Bent (TV series)

Bent is an American romantic sitcom television series that ran on NBC from March 21 to April 4, 2012.[1] The series was created by Tad Quill and stars Amanda Peet as a recently divorced lawyer and David Walton as the irresponsible general contractor hired to remodel her kitchen. Supporting roles are played by Jeffrey Tambor, Margo Harshman, Pasha D. Lychnikoff and Joey King.[2]

Bent
GenreSitcom
Created byTad Quill
Starring
ComposerGabriel Mann
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
  • Tad Quill
  • DJ Nash (co-executive producer)
Producers
  • Chris Plourde
  • Michael Pendell
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
DistributorNBCUniversal Television Distribution
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseMarch 21 –
April 4, 2012 (2012-04-04)
External links
Official website

On May 11, 2012, NBC cancelled the series after one season.[3]

Synopsis
Amanda Peet plays protagonist Alex, a recently divorced, no-nonsense lawyer

Recently divorced no-nonsense lawyer Alex (Amanda Peet) hires contractor Pete (David Walton) to renovate her kitchen. An irresponsible womanizer, Pete is trying to rebuild his contracting career after ruining it with his gambling addiction and promiscuous ways. The high-strung Alex, whose husband was sent to prison for insider trading, is trying to maintain a busy work schedule while raising her 8-year-old daughter Charlie (Joey King). Aware of his reputation with women, Alex insists she will fire Pete if he presents any problems. Other cast members include Alex's flirty sister Screwsie (Margo Harshman), Pete's aspiring actor father Walt (Jeffrey Tambor), Charlie's babysitter Simone (Susan Park) and Pete's contractor crew (J.B. Smoove, Jesse Plemons, and Pasha D. Lychnikoff).[4]

Production

Filmed with a single-camera setup,[5][6] Bent is produced by Universal Television, a production arm of NBC. Tad Quill wrote the pilot episode and served as executive producer based on a two-year deal he signed with the formerly-named Universal Media Studios in 2010.[5][7] The first episode was directed by Craig Zisk, who previously directed episodes of Weeds and Nurse Jackie.[2]

Amanda Peet said of the show: "I just loved the writing, I thought it was a good repartee. I love a good romantic comedy, and I love a repressed woman who needs to get laid."[8]

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Craig ZiskTad QuillMarch 21, 2012 (2012-03-21)2.75[9]
Alex, a divorced mother, moves into a smaller house with her eight-year-old daughter, Charlie. Meanwhile, she hires Pete, a gambling addict who is in need of a job, as a contractor to remodel her kitchen.
2"Smitten"Marc BucklandTad QuillMarch 21, 2012 (2012-03-21)2.38[9]
Alex wants to take her relationship with her boyfriend Ben (Matt Letscher) to the next level. Meanwhile, Pete attempts to reignite his romance with ex-girlfriend Natalie (Diora Baird).
3"HD"Jesse PeretzErin EhrlichMarch 28, 2012 (2012-03-28)2.56[10]
Discovering Ben is with another woman, Pete decides to tell Alex. Meanwhile, Walt and Screwsie help Charlie with a school bully.
4"A-Game"Phil TraillAseem BatraMarch 28, 2012 (2012-03-28)2.34[10]
Alex invites Ben to her boss Bob's (Larry Miller) wedding, but at the last minute Pete replaces Ben as her date.
5"Mom"Troy MillerDJ NashApril 4, 2012 (2012-04-04)2.27[11]
Walter attempts to win back his ex-wife (Marcia Gay Harden). Meanwhile, with Pete absent from work, Alex finds herself getting back into old habits.
6"Tile Date"Rob GreenbergTad Quill & DJ NashApril 4, 2012 (2012-04-04)1.93[11]
Alex questions her true feelings for Pete during a trip with her boyfriend Ben. Meanwhile, Alex's neighbor Dan (Kyle Bornheimer) threatens Alex with legal action.

Reception

The New York Times really liked the show Bent saying it has "witty repartee," an "incongruous edge" and they absolutely enjoyed "the chemistry" between Amanda Peet and David Walton. The NY Times went on to say that Jeffrey Tambor is "hilarious" playing David Walton's Dad, a frustrated actor. The Times commented that if you "[w]atch two episodes, you begin to catch the rhythm; watch four, and you might be hooked.[12]

Daily Variety says Bent is "the kind of charming romantic comedy TV frequently aspires to but seldom delivers." And that Bent is "straight up" worth watching.[13]

The Star Tribune says "Chemistry Sets Bent Afire."[14]

Huffington Post's TV critic says "It's really charming."[15]

TV Guide gives "5 Reasons to Fall for the NBC Romantic Comedy Bent"[16]

"In what might be his best role since Arrested Development, Tambor shines as Pete's dad, Walt" -- TV Guide

Vulture, however, predicted the show's cancellation, noting that "when the romantic relationship is the ONLY source of comedy, it's forced to become so winky and witty that it loses any value as a realistic simulation of actual human behavior".[17]

References
  1. Seidman, Robert (February 21, 2012). "'Community' Returns March 15 at 8pm + Premieres for 'Bent,' 'Best Friends Forever' and 'Betty White's Off Their Rockers'". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  2. Schillaci, Sophie (May 15, 2011). "'Bent': Amanda Peet is not broken on NBC". Zap2it. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  3. Gorman, Bill (May 11, 2012). "'Awake, 'Are You There Chelsea?,' 'Best Friends Forever,' and 'Bent' Canceled by NBC". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  4. Sullivan, Brian Ford (June 13, 2011). "The Futon's First Look: "Bent" (NBC)". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (February 1, 2011). "NBC Picks Up 2 More Comedy Pilots". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  6. Guthrie, Marisa (February 10, 2011). "Amanda Peet Signs On for NBC Pilot (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  7. Andreeva, Nellie (July 9, 2011). "Comedy Writer Tad Quill Inks Deal At NBC". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  8. "Video: NBC Fall Preview 2011/12 - "Bent"". The Futon Critic. May 15, 2011. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  9. Bibel, Sara (March 22, 2012). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Survivor,' 'CSI,' 'One Tree Hill' Adjusted Up; 'Bent' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  10. Kondolojy, Amanda (March 29, 2012). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Idol', 'Survivor' 'One Tree Hill' and 'Whitney' All Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  11. Bibel, Sara (April 5, 2012). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Idol', 'Survivor' 'One Tree Hill' and 'Whitney' All Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  12. Genzlinger, Neil (March 20, 2012). "Restoration Comedy, Of a Sort". The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  13. Lowry, Brian (March 16, 2012). "Variety Reviews - Bent - TV Reviews - - Review by Brian Lowry". Variety. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  14. Justin, Neal (March 20, 2012). "Chemistry sets 'Bent' afire". Variety. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  15. Ryan, Maureen (March 21, 2012). "'Bent' Review: A Charming Addition To NBC's Comedy Roster". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  16. Stanhope, Kate (March 21, 2012). "5 Reasons to Fall for NBC's New Romantic Comedy Bent". TV Guide. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  17. Cantor, Hallie (2012-03-22). "Bent and the Problem With Romantic Comedy TV Shows". Vulture. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
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