Outsourced (TV series)

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Outsourced
File:Outsourced-TVseries.jpg
Genre Comedy
Developed by Robert Borden
Starring Ben Rappaport
Anisha Nagarajan
Diedrich Bader
Parvesh Cheena
Pippa Black
Rebecca Hazlewood
Rizwan Manji
Sacha Dhawan
Theme music composer Michael A. Levine
Composer(s) Transcenders
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 22 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Ken Kwapis
Robert Borden
Victor Nelli Jr.
Tom Gorai
David Skinner
Producer(s) James Simons
Jim Ellis
Patrick Walsh
Sonny Lee
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 21–23 minutes
Production company(s) In Cahoots Productions
Universal Media Studios
Open 4 Business Productions
Distributor NBCUniversal Television Distribution
Release
Original network NBC
Original release September 23, 2010 (2010-09-23) –
May 12, 2011 (2011-05-12)
External links
Website

Outsourced is an American television sitcom set in an Indian workplace. It is based on the John Jeffcoat film of the same name and adapted by Robert Borden of George Lopez and Universal Media Studios for NBC. The series originally ran from September 23, 2010 to May 12, 2011.[1] The show was officially picked up by NBC on May 7, 2010[2] and on October 18, 2010, the show received a full season order.[3] Outsourced was filmed at Radford Studios in Studio City, Los Angeles, California.[4]

When the renewal of the show was not announced with renewal of other NBC shows, the cast and crew started a campaign for fans of the show to request its renewal.[5] On May 13, 2011, NBC announced that Outsourced was cancelled after one season.[6]

Outsourced is set in a call center in Mumbai, India, where an American novelties company has recently outsourced its order processing. A lone American manages the call center and must explain American popular culture to his employees as he tries to understand Indian culture.

Characters

Main characters

  • Ben Rappaport as Todd Dempsy, a Kansas City native who is transferred to India to run the call center for Mid American Novelties. He does not understand Indian culture and is constantly unintentionally offending workers. He was revealed to be a big fan of Kansas City Chiefs football. Eventually he becomes more aware of Indian culture. He is currently employed as executive manager.
  • Rizwan Manji as Rajiv Gidwani, Todd's assistant manager at Mid American Novelties. He is hard-nosed and unapologetic and he aspires to be Todd's replacement (whether that happens due to either Todd's success or his downfall). When Todd is promoted to executive manager, he is promoted to manager. His intentions are not to be mean, but to only run the company professionally and business-like. It had been his lifelong dream to become a successful business manager so he can win the hand of Vimi, whom he had loved since childhood. Once he became manager, he married Vimi, his fiancée.
  • Sacha Dhawan as Manmeet, a call center employee for Mid American Novelties, who dreams of America and quickly becomes good friends with his boss, Todd Dempsy. He is known for being the "hip" one, who is fascinated by American culture. Manmeet is girl-crazy; he has had several "over the phone" relationships with American callers and flirts with almost every woman he meets. He seems more interested in American women than Indian women, stating in one episode that American women are not concerned with his father's occupation or where he went to school. This, along with his reluctance to ask one of Tonya's friends to dance at a Halloween party, indicates that Manmeet may actually have a bit of an inferiority complex.
  • Rebecca Hazlewood as Asha, a call center employee for Mid American Novelties and love interest of Todd, who is frequently the voice of reason in the office and plans to pursue an arranged marriage. There may possibly be a relationship or love situation going on between Todd and Asha despite there already being one with Tonya. Just before the series finale Tonya breaks up with Todd because he still has feelings for Asha. In the last scene of the finale, Asha tells Todd to fight for what he wants, and takes his hand as they look out over the nighttime ocean at Rajiv and Vimi's wedding, strongly implying that she wants him to fight for her because of her feelings for him as well.
  • Parvesh Cheena as Gupta, a very talkative call center employee for Mid American Novelties, who constantly yearns to be the center of attention. His alter ego is "Aluk". After Todd inspires him to grab some independence from his parents, Gupta rents his own place in the apartment directly above Todd's.
  • Anisha Nagarajan as Madhuri, a shy and soft-spoken call center employee for Mid American Novelties whose income alone supports her entire family. As time passes, Madhuri opens up, becoming one of the office gossips. Madhuri also has a beautiful singing voice, and the others convince her to enter a singing contest.
  • Diedrich Bader as Charlie Davies, another American call center manager for the company All-American Hunter. For several episodes, Charlie nurses a crush on Tonya, but eventually has a short term relationship with Tonya's mother.
  • Pippa Black as Tonya, an Australian call center manager for the company Koala Airlines who is easygoing with a sense of adventure; by mid-season, she and Todd are romantically involved until just before the end of the series.

