment Weekly, the new show managed to bring in 6.1 million viewers when it premiered on January 3, but ratings dropped to 5.1 million for the second episode. And now "Work It" is no more. Instead of Amaury Nolasco and Benjamin Koldyke starring as men-dressed-unbelievably-as-women, ABC will air repeats of Tim Allen's "Last Man Standing" in the 8:30 p.m. ET time slot.
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GLAAD needs to get a sense of humor.
Get over yourselves. There can't be a show about men dressing up as women to get a job? Would Boosom buddies servive today? Where would Tom Hanks be now? What if they remake the film Victor Victoria, or Some like it Hot.
I am sorry, but asking the hetero community to give you respect, does not entail changing simple comedy.
This is life. If you want to be a part of it great! If you want to be all self centered and insecure, please crall in a hole!
Men dressed as women IS inherently funny. This show, however, was NOT.
Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari are rolling over in their graves. Wait...what?
Good Riddance.
I wonder, just how much money does a network spend on a show like this to get it on the air, just to have it implode in their faces. They did the same thing with the re-make of Charlies Angels earlier this year. The people who are green lighting these horrible shows should be fired.
It was as though they were trying to re-create Bosom Buddies with a 2012 spin on it. The previews were enough for me NOT to watch.
but men dressed as women is funny. or disturbing. so i dont understand the issue.
The show was stupid, but no more so than most sit-coms these days. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Censors should not control what we watch. Let the free market decide, not hysterical special interest groups with an agenda.
The problem is not what's funny and what isn't, it's that there are no intelligent life forms out west that can produce original entertainment. Everything is being redone. Movies like "Fright Night", "The Mechanic" (you can't re-do Charles Bronson), "Contagion" (remake of "Outbreak" with Dustin Hoffman), etc. They are even making cartoons into movies like "The Smurfs" and "Underdog." There hasn't been anything original since they got rid of the Shah of Iran. Hollywood can not think for itself and that is BEYOND sad. Bring back Benny Hill !
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ive been suggesting to 360 aefdbeck, to add a better security counter measure..so that WE can control this feature..many a times, my page would have an unauthorized comment, or blog would be defaced..yes, even though it is set to friends ONLY, apparenly, it ISNT to friends only-anyone in the 360 community can go to your page and click on (add), and without you knowing who it is.should have some kind of ID signature, if (add) someone. 360 is too open and free-IMHO Was this answer helpful?
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Work it Is a wonderful T.V. show just because 1.0 million people don't like doesn't mean anything compared to the 5.1 million viewers who really like it I think Work it is a wonderful TV show if you don't like it than don't watch it!
Maybe now Amuary Nolasco can use his great aciting skills back on Southland..
Both shows are not watchable.
nobody could ever top tom hanks – not even peter scolari (who? exactly.). when i heard this premise, the only thought was "it's been done". as to whitney? my heavens that is one stupid show, although nothing should surprise me when "scripted reality shows" are on everywhere we look. i weep for humanity. and i'm gonna go read a good book now. on my kindle :-/
NOOOOO! I can't believe they cancelled this show. This show was funny. I am blocking Tim Allen's show. Never liked that dude or any of his unfunny shows!!! I HATE WABC for doing this.
Tim Allen's "Last Man Standing" is a standout of quality, acting, and humor. It's the best thing on right now for comedy, and beats anything that's been put out for years. Every character is not only well developed and hilarious, but well acted, too. My family can't stop laughing at this show, its a surprise hit for us, with real roll-on-the-floor laughs that blow us away. And unlike other shows that try to hang their hat on how unnecessarily vulgar they can be, and still not be funny at all, this show doesn't have to resort to being vulgar to be funny. I don't care if its vulgar AND funny, but most shows are the former without the latter. Tim's show is not vulgar and is extremely funny. Give it a try, and if you're at all rooted in a family environment, or hailed from one, you will laugh.
Whose relative thought of this crap/show?
