I’m here today to pitch you an idea for a new sitcom, a little show I like to call Whoops… You’re Promoted!
The show follows the life and times of Ron Liepert, a gruff, no-nonsense politician who can’t help but make a hash of every job he undertakes. The comedy is rooted in Mr. Liepert’s uncanny ability to get promoted despite his massive and hilarious screw ups, or what Liepert calls “Whoopsy-doopsies.”
Here’s a clip from the pilot:
Setting: Premier Stelmach’s office, following the 2008 election.
Stelmach: “Well, well, well. We won.”
Liepert: “Nothing but good times ahead for us, sir!”
Stelmach: “I’m not so sure… the economy looks a little shaky.”
Liepert: “Don’t worry sir, everything’s great! I signed a five-year deal with the teachers and we’re gearing up to raise royalty rates to pay for them. We’re doing exactly what the people sent us here to do… tax and spend!”
Stelmach: “Now see here, Ron, I’ve been getting a lot of complaints about you. I’m not sure how you ever talked me into making you education minister when you never even graduated high school.”
Liepert: “Woopsy-doopsy!”
Insert laugh track here.
Stelmach: “Liepert, you scamp. I can’t stay mad at you. All right, I’m making you health minister. Now get out of my office.”
Liepert: “Yes sir!”
Stelmach: “And Ron? Please, no more whoopsy-doopsies.”
Liepert: “Yes sir!”
Liepert attempts to open the door, bashing himself in the noggin. Little birds start tweeting around his head.
Liepert: “Whoopsy doopsy!”
Insert laugh track here.
Stelmach: “Are you all right? You look like you might have given yourself a concussion.”
Liepert: “I’m fine. Hey, I just had an idea. What if we centralize Alberta’s nine health regions into one superboard? That way I can run the whole thing myself, and make sure no one screws up!”
Stelmach: “I don’t know. Are you sure you’re all right? That looks like quite a bump on your head.”
Liepert: “It will be great! We’ll be the government that saved health care. We’ll be heroes!”
Stelmach: “We’ll talk about that later. I’m more worried about the whole flu pandemic thing. Are we ready to respond if the worst happens?”
Liepert: “Don’t worry sir, you’re best man is on it!”
Stelmach: “Who? Danyluk?”
Liepert: “No. I meant me, sir.”
Stelmach: “Oh. OK. Run along then.”
Liepert smacks himself in the head with the door again.
Liepert: “Whoopsy-doopsy!”
Insert laugh track here.
Fade to black. Roll credits.
