"Brotherhood of Man" is the 27th episode of the fourth season of the American sitcom The Drew Carey Show. It also serves as the show's 100th episode and the season finale. The plot sees the staff of Winfred-Louder given a month-long vacation by the new Dutch owners as the store is renovated, except for Drew Carey (Drew Carey), who has to stay behind to make sure the wages are paid. He learns the owners plan to demolish the store putting the employees out of work. Drew then has to decide whether to inform his co-workers or take a promotion. Meanwhile, Drew's friend Oswald Lee Harvey (Diedrich Bader) buys a pay phone in order to make money.
The episode was written by Brian Scully and directed by Gerry Cohen. It first aired May 26, 1999, on the ABC network in the United States. "Brotherhood of Man" was filmed in April 1999 at the Warner Bros. Studios. Towards the end of the episode, the cast performs the musical number "Brotherhood of Man" from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Producers hired a vocal coach to assist the cast. Actor Hal Linden makes a guest appearance as Dutch businessman Mr. Van Zandt. Linden had difficulty speaking in a convincing Dutch accent, saying he could do a German accent, but not Dutch. The episode also features a number of cameos from Northeast Ohioans, including radio personalities, entertainers and print media reporters.
"Brotherhood of Man" was seen by an estimated 12.6 million viewers, finishing inside the top 20 in the ratings for the week of May 24–30, 1999. It was the seventh-highest-rated show on ABC that week. The episode received a mostly positive response from critics, with many praising the musical number. Phil Kloer from The Atlanta Constitution called it "a perfect note on which to end the May sweeps." Mark Hughes from The Burlington Free Press said the plot contained some "sharp humor;" however, Robin Oliver of The Sydney Morning Herald thought Oswald's pay phone storyline was a misfire. The show's choreographer Keith Young won the Outstanding Achievement in Episodic Television accolade at the 2000 American Choreography Awards.
Plot
As Winfred-Louder's human resources director Drew Carey (Drew Carey) is telling his co-worker and enemy Mimi Bobeck (Kathy Kinney) about his upcoming weekend break in Montreal, their boss Mr Wick (Craig Ferguson) announces that they have a surprise visit from the new Dutch owner of Winfred-Louder, Mr. Van Zandt (Hal Linden). Mrs Louder (Nan Martin) shows Mr. Van Zandt around the main office and introduces him to Drew. He then informs the store's employees that they will be given a one-month paid vacation while the store is closed for renovation. Drew, however, is asked to stay behind to make sure everyone's wages are paid and to deal with any problems starting that weekend. Later, at The Warsaw Tavern, Drew's friends Kate O'Brien (Christa Miller) and Lewis Kiniski (Ryan Stiles) tell him about a concert they are attending that weekend, when Oswald Lee Harvey (Diedrich Bader) reveals he has used the ticket money to buy a pay phone in hopes that it will make him rich. Drew invites his girlfriend, Sharon Bridges (Jenica Bergere) to spend the weekend with him in the store since they had to cancel their trip. While Sharon and Drew are making out in a tent, they overhear Mr. Van Zandt telling a contractor to clear out the store so they can lay explosives.