Working the Engels

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.

Working the Engels stars Andrea Martin, Kacey Rohl, and Azura Skye in a comedic exploration of family dynamics as they run a law firm after their patriarch's death. Andrea Martin excels with her impeccable comedic timing, while Rohl and Skye add a mix of rebelliousness and earnestness, creating a believable sibling bond. The film balances humor and heart with a vibrant visual style and fluid direction, making it a charming portrayal of the lengths families will go to support each other. A must-watch for comedy fans seeking both laughs and warmth.

It's a weekend type of movie. Prepare for lots of laughter and plenty of plot twists.

Andrea Martin shines in this whipsmart comedy. It's a wonderful mix of love and exasperation and reminds me of another favorite, Schitt's Creek.

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.

After the death of her father, Jenna Engel (Kacey Rohl) has to pick up the pieces of her father's bankrupt law practice. Much to her dismay, she has to deal with her crazy mother Ceil (Andrea Martin), her semi-recovering sister Sandy (Azura Skye) and her petty criminal brother Jimmy (Benjamin Arthur).

Andrea Martin is the big name in this one. It's very hit-and-miss with her brand of manic comedy. Kacey Rohl is the one to drive the show and hold it together. At least she's game for the challenge. She has good charm and is willing to do wacky. Azura Skye is a bit disappointing and Benjamin Arthur needs to have more dumb jokes. In general, there needs to be more jokes and funnier jokes if they want this to be wacky fun.