Less Than Perfect
Encyclopedia
Less Than Perfect is an American sitcom that aired on ABC
from October 1, 2002, to June 6, 2006. The show was about a young female office employee (played by Sara Rue
) and her co-workers. The show was directed by Skip Collector and Ted Wass
, among others.
, centers on Claude (Sara Rue
), who works at a television network called GNB. Claude is the assistant for anchor Will Butler (Eric Roberts
). Comedians Andy Dick
, Will Sasso
, and Sherri Shepherd
play her co-workers and friends, while Zachary Levi
and Andrea Parker
play her rivals at work.
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." Over the course of the series, Rue lost 30 lb (13.6 kg; 2.1 st).
TVGuide.com featured the show on a list of "Endangered Series." Ratings in the coveted 18–49 demographic were high enough, and the show 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.
ABC confirmed on May 17, 2006 that the fourth season would be its last. ABC showed only part of the fourth season as scheduled. After five of the 13 episodes aired, ABC ceased broadcasting of the show, with the last episode broadcast on June 6, 2006. However, these episodes which were not broadcast in the US have been shown in other countries.
The show joined Lifetime Television
on June 1, 2009 in syndication and airs all 81 episodes including the eight episodes previously not broadcast in the US, but as of 2010 it is no longer on the schedule.
in Austria, on 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 yesSTARS in Israel
, on Cuatro
in Spain, on Sky Italia
's Fox
and MTV Italia
in Italy, on Kanal 5
in Denmark, on HRT
and Fox Life
in Croatia
, Serbia
, 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 TV2
in New Zealand, with the remaining episodes (eight and 10 through 13) yet to be scheduled. The show also aired on 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 has also been aired on RTÉ Two
in Ireland.
. 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 stereotypical characters, but summarized the show as "Hardly perfect but happily Rueful." However, by Season 3, USA Today said the show had "hit its stride."
released the first season of Less Than Perfect on DVD in Region 1 on .
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
from October 1, 2002, to June 6, 2006. The show was about a young female office employee (played by Sara Rue
Sara Rue
Sara Rue is an American television actress. She is best known for the roles she played as Carmen Ferrara on the comedy-drama Popular and Claude Casey on the sitcom Less Than Perfect. She is also known as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig...
) and her co-workers. The show was directed by Skip Collector and Ted Wass
Ted Wass (actor)
Ted Wass , is an American actor and director. Goodman School of Drama graduate Wass made his Broadway debut in the 1976 production Grease...
, among others.
Overview and premise
The show, created by Terri MinskyTerri Minsky
Terri Minsky is an American television writer and producer who created Lizzie McGuire, Less Than Perfect, and The Geena Davis Show as well as writing several episodes of Sex and the City...
, centers on Claude (Sara Rue
Sara Rue
Sara Rue is an American television actress. She is best known for the roles she played as Carmen Ferrara on the comedy-drama Popular and Claude Casey on the sitcom Less Than Perfect. She is also known as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig...
), who works at a television network called GNB. Claude is the assistant for anchor Will Butler (Eric Roberts
Eric Roberts
Eric Anthony Roberts is an American actor. His career began with King of the Gypsies , earning a Golden Globe nomination for best actor debut. He starred as the protagonist in the 1980 dramatisation of Willa Cather's 1905 short story, Paul's Case...
). Comedians Andy Dick
Andy Dick
Andrew R. "Andy" Dick is an American comedian, actor, musician and television/film producer. His first regular television role was on the short-lived but highly influential Ben Stiller Show. In the mid-1990s, he had a long-running stint on NBC's NewsRadio...
, Will Sasso
Will Sasso
William "Will" Sasso is a Canadian comedian and actor. He is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on the American sketch comedy series MADtv, spending five seasons on the show.-Early life:...