Main recurring principal characters

These two were featured and then became breakout characters.

  • Guru Singh as Ajeet, a tall, silent Sikh whose character was developed throughout the season. Shows displeasure at Todd's cultural gaffes throughout the series. Madhuri's love interest. He is a poet. He first speaks in the season finale episode and played a major role.
  • Thushari Jayasekera as Pinky, a fun and hard working call center worker at Mid America Novelties, who is adventure seeking, ready to learn and whose character was developed in depth through the season. Does funny and awkward things. Ready to defend her fellow call center team as well as party with the big boss. Played a leading role in the season finale.

Recurring characters

  • A-Team, a group of higher authorities, rude, snobby, and taunting, they on the higher class scale of value in their company which happens to be located in the same building
  • Jerry Stern (played by Matt Walsh), Todd's supervisor; he is often careless and somewhat of a jerk. After his wife left him he became a "party guy" for a moment then went back to professionalism, then promoted Todd to executive manager which put Rajiv at manager.
  • Santosh, the maid at Todd's apartment,
  • Vimi, (played by Sarayu Rao in Jolly Vindaloo day and Noureen DeWulf in the rest of the series), Vimi is Rajiv's wife, they married after Rajiv became manager.
  • Ashlynn (played by Melissa Stephens)

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(million)
1 "Pilot" Ken Kwapis George Wing & John Jeffcoat September 23, 2010 (2010-09-23) 7.44[7]
When Todd Dempsy finishes management training for his job at Mid America Novelties, he finds that his call center has been outsourced to Mumbai, India, and that in order to keep his job, he must relocate to India and manage the call center there. He is picked up from the corporate housing by Rajiv, his assistant manager, who is interested in replacing him, and meets the rest of his employees. He also meets two other call center managers: Charlie, who gives him advice over lunch, and later Tonya, who immediately shows an interest in him.
2 "The Measure of a Manmeet" Victor Nelli, Jr. Paul A. Kaplan & Mark Torgove September 30, 2010 (2010-09-30) 5.85[8]
Management tasks Todd with evaluating his team, and laying off an employee due to low revenues. Gupta believes that he will be the one laid off as he incorrectly lip-reads Rajiv and Todd's conversation. Todd is invited by Manmeet to a hotel to eat steak and quickly befriends him. Todd finds out that the reason why revenue is down is because Manmeet flirts with his customers instead of selling products. He confronts Manmeet, who uses his flirtatiousness to sell more novelties and increasing revenue, so no one needs to be laid off.
3 "Party of Five" Gail Mancuso Robert Borden October 7, 2010 (2010-10-07) 5.22[9]
Todd and Charlie plan a double date with Asha and Tonya, only to have Gupta tag along.
4 "Jolly Vindaloo Day" Victor Nelli, Jr. Linda Videtti Figueiredo October 14, 2010 (2010-10-14) 5.40[10]
Rajiv attempts to keep Todd out of the office while his potential father-in-law visits. Some of the employees deal with harassment from the A-Team.
5 "Touched by an Anglo" Ken Kwapis Michael Pennie October 21, 2010 (2010-10-21) 4.95[11]
A shipment of sexual novelties leads to a seminar on sexual harassment. Someone calls the company hot-line to file a complaint against Todd.
6 "Bolloween" Michael Lehmann Sonny Lee & Patrick Walsh October 28, 2010 (2010-10-28) 5.94[12]
Todd explains Halloween to the employees, and throws a party to get closer to Asha.
7 "Truly, Madly, Pradeeply" Victor Nelli, Jr. Michael Loftus November 4, 2010 (2010-11-04) 5.74[13]
As Asha's arranged marriage process moves forward, Manmeet helps Todd infiltrate her list of potential suitors. Rajiv attempts to end Gupta's new-found enticement with chewing paan.
8 "Home for the Diwalidays" Linda Mendoza Vera Santamaria November 11, 2010 (2010-11-11) 5.48[14]
Todd wonders why everyone is well-dressed and finds out it is Diwali. He asks Management if he can give his employees time off for it and is denied. Todd decides to let them leave, and handle the calls himself, while Tonya tries to invite for a few drinks he declines and says he has to work. She suggests he put the call center on voicemail, they have sex in the break room table but is caught by Asha; who comes back to the office to help Todd out. Meanwhile, Rajiv buys a Sari for his fiancee that gets burned by fireworks and he ends up buying an overpriced sari from Madhuri
