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.

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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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.

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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Fox still isn’t sure whether its new Niecy Nash/Jerry O’Connell sitcom will be permanently called Do Not Disturb — it was previously titled The Inn, as well — but that hasn’t stopped executives from putting together a pilot and photos of the cast in character.

Take a look at the full crew in the above still, a few more snaps after the jump, and the preview clips already posted. Does this look like a winning combination to you?

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‘Til Death will have a different comedy companion this fall on Wednesday nights now that Back to You has been canceled. The new sitcom, tentatively titled Do Not Disturb (previously known as The Inn), stars familiar faces Niecy Nash (Reno 911!) and Jerry O’Connell (Carpoolers, Crossing Jordan), and it will follow the older show at 9:30pm EST.

Set in a hip New York hotel, the workplace comedy focuses on the employees who make up the establishment’s management team. As they go about their business helping run one of the city’s hottest and most successful attractions, viewers learn that the sophisticated outer veneer is drastically different from what happens behind the scenes.

Arrogant, self-absorbed Neal (O’Connell) is the general manager who thinks the hotel is a hit because of him alone, and Rhonda (Nash) is the straightforward human-resources manager who keeps everything and everybody in check.

Robert Wagner (most recently seen on CBS’ Two and a Half Men) guest stars as the hotel’s charming owner, while supporting actors/characters include Molly Stanton (Twins) as Nicole, a former model who oversees the front desk; Brando Eaton, (Zoey 101) as Jason, the reluctant but buff bellman; Jesse Tyler Ferguson (The Class) as housekeeping manager Larry, who gets more work done on his personal life than the hotel; and Jolene Purdy (Donnie Darko) as pop star wannabe Molly, the voice heard when making reservations.

The series is set up hierarchically, with Neal, Rhonda, Nicole, and Joey representing the “upstairs” staff that visitors see and interact with in person, and Larry and Molly representing the “downstairs” employees who toil away from the public eye.

Fox has ordered 13 episodes of the series and released an impressive four clips to get potential fans excited about the show. Check them all out after the jump to decide what you think.

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