Editing Less than Perfect

{{short description|American television sitcom (2002–2006)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Less then perfect season 4 opening.png
| genre                = [[Sitcom]]
| creator              = [[Terri Minsky]]
| starring             = {{Plainlist|
*[[Sara Rue]]
*[[Sherri Shepherd]]
*[[Andrea Parker]]
*[[Zachary Levi]]
*[[Eric Roberts]]
*[[Andy Dick]]
*[[Will Sasso]]
*[[Patrick Warburton]]
}}
| opentheme            = "A Girl Like You" (season 2)
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist|
*Cary R. Beare
*Jason Thomas Gordon
*Sky Nicholas
*Dan Northchild
}}
| composer             = {{Plainlist|
*[[Jonathan Wolff (musician)|Jonathan Wolff]]
*Rich Ragsdale (2002–04)
*Scott Clausen (2004-06)
}}
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 4
| num_episodes         = 81 (8 unaired)
| list_episodes        = List of Less Than Perfect episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
*Nina Wass
*Eugene Stein
*Terri Minsky (2002–03)
*Christine Zander (2003–06)
}}
| producer             =
| camera               = [[Multiple-camera setup|Multi-camera]]
| runtime              = 30 minutes
| company              = {{Plainlist|
*Wass/Stein Productions
*[[ABC Signature|Touchstone Television]]
}}
| network              = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2002|10|1}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2006|6|6}}<ref name="final date">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/less-than-perfect/listings/|title=Less Than Perfect Episode Listings|publisher=[[The Futon Critic]]|access-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref> 
}}
'''''Less than Perfect''''' is an American television [[sitcom]] created by [[Terri Minsky]] and starring [[Sara Rue]] and [[Sherri Shepherd]] which originally aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] from October 1, 2002, to June 6, 2006.<ref name="final date"/> It follows Claude (Rue), who works at a television network named GNB, as well as her friends and colleagues.

== Overview and premise ==
The show centers on Claude Casey ([[Sara Rue]]), a young woman who works at GNB, a television network. Though at first a temp who fills in on other assignments, Claude is hired in the pilot by anchor Will Butler ([[Eric Roberts]]) to be his assistant. Claude's fellow co-assistants Lydia Weston ([[Andrea Parker]]) and Kipp Steadman ([[Zachary Levi]]) are unhappy at Claude's arrival, and do everything they can to make her miserable. Luckily, Claude is able to navigate the workplace with the help of her best friends Ramona Platt ([[Sherri Shepherd]]) and Owen Kronsky ([[Andy Dick]]), who also work at the network in other departments. In season two, two new characters joined the series: [[Will Sasso]] as Claude's neighbor and GNB cafeteria head Carl Monari; and [[Patrick Warburton]] as Jeb Denton, ladder-climbing news anchor and Lydia's love interest. Sasso, who had recurred throughout the last half of the first season, was upgraded at the beginning of the season; Warburton began as a recurring character in the first half of the season, before being upgraded at midseason.

Much was made at the time of the show's premiere about the central character of the show being a "full figured" woman, and that the title correlated to Claude being "Less Than Perfect."<ref>[https://www.today.com/popculture/television-grapples-weighty-matter-wbna5991977 nbcnews.com]</ref> Over the course of the series, Rue lost {{convert|30|lb|kg st}}.<ref>[http://extratv.warnerbros.com/v2/news/0805/24/3/text.html Extra.tv]</ref> She has since become a spokesperson for [[Jenny Craig]] and lost a total of {{convert|50|lb|kg st}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/10/11/sara-rue-finishes-half-marathon/?cnn=yes |title=Sara Rue Finishes Half-Marathon |first=Monica |last=Rizzo |date=October 11, 2010 |access-date=2010-10-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016075930/http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/10/11/sara-rue-finishes-half-marathon/?cnn=yes |archive-date=October 16, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As the series progressed, Rue's figure became less of a focus on the series.

