Working the Engels

I loved this show. It was clever, quick paced -- and starred Andrea Martin! What more could any TV viewer want? I don't understand the low-ratings on this site. See it for yourself.

I'm glad I made the effort to tune into the US premiere of Working the Engels. Before watching the pilot episode, I made the mistake of sitting through the pilot of Welcome to Sweden. I've been to Sweden, and it was much more entertaining than this homage to the Nordic lifestyle. Sitting through that 30 minutes, I laughed once. I debated whether to skip the pilot of Working the Engels thinking that, "If this is what NBC is offering for new programming, I'm better off reading a book." Within the first 2 or 3 minutes of Working the Engels, I laughed several times. This show reminded me of Arrested Development with an even more dysfunctional family. Similar to Arrested Development, Working the Engels has characters that are similar to people from real life. Perhaps I know too many lawyers and people in recovery, but this show did a great job re-framing a dull profession and recovery from addiction in a humorous light. The writers, director, and cast even managed to see the comicality of possible financial ruin, a subject that is very familiar to many Americans post the great recession that started in 2007. There's an old saying, "Years from now will laugh about this," and Working the Engels manages to fulfill that promise. Andrea Martin is a major talent with excellent comic timing, and I've seen her deliver the same zaniness in live theater. The rest of the cast appear to be relatively unknown in the American market, but the ensemble worked very well together. I am glad that the show is going to provide more than the 4-6 episodes that usually make up a summer television series.

I'm really enjoying Working the Engels. It's really funny and cleverly written, but without being slick and fake like some sitcoms.

The casting is perfect. Andrea Martin is a dynamo; brilliant timing and just the right blend of insanity and understatement. Azura plays flaky in a way that makes her scenes funny yet unexpectedly touching at times. Benjamin plays dumb so letter perfect I would expect him to be the same in person. He has a vulnerability that makes him very endearing, even when he's being a total screwup. And Kacey is the perfect hub; the one sane character, surrounded by craziness. It's reminiscent of Arrested Development with touches of The Munsters, yet also fresh and original.

Some great supporting actors and guests, too. Loved Eugene Levy.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

Just for the record, I do not work for the show or any of its sponsors. Just really a fan!

SEE REVISION NOTES BELOW...

I've seen only the first episode. But I was looking forward to seeing Andrea Martin again, from "SCTV," where she was hilarious. I wasn't disappointed. She has pitch perfect timing as a very physical comedienne. One must "watch" her or lose some of the humor.

Andrea portrays Ceil Engel, the alcoholic matriarch of the clan, including her recently deceased lawyer husband who left his family $200k in debt. There are her three children: the cutie Kacey Rohl as Jenna, an under appreciate attorney and the glue that holds the family together; the quirky sexy Azura Skye as her over-the-top "reformed" sister; and hunky Benjamin Arthur as the brother, a full-time petty con artist and 2-bricks-short-of-a-full-load strong-arm brother.

Don't be dissuaded by the few meager reviews so far. See it yourself. Set your DVR. I'm a huge comedy fan: "2 Broke Girls, Hot In Cleveland, etc. And as is said, "Drama is easy, comedy is a bitch." It's not easy to be clever and funny. This initial show hits all the notes. I hope it maintains it's momentum. Give it a watch; it's a hoot.

**REVISION: After now having watched several of the episodes, the show actually lacks "momentum," i.e., it has not moved forward but rather sits spinning its wheels. It appears Andrea Martin plays only one character. Yes, she's zany but you'd better like that one or you won't enjoy the show. Benjamin Arthur is simply not believable as the brainless but ultra-sexy guy. The writers need to give their characters more dimension, quickly. Azura Skye does have some misbegotten sex appeal, even as someone who seems to have a bit of brain damage. Not unlike too many other misdirected shows, each episode is a bit of a repeat of the skit from the week before.-- So, I've lowered my rating down to a "4 or 5" - until the writers and director can figure out whether they can clean up this mess.

Working the Engels is a delightful blend of humor and heartfelt moments that truly shines thanks to the comedic brilliance of Andrea Martin. The show revolves around a quirky family's struggle to stay afloat after the sudden death of their patriarch, which leaves them drowning in debt. What makes this series particularly engaging is its ability to blend relatable family dynamics with uproarious comedy, often led by Martin's impeccable timing and expressive antics.

Andrea Martin, as the matriarch of the Engel family, is an absolute gem. Her performance is both endearing and hilarious, effortlessly stealing every scene she's in with her vibrant personality and sharp wit. The show does a fantastic job of leveraging her talents, turning what could be mundane family scenarios into memorable, laugh-out-loud moments.

Overall, Working the Engels offers a refreshing take on the family sitcom genre, mixing clever writing with standout performances. It's the kind of show that provides not just laughs but also a warm, fuzzy feeling as you watch the Engels navigate their chaotic lives together. A must-watch for those who appreciate comedy with a big heart and even bigger laughs, all thanks to the incomparable Andrea Martin.