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Less than Perfect is an ABC network sitcom series created by Terri Minsky which aired from October 1, 2002 to June 20, 2006, lasting for four seasons & 81 episodes.
It was produced by Wass/Stein Productions & Touchstone Television
Plot[]
The series centered on Claudia "Claude" Casey, a temp who worked at the GBN television network that lands a job on the coveted desk of handsome news anchor Will Butler.
The network's other assistants, Kipp and Lydia, are out to get Claude, but Claude has friends watching her back.
Cast[]
- Sara Rue as Claudia "Claude" Casey
- Sherri Shepherd as Ramona Platt
- Andrea Parker as Lydia Weston
- Zachary Levi as Kipp Steadman
- Andy Dick as Owen Kronsky
- Eric Roberts as Will Butler, (2002–2005) (seasons 1–3, 57 episodes)
- Will Sasso as Carl Monari (2003–2006) (seasons 2–4; guest starring in season 1)
- Patrick Warburton as Jeb Denton (2003–2006)
Broadcast History[]
"Less Than Perfect" debuted in a Tuesday evening time-slot and received steady ratings for its first two seasons.
When the series was moved in its third season to a Friday-night time-slot, the ratings began to fall sharply, and the show was considered to be in danger of cancellation. TVGuide.com featured the show on a list of "Endangered Series."
The ratings in the coveted 18–49 demographic were high enough, and "Less Than Perfect" was near the threshold for number of episodes needed for syndication, so a limited fourth season of 13 episodes was ordered.
After a long hiatus from ABC's schedule, the show returned as a late-season replacement for ABC with its fourth-season premiere on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 9:30 p.m.
Despite the pickup, the future of the series was not assured.
Cast member Zachary Levi stated many cast members were ready to move on, and series lead Sara Rue had filmed a pilot for CBS starring as a woman who runs a toy company with her brother in the comedy "Play Nice".
On May 17, 2006, ABC confirmed that the fourth season of "Less Than Perfect" would be its last.
ABC showed only part of the fourth season as scheduled. After five of the 13 episodes aired, the network ceased broadcasting the show, with the last episode broadcast on June 6, 2006.
Reception[]
Early reviews for "Less Than Perfect" found the characterization generally stereotypical, but critics often praised the performance of Sara Rue.
USA Today asserted that "in just two episodes, the good guys/bad guys structure and the exaggerated characterizations already are showing signs of wear," although it called Rue a "welcome addition" to TV sitcoms.
People magazine likewise criticized the show's stereotypical characters, but summarized it as "hardly perfect but happily Rueful." However, by Season 3three USA Today said the show had "hit its stride."