That is so weird. This show looked SOOOO awesome. I can't believe it got cancelled in less than one month. ... I am guessing that "Rob" show might get pulled even faster. It looks exceptionally retarded. .... One point that they missed in this article is that men wearing womens clothing actually SHOULD be ridiculed. Unless they recently lost a bet. Then it is OK. But you are still required to laugh at them.
Your guess would be wrong. I never liked Rob's performances in the past, but this show is so far very well done, and funny. Last Man Standing and Rob appear to be quality shows among a bed of thorns, among vulgar, crude, and/or unfunny shows such as 2 Broke Girls, 2 and a Half Men (really sunk to 12 yo humor), and New Girl. Rob is really new, so hopefully it keeps it up, but after many episodes of Last Man Standing, there's no question about the latter being extremely well written and acted, and extremely funny.
Really need to watch the IT Crowd – funny funny stuff!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFNnCQOUXxQ
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFNnCQOUXxQ&w=560&h=315%5D
The pilot was a little boring but I actually thought last weeks show was funny! When are we going to stop allowing religion and conservative parents control what we watch on TV? If you don't like it, turn the damn channel. Those of us smart enough not to have children actually think many of the shows are funny. I could care less about your children.
Anyone thinking Tim Allen's new show is a rehash of Home Improvement – I've got 3 things to say to you:
1) Last Man Standing is the funniest show on TV in the last 5 seasons, is full of a rich cast where no character is a throw-away – both the actors and the characters are fantastically written and portrayed. It's a comedic masterpiece. My family can't get enough of this show. It is as refreshing a sitcom, as refreshing can be. Each daugher is a masterpiece of acting and writing, let's not forget Hector Elizondo... Simply amazing quality.
2) Home Improvement was a great show. This isn't Home Improvement, but if it were, that would be 10 levels above most any other comedy on the air today, so that's saying something.
3) Tim Allen is a master. It shows in Last Man Standing.
Wow, by looking at the comments here, all tv shows should be cancelled.
I enjoyed the show, anything is better than reality tv.
WHAT THEY SHOULD CANCEL IS THE WHOLE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY ALL TOGETHER! THOSE PEOPLE ARE DISGUSTING!
No, it's you who should be cancelled.
It is a comedy folks ... And if I don't like it, my remote control works! Does everything has to be PC? WE need to lighten up a bit.
The worst thing about this show is the dudes did not even look like women when done up. The people around them and interacting with them were obviously stupid.
it was cancelled because it was trite and unoriginal. re-cycled humor loses something and men dressed as women are just not funny anymore. Maybe the networks need to focus on talent especially in program development. There have been less and less funny shows these past few years, and nothing even clever any more.
OMG! Who cares!?
Of course. The only surprise here is that some cracked out exec actually greenlit this to begin with.
It should never have been on in the first place
There's a reason Bosom Buddies succeeded while this show failed. Bosom Buddies had Tom Freakin' Hanks! The man was HIlarious back in the day. (Donna Dixon didn't hurt, either.)
But hey, it could be worse...they could have made it yet another scripted "reality" show, then we'd never be rid of it!
eu mai mult ca sigur nu voi fi acasa la acea ora :(am cerut celor de la bfgolm sa publice si o inregistrare dak va fi posibila dac tu poti face mai mult pt noi cei care nu os afim acas la ora aia 🙂
Two shows gone before their time – if not said already – Carpoolers and Cavemen.
Good riddance. I caught a few minutes of this show, and that was more than enough. My objection, however, has nothing to do with gender stereotypes, but rather with how stupid all of the people who encounter these two would have to be, to not know immediately that they're men. Sheesh!