== History ==
Though it was never a rating juggernaut, ''Less Than Perfect'' aired at a time when ABC was seeing a large ratings decline across the network. However, the series received steady, respectable ratings, especially for being in the last slot of ABC's Tuesday night sitcom lineup. The overall ratings for season two, which creator Terri Minsky later departed, actually saw an increase from the ratings of season one. However, in its third season, ABC moved the series to its [[TGIF (TV programming block)|TGIF]] revival lineup on Friday nights. This led to a major decline in ratings, and put the show at risk for cancellation; VGuide.com featured the show on a list of "Endangered Series." Due to the series being near the threshold for the number of episodes needed for [[Television syndication|syndication]], and the series still earning respectable ratings in the coveted 18–49 demographic, ABC ordered a 13-episode fourth season to air as a mid-season replacement.

For the fourth season, the series underwent a retooling that saw the departure of cast member Eric Roberts. Despite the close renewal, the future of the series was not assured. In January 2006, Zachary Levi said that many of the cast members were ready to move on after filming the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://channels.isp.netscape.com/celebrity/hollywoodexclusive.jsp?feature=ce_hol_01122006 |title=Sara Paxton, JoJo, Emma Roberts Bonded on Pic - Netscape Celebrity |publisher=Channels.isp.netscape.com |access-date=2012-02-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027203255/http://channels.isp.netscape.com/celebrity/hollywoodexclusive.jsp?feature=ce_hol_01122006 |archive-date=October 27, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In March, Sara Rue was cast in a CBS sitcom pilot ''Play Nice'', starring as a woman who runs a toy company with her brother (the pilot was ultimately not picked up). After almost a year off the air, the series returned on April 18, 2006, in its old Tuesday night timeslot.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060819213803/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-commanderinchief-lessthanperfectreturn,0,6470354.story?coll=zap-tv-headlines Zap2It]</ref>

After airing only three episodes of the fourth season, ABC cancelled ''Less Than Perfect.''  The series was one of several sitcoms cancelled by the network, as they discontinued both the Tuesday night and Friday night sitcom lineups.<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds33121.html Digital Spy]</ref><ref name="mercurynews1">[http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/14592421.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060525072226/http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/14592421.htm|date=May 25, 2006}}</ref> ABC initially planned to burn off the remaining nine episodes with fellow cancelled sitcom ''[[Rodney (TV series)|Rodney]]'', which had taken over its time slot the season prior. ABC ultimately aired only two more episodes before pulling both series off the schedule.

The show joined [[Lifetime Television]]'s lineup on June 1, 2009 in syndication.  The network aired all 81 episodes, including the seven unaired episodes from season four. However, Lifetime dropped the series in 2010. In April 2012, ''Less Than Perfect'' joined the lineup of new [[Canada|Canadian]] network, [[ABC Spark]].

=== Opening credits and theme ===
From the beginning, ''Less Than Perfect'' had a simple opening sequence, credits which were played over the opening scene of each episode of season one. However, a new theme song and opening sequence were introduced at the beginning of season two.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.televisiontunes.com/Less_Than_Perfect.html| title=Less Than Perfect Theme Song| publisher=televisiontunes.com| access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref> The intro was abandoned after the first seven episodes, reverting to the previous simple credits which lasted until the end of season three. Season four introduced a five-second opening, in which the title can be seen on post-it notes on an office desk, while a brief instrumental version of the theme tune is played.

