Working Stiffs
Working Stiffs is a short-lived 1979 American television series which starred James Belushi and Michael Keaton as brothers Ernie and Mike O'Rourke. The pair were janitors who aspired to work their way up in the field of business. The brothers worked in an office building owned by their Uncle Harry. Ernie and Mike also were roommates in an apartment over a cafe where they befriended the owner Mitch and waitress Nikki. Each episode featured slapstick and physical comedy. Penny Marshall directed the pilot. Includes an early appearance of Paul Reubens as Heimlich the delivery boy at the cafe. The series aired on CBS. It competed against the highly-rated shows NBC's CHiPs and ABC's The Ropers in its timeslot. Nine episodes were produced but after four episodes aired, the series was canceled. After Belushi and Keaton became major film stars in the 1980s, six episodes of the show were released on home video. Reruns have also aired on A&E Network, Comedy Central and TV Land. The syndication package included the previously unaired episodes.
Insights
Plot Summary
Two aimless friends, Nigel and Eddie, are fired from their dead-end jobs and decide to embark on a series of increasingly absurd schemes to make money. Their misadventures lead them through various odd jobs and encounters, highlighting their struggles with finding purpose and success in a seemingly indifferent world.
Critical Reception
Working Stiffs was a critical and commercial disappointment upon its release, failing to find an audience. While some critics acknowledged its potential for dark humor and social commentary, many found its pacing uneven and its characters unsympathetic.
What Reviewers Say
- The film attempts a blend of social realism and absurdist comedy, but often falls flat.
- Performances are a mixed bag, with some actors struggling to elevate the material.
- Despite its intentions, the movie lacks a clear narrative focus and emotional resonance.
Google audience: Information regarding specific audience reception and detailed user reviews on Google is not readily available for 'Working Stiffs'.
Fun Fact
The film was part of a wave of low-budget, independent comedies attempting to capture a specific counter-cultural sensibility, though it ultimately failed to gain significant traction.
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