Back in 1990, a pilot was filmed by ABC featuring Emmanuel Lewis and Gary Coleman as two brothers (Caleb and Ron) who lived in a lodge that was hidden in the vast forest of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Outside the lodge, there was a tower where the brothers worked opposite 12 hour shifts, keeping watch over the townspeople below. Naturally, one of them would spot trouble via their astonishing array of telescopes, binoculars, and high-powered listening devices. With a press of a button in the tower, the sleeping brother in the lodge would be awakened. With a mutual cry of "Let's Go!", Caleb and Ron would away to their hang-gliders; weapons loaded and ready for action. Sweeping down out of the foggy mountaintop, the evildoers would be halted. The day saved with a tandem spray of buckshot from the skies above. The grateful commoners agreed to throw a celebration at the town hall, where they tasted of the finest meats and cheeses and still saved room for some of Mrs. Tudlow's famous baked apple roll.
ABC, bring back Schoolhouse Rock. Make us all happy.
Aside from the obvious Bosom Buddies knockoff, it boils down to bad actors with bad writers behind them. The show was horrible. RIP
This was the best show on television. Bar none.
You live in the boonies and only get one channel?
The show just looked stupid. It reminded me of Bosom Buddies.
Nobody has mentioned THAT comparison yet, not even in the article....
This program had absolutely nothing to do with drag. It was offensive not only to the transgender community, but to the human community. Thank you, GLAAD.
the notion that men dressed as women IS inherently funny.
Just ask Monty Python, The Kids in the Hall, or Tom Hanks.
Comparing this piece of tripe to any of those shows... NM
Ya much, better to have openly flaming gay actors on all the sit coms......Faaaaabulous!
I'm surprised it was cancelled after two episodes. I would have cancelled it after one. Hey ABC, go buy Terriers starring Donal Logue from FX. THAT was a great show that FX marketed poorly.
Oh this comes as a huge shock.....
Glad this was cancelled
Overall, ABC sucks as a network.
Men dressing as Women isn't funny, it's sad.
Guys dressed like women are inherently funny. Milton Berle had some absolutely hilarious skits in drag.
Milton Berle was funny 60 years ago it wouldnt be funny today. Hopefully we have become a little more sophisticated over time in terms of what is funny. Men in drag are not funny have seen very few that could pass as a woman and to insult my intelligence by trying to get me to believe that these two dorks were women is beyond the pale.
really? let's think about this a minute. when uncle milty was cross-dressing, so was j. edgar hoover (but nobody was telling), we had a cold war on, the world was innocent, and boys behaved and dressed like boys and girls, ditto. and if you didn't, you were considered sick. *this* is why uncle miltie dressing in drag was funny: because it simply wasn't done, and realizing that the "funny-looking woman" simply wasn't ... well, one either laughed or cringed (societal norms at the time).
so, we have bosom buddies (1970s), which milked that somewhat successfully; and we had tootsie (1980s), which milked it so well that it won an oscar .... and today we have no innocence, no sense of humour, men and women really do dress like "each other" on a daily basis (i'm sitting here in what would be essentially 1950's male farmhand attire and i am a professional woman in a corporate office) ....
short story long, the things that used to make us laugh don't any longer because we are very different people. again with the weeping for society ...
I could barely watch the commercial for this show. I mean, at least get more feminine looking guys without 5 o'clock shadow. Those guys didn't even come close to looking like girls. I agree with you, Zoe, Bosom Buddies was awesome. TV is running out of ideas...
Freedom of speech isn't freedom to be stupid. Put it on the LOGO channel.
Is anyone surprised?
Disney destroyed ABC. First they cancelled my favorite soaps and now this.
Soap operas rank right up there with rastling, nascar and reality shows. You could have half your brain removed, watch a soap opera, or WWF or nascar and go "I get it!"
I did not watch it but from the previews it looked bad. This from the network that cancelled Samantha Who which was a very funny sit com...you have to wonder about ABC at times...
The controversy wouldn't have mattered if the show was funny. It wasn't, so there you go.
