"Work It" pulled by ABC after 2 episodes
Paul Lee, president of ABC Entertainment Group, speaks to reporters in the foyer of the ballroom after an executive session at the Disney ABC Television Group Winter Press Tour 2011 for the Television Critics Association in Pasadena, California January 10, 2011.
Credit: Reuters/Fred Prouser
LOS ANGELES |
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Work It," the cross-dressing comedy despised by critics and transgender activists, has been pulled from ABC's schedule after just two episodes.
The show followed Tim Allen's "Last Man Standing" on Tuesdays at 8:30. "Last Man Standing" repeats will air in the show's place for now.
The show's absence could create an opening for the third season of ABC's "Cougar Town," which does not yet have a place on the network's schedule. Its executive producer, Bill Lawrence, tweeted Friday night: "Hoping CT's premiere date will be announced Tuesday. Fingers crossed..."
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocates objected to "Work It" even before it aired, taking out an ad in Variety that said it would hurt transgender people.
ABC entertainment president Paul Lee was one of the show's few defenders. He said at the Television Critics Association winter press tour this week that he "didn't get," the objections to the show, comparing it to "Tootsie."
"I thought there was room personally for a very, very, very, very silly show," he said.
It was unclear whether the network will air the remaining episodes of "Work It," perhaps by burning them off in the summer. It scored a 2.0 rating in the 18-to-49 demographic in its debut last week, and slipped 20 percent in its second airing.
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After decades of Bosom Buddies, Tootsie, Mrs. Doubtfire, Juwanna Mann, She’s the Man, Just One of the Guys, White Chicks, and the like, this is about as funny as a rubber chicken or a whoopie cushion. There’s no novelty.
It’s also gender-insensitive and rude. It has no place in today’s society, which is not what it was 30 years ago when Bosom Buddies aired regularly.
I am also sick of shows that play on race/ethnicitiy, disabilities, and age. It’s why I’m not going to give “Rob” a chance.
These things just aren’t funny anymore.
It is a huge gargantuan mistake to get rid of this show.
Why throw the baby out with the bathwater? So it is not perfect. You need to give it a chance. Or sell it to Fox. This show is funny and is the highlight of my week.
I enjoy watching it with my kids and I am really disappointed to have it gone from the lineup.
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