Recently divorced no-nonsense lawyer Alex hires contractor Pete 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. 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, Pete's aspiring actor father Walt, Charlie's babysitter Simone and Pete's contractor crew.
Production
Filmed with a single-camera setup, 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. The first episode was directed by Craig Zisk, who previously directed episodes of Weeds and Nurse Jackie. 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."
Episodes
Reception
The New York Times really likedthe showBent 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 "atch two episodes, you begin to catch the rhythm; watch four, and you might be hooked. 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. The Star Tribune says "Chemistry Sets Bent Afire." Huffington Post's TV critic says "It's really charming." TV Guide gives "5 Reasons to Fall for the NBC Romantic ComedyBent" "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".