== Cast and characters ==
=== Main ===
[[File:Less than perfect cast.jpg|thumb|right|225px|The initial cast of ''Less than Perfect'' <br> back row (l-r) Ramona, Kipp and Lydia <br> front row (l-r) Owen, Claude and Will.]]
* [[Sara Rue]] as Claudia "Claude" Casey, the quirky, sweet lead character. From Pittsburgh, Claude works as the executive assistant for GNB anchorman Will Butler. Initially insecure due to the fish out of water template she personifies, Claude gains confidence in herself and her abilities as the series progresses.
* [[Sherri Shepherd]] as Ramona Platt, a sassy co-worker and friend of Claude and Owen. She is sometimes bossy and obnoxious, but is still a loyal and caring friend. She dislikes both Kipp and Lydia.
* [[Andrea Parker]] as Lydia Weston, one of Claude's "frenemies".  She is shallow, snobby, and professionally ambitious, although without noticeable work skills.  Lydia finds Claude to be a hick and a walking fashion faux pas.  Eventually, Lydia begins a relationship with Jeb Denton, and marries him in the season three finale. In season four, she becomes the producer of Jeb's news segment, and hires Claude as her assistant.
* [[Zachary Levi]] as Kipp Steadman, Claude's other frenemy and Lydia's best friend, eventually becomes Jeb Denton's assistant. He is shown to be arrogant, shallow, and snobby, but is more intelligent, and occasionally shows flashes of far more humanity than Lydia (seen in episodes such as ''The Pimp Hat'' and ''Why Are You Hurting Claude?'').
* [[Andy Dick]] as Owen Kronsky, a seriously offbeat, sensitive, and sometimes clumsy office supply manager with GNB.
* [[Eric Roberts]] as Will Butler (seasons 1–3), Claude's charming, but vain boss, a well-known national news anchor. He is a womanizer with several ex-wives.  Will unexpectedly (and offstage) quits the network at the start of season 4, forcing Claude to scramble for another position—working for Lydia.
* [[Will Sasso]] as Carl Monari (Seasons 2–4; recurring season 1), the cafeteria manager at GNB. He is a friend of Claude, Ramona, and Owen. He lives across the hall from Claude, and becomes her boyfriend in season four.
* [[Patrick Warburton]] as Jeb Denton (Seasons 2–4), Will Butler's co-anchor, and Lydia's boyfriend (later husband). Jeb is a mellow, funny, and ambitious news anchor, who is trying to climb the ladder at GNB. He is Kipp's boss, but rarely refers to him by name, mostly as "Secretary." His favorite food is Crab Cakes.

=== Recurring ===
* [[Josh Braaten]] as Charlie, Claude's boyfriend from the travel department (Seasons 1 & 3)
* [[William Ragsdale]] as Mitch Calgrove, a producer at GNB who Claude dates (Season 2)
* John Eric Bentley as an assistant director who later returns as a director (Seasons 1 & 4)
* [[French Stewart]] as Gene Schmidtline, an employee at GNB who has a crush on Ramona (Seasons 2–3)
* [[Jenny McCarthy]] as Dani, Will's on-and-off girlfriend (Seasons 1-2)
* [[Diana-Maria Riva]] as Vivian, Carl's ex-girlfriend (Seasons 2–3)
* Jonna Tamases as Irene, a co-worker at GNB who offers Claude a job (Season 4)

=== Guest stars ===
* [[Martin Mull]] as Buddy Casey, Claude's dad (Season 1)
* [[Cindy Williams]] as Joan Casey, Claude's mom (Season 1)
* [[Joanna Cassidy]] as Norma (Season 1)
* [[Michael Boatman]] as Ted Elliot, a director who employs Claude (Seasons 1 & 2)
* [[Trista Rehn]] as herself (Season 1)
* [[Richard Ruccolo]] as Bobby Casey, Claude's brother (Season 1)
* [[Barry Bostwick]] as Max Damarius (Season 1)
* [[Nicole Sullivan]] as Deirdre Bishop, Owen's love interest (Season 1)
* [[George Wyner]] as Alan Turnbach, head of GNB news (Seasons 1 & 4)
* [[Simon Helberg]] as Arthur (season 2)
* [[Randee Heller]] as Mrs. Ross (season 2)
* [[Gordon Clapp]] as Detective Martin (season 2)
* [[Pamela Anderson]] as Vicki Devorski (season 2)
* [[Bill Walton]] as himself (season 2)
* [[Joanna Kerns]] and [[Valerie Harper]] as Judy and Judith, Owen's lesbian mothers. (seasons 2 & 3)
* [[Michael Angarano]] as George Denton, Jeb's son (seasons 2 & 3)
* [[Lesley Ann Warren]] as Diane Steadman, Kipp's mom (season 2)
* [[Brooke Burke]] as Nurse Benson (season 2)
* [[James Belushi]] as sandwich vendor Eddie Smirkoff (season 2)
* [[John McEnroe]] as himself (season 2)
* [[Tori Spelling]] as Roxanne Fiedler, Claude's childhood best friend. (season 2)
* [[Lucy Lawless]] as Tracy Fletcher (season 3)
* [[Richard Kind]] as Lance Corcoran (season 3)
* [[John Di Maggio]] as Bartender (season 3)
* [[David Cassidy]] as Vince (season 3)
* [[Paula Abdul]] as Kathleen (season 3)
* [[Kimberly Williams-Paisley|Kimberly Williams]] as Laura (season 3)
* [[Regis Philbin]] as Xin Xao Pi (season 3)
* [[Joan Rivers]] as Louise (season 3)
* [[Paul DiMeo]], [[Tracy Hutson]] & [[Michael Moloney]] as themselves, the cast of ''[[Extreme Makeover]]'' (season 3)
* [[Star Jones]] as Dr Curtis (season 3)
* [[Christopher Knight (actor)|Christopher Knight]] as Waiter (season 3)
* [[Joey McIntyre]] as Ethan (season 4)
* [[Tony Plana]] as The Owl Inspector (season 4)
* [[Natasha Alam]] as Daniella (season 3)