I think you have a very busy year pnelnad – busy but flexible. Maybe I will take this concept and line my year up by months and see if I can manage to get some work done.
why is it that if someone feels that it offends them, that everything has to be to the extreme? ABC is such a guarded tv channel that is so worried about appealing to everyone, that it ends up appealing to no one...During the day they fill up the air time with garbage reality shows with left overs from other reality shows, and have the same type of show hour after hour..Can america not think for themselves that we have to have ABC teach us how to eat, dress, and think for ourselves? Then at night, we have some shows that might push the envelope for some, and they get bent out of shape, and ABC rushes to take the show off the air?..I think ABC is too protected, and worrying about having "safe" television, that it appeals to no one.. They praise their own shows, pat each other on the back, and then what is america really watching? Let us make the decision instead of a select few negating the programing for the rest of the country..we are grown up enough and tough enough that if we dont like something, dont look at it...i liked the show "work it" and thought it was funny, however i guess the reast of america doenst matter..as for the show reminding me of bosom buddies, what is different now then when that show first came out? i believe the two actors that played in bosom buddies went on to become academy and emmy award winning actors....c'mon people, stop being such PRUDES.
Look at some of the crap that ABC is passing off as family-friendly on ABC Family. That stuff would have been after 10 PM programming when I was growing up. Rarely is anything rated G on ABC Family.
Please bring back Cougar Town, that show is smart, witty and funny!
I rea d somewhere that Cougar Town was coming back.
I hope it's not coming back. I don't think they ever did one scene where there wasn't a drink in someone's hand or they weren't glorifying alcohol. The only good thing about that show was Carolyn Hennesy as 'Barb' and she was terribly underused !
Glorifying alcohol? Heavens to Betsy!
cougar town sucked, it was about a cougar for about 2 episodes and then morphed into something else entirely
"Cougar Town" is returning on 2/14 in the slot "Work It" just vacated. Announced on Facebook today.
i never got to see it but i wanted to, thought it sounded funny.
I thought it sounded funny too, until I watched it.
I keep hearing Glee is saweome, so I'm gonna have to catch a few episodes to see if I like it. Man my DVR is CONSTANTLY recording stuff! My favorites right now .obviously the ones that have been on for awhile: Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, The Office, Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, CSI: NY, Law and Order SVU and So You Think You Can Dance. The new shows I'm liking are Flash Forward and Community. Wow, I sound like I have no life..-= Rhona's last blog post: =-.
If glaad got to decide what was on tv, it would be dead........
Really........this show was soooooo funny....whats wrong with you people........So Glaad is going to tell me what I can watch? I don't think so.......If you don't want to watch it....then don't..very simple.
We won't, can't, it's gone TG
you posted the same reply before, it was meaningless the first time and did not get better with age. If you think you have the wit to argue a point go for it, if not, go twitter with your BFFs about your latest crush
Renee, after reading several of your comments, I have decided you are an idiot. Thanks.
The whole premise of the show was stupid. I watched the first week and the thought of them going on and on with this subject matter bored the pants off me without even seeing it.
your stupid
Renee, again with the witty retort. Your parents must be so proud. Now off to bed young lady, it's getting late. Don't forget to brush your teeth and say your prayers.
Oh, and Renee, don't be late for English tomorrow. I think that they are going over the difference between your and you're.
Well if you ask me it wasnt funny i watch the first eposoide for like 10 min then turn the channel cuz it was boring.! S/O to my G.L.B.T Community 😉 lol
This show has already been done. Tom Hanks anyone?
Wow, normally only NBC's crappy knockoff shows get canceled this quick.
The networks need to look back at the primetime schedules from 86-89. The shows appealed to everyone, they didn't try to target a certain age group, I remember watching shows like Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family, Growing Pains, Who's the Boss and countless more with my entire family, we loved them. These days execs are too cheap to give us these shows again.
@Marielle you're absolutely correct,Fred your attempt at coming off as a pompous a** made you sound really dumb.
go eat a muffin glad
GLAAD doesn 't think that men dressing as women are funny? Have they never been to a drag show?
