The hope to get the jump on Jack Flash

By Greg Braxton

Sept. 17, 2006 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

IN the classic Rolling Stones romp “Sympathy for the Devil,” Mick Jagger sings, “Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name.” But the creators of ABC’s “The Knights of Prosperity,” which features Jagger in a juicy cameo in the first episode, hope viewers can put aside a catchy name once attached to their comedy.

Much of the buzz on the comedy centered on its working titles -- “Let’s Rob Mick Jagger” and “Let’s Rob ...” -- before the producers settled on “Knights,” which is more reflective of the show’s concept.

“We’ve been living in the shadow of the title,” said executive producer Rob Burnett, who created the series along with Jon Beckerman, adding that people have also had trouble with the name change.

Said Beckerman: “It’s like the critics dock the show for what they feel is a bad title.”

The creators hope that viewers appreciate the show for what it is: a rollicking comedy about a group of “average Joes” who christen themselves the Knights of Prosperity and decide to improve their lot by pulling a heist. Their first target is Jagger.

The series stars Donal Logue (“Grounded for Life”) as the leader of the motley crew, Sofia Vergara, Lenny Venito, Kevin Michael Richardson and Maz Jobraini.

Jagger may film another cameo during the run of the series, but nothing has been nailed down.

Defining the show, Burnett called it a “workplace comedy with a very odd workplace.” Even though the crew is engaged in plotting criminal activity, “They are well-intentioned people who don’t see what they’re doing as bad. Some people are dealt good cards, and some people bad cards. They just figure Mick is a person who might not miss a few bucks.”

The creators say they are impressed by their cast members, who are a far cry from the comedy trend of “good-looking white people in their 20s who look alike. We have a cast that couldn’t be more different,” Beckerman said.

The performers are also able to bounce between human comedy and physical shtick. “Our formula is 89% human and 11% physical,” quipped Burnett.

Added Beckerman: “We just hope people don’t get hung up on the title, check out the show and think it’s funny.”

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