, and Sherri Shepherd
Sherri Shepherd
Sherri Evonne Shepherd is an American comedienne, actress, and television personality. She is one of five co-hosts on the ABC daytime talkshow, The View, as well as being the current host of the Newlywed Game and having a recurring role as Angie Jordan on the NBC series 30 Rock...
play her co-workers and friends, while Zachary Levi
Zachary Levi
Zachary Levi Pugh , better known by his stage name Zachary Levi , is an American television actor, director, and singer known for the roles of Kipp Steadman in Less than Perfect, Chuck Bartowski in Chuck, and Flynn Rider in Tangled.- Early life :Zachary Levi Pugh was born in Lake Charles,...
and Andrea Parker
Andrea Parker
Andrea Nicole Parker is an American actress and former ballet dancer.-Career:Parker began ballet training at age 6 and at age 15 she joined a professional dance company. She quit her career in ballet after three years of touring and trained to become an actress while working as a bartender...
play her rivals at work.
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." Over the course of the series, Rue lost 30 lb (13.6 kg; 2.1 st).
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, 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." Ratings in the coveted 18–49 demographic were high enough, and the show was near the threshold for number of episodes needed for syndication
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
, 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.
ABC confirmed on May 17, 2006 that the fourth season would be its last. ABC showed only part of the fourth season as scheduled. After five of the 13 episodes aired, ABC ceased broadcasting of the show, with the last episode broadcast on June 6, 2006. However, these episodes which were not broadcast in the US have been shown in other countries.
The show joined Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television, often referred to as Lifetime TV, or most commonly, Lifetime, is an American cable television specialty channel devoted to movies, sitcoms and dramas, all of which are either geared toward women or feature women in lead roles. The cable network is owned by A&E Television Networks...
on June 1, 2009 in syndication and airs all 81 episodes including the eight episodes previously not broadcast in the US, but as of 2010 it is no longer on the schedule.
Main characters
- Sara RueSara RueSara Rue is an American television actress. She is best known for the roles she played as Carmen Ferrara on the comedy-drama Popular and Claude Casey on the sitcom Less Than Perfect. She is also known as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig...
as Claudia "Claude" Casey, a lovable female worker. She is bright with her co-workers and her con-artist enemy, Lydia. She is always the lead character and is seen in all episodes of the show. - Sherri ShepherdSherri ShepherdSherri Evonne Shepherd is an American comedienne, actress, and television personality. She is one of five co-hosts on the ABC daytime talkshow, The View, as well as being the current host of the Newlywed Game and having a recurring role as Angie Jordan on the NBC series 30 Rock...
as Ramona Platt, a coworker of Owen and good friend of Claude. She is sometimes bossy with her coworkers. - Andy DickAndy DickAndrew R. "Andy" Dick is an American comedian, actor, musician and television/film producer. His first regular television role was on the short-lived but highly influential Ben Stiller Show. In the mid-1990s, he had a long-running stint on NBC's NewsRadio...
as Owen Kronsky, an offbeat and sometimes clumsy office supply manager with GNB. - Andrea ParkerAndrea ParkerAndrea Nicole Parker is an American actress and former ballet dancer.-Career:Parker began ballet training at age 6 and at age 15 she joined a professional dance company. She quit her career in ballet after three years of touring and trained to become an actress while working as a bartender...
as Lydia Weston, one of Claude's antagonists. She is shallow, snobby and professionally ambitious. Eventually, she has a relationship with Jeb Denton. - Zachary LeviZachary LeviZachary Levi Pugh , better known by his stage name Zachary Levi , is an American television actor, director, and singer known for the roles of Kipp Steadman in Less than Perfect, Chuck Bartowski in Chuck, and Flynn Rider in Tangled.- Early life :Zachary Levi Pugh was born in Lake Charles,...
as Kipp Steadman, Claude's other antagonist who later becomes Jeb Denton's assistant. - Eric RobertsEric RobertsEric Anthony Roberts is an American actor. His career began with King of the Gypsies , earning a Golden Globe nomination for best actor debut. He starred as the protagonist in the 1980 dramatisation of Willa Cather's 1905 short story, Paul's Case...
as Will Butler, (2002–2005) (Seasons 1–3, 57 episodes) a national newsanchor at GNB with many ex-wives. Will is Claude's boss. - Will SassoWill SassoWilliam "Will" Sasso is a Canadian comedian and actor. He is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on the American sketch comedy series MADtv, spending five seasons on the show.-Early life:...
as Carl Monari (2003–2006) (Seasons 2–4 [guest starring in season 1], 40 episodes). He lives across the hall from Claude and works at GNB as the cafeteria manager. - Patrick WarburtonPatrick WarburtonPatrick John Warburton is an American actor of television, film, and voice. He is best known for his several TV roles, including the title role of The Tick, David Puddy on Seinfeld, the evil Johnny Johnson on NewsRadio, and anchorman Jeb Denton on Less Than Perfect...
as Jeb Denton, (2003–2006) the boyfriend of Claude's biggest enemy, Lydia. He's a very energetic, quiet, funny, serious, and greedy news anchor climbing the ladder at GNB. His favorite food is Crab Cakes. He refers to Kipp never by name, but merely as "Secretary."
