Work in Progress (TV series) explained

Genre:Comedy
Composer:Ethan Stoller
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:18
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Location:Chicago
Cinematography:Michael Ognisanti
Camera:Single-camera[1]
Runtime:23–30 minutes
Network:Showtime

Work in Progress is an American comedy-drama television series produced by Showtime that premiered on December 8, 2019.[2] [3] The series was created by Abby McEnany and Tim Mason, written and executive produced by McEnany, Mason, and Lilly Wachowski, and directed by Mason. Work in Progress stars McEnany in a semi-autobiographical role alongside Karin Anglin, Celeste Pechous, Julia Sweeney (as a fictionalized version of herself), and Theo Germaine. The entire series was written, filmed, and post-produced in Chicago.

The pilot episode was shown at the Sundance Film Festival.[4] The first season of Work in Progress, consisting of eight episodes, premiered on Showtime on December 8, 2019.[4] It received positive critical reception.

On January 13, 2020, Showtime renewed the series for a 10-episode second season, to be filmed in Chicago later in the year.[5] The second season premiered on August 22, 2021.[6]

On January 27, 2022, Showtime canceled the series after two seasons.[7]

Synopsis

A self-identified "fat, queer dyke" enters into a transformative relationship during a time of crisis.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Special guests

Episodes

Season 2 (2021)

Production

According to Germaine, Lilly Wachowski was frequently on the set as an advisor and helped direct the sex scene of the third episode among others.[10]

Michael Ognisanti served as the series cinematographer. Because the series is inspired by McEnany's life, the challenge for Ognisanti was to capture the authenticity of the story in the look of the show. For this reason, filming took place in real locations, mostly night interiors, and for lighting they used practical light sources augmented with small LEDs, to avoid making it look artificial. Because of the improvisational style of acting, Ognisanti used two Arri Alexa Mini cameras, for a higher chance to capture unscripted moments that could not be recreated after the fact. The cameras were fitted with Zeiss Super Speed lenses. Ognisanti storyboarded the whole series based on input by Mason in Cinema 4D before they went to shoot on location.[11]

Inspired by her participation in Netflix's Disclosure, Executive Producer Lilly Wachowski made an emphatic push for trans representation throughout the cast and crew including the soundtrack.[12] Transgender musicians in the show's soundtrack include Backxwash,[13] Quay Dash,[13] Sateen,[14] SuperKnova,[13] [15] and Mel Stone.[16]

Reception

Critical reception of Work in Progress has been mostly positive. Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator website, reported a 100% critical approval rating with an average rating of 8.00/10 based on 30 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "As radically hilarious as it is relatably uncomfortable, Work in Progress is a stunning debut from co-creator and star Abby McEnany."[17] On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the season is assigned a score of 78 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[18]

Accolades

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shows A-Z - work in progress on showtime | TheFutonCritic.com. www.thefutoncritic.com. December 30, 2019.
  2. Web site: 'Work In Progress': Showtime Orders Comedy Series Starring Abby McEnany; EP Lilly Wachowski Co-Writing. Pedersen. Erik. 2019-05-30. Deadline. en. 2019-12-13.
  3. Web site: Showtime Sets Premiere Dates For 'Work In Progress' & 'Couples Therapy' – TCA. Petski. Denise. 2019-08-02. Deadline. en. 2019-12-13.
  4. Rose, Michelle (December 8, 2019). "Abby McEnany is a Witty 'Work In Progress' on Showtime". Standard-Speaker (Hazleton, Pennsylvania). p. T7.
  5. Web site: 'Work In Progress' Renewed For Season 2 By Showtime – TCA. Denise. Petski. January 13, 2020.
  6. Web site: 'Work in Progress': Showtime Sets Season 2 Premiere Date & Trailer For Abby McEnany Comedy . Deadline Hollywood. Alexandra Del Rosario . June 29, 2021.
  7. Web site: 'Black Monday' & 'Work In Progress' Canceled At Showtime. . Del Rosario. Alexandra. January 27, 2022.
  8. Web site: 'Work In Progress' Season 1 Episode 3 addresses offensive representations in 80s and 90s pop culture. meaww.com. December 30, 2019.
  9. Web site: Huge thanks to Abby McEnany and all the wonderful folks at @WiP_SHO for letting me explore an alternate universe where I'm short-haired, extremely boring, obsessed with sangria, and married to Julia Sweeney.pic.twitter.com/cd3UC5nAaf. Al. Yankovic. December 23, 2019. December 30, 2019.
  10. Web site: Theo Germaine went from barista to 'The Politician' & 'Work in Progress' . David . Reddish . December 8, 2019 . Queerty.
  11. Web site: Race to the Finish . International Cinematographers Guild Magazine .
  12. Web site: Naveen . Kumar . August 23, 2021 . "Work in Progress" Showed Lilly Wachowski the Joy of Queer Storytelling . September 4, 2021 . them. . Condé Nast . en-US.
  13. Web site: Music from Work in Progress S1E02 . September 4, 2021 . Tunefind.
  14. Web site: Music from Work in Progress S1E03 . September 4, 2021 . Tunefind.
  15. Web site: Music from Work in Progress S1E04 . September 4, 2021 . Tunefind.
  16. Web site: Music from Work in Progress S1E05 . September 4, 2021 . Tunefind.
  17. Web site: Work in Progress: Season 1. October 14, 2021. www.rottentomatoes.com.
  18. Web site: Work in Progress. August 23, 2021. www.metacritic.com.
  19. Web site: The Nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards . . 2022-01-21 . 2022-01-22 .

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