Working Stiffs (1979– )

Short lived (3 weeks) slapstick comedy about Ernie and Mike who are janitors but attempting to work their way up in a Chicago office building owned by their uncle.

Creators:

Bob Brunner, Harry Colomby, Arthur Silver, Marc Sotkin

Stars:

James Belushi, Michael Keaton, Val Bisoglio

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
James Belushi	...	Ernie O'Rourke (9 episodes, 1979)
Michael Keaton	...	Mike O'Rourke (9 episodes, 1979)
Val Bisoglio	...	Al Steckler (8 episodes, 1979)
Allan Arbus	...	Mitch Hannigan (8 episodes, 1979)
Lorna Patterson	...	Nikki Evashevsky (8 episodes, 1979)

Storyline

Short lived (3 weeks) slapstick comedy about Ernie and Mike who are janitors but attempting to work their way up in a Chicago office building owned by their uncle.

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Plot Keywords:

Janitor | Sitcom | Irish American | Chicago Illinois | Actor Shares First Name With Character

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mike et Ernie

Company Credits

Production Co:

Frog Productions, Huk, Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nine episodes were produced but the show was canceled after four episodes aired.

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Soundtracks

"Working Stiffs"
(theme song)
Composed by Jack Carone

User Reviews

"Working Stiffs" : An early look at two future stars.

I was 11 when "Working Stiffs" debuted on CBS's fall schedule and while it only lasted 4 shows,I never forgot it. It was what most kids would look for in a sitcom,two buddies who were supposed to be fix-it guys but were more so just terribly inept and klutzy. The show seemed more about sight gags and pratfalls than overall plot but at that age,I just knew it was very funny.

Little did I know,I was watching not only the younger brother of comedian John Belushi(who I had only seen in ads for "Animal House")but also a young comedic actor who would 10 years later be the new Batman!

Jim Belushi had only been in one TV show at that time,the short lived NBC comedy "Who's Watching The Kids" with Scott Baio & Lynda "Lori Beth" Goodfriend (before Happy Days).

Michael Keaton had 9 TV credits to his name at the time,his first being a brief part in an episode of "Maude" and a short stint on Mary Tyler Moore's two post "MTM" shows.

Together they were definitely a goofy pair and maybe,had the show been written better,it could have launched them into bigger things sooner. I liked what I saw then and can only rate it as I remember it. Funny for what it was. So,for nostalgia's sake,I'll go as high as 7 stars. Only because they became two very big stars. (END)