The show doesn't air until January 28 at 8pm ET/7pm CT, but thanks to One2One Network, I got a chance to view the premiere episode “The Buddy System” in which Carli’s old flame from high school shows up hoping to re-ignite his “spark” with Carli — even if it means humiliating her in front of her new boss.The new series, CMT’s first scripted sitcom, follows Carli Mitchell (Melissa Peterman), a single mom from a rough and tumble background, trying to give her three kids a better life by moving them to an upscale suburb. She quickly finds that making the transition to “the good life” is harder than she thought. She's unwittingly befriended by her cranky neighbor, Hank (Ed Asner), her only “career” prospect is a glorified deli job at the local grocery store, and the man she falls for not only already has a girlfriend – but he’s also her boss, Rob (Patrick Fabian). With her ladies-man brother, Nick (Steve Kazee), to help her out (when he’s not acting like one of the kids himself), Carli faces the challenges of parenting, dating, and making friends in her new community by doing more with less, staying true to herself and approaching each day with a touch of working class.
Overall, I really enjoyed the show. While the show is about Melissa Peterman's character Carli, Ed Asner was by far my favorite. He is just wonderful and had me laughing out loud several times. Melissa Peterman better watch out or he is going to steal this show! She does do a great job of playing the ditzy blonde, trying-too-hard, nervous new employee, though I'd like to see her tone that down when she's at home with the kids and brother. I think as she settles into the role she'll get better.
I'm also looking forward to all the great guest stars this show has planned - especially Reba (love her!!), whose on-screen reunion with Melissa Peterman will air in February. Additional guest stars include David Faustino (“Married with Children” and Not Another B Movie); Kathy Kinney (“The Drew Carey Show” and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”); Martin Mull (“Roseanne” and “’Til Death”); John Schneider (“The Dukes of Hazzard” and “Smallville”); Ryan Stiles (“Whose Line Is It Anyway” and “The Drew Carey Show”); and Lesley Ann Warren (“In Plain Sight” and “Desperate Housewives”), as well as CMT’s own Evan Farmer from CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN. This show ought to be worth watching just for the guest stars! And Ed Asner, of course.
Be sure to check out Working Class on CMT as well as connecting with Working Class on facebook where you can watch a sneak peak of the show. Then remember to watch when Working Class makes its network debut Friday, January 28 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT, followed by a second, all-new episode at 8:30 p.m., ET/PT. It's going to be fun.
Disclosure: The One2One Network provided a free pre-view of the show for the purposes of this review. I received no monetary compensation, although I will be entered for a chance to win a CMT prize pack and gift card.
