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Original Air Date: September 17, 2008
It’s too bad. I really, really want to like Do Not Disturb because I really, really like Reno 911! player Niecy Nash. Unfortunately, however, the show isn’t doing anything so far to help me out in that department. If you thought the series premiere was a sign of bad things to come, it’s unlikely the show’s second episode will change that foreboding feeling.
Despite a few funny moments, the humor is nowhere near as plentiful and consistent as it should be on a sitcom. Plus, the overemphasis placed on the character Larry’s gayness just makes the show seem painfully behind the times rather than hip or groundbreaking. Give us something new, please.
The main plot of “Birdcage” focuses on perpetually horny general manager Neal, who comes up with the grand idea of installing a life-sized birdcage in the hotel’s bar to show off the female employees he considers to be hot. Rhonda blows a gasket as soon as she learns about the sexist plan, and Nicole grows increasingly upset when Neal doesn’t ask her to do time in the cage. She thinks he thinks she’s not a “hot piece of meat” anymore, although Neil claims he just has too much respect for her.
After Rhonda’s anonymous call to the building inspector doesn’t derail Neal’s scheme (the inspector says the cage is up to snuff), his zeal for the birdcage is finally diminished when jealous Nicole attacks a coworker completing a shift in the cage. At Rhonda’s urging, Neal then assures Nicole she still has sex appeal, and the crisis ends.
If that storyline doesn’t do it for you, the episode’s subplot probably won’t either. It revolves around bellhop Gus, who’s having a cash flow problem. When Larry suggests feeding Gus private information about the arrival of single woman so the bellhop can give them extra attention to get bigger tips, things spiral out of control.
Gus shares the extra money with Larry out of gratefulness, which causes Molly to want in on the pimping action, too. Moreover, Gus has second thoughts when going as far as having actual sex with some of the women starts wearing him out. Rhonda eventually puts a stop to this nonsense — and keeps Gus’ last $500 tip for herself, as well — when she hears about it through the grapevine.
Oh, and people who watched to catch The Hills star Audrina Patridge in action likely felt shafted also. Her scene playing herself lasts about ten seconds and consists of Neal blowing her off for VIP treatment when she admits a camera crew isn’t with her.
Boorish, boring plots; boorish, boring characters; boorish, boring behavior. I wonder if anyone at Fox regrets dumping Back to You yet. If not, someone should, especially if Do Not Disturb doesn’t get on the ball fast.
I think it’s a hell of a lot better than most other shows on TV. Maybe because nobody’s getting killed or doing drugs it isn’t up to par in today’s world.
No need to apologize for liking the show, David. There’s something for almost everyone out there, but so far, Do Not Disturb just isn’t doing it for me. I’m hoping things change, though, which is why I’ll continue to watch.
I really liked this episode. I thought it was really funny.
sorry.