Recurring characters
- Josh BraatenJosh BraatenJosh Braaten is an American actor. He grew up in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota and graduated from Blooming Prairie High in 1995...
as Charlie, Claude's boyfriend from the travel department. (2002–2003 & 2005, Seasons 1 & 3, 8 episodes) - William RagsdaleWilliam RagsdaleRobert William Ragsdale is an American actor.-Life and career:Ragsdale was born in El Dorado, Arkansas. He attended Hendrix College, where he appeared in plays with Sling Blade actress and fellow Arkansan Natalie Canerday....
as Mitch Calgrove, a producer at GNB who Claude dates (2004, Season 2, 4 episodes) - John Eric Bentley as an assistant director who becomes a director (2002 & 2006, Seasons 1 & 4, 3 episodes)
- George WynerGeorge WynerGeorge Wyner is an American film and television actor. He is probably best known for his role as ADA Bernstein on the series Hill Street Blues. Wyner graduated from Syracuse University in 1968 as a drama major, and was an in-demand character actor by the early 1970s. To date, Wyner has made guest...
as Alan Turnbach, head of GNB news (2003 & 2006, Seasons 1 & 4, 3 episodes) - French StewartFrench StewartMilton French Stewart , better known by his stage name French Stewart, is an American actor, best known for his role as Harry Solomon on the 1990s sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun.-Early life:...
as Gene Schmidtline, an employee at GNB (2003–2005, Seasons 2–3, 3 episodes) - Jenny McCarthyJenny McCarthyJennifer Ann "Jenny" McCarthy is an American model, comedian, actress, author, activist, and game show host. She began her career in 1993 as a nude model for Playboy magazine and was later named their Playmate of the Year. McCarthy then parlayed her Playboy fame into a successful television and...
as Dani, Will's on-and-off girlfriend (2003, Season 2, 3 episodes) - Diana-Maria RivaDiana-Maria RivaDiana-Maria Riva is an American actress.-Early life:Riva was born Diana-Maria Uhlenbrock in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Maria and Christopher Uhlenbrock, a dentist.-Career:...
as Vivian, Carl's ex-girlfriend (2004–2005, Seasons 2–3, 3 episodes) - Joanna Tamases as Irene, a co-worker at GNB who offers Claude a job (2006, Season 4, 3 episodes)
- Valerie HarperValerie HarperValerie Harper is an American actress, known for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern on the 1970s television show The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and for her starring roles on the sitcoms Rhoda and Valerie.-Early life and career:Harper was born at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, Rockland County,...
as Judith, Owen's mom (2003–2004, Seasons 2–3, 2 episodes) - Joanna KernsJoanna KernsJoanna Kerns is an American actress and director best known for her role as Maggie Seaver on the family situation comedy Growing Pains from 1985-1992.-Early life:...
as Judy, Owen's other mom (2003–2004, Seasons 2–3, 2 episodes) - Michael BoatmanMichael BoatmanMichael Patrick Boatman is an Image Award-nominated American actor and writer. He is best known for his roles as U.S. Army Specialist Samuel Beckett in the ABC drama series China Beach, as New York City mayoral aide Carter Heywood in the ABC sitcom Spin City, and as sports agent Stanley Babson in...
as Ted Elliot, a director who employs Claude (2003, Seasons 1–2, 2 episodes) - Michael AngaranoMichael Angarano- Early life :Angarano was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Doreen and Michael P. Angarano. He is of Italian descent. His family owns and operates three successful dance studios; two in New York and one in California called Reflections in Dance. His mother is the owner and director of all...
