Working Stiffs (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Working Stiffs


caption =
show_name_2 =
genre = Sitcom
creator =
director = Penny Marshall
Norman Abbott
Greg Antonacci
developer =
presenter =
starring = Jim Belushi
Michael Keaton
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
composer =
country = USA
language = English
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 9 (5 unaired)
list_episodes =
executive_producer =
producer =
supervising_producer =
asst_producer =
co-producer =
camera =
runtime = 30 min. (per episode; with commercials)
network = CBS
picture_format = Film
audio_format = Mono
first_run =
first_aired = 1979-09-15
last_aired = 1979-10-06
website =
imdb_id = 0078711
tv_com_id = 3266

"Working Stiffs" is a short-lived 1979 television series which starred Jim 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.

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.

Cast

*Jim Belushi - Ernie O'Rourke
*Michael Keaton - Mike O'Rourke
*Val Bisoglio - Al Steckler
*Phil Rubinstein - Frank Falzone
*Allan Arbus - Mitch Hannigan
*Lorna Patterson - Nikki Evashevsky

References

Brooks, Tim; Earl Marsh (2003). "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows". Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.