Netflix has greenlit 'Dealies', an adult animated comedy focusing on the eccentric employees of a big-box retail store. The series is the creation of Joe Bennett and Ted Travelstead, aiming to evoke the workplace dynamics of previous retail-centric hits.

The Scavengers Reign pedigree behind Joe Bennett and Ted Travelstead

The appointment of Joe Bennett and Ted Travelstead suggests that Netflix is looking for more than a standard sitcom. As the report notes, Bennett and Travelstead previously worked on projects such as 'Common Side Effects' and the critically acclaimed 'Scavengers Reign'. Bringing this level of imaginative storytelling to a retail setting indicates that 'Dealies' may lean heavily into the surreal possibilities of adult animation.

By utilizing an animated format, Netflix can push the boundaries of the big-box store environment in ways that live-action productions cannot . The transition from the high-concept sci-fi of 'Scavengers Reign' to the mundane aisles of a discount warehouse creates a compelling tension that could define the show's visual and comedic identity.

From gentle gladiators to divine summoners in the retail aisles

The character roster for 'Dealies' suggests a departure from the grounded realism typically found in workplace comedies. According to the report, the ensemble includes a diverse array of personalities, specifically a savant salesman , a gentle gladiator, a quiet virtuoso, and a summoner of the divine. This eclectic mix implies that the "big-box store" serves as a microcosm for a much larger, perhaps fantastical, world.

This character-driven approach allows Netflix to explore the absurdity of modern consumerism.. By placing a "summoner of the divine" in a customer service role, the series can satirize the dehumanizing nature of retail labor through a lens of extreme absurdity, moving beyond the simple interpersonal conflicts of a standard office or store setting.

Filling the void left by NBC's passed-over Superstore spinoff

The arrival of 'Dealies' comes at a time when fans of the workplace genre are seeking a successor to 'Superstore'. The report highlights that NBC once explored a spinoff of 'Superstore' but ultimately decided against it, leaving a gap in the market for narratives centered on the chaos of massive retail environments.

Workplace comedies have historically resonated because they mirror the shared frustrations of the global workforce. By positioning 'Dealies' as a spiritual successor to 'Superstore', Netflix is tapping into a proven appetite for stories that find humor and heart in the drudgery of hourly employment. This move aligns with a broader trend of streaming platforms reviving dead genres or filling voids left by traditional network cancellations.

The missing release date and voice cast for Dealies

Despite the excitement surrounding the order, several critical details remain unconfirmed. The report does not specify a release date for 'Dealies', nor does it list the voice actors who will bring the savant salesman or the gentle gladiator to life. It remains unclear if Netflix intends this as a limited series or a multi-season investment.

Furthermore, while the source draws strong parallels to 'Superstore', it only presents the perspective of the show's potential to fill a void, without providing official statements from Netflix executives regarding the specific target audience or the show's intended tone. Whether 'Dealies' will be a cynical satire or a heartwarming ensemble piece remains to be seen.