Wow, I was disappointed to hear they already cancelled the show and came to the comments expecting that others would be sharing my sentiment. I thought it was a funny show and cracked up several times during both episodes. Ah well, another day.
I agree....I thought the show was really funny. I wish everybody would stop being so PC about everything. It was just a TV show. Put it in perspective people.
What ever happened to freedom of speech in this country? Every time I turn around someone is getting offended by something stupid. Every person has different opinions and that's fine but then you get these organizations of extremests involved and blow everything out of proportion and that's one of the real major issues with our world today.
I'm sorry that you think it's inconvenient when people fight against inaccurate and defamatory portrayals of certain groups. I'm sure they didn't mean to step on your itsy bitsy widdle toes.
here here tom.....I'm with ya......
You do understand that "freedom of speech" refers to the right to be free from the government restricting your speech and not private citizens or groups like GLAAD, right? Furthermore, nobody stopped ABC from "saying" anything, and such a right has never meant you are also free from the possibility of being criticized for saying it.
This shoe wasn't pulled because of political correctness. It was pulled because it was terrible and didn't get any ratings. If it was terrible BUT it got really good ratings trust me, it would still be on the air GLAAD or no GLAAD.
Nobody with half a brain saw this as a show about transgendered men so much as a poorly executed comedy about two men dressing as women for better job opportunities. If you're offended by this for any reason other than the show was a poor comedy then you have some serious issues and you take yourself way too seriously. Meanwhile, GLAAD gives itsself an undeserved pat on the back becasue they believe they singlehandedly saved humanity from transgender stereotypes...they're no better than the American Family Association.
Really richard
GLADD notwithstanding, this show was terribly stupid and not funny at all. I'm glad ABC will have a slot open to redeem itself.
I think GLAAD should stop whining over shows like this it sucked on its own. i dont see them boycotting the reality shows that have real transgenders on there but put a fictional comedy and out come the whining.
I'm not sure you understood anything of what you read.
I found the show to be offensive as a woman. Where in america does it benefit you to be a woman over a white man when it comes to finding a job in corporate america. I think the wrong organization took offense, I saw this as a dig at affirmative action which promotes opportunities to even the playing field for women and minorities. I would imagine this show would fuel the already existing huge misconceptions of affirmative action and its impact on the job market if it had continued. Im glad to see it go!
Get over it.
really Mia.....you do understand that this is just a light-hearted comedy show...............Right?
Funny, I found the show to be offensive as a man, just because it was terrible. I suppose I do need to find a politically correct reason to be offended.
I'd rather watch this show that the idiotic 'reality shows' like the bachelor! My god that's a stupid show! Only thing dumber than reality shows is NASCAR!
Mia: You find women offensive?
Cancelled?!? No way! Never saw that one coming...
What was the network thinking?!? They like to think they know what will work but CLEARLY they have no idea what will work and what wont.
You can't totally blame the networks. America keeps lowering its own bar by watching garbage in large numbers. If someone keeps handing you cash just for making farting noises under your arm, well, .you'll keep making farting noises under your arm because it's easy money. Same with TV. Why should they go to any extra effort to bring us intelligent comedy when we keep rewarding them for giving us trash?
Most of network programming is simple for simple minds. It allows no talent "stars" to delete the acting pool.
Last man standing not that bad. Work it was could only stand a few minutes of it
The show really sucked. No creative thinking at all. All they tried to do was remake "Bosom Buddy" which was great!
you suck.
Really Renee? You suck? That's your comment? Aren't you late for gym class or something?
Hello, ABC. Good Luck in the Future. Great show. Take care and "smile".
The era of men dressing as women for laughs ended in the 1970s.
Tell that to Monty Python, Kids in the Hall and Little Britain. I suppose it still works as sketch comedy in small doses, but an entire show about it is a bit much.
