Who didn’t see this coming, like, during the very first episode?

Entertainment Weekly reported the rumor first on Thursday: after just three little-watched episodes, Do Not Disturb will allegedly air no more due to Fox’s decision to cancel the series. Of course, since the unofficial confirmation came from some of those always unidentified “inside sources,” the network hasn’t had the chance to play catch up with a formal announcement yet. I reckon it won’t be long now.

This entirely expected outcome — it was only a matter of when, not if — follows right on the heels of a September 22 Variety article that detailed the Do Not Disturb production team’s request for a second chance to overcome the series’ awful showing and reception up to that time.

The industry publication clarified that Do Not Disturb’s producers had sent a letter of apology to several television critics acknowledging the poorness of the sitcom’s premiere episode “Work Sex,” which Fox swapped with the intended pilot (last scheduled to air on October for whatever reason. A DVD of a different episode that producers believed was better accompanied the letter.

As a result of the cancellation development, repeats of ‘Til Death will take over Do Not Disturb’s former 9:30pm to 10pm EST slot on Wednesdays, presumably starting on October 1 … provided this rumor is actually true.

If it is, so long, Niecy and Jerry! I know you both can do much, much better next time.

***The cancellation is official as of September 26, 2008.

The CBS Wednesday-Night Comedy Lineup Launches

Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Wednesday, September 24 follows.

All times are Eastern Standard.

The New Adventures of Old Christine — A Decent Proposal
Christine and Barb plan a loveless fake wedding so Barb won’t be deported to the Bahamas (of all places), and Richard works on asking New Christine to marry him.
[8pm-8:30pm/CBS/Fourth-Season Premiere]

Gary Unmarried — Pilot
Recently divorced Gary has to deal with the news that his ex-wife is remarrying while also coping with his kids and a new woman in his own life.
[8:30pm-9pm/CBS/Series Premiere]

‘Til Death — Dreamguys
Joy and Kenny get a little too close, prompting Eddie to overcompensate at a party because he feels excluded and jealous. Mass mayhem caused by a really tall dude ensues.
[9pm-9:30pm/Fox]

Do Not Disturb — Dosing
The owners of The Inn stop by to get (really, really) cozy with the staff, just as Rhonda and Neal have difficulty reconciling their different approaches to giving employees performance bonuses.
[9:30pm-10pm/Fox]

Original Air Date: September 17, 2008

It’s too bad. I really, really want to like Do Not Disturb because I really, really like Reno 911! player Niecy Nash. Unfortunately, however, the show isn’t doing anything so far to help me out in that department. If you thought the series premiere was a sign of bad things to come, it’s unlikely the show’s second episode will change that foreboding feeling.

Despite a few funny moments, the humor is nowhere near as plentiful and consistent as it should be on a sitcom. Plus, the overemphasis placed on the character Larry’s gayness just makes the show seem painfully behind the times rather than hip or groundbreaking. Give us something new, please.

The main plot of “Birdcage” focuses on perpetually horny general manager Neal, who comes up with the grand idea of installing a life-sized birdcage in the hotel’s bar to show off the female employees he considers to be hot. Rhonda blows a gasket as soon as she learns about the sexist plan, and Nicole grows increasingly upset when Neal doesn’t ask her to do time in the cage. She thinks he thinks she’s not a “hot piece of meat” anymore, although Neil claims he just has too much respect for her.

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This is the one with “big” guest star Audrina Patridge of MTV’s fake yet popular reality series The Hills.

The plot doesn’t sound like it diverges much from last week’s Do Not Disturb series premiere, either, which primarily focused on adults behaving immaturely when it comes to sex-related stuff.

This time around, general manager Neal hangs a life-sized birdcage in the hotel’s bar to showcase female employees he considers attractive, which understandably and predictably gets the panties of Human Resources boss Rhonda in all kinds of twists.

A selection of photos from the episode follows the jump.

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Notable comedy television scheduled for the week ending Sunday, September 21 follows. All times are Eastern Standard.

Monday | September 8

Weeds — If You Work For A Living, Why Do You kill Yourself Working?
Nancy must deal with both the DEA and Esteban; Celia ventures to Mexico to patch up her relationship with her daughter Quinn; Silas and Lisa’s former husband meet; and Doug gets a new lease on life.
[10pm-10:30pm/Showtime/Fourth-Season Finale]

Tuesday | September 9

Eureka — Here Come the Suns
Zoe’s science partner creates a second sun, which threatens Eureka and diverts attention from the mayoral race.
[9pm-10pm/Sci Fi Channel]

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Let me just get this out of the way: I used to like Niecy Nash, but after a recent interview she graciously participated in to spread the word about her new Fox sitcom Do Not Disturb, I absolutely love her.

Do Not Disturb is a workplace comedy set at the posh and highly successful New York City hotel The Inn. The comedienne and actress probably most familiar to many TV watchers as Reno 911!’s straight-talking Deputy Raineesha Williams plays the more mainstream yet no less direct character Rhonda Peete, the head of The Inn’s Human Resources department.

Nash describes the competent executive as an educated, ghetto-fabulous, truth-telling Mary Poppins," and also a single woman with no kids who "loves very hard" and considers her colleagues at The Inn a surrogate family.

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Get a first look at “Work Sex,” the premiere episode of Fox’s new sitcom Do Not Disturb in the stills after the jump.

The series begins tomorrow night at 9:30pm EST, immediately after the third-season premiere of ‘Til Death, although the first episode isn’t the pilot, which was postponed until later. Perhaps network executives think having “sex” in the title and lots of naughty dialogue will make viewers come running. Maybe, maybe not…

Photos follow the jump.

The Fall 2008 TV season is kicking into full gear, which means it’s time to roll out the weekly guide to comedy TV again.

At the beginning of each week, the post will list NEW episodes only of series covered at Comedy Centric. Videos, photos, and additional spoilers will still be published on an individual basis when available, however.

The following episodes are scheduled for the week ending Sunday, September 14. All times are Eastern Standard.

Monday | September 8

Weeds — Till We Meet Again
Nancy goes to the DEA, Celia begins to appreciate rehab, Doug learns about Andy and Maria’s relationship, and Shane uses drugs to impress his two girlfriends.
[10pm-10:30pm/Showtime]

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Darn it!

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to participate in an interview with the one and only Niecy Nash, star of Comedy Central’s ridiculous — and I mean that in such a good way — Reno 911!, not to mention the upcoming Fox fall sitcom Do Not Disturb.

I knew it would probably lead to nothing, especially considering the Q&A was in support of the Fox show. But how could I possibly pass up this unique chance to get some scoop on who died at the end of Reno 911!’s fifth-season finale, “The Parade”?

Most bets, including mine, seem to be on Nash’s Deputy Raineesha Williams meeting her maker since the actress has this new gig, but nobody’s saying for sure. So, I took a deep breath and plunged in with my question, hoping against the odds to resolve this dilemma once and for all.

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Do Not Disturb, Fox’s latest sitcom, launches next Wednesday, September 10, at 9:30pm EST with the series premiere alluringly titled “Work Sex.” Take a closer look at the show’s cast in the photos the network recently released. Images follow the jump.

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