What if You Could Give the 1980 Film, Nine to Five a 2026 Update

photo provided by imdb.com

Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Pardon play three women trying to make it in the professional world, where men are used to having their way and hold all the power. This film is directed by Collin Higgins who also wrote the screenplay with Patricia Resnick.

Jane Fonda plays Judy Bernly as the new employee who is not a fast learner; Lily Tomlin plays Violet Newstead, the senior employee who watches men ascend in the company while she gets overlooked for promotion; and Dolly Pardon plays Doralee Rhodes, the curvaceous secretary who the boss would love to have unprofessional after hour sessions with but has yet to. The ladies come together in sisterhood and agree that their boss Franklin Hart Jr., played by Dabney Coleman, is a tool and their workplace is a playground for men to shop for second wives and mistresses.

In a reboot

There would be employees griping about the sexism, lack of diversity, and seniority over qualifications that are blatant factors in who gets promoted. In this MeToo era, it’s sure to be a media scandal. And would be all over social media, providing a community for victims and attention-seekers looking for solace. LinkedIn, Indeed, and other platforms would become sanctuaries for disgruntled and dissatisfied current and former employees; they would take to social media anonymously, of course, or maybe not to voice their disdain, for the company they work or worked for.

1. Judy would read directions [to the office] on her phone instead of a piece of paper

2. Ladies would be checking their phones, not their watch, for the time

3. There probably would not be a Xerox room

4. There would be computers in place of typewriters

5. Judy’s boss would not call her pretty upon first meeting, especially in this MeToo era

6. The boss, Franklin Hart Jr. would not refer to female employees as “his girls,” for obvious reasons

7. Your boss would not verbally and visually size you up, when he calls you into his office for secretarial tasks

8. Your boss would not gift you [personal gift] something that cost more than $25; I’m sure that is in every employee manual of legitimate companies

9. You probably wouldn’t have to worry about your expensive printing mishap being deducted from your paycheck or getting you fired on your first day

10. Judy’s phone would be her alarm clock, not an actual alarm clock

I came up with these ten based on watching the first thirty minutes of the film. I’m sure there are more you can find. I didn’t want to spoil it for those who have not seen the film yet. You’re more than welcome to add to this list, in the comments, what you’ve noticed that has changed since 1980. And yes, I highly recommend this film. It is hilarious. Lily Tomlin is one of the funniest comedic actresses ever. We all know how talented Dolly Pardon is. And yes, she wrote the title song that she also sings in the opening scene. Perfect! And what can we say about Jane Fonda that hasn’t already been said? There isn’t a role she can’t play. She is a chameleon.