ABC’s ‘Less Than Perfect’ Is Just That

Good news/bad news for the new ABC comedy, “Less Than Perfect.”

It benefits from having as a lead-in “Life With Bonnie,” another new series that is off to a strong start in the ratings, giving “Less Than Perfect” a potential audience rub-off.

On the other hand, “Less Than Perfect” suffers by comparison with Bonnie Hunt’s smarter, funnier comedy, making this pairing potentially risky for tonight’s newcomer.

“Less Than Perfect” is a workplace comedy whose major asset, Sara Rue, is breezily self-effacing as Claudia Casey, who somehow wins a highly coveted job as assistant to star news anchorman Will Butler (Eric Roberts) on the prestigious 22nd floor of a large broadcast entity after laboring in the mailroom as a “permanent floater.”

The show’s title refers to Rue’s roundish shape, making her character a natural foil for slender colleagues who were entrenched outside Butler’s office long before she arrived, and who jealously try to sabotage her while currying favor with the anchorman themselves.

The likable Rue has an easy way with her material, but that material isn’t much. Aside from her personal appeal and laughs generated by Andy Dick as one of her office allies in a future episode, this show is one thudding brick.

Its problems relate to overwriting and over-the-top acting. The oily, super-vain Butler is such a familiar, broad stereotype and all-around unsavory yutz, for example, that there’s no explaining why Claudia and her nasty rivals fawn over him. Roberts should return to playing heavies, and the show’s producers to the drawing board.

“Less Than Perfect” will be shown at 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC. The network has rated it TV-PGD (may be unsuitable for young viewers, with an advisory for suggestive dialogue). Howard Rosenberg can be contacted at howard.rosenberg@ latimes.com.