Ed Asner and Melissa Peterman in "Working Class"

If you fell in love with Melissa Peterman in “Reba”, you will love her in CMT’s new show, “Working Class”.  In “Working Class”, which premiers January 28th at 8:00 pm, Melissa plays a single mom who has just moved into an affluent neighborhood where she can barely afford to live. Why? To give her kids a better life. Something all moms can relate to.

I had the opportunity to interview Melissa and preview “Working Class” where her character, Carli warms the hearts of all mothers who are just trying to do our best. It’s obvious Melissa has this character down pat.

“..if the kids didn’t go to jail today and no one’s on fire, it’s a good day.”

Carli is a mom who is struggling, but stays focused on what she does have, and what is going good in her life. Even when times get stressful, like when Carli is paying bills and the family is eating her out of house and home, there is gratitude for what they have., (even if it’s watered down milk) and always humor. Carli will make you laugh, and this is something many people can appreciate, especially during tough economic times.

“if you ever want to do a coupon run, call me”

Melissa knows what it’s like to be frugal and brings her knowledge and her love of improv to “Working Class”.  She explained that in their early days in LA, they never ate out, they never went out, and they even paid the rent once or twice with those credit card checks they seem to send daily. She also talked about one of her first jobs out of college, ‘Tony & Tina’s Wedding’ which helped her refine her improvisation skills that she often uses on the set. You can see all of them merge in Carli as she ponders the guests at Parker Foods where she works, and bounces her thoughts off of Ed Asner. You will find yourself rooting for Carli as she struggles to balance money, kids, and finding love. And you’ll laugh at the one-liners these two strong characters trade between each other.

And speaking of Ed Asner,

“I can’t believe that I am telling my son to put down Ed Asner’s Emmy.”

Melissa explained that her entire family has a crush on her co-star but each for a different reason. Her son loves him in the movie UP while she is wowed by his seven Emmy’s and her husband loved him in Lou Grant. What’s it like to work with such a class-act?

“He’s hilarious, he is still one of the funniest men around, and his timing is impeccable. And for us to like all of – as a cast to get to look up to a legend and watch him work every day, it’s unbelievable.”

Check out Melissa and Ed in “Working Class” on CMT January 28th at 8:00 pm

“Working Class” has 12 episodes this season so be sure to set your butt, or your DVR to CMT on Friday nights. I know I will!