The Nightmare That Was 'Work It' Is Now Over

ABC called it a hit, but the network probably should've added an "S" to the beginning of that as one television critic suggested.

The network has pulled its cross-dressing comedy "Work It" off the schedule following just two episodes, a move that could open the door for the return of Courteney Cox's "Cougar Town."

"Work It," which starred Amaury Nolasco and Benjamin Koldyke as two men wanting to get better-paying jobs by dressing as women, earned the rebuke right away of transgendered support groups. They said the show minimized the struggle those who feel they were born the wrong gender go through, and that it could hurt the push to allow more acceptance of people with those issues.

Whether it was the controversy or the fact that many critics just didn't find it funny, audiences never really showed up for "Work It." The show premiered Jan. 3 and earned just a 3.8 rating/6 share, according to Fast National overnight ratings from The Nielsen Co. It was well below the 5.0 household rating that ABC earned in the timeslot the year before, and finished below the now-cancelled series "Man Up" which occupied the slot before.

The second episode on Jan. 10 lost 16 percent of that premiere audience, and was bringing in just a little more than half of its "Last Man Standing" lead-in.

Before the cancellation, ABC president Paul Lee defended the series to members of the Television Critics Association, and highlighted the fact that the network has been highly supportive of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community.

"In terms of the lesbian and gay community, we're incredibly proud of the work that ABC does," Lee said, according to The Wrap. "That's not just 'Modern Family,' it's 'Grey's Anatomy.' It's 'Private Practice.' It's Dancing With the Stars.'"

For "Work It," Lee said he just didn't get it, referring to a 1982 crossdressing film starring Dustin Hoffman.

"I love 'Tootsie,'" he said. "I still love 'Tootsie.' I don't find it to be offensive. So in that particular case, I didn't get it. But that's probably me."

ABC has not made an announcement as of yet in what will fill the timeslot, but for now, it will be reruns of "Last Man Standing." However, "Cougar Town" is rumored to be taking over that open timeslot in February.