as George Denton, Jeb's son (2004, Seasons 2–3, 2 episodes) - Nicole SullivanNicole SullivanNicole Julianne Sullivan is an American actress, comedian and voice artist. Sullivan is best known for her six seasons on the sketch comedy series MADtv and five seasons on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens.She has played a recurring character on Scrubs and voices the villainous Shego in...
as Deirdre Bishop, Owen's love interest (2003, Season 1, 2 episodes)
One-off guest stars
- Martin MullMartin MullMartin Mull is an American actor who has starred in his own television sitcom and acted in prominent films. He is also a comedian, painter, and recording artist...
as Mr Buddy Casey, Claude's dad (2002, Season 1) - Cindy WilliamsCindy WilliamsCynthia Jane "Cindy" Williams is an American actress best known for starring in the television situation-comedy series Laverne & Shirley, in the role of "Shirley Feeney", and for her role as Laurie Henderson in the classic film American Graffiti.-Early life:Williams was born in Van Nuys,...
as Mrs Joan Casey, Claude's mom (2002, Season 1) - Joanna CassidyJoanna CassidyJoanna Cassidy is an American film and television actress. She is known for her role as the replicant Zhora in the Ridley Scott's film Blade Runner...
as Norma (2003, Season 1) - Trista RehnTrista RehnTrista Nicole Sutter was the runner-up on season 1 of the ABC reality television show The Bachelor, before becoming the star of the first season of its companion show The Bachelorette....
as Herself (2003, Season 1) - Richard RuccoloRichard Ruccolo-Early life:Ruccolo was born in Marlton, New Jersey. He attended Cherokee High School in Evesham Township, New Jersey. It was there Ruccolo first discovered his love of acting while starring as the lead in the high school's production of Oklahoma! After graduating he moved to Los Angeles to find...
as Bobby Casey, Claude's brother (2003, Season 1) - Barry BostwickBarry BostwickBarry Knapp Bostwick is an American actor and singer. He is known for playing Brad Majors in the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, replacing Peter Scolari as Mr. Tyler in the sitcom What I Like About You, and playing mayor Randall Winston in the sitcom Spin City...
as Max Damarius (2003, Season 1) - Gordon ClappGordon ClappGordon Clapp is an American actor, best known for portraying the role of Det. Greg Medavoy for all 12 seasons on the television series NYPD Blue, winning an Emmy Award in 1998.-Early and personal life:...
as Detective Martin (2003, Season 2) - Pamela AndersonPamela AndersonPamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model, producer, author, activist, and former showgirl, known for her roles on the television series Home Improvement, Baywatch, and V.I.P. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990...
as Vicki Devorski (2003, Season 2) - Bill WaltonBill WaltonWilliam Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while...
as Himself (2004, Season 2) - Lesley Ann WarrenLesley Ann WarrenLesley Ann Warren is an American actress and singer. She has been nominated once for an Academy Award and Emmy Awards and five times for Golden Globe, winning one....
as Diane Steadman, Kipp's mom (2004, Season 2) - Brooke BurkeBrooke BurkeBrooke Burke Charvet , better known by her maiden name, Brooke Burke, is an actress, dancer, model and television personality...
as Nurse Benson (2004, Season 2) - James BelushiJames BelushiJames Adam "Jim" Belushi is an American actor, comedian, and musician. He is the younger brother of comic actor John Belushi.-Early life:Belushi was born in Chicago...
as sandwich vendor Eddie Smirkoff (2004, Season 2) - John McEnroeJohn McEnroeJohn Patrick McEnroe, Jr. is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles , nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title...
as Himself (2004, Season 2) - Tori SpellingTori SpellingVictoria Davey "Tori" Spelling is an American actress. Spelling became known in the early 1990s for her role as Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210. Spelling then had roles in a string of made-for-television films, such as A Friend to Die For and Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?...
as Roxanne Fiedler (2004, Season 2) - Lucy LawlessLucy LawlessLucy Lawless, MNZM is a New Zealander actress and singer best known for playing the title character of the internationally successful television series Xena: Warrior Princess....
as Tracy Fletcher (2004, Season 3) - Richard KindRichard KindRichard John Kind is an American actor known for his roles in the sitcoms Mad About You and Spin City .- Early life :...