== Episodes ==
{{Main|List of Less Than Perfect episodes}}
{{:List of Less Than Perfect episodes}}

== Distribution ==
=== International broadcast ===
''Less Than Perfect'' was seen on [[ATV (Austria)|ATV]] in Austria, on [[Nelonen (television)|Nelonen]] in Finland, on [[FOX8]] (pay TV) and the [[Seven Network]] (free to air) in Australia, on [[MTV Russia]] in Russia, on [[Star World]] for the rest of Asia, on [[yes stars|yesSTARS]] in [[Israel]], on [[Cuatro TV|Cuatro]] in Spain, on [[Sky Italia]]'s [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] and [[MTV Italy|MTV Italia]] in Italy, on [[Kanal 5 (Denmark)|Kanal 5]] in Denmark, on [[Croatian Radiotelevision|HRT]] and [[Fox Life]] in [[Croatia]], [[Serbia]], [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]], [[Poland]] and [[Bulgaria]], on TV-First in [[Belarus]]. The first seven episodes and episode nine of the final season of ''Less Than Perfect'' aired on [[TV 2 (New Zealand)|TV2]] in New Zealand, with the remaining episodes (eight and 10 through 13) not played. The show also aired on [[MBC 4 (Middle East)|MBC 4]] to Arabic speaking viewers. In [[Turkey]], TNT Turkey airs. And [[ComedyMax]] currently airs the show for [[Digiturk]] subscribers and [[Comedy Smart]] airs for [[D-Smart]] subscribers. The show was originally screened in the UK and Ireland on [[ABC1 (British and Irish TV channel)|ABC1]] where it broadcast all episode and repeated the series up until its closure in 2007. It has previously been aired on [[RTÉ Two|RTÉ TWO]] in Ireland, while it also aired on Paramount Comedy 1 (now [[Comedy Central UK|Comedy Central]]) in the UK and Ireland, although it is not currently being shown on either of these two networks. As of April 2013, [[ABC Spark]] in Canada are broadcasting the show in quadruple bills, twice daily. Lifetime also reran the show for a brief period in 2009. In Italy, it aired on [[:it:Fox (Italia)|Fox]] as ''[[:it:Perfetti... ma non troppo|Perfetti...ma non troppo]]'' (''Perfect...but not too much'') from September 1, 2003 until May 13, 2007.

=== Home media ===
[[Lionsgate Home Entertainment]] released the first season of ''Less Than Perfect'' on DVD in Region 1 on {{Start date|2010|9|7}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Perfect-Season-1/13906|title=Less Than Perfect DVD news: Announcement for Less Than Perfect - Season 1|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|access-date=2012-02-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728091902/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Perfect-Season-1/13906|archive-date=July 28, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> An error occurred on the set, in which the episodes appear in production code order rather that order of airdate, causing a particular issue with the season finale, which appears second-to-last and would chronologically be out-of-order if the second season were to be released on DVD.