9 "Temporary Monsanity" Reggie Hudlin Laura Gutin November 18, 2010 (2010-11-18) 5.43[15]
Todd pressures the employees in attempt to win the Black Friday sales competition. Charlie challenges Gupta and Manmeet to a game of laser tag.
10 "Homesick to My Stomach" John Putch David Gross & Greg Lisbe December 2, 2010 (2010-12-02) 5.32[16]
Todd gets homesick watching his friends on webcam do a tailgate party for their football team. He learns from Charlie that he can watch his favorite football team's game at a local restaurant that has satellite TV. Todd is seen wearing a custom Chief's football jersey, buys a coconut and pretends to score a touchdown. Asha spots him, they talk and he eats the street food she just bought. Asha reminds him he is not used to that kind of dirty food and gets sick before the football game. After a few visits to the toilet he is carried out of the office by Charlie to the restaurant with Manmeet. At the restaurant Todd misses the game spending much time in the toilet both sick and homesick. Rajiv assumes managerial control when Todd becomes ill from street food. Madhuri, Asha, Charlie, Manmeet and Gupta visit Todd after work to have a tailgating party of their own.
11 "A Sitar is Born" John Scott Geetika Lizardi January 20, 2011 (2011-01-20) 3.95[17]
Todd overhears Madhuri sing in the bathroom and tries to coax her into singing in a local talent show. Gupta misunderstands Todd and volunteers himself as lead.
12 "Sari, Charlie" Victor Nelli, Jr. Luvh Rakhe January 27, 2011 (2011-01-27) 4.13[18]
Charlie discovers Todd and Tonya's relationship when he catches them kissing. Corporate informs Rajiv that the employees will be reviewing him.
13 "Training Day" Victor Nelli, Jr. Pete Holmes February 3, 2011 (2011-02-03) 3.74[19]
Todd rewards his workers with a retreat. Tonya tries to help Charlie find a date.
14 "The Todd Couple" Reggie Hudlin Amit Bhalla February 10, 2011 (2011-02-10) 3.61[20]
Todd suspends Gupta from work after he becomes angry with callers. Manmeet tries to juggle two online Valentine's Day dates.
15 "Guess Who's Coming to Delhi" Matt Shakman Terry Mulroy February 17, 2011 (2011-02-17) 3.20[21]
Todd is worried about how the workers will behave when his boss visits the call center. Charlie gets in trouble for being culturally insensitive.
16 "Take This Punjab and Shove It" Dennie Gordon Robert Borden February 24, 2011 (2011-02-24) 3.27[22]
When an employee quits, Todd jumps on the opportunity to hire someone new, only to have his recruit poached by someone close to him. Gupta finds himself in financial trouble as a result of him moving out of his parent's house into his own apartment, and must find a way to clear the dues.
17 "Todd's Holi War" Victor Nelli, Jr. Michael Pennie March 17, 2011 (2011-03-17) 3.59[23]
Todd discovers another company is hogging the air conditioning, leaving Mid-American Novelties to suffer through the heatwave. Meanwhile, Rajiv struggles to find an original way to propose to his girlfriend.
18 "Gupta's Hit & Manmeet's Missus" Troy Miller Mark Torgrove & Paul A. Kaplan March 24, 2011 (2011-03-24) 3.61[24]
Manmeet makes a video to send to his girlfriend Ashlynn in New York. Meanwhile, there is trouble between Gupta and Rajiv when Gupta accuses Rajiv of hitting him. World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler The Great Khali appears in a cameo.
19 "Charlie Curries a Favor From Todd" Kevin Dowling Linda Videtti Figueiredo April 7, 2011 (2011-04-07) 2.91[25]
Todd hires Charlie to work for Mid America Novelties. Rajiv attempts a scam, to get money for his honeymoon.
20 "Mama Sutra" Alex Hardcastle Patrick Walsh & Sonny Lee April 14, 2011 (2011-04-14) 3.50[26]
Tonya's mom comes to India and hooks up with Charlie while Todd and Tonya butt heads over Asha; Madhuri tells Gupta his lifeline is short, leading him to undergo a karmic cleanse.
21 "Rajiv Ties the Baraat (Part 1)" Victor Nelli, Jr. Michael Loftus May 5, 2011 (2011-05-05) 3.14[27]
Todd throws Rajiv a bachelor party; Manmeet nervously awaits his American girlfriend's arrival.
22 "Rajiv Ties the Baraat (Part 2)" Victor Nelli, Jr. Story: Charlie Hornsby
Teleplay: Vera Santamaria		 May 12, 2011 (2011-05-12) 2.99[28]
Rajiv worries the wedding may be called off, then considers doing so himself; Manmeet is not on the same relationship page as his girlfriend.