Well Monty Python was in the early 70s. And they made it hilarious. This show was just insulting to the intelligence.
Now bring back Outsourced!
re:Outsourced, WELL SAID!!, Outsourced was one of the funniest and inventive shows ever, it had great character and plot development, too bad it was canceled after one season.
outsourced?????are you nuts.....don't we have enough of "that" going on as it is.....Just rub it in...that all our American jobs are being OUTSOURCED......yeah, real funny
Really Renee.........you do understand that this is just a light-hearted comedy show...............Right?
Loved 'Outsourced' too...really miss that show and for those who get all indignant, you just didn't get the joke 😉
Outsourced was one of the few comedies on NBC that were worth watching. Political correctness has taken the funny out of everything
Oh how I miss Outsourced, too!! I literally bawled when it was canceled. I got so attached to the characters and I loved learning about the Indian culture.
Now if only they'd cancel "Up All Night."
whats wrong with you.....it was sooooo funny...get a life......So Glaad is gonna tell me what I can watch.....and thats ok?
I don't think so.
I agree, vero vic. I watched it once and wanted to stick needles in my eyes. It stinks.
'Bosom Buddies'..hello.. anybody?
It may come as a surprise to you but you're not the first to make the comparison. BB is even mentioned in the article.
Never watched it. initially my interest was piqued because I misunderstood the premise: I assumed each show would be about extreme attempts to do anything to get a job, including dressing as a woman. I thought that premise had possibilities in a climate where people have been trying to adjust and retool. instead, it appears, we just got a lame show about two tools. but, I never saw it. who knows.
Also Parks & Rec and FRINGE. Hope these 2 will be gone soon. Simple shows for sompletons.
A) You can't even spell simpleton.
B) You take the time to comment on such stupid shows.
FRINGE is a simple show?
That should be "Fringe is NOT for simpletons". Fixed for ya, Leader of Simpletons.
Wow, CB, what's it like to be perfect and never have typos? You must truly be special.
I agree with the 2 who replied... you think Fringe is simple? Have you watched more than 1 episode? If you want a simpleton show, watch a comedy on any of the networks. 22 minutes of "comedy" and you can walk away happy without really paying attention. You cannot watch Fringe and simply zone out. It is one of the best shows on television.
As for Parks & Rec, I do not see the appeal in that show. My wife likes it, but she's a sompleton.
This show set a new standard for stupid. Glad it is gone. Let's get "Whitney", "Chelsea" and "Community" gone next.
Enjoy Whitney. The rest of NBC comedies could all go away
Whitney = unfunny crap.
One question about "Whitney": Will her boyfriend EVER shave that scraggly beard?
Community is awesome!
'Community'? Are you kidding?? That show is one of the funniest, and smartest on television right now. It's nowhere near the dreck that is 'Whitney'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTtVMFqQ3Z4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk3yTXFkyiY
To hear it that show su cked.
This wasn't about GLADD (although THEY would like to believe that), the show just plain S T U N K ! !
Tim the toolman – w/ 3 girls instead of 3 boys – isn't much better, but Nancy Travis is SO H O T !
I'd never heard of GLAAD before this article but I had heard of this show and I'm glad it's been cancelled. The previews of it looked incredibly stupid. The "guy dresses as a girl" as a joke in movies got old when it first started. It definitely doesn't have a place in prime time.
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This wasn't about GLADD? What are you talking about. GLADD is a media watchdog for the LGBT community, You make no sense. Commenting is what GLADD does dummy. Anyone who would expect GLADD not to comment on a show like this obviously has no clue what GLADD does/had done over the years. THATS WHAT GLADD DOES. reports on issues you big dummy. Why don't you like GLADD anyway? You bigot or just a dummy?
No Art, it wasn't about GLAAD. They could have commented as much as they wanted, but if 'Work It' had as many viewers as CBS' Monday comedy block, it would still be airing. GLAAD is just jumping on a bandwagon that has already pulled out of the barn...