It’s not often comedic material when a TV show zeroes in on the obvious divide between people from two different social classes. Take Gossip Girl, for example, or even Atlanta, where the excess of money from one end and the lack of it from the other come into stark contrast, albeit also in vastly differing contexts, and is at the center of all the drama.
That’s why CBS’ newest sitcom Broke is a fresh take on what happens when the wealthy elite mingles with the working middle class. After receiving the pilot order in late February 2019, it was announced that the production was ordered to series in May. Not long after that, CBS revealed that it would premiere at the mid-season mark during the 2019/2020 season.
And just recently it was announced that Broke will premiere on Thursday, April 2nd, succeeding Carol’s Second Act after the show ends its 18-episode freshman run.
Who’s in charge?
Emmy Award winner Alex Herschlag, the mind behind Will & Grace, is part of the creative team as an executive producer as well as the scriptwriter for the pilot episode. Joining him as co-executive producers are Jennie Snyder Urman (Jane the Virgin), Joanna Klein, Ben Silverman, Jaime Camil, under the CBS Television Studio, Sutton Street Prods., and Propagate studios.
Guillermo Restrepo, Gonzalo Cilley, and Maria Lucia Hernandez are also executive producers for the creative partners RCN TV and Resonant TV. While the pilot director is Victor Gonzalez.
What’s Broke about?
Broke is a comedy about Jackie, a single mother who’s working two jobs to make ends meet for herself and her young son, Sammy. Their life is quickly and unexpectedly turned upside down when Elizabeth, her estranged sister, and her wealthy husband Javier show up on their doorstep. Along with their ever-so-loyal driver slash friend slash personal assistant, Luis.
As it turns out, Javier was cut off by his family, and now they’re broke and in need of a place to stay.
This new series highlights the obvious class divide between the sisters in a veil of comedic gold while simultaneously showing the unbreakable bond between family. Though it certainly pushes the boundaries throughout the run of the show.
Who’s playing who?
Suburban mother Jackie will be played by Pauley Perrette. Who displays a less eccentric, less goth, but still equally charismatic personality than what longtime fans saw when she was Abby Sciuto, the quirky forensic scientist on NCIS.
Natasha Leggero (Another Period) has been cast to play Jackie’s snobby older sister Elizabeth. While her outrageously wealthy trust fund husband will be played by the charming Jaime Camil (Jane the Virgin).
Joining them as main cast members are Izzy Diaz as Luis, who apparently remains with the family despite no longer being paid. As well as Antonio Corbo as Sammy, Jackie’s son.
The official trailer of Broke, which you can watch above, dropped in Mid-May and really sets out the foundation of the series. Laced with hilarious exaggerations of the difference in social class, it also holds the promise of heartwarming reconciliations between sisters. And may even show that not all who are wealthy are evil, as proven by the big-hearted Javier.
So, make sure you tune in to watch this upcoming comedy when it premieres on April 2nd at 9:30/8:30 central on CBS!