Reception

The show received mixed reviews, reaching a 46 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic.[29] Another review aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes, gives the show a rating of 21% based on 14 reviews, with the critical consensus, "This culture-clash sitcom is too mired in unfunny jokes and stereotypical characters to provide much insight into the global marketplace."[30] Joel Keller of TV Squad in a review of the pilot episode stated, "As long as the show can examine the cultural divide, show how all offices are the same no matter where they are, and stay away from the easy jokes, NBC could have another Thursday comedy hit."[31] Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times stated "The fact that it's neither embarrassing nor deeply offensive—once it gets rolling, the show is actually quite charming—is a credit to the cast and the writers."[32] Critics such as blogger Mikey O'Connell have accused Outsourced of being racist.[33] Matt Rouse of TV Guide wrote, "The culture clash premise drowns in a sewer of caricatures and lame jokes".[34]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Outsourced
Year Presenter Award Result
2011 People's Choice Awards Favorite New TV Comedy Nominated
2011 NAMIC Vision Awards Best Performance - Comedy for Anisha Nagarajan Nominated
2011 NAMIC Vision Awards Comedy Nominated

International broadcasts

Outsourced was picked up in Canada, for broadcast on Global at the same time as the American broadcast.[35]

Outsourced has been broadcast in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong on Universal.[citation needed]

  • In Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, Outsourced has been broadcast on Comedy Central.
  • In Australia, Outsourced has been broadcast on Seven Network.
  • In Fiji, Outsourced has been broadcast on FBC TV
  • In Brazil, Outsourced has been broadcast on Rede Record, premiered on November 5, 2011, with the title Aprontando na Índia. It is also being broadcast on TBS.[36]
  • In New Zealand, Outsourced has been broadcast on FOUR.[37]
  • In the Philippines, Outsourced has been broadcast on 2nd Avenue.
  • In Norway, Outsourced has been broadcast on MAX.
  • In South Africa, Outsourced has been broadcast on SABC 3.
  • In Mexico, Outsourced has been broadcast on Warner Channel.
  • In Sweden, Outsourced has been broadcast on TV3[38] and TV6.[39]
  • In Denmark, Outsourced has been broadcast on TV3+.
  • In Poland, Outsourced (Dostawa na telefon) has been broadcast on Comedy Central Poland.[40]
  • In the Middle East, Outsourced has been broadcast on OSN COMEDY.
  • In Latin America, Outsourced has been broadcast on Warner Channel
  • In Malaysia, Outsourced has been broadcast on RTM's channel tv2.
  • In Italy, Outsourced has been broadcast on Mediaset Premium channel Joi.
  • In the Czech Republic, Outsourced has been broadcast on Prima Cool with title Haló, tady Indie.
  • In Iceland, Outsourced has been broadcast on SkjárEinn.
  • In Singapore, Outsourced has been broadcast on MediaCorp Channel 5.
  • In Hungary, Outsourced has been broadcast on Comedy Central.
  • In Greece, Outsourced has been broadcast on Star Channel.
  • In the Netherlands, "Outsourced" has been broadcast on RTL 5.

See also

References

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  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/outsourced/s01/
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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