ASHLAND — Ashland native Steve Kazee was in Los Angeles Friday, on the set of a new television sitcom and wrapping up a 12-episode season.

Kazee has a starring role in “Working Class,” a comedy that will debut Jan. 28 at 8 p.m.

In “Working Class,” Melissa Peterman stars as a single mother who, in an effort to give her children a better life, moves to an upscale suburb. Kazee plays Nick, her womanizing, rock-n-roll star wannabe brother. The program also stars Ed Asner from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as Lou Grant, the cranky neighbor and co-worker.

“This is my first regular series, which is pretty awesome,” Kazee said, adding the experience of starring in a sitcom also is “really crazy” because in eight weeks, they made 12 episodes of the show, making for a hectic pace.

The program is set in a suburb of Chicago. However, Kazee said his childhood in the Ashland area helped prepare him for his character.

“It was pretty easy for me to key into,” he said. “I definitely came from a working class background.”

He said he and his character have a lot in common.

“I’m a musician; he’s a musician. He’s a singer; I’m a singer. We like the same kind of music. The character and I have sort of become the same person,” Kazee said. “His wardrobe is much like what I wear on a daily basis. It’s funny. We play a game on set. Everybody tries to tell if I’m in wardrobe or not.”

Although Kazee and Nick have much in common, Kazee said he hasn’t encountered a situation that made him feel defensive.

“We have such good writers; they just know what they’re doing,” he said. “They are so good at knowing the character, everything is so tailor-made for the character that we don’t have a lot of those moments,” he said of the classic clashes between actors and writers. “It’s been a wonderful process.”

Co-star Peterman has appeared in several movies, including “Fargo,” and she has guest starred on television programs including “Just Shoot Me!” and “The Pitts.” She had a regular role on “Reba” and she hosts “The Singing Bee” on CMT.

Kazee said although you never know how a television program will be received, he hopes “Working Class” will be relatable because it’s a program with heart.

“I’ve never been part of something I’ve been so proud to represent,” he said. “It speaks to what people are suffering with right now — people are out of work and struggling to pay their bills, even people working in television are having a harder time with the cost of living out here and reduced pay.

“So it’s kind of gallows humor, you have to laugh at bad stuff because if you don’t have laughter and family, you don’t have anything.”

“Working Class” is the first comedy that CMT has made. The showing on Jan. 28 is a double episode, with an 8:30 p.m. episode following the 8 p.m. episode.

Kazee, originally from Westwood, has degrees from Morehead State University and New York University/Tisch School of the Arts.

He has appeared in the television programs “NCIS,” “NUMB3RS,” “Medium,” “Conviction” and “As the World Turns.” He’s appeared on stage in “110 in the Shade,” “Spamalot,” “Seascape” and “To Be or Not To Be” and was nominated for the Helen Hayes Award, Best Actor in a Play in 2006.

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com

or (606) 326-2661.