ABC 2012 Midseason Premiere: Work It

Set to join ABC during Midseason 2012 is Work It, a comedy about two men who dress up like women in order to get jobs as pharmaceutical sales reps. I’ve never actually seen Bosom Buddies, however this one sounds like it’s borrowing the concept, except instead of an apartment, these men are looking for jobs. Still, it could be funny because there are men dressing up like women and carrying purses.

The show actually looks pretty funny if you’re a fan of stories that focus on the shenanigans and smart life lessons that ensue when a person or people of one gender dress up like the other gender and see things from a new perspective. (I am. Ladybugs, Just One of the Guys... Tootsie - Classics.) Strangely enough, what’s selling me on this series is how it almost looks like sketch comedy. Based entirely on the two clips below, there’s something amusingly exaggerated about the comedy that has me wondering if the show will seem funny in a vintage sort of way or else just plain dated. Either way, men dressing up like women! Funny!

Below is ABC’s synopsis for the series and further down are a few clips from the premiere episode:

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.

The show stars Ben Koldyke (How I Met Your Mother) as Lee, Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break) as Angel, Beth Lacke (Happy Hour) as Connie, John Caparulo (Chelsea Lately) as Brian, Rebecca Mader (Lost) as Grace, Rochelle Aytes (Detroit 1-8-7) as Vanessa, Kate Reinders (Sherrie) as Kelly, Kirstin Eggers (Aussie and Ted’s Great Adventure) as Kristin and Kacie Lynch (Barney and Friends) as Kat.

Work It was written by Andrew Reich & Ted Cohen (Friends, Rules of Engagement). Reich and Cohen are the executive producers. Beth McCarthy Miller (Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock) is the director. Work It is produced by Bonanza Productions, Inc. in association with Summer School Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

Work It will air on ABC during Midseason 2012.

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Image ©ABC