EDITION: U.S.
molly stanton
Do Not Disturb -- An early look
by Jason Hughes, posted Sep 10th 2008 11:02AM

In the behind-the-scenes interviews the network sent along with the pilot, the entire cast and the creator described Do Not Disturb, premiering tonight at 9:30/8:30 Central, as an "upstairs-downstairs" workplace comedy. Creator Abraham Higginbotham (Arrested Development) based the show on his time at the Paramount Hotel in the '90s. "It's Freaks and Geeks in a hotel," he said. "You've got your upstairs crowd where you have to basically turn in a photo to be approved to work where you come into face contact with guests. And then downstairs, anybody can work there because they're the people doing all the real work."
Unfortunately, if this is going to be the major thrust of the series going forward, they picked a pretty poor episode to establish that for the pilot. "Work Sex" tackled sex and promiscuity, which are such powerful subjects in this country they tend to overwhelm everything. And since the show is trying to introduce its premise, characters, relationships and the dynamics of its ensemble at the same time, it may have been better to launch with a subject a little less dominating. In fact, I didn't really get the struggle between the two groups at all.
TV Squad Hot Topics
Most Popular Articles
From Our Partners
- 'Parks and Recreation': Bradley Whitford guests in 'West Wing'-referencing episode
- Becki Newton, 'How I Met Your Mother' creators join forces for FOX comedy pilot
- TV ratings: 'Grimm' and 'Shark Tank' rise, CBS stays on top Friday
- John Goodman, Roseanne Barr reunite in NBC pilot 'Downwardly Mobile'
- 'The Vampire Diaries' recap: In which Elena is starting to get on our nerves
- More From Zap2it
- CSI: NY Exclusive: Jaime Ray Newman Returns!
- James Wolk Enters Political Fray, Joins USA Network's D.C.-Based Drama Series
- Ratings: Shark Tank Makes a Splash, Fringe Matches Low, Supernatural Dips and Grimm Gains
- Shameless' Justin Chatwin Previews Steve's Quest to Win Back Fiona and His 'Sticky' Mess
- Pilot Scoop: Michael B. Jordan Reunites with Friday Night Lights Boss on NBC's County
- More From TVLine