as Lance Corcoran (2004, Season 3) - John Di Maggio as Bartender (2004, Season 3)
- David CassidyDavid CassidyDavid Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
as Vince (2005, Season 3) - Paula AbdulPaula AbdulPaula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
as Kathleen (2005, Season 3) - Kimberly Williams as Laura (2005, Season 3)
- Regis PhilbinRegis PhilbinRegis Francis Xavier Philbin is an American media personality, actor and singer, known for hosting talk and game shows since the 1960s. Philbin is often called "the hardest working man in show business" and holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera...
as Xin Xao Pi (2005, Season 3) - Joan RiversJoan RiversJoan Rivers is an American comedian, television personality and actress. She is known for her brash manner; her loud, raspy voice with a heavy New York accent; and her numerous cosmetic surgeries...
as Louise (2005, Season 3) - Paul DiMeoPaul DiMeoPaul DiMeo in Media, Pennsylvania is an American television personality, philanthropist, building designer, and carpenter who is a regular cast member of the reality television series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. He is originally from Media, Pennsylvania and a family of five children...
, Tracy HutsonTracy HutsonTracy Hutson is a television personality and one of the original style consultants on ABC TV's television series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Hutson grew up in Richardson, Texas.-Acting career:...
& Michael MoloneyMichael MoloneyMichael C. Moloney is a Decorator and television personality who makes regular appearances on the reality television series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition...
as themselves, as the cast of Extreme MakeoverExtreme MakeoverExtreme Makeover is a television program from ABC in which individuals volunteered to receive an extensive makeover in Hollywood. The show was created by television producer Howard Schultz. It first aired as a television special. It began airing in 2002 on Thursday nights at 8pm. A total of 55...
(2005, Season 3) - Star JonesStar JonesStar Jones is an American lawyer, journalist, writer, and television personality. She is known for her role as a co-host of the ABC weekday morning talk show The View...
as Dr Curtis (2005, Season 3) - Christopher Knight as Waiter (2005, Season 3)
- Tony PlanaTony PlanaTony Plana is a Cuban-American actor and director. He is well known for playing Betty Suarez's father, Ignacio Suarez, on the ABC show Ugly Betty.-Personal life:...
as The Owl Inspector did not really have a name. Claude and Carl were refereeing him as the "Owl Specialist". He has a frustrating personality because Claude didn't want him to take away or shoot her kind owls. He only made his appearance in "The Owl Specialist".
International broadcasting of show
Less Than Perfect is currently showing on Comedy Central in the United Kingdom and Ireland, on ATVATV (Austria)
ATV is currently the largest commercial television station in Austria and was originally the first commercial station to be aired via transmitters after a long time when commercial broadcasts in Austria were only possible via satellite or cable and the national public broadcaster ORF held a...
in Austria, on Nelonen
Nelonen
Nelonen is a Finnish commercial TV channel. It started out as Helsinki's local television channel PTV in 1989 on the HTV cable network, which name was changed first to PTV4 and then to Nelonen. It started on June 1, 1997. Nelonen, in Finnish, means the glyph of the number four. The channel is...
in Finland, on FOX8
FOX8
Fox8 is an Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms...
(pay TV) and the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
(free to air) in Australia, on MTV Russia
MTV Russia
MTV Russia is a Russian language free-to-air 24 hour entertainment and music service seen in 22 million households in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Omsk, Voronezh, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, among other cities.-History:...
in Russia, on Star World
STAR World
STAR World is an Asian English language cable and satellite television network owned by Star TV and Fox International Channels, fully owned subsidiaries of News Corporation. The channel is the successor of STAR Plus, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
for the rest of Asia, on yesSTARS in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, on Cuatro
Cuatro TV
Cuatro is a Spanish commercial television channel, on air since November 2005. Owned by Mediaset España Comunicación, it is broadcast on the TV frequencies licensed to the previous owner Sogecable in 1990 and previously used by them for the analogue transmission of its pay-per-view channel...
in Spain, on Sky Italia
Sky Italia
Sky Italia S.r.l. is an Italian digital satellite television platform owned by News Corporation launched on 1 August 2003, when the former platforms TELE+ and Stream TV merged together...
's Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
and MTV Italia
MTV Italy
MTV Italy is the Italian speaking version of the popular 24 hour music and youth entertainment channel. Unlike its counterparts elsewhere in Europe, MTV Italia is a national channel available free-to-air on terrestrial television since September 1, 1997 and available on digital terrestrial...
in Italy, on Kanal 5
Kanal 5 (Denmark)
Kanal 5 is a Danish subscription television channel operated by ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG.The station is broadcast to Denmark by satellite from London, showing mainly films, US drama shows and sports....
in Denmark, on HRT
Croatian Radiotelevision
Croatian Radiotelevision is a Croatian public broadcasting company. It operates several radio and television channels, over a domestic transmitter network as well as satellite...
and Fox Life
Fox Life
Fox Life is a television network, launched by the Fox Broadcasting Company, which airs across Latin America, Europe and Japan . Its basic programming include numerous television series, sitcoms and movies, among others, which includes some original programming in certain regions...
in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, on TV-First in Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
. The first seven episodes and episode nine of the final season of Less Than Perfect aired on TV2
TV 2 (New Zealand)
TV2 is a national television network in New Zealand, which is owned and operated by the state-owned broadcaster TVNZ. It targets a younger audience than its sister network, TV One...
in New Zealand, with the remaining episodes (eight and 10 through 13) yet to be scheduled. The show also aired on MBC 4
MBC 4
MBC 4 is the first free-to-air national television channel in the Middle East aired specifically for American programs. The downside of this all is that MBC 2, MBC 3, MBC 4, MBC Action, MBC Max,and MBC Drama all show movies and TV programs that are edited: taking out all drug use, sexual content,...
to Arabic speaking viewers. In Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, TNT Turkey airs. And ComedyMax
ComedyMax
ComedyMax is a television channel in Turkey, which broadcasts worldwide hit TV series as Turkish subtitled. It is exclusively available for Digiturk satellite package subscribers.-Shows:Some of the shows on ComedyMax:...
currently airs the show for Digiturk
Digiturk
Digiturk is a Turkish Satellite television provider, founded in 1999, with services starting in mid-2000. They offer, both national cable TV channels and their own channels, national radio, and music streams of different genres. Digiturk is also the current owner of the broadcasting rights of...
subscribers and Comedy Smart
Comedy Smart
Comedy Smart is a television channel in Turkey, which broadcasts worldwide hit TV comedy series as Turkish subtitled. It is exclusively available for D-Smart satellite package owners.-Shows:Some of the shows on Comedy Smart:...
airs for D-Smart subscribers. The show has also been aired on RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
in Ireland.
Critical
Early reviews for the show found the characterization generally stereotypical, but critics often praised the performance of Sara RueSara Rue
Sara Rue is an American television actress. She is best known for the roles she played as Carmen Ferrara on the comedy-drama Popular and Claude Casey on the sitcom Less Than Perfect. She is also known as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig...
. 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
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
magazine likewise criticized the stereotypical characters, but summarized the show as "Hardly perfect but happily Rueful." However, by Season 3, USA Today said the show had "hit its stride."
American ratings
| Season | Episodes | Premiere | Season finale | U.S. ratings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002–2003 | 22 | October 1, 2002 | May 20, 2003 | 8.1 million (85th place) |
| 2 | 2003–2004 | 24 | September 23, 2003 | May 18, 2004 | 8.8 million (66th place) |
| 3 | 2004–2005 | 22 | September 24, 2004 | April 15, 2005 | 6.2 million (94th place) |
| 4 | 2006 | 13 (8 unaired) | April 18, 2006 | June 6, 2006 | 4.9 million (115th place) |
DVD releases
Lionsgate Home EntertainmentLionsgate Home Entertainment
Lionsgate Home Entertainment is the home video and DVD distribution arm of Lions Gate Entertainment and most former Artisan Entertainment releases. Its library of more than 8000 films owes some of its size to output deals with other studios...
released the first season of Less Than Perfect on DVD in Region 1 on .
| Season | Episodes | Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 22 | TBA | TBA | |
| Season 2 | 24 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Season 3 | 22 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Season 4 | 13 | TBA | TBA | TBA |