== Reception ==
=== Critical reception ===
Early reviews for the show 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.<ref>Bianco, Robert (October 1, 2002), "'Less Than Perfect' aptly named, but Rue is nearly flawless". ''USA Today''.</ref>  ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine likewise criticized the stereotypical characters, but summarized the show as "Hardly perfect but happily Rueful."<ref>Kelleher, Terry (October 28, 2002), "Less Than Perfect (TV program)". ''People''. '''58''' (18):30</ref>  However, by Season 3, ''USA Today'' said the show had "hit its stride."<ref>Robert Bianco (November 26, 2004), "Unwind, rewind, watch these shows". ''[[USA Today]]''.</ref> {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|33|6.5|18||access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}<ref>{{cite web| title=Less Than Perfect (2002 - 2003)| url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/less_than_perfect/s01| website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]| access-date=June 19, 2023}}</ref>

=== Ratings ===
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|-
! Season
! Episodes
! Timeslot ([[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]])
! Season Premiere
! Season Finale
! style="background:#ffdead;"| TV season
! style="background:#ffdead;"| Rank
! style="background:#ffdead;"| Viewers <br> (in millions)
|-
! [[List of Less Than Perfect episodes#Season 1 (2002–03)|1]]
| align="center"| 22
| rowspan="2" align="center"| Tuesday 9:30 PM
| align="center"| {{Start date|2002|10|1}}
| align="center"| {{End date|2003|5|20}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[2002–03 United States network television schedule|2002–03]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''85'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''8.10'''<ref>"[http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.tv/browse_thread/thread/ee82c0640bcaeb06/82c78e0fe7710443?lnk=st&q=nielsen+top+156&rnum=1#82c78e0fe7710443 Nielsen's TOP 156 Shows for 2002–03] Retrieved July 29, 2008.</ref>
|-
! [[List of Less Than Perfect episodes#Season 2 (2003–04)|2]]
| align="center"| 24
| align="center"| {{Start date|2003|9|23}}
| align="center"| {{End date|2004|5|18}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[2003–04 United States network television schedule|2003–04]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''66'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''8.80'''<ref name="2003–2004 TV Ratings">"[http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11 2003–2004 TV Ratings] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521081534/http://www.abcmedianet.com/Web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=060204_11 |date=May 21, 2008 }} Retrieved July 29, 2008.</ref>
|-
! [[List of Less Than Perfect episodes#Season 3 (2004–05)|3]]
| align="center"| 22
| align="center"| Friday 9:30 PM
| align="center"| {{Start date|2004|9|24}}
| align="center"| {{End date|2005|4|15}}
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[2004–05 United States network television schedule|2004–05]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''94'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''6.20'''<ref name="2003–2004 TV Ratings"/>
|-
! [[List of Less Than Perfect episodes#Season 4 (2006)|4]]
| align="center"| 13{{efn|8 episodes remained unaired until syndication on [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]].}}
| align="center"| Tuesday 9:30 PM
| align="center"| {{Start date|2006|4|18}}
| align="center"| {{End date|2006|6|6}}{{efn|The date of ABC's final airing.}}<ref name="final date"/>
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| [[2005–06 United States network television schedule|2005–06]]
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''115'''
| style="background:#fc9; text-align:center;"| '''4.90'''<ref>"[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393 2005–2006 TV Ratings] Retrieved July 29, 2008.</ref>
|-
|}

=== Awards and nominations ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:99%; text-align:center;"
|-
!| Year
!| Association 
!| Category
!| Recipient(s)
!| Result
|-
| rowspan=2|2003
| [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Breakout TV Show|Choice Breakout TV Show]]
| ''Less Than Perfect''<ref>{{cite magazine| title=2003 Teen Choice Awards Nominees| url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/2003-teen-choice-awards-nominees-70551/amp/| magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| date=June 18, 2003| access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Satellite Awards]]
| [[7th Golden Satellite Awards#Best Supporting Actor – Musical or Comedy Series|Best Supporting Actor – Musical or Comedy Series]]
| Eric Roberts
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=2|2005
| [[BET|BET Comedy Awards]]
| [[BET|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series]]
| Sherri Shepherd
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Women's Image Network Awards|WIN Awards]]
| [[Women's Image Network Awards#The WIN Awards 2005|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series]]
| Andrea Parker
| {{won}}
|}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0320052}}

{{TGIF (ABC)}}

[[Category:2002 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2006 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2000s American multi-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:2000s American workplace comedy television series]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television series about television]]
[[Category:Television series by ABC Studios]]
[[Category:Television series created by Terri Minsky]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New York City]]
[[Category:TGIF (TV programming block)]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company sitcoms]]