Working the Engels

Hilarious show about a young lawyer who sets up her own office in Toronto. Helping her out are her mother, played by the brilliant Andrea Martin, her loopy sister, and her habitual criminal brother.

Working the Engels brings Canadian comedy icon Andrea Martin back to prime time TV. You might remember her from SCTV, the comedy show that made SNL look like crap. Martin portrayed a number of priceless characters on SCTV and after years of absence, it's awesome to see that she's just as funny as ever.

This show is very, very funny. The acting is excellent and the story lines very well written and hilarious. If you haven't seen it, check it out. You might just become a regular viewer.

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.

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.

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.