Glen here...
...with a set of mini-reviews from THE EMPRESS OF THE AIRWAVES. The Empress has seen some of this Fall's series pilots, and was kind enough to take the time to send in her thoughts. Here's what she said:
THE EMPRESS wrote:
ABC
ONCE AND AGAIN (Tuesdays until debut of NYPD BLUE) - Two single parents, both recently divorced, start a romance. Stars Bill Campbell and the fabulous Sela Ward.
A little mushy, but from the producers of THIRTYSOMETHING, what do you expect? Sweet, and the actors are much better than you'd expect in this kind of show. Future seems a little shaky, so if you're interested, watch from the beginning.
When NYPD BLUE debuts, ONCE AND AGAIN won't have a regular time slot.
WASTELAND (Thursdays) - Twentysomething friends try and figure out their lives.
Imagine "Dawson" as a woman living in New York and you have the main character in this little program I like to call WASTE OF TIME.
Annoying, self-absorbed characters played by bad actors. (Example: Rebecca Gayheart, aka Noxema Girl, plays a prissy Southern belle who happens to be a homicide detective.)
All of the male actors have the same haircut and their expressionless faces make it impossible to one from the other. Kevin Williamson has run out of steam (or was it just hot air all along?)
THEN CAME YOU (Thursdays) - A thirtyish woman leaves her husband, moves into a hotel and falls for the nineteen year-old bell boy.
Main actors aren't really recognizable, but one of the supporting is the British guy from Go.
Some funny stuff, but the lead actress bugs me. It's against "Jesse," so if I were forced to watch one or the other, I'd probably watch this, if for no other reason than I like the guy from Go.
It has potential, but right now, isn't anything special.
NBC
MIKE O'MALLEY - (Tuesdays) - A single guy reconsiders his relationship with an ex-girlfriend after going to his best friend's wedding.
This really, really wants to be Drew Carey, but ends up being more like Caroline in the City.
I did not laugh once.
The lead cannot act and the supporting people are okay, but can't make up for his inadequacies. I, for one, will be watching That 70s Show. (That fact is quite ironic, as last year, I hated that pilot, didn't get it, thought it was stupid. Now, it's one of my favorite shows...
COLD FEET - (Fridays) Three couples in love deal with their respective relationships.
Like Once and Again, it's mushy, but somewhat charming. It starts off a little slowly, but picks up. The actors are all okay, but word is, a lot of parts are being recast, so I don't know who will still be there come fall.
FREAKS & GEEKS (Saturdays - God forbid!) - Life in a 1982 high school as seen by the freshman "dorks" and the outcast "burn-outs."
This is absolutely my favorite new show. Very reminiscent of The Wonder Years, but with a darker sense of humor. The ensemble cast is great all around, especially the two playing "Lindsay" and her brother "Sam."
PLEASE WATCH THIS SHOW! Don't classify this as a Dawson's Creek knock-off. (In fact, the opening sequence destroys that notion.)
FYI, the pilot was directed by Jake Kasdan, the writer/director of The Zero Effect. If you watch nothing else on television, watch the first episode of this.
FBC
TIME OF YOUR LIFE (Mondays) - Party of Five spin-off following Jennifer Love Hewitt as she searches for her birth father (mother?) in NYC.
I've not watched PO5 in a couple years, but I hope for the sake of my friends who still watch that that show hasn't become as bad as this.
It starts off with a voiceover, where Felicity talks about what brought her to where she is at that moment. Wait, I mean Jennifer Love Hewitt. Did I say Felicity? Hmm, wonder why...
Any show named for a three-year old, overplayed, unexciting song is bound to be the same. Guess what? It is. Don't bother.
MANCHESTER PREP (Thursdays) - TV spin-off of Cruel Intentions.
The actress replacing Sarah Michelle Gellar has the talent of a toilet brush. Bad, bad, bad! Performances all around are pretty wooden.
I didn't see the movie, but it's my understanding that there was some humor in it. This is played so seriously, it's not fun trash anymore, it's just trash.
ACTION (Thursdays) - Follows a ruthless film producer in Hollywood. Speaking of fun trash, here's some.
Sharp, witty, probably a little crude for a lot of people, but also, dead-on Hollywood. Jay Mohr is great, as are Illeana Douglas and Buddy Hackett in supporting roles.
Might not be for everyone, but if you know the business well enough to know what they're talking about, there's a good chance you'll love it.
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (Sundays) - A normal, ten year-old kid must deal with being put in a special class for smart kids.
Another quirky show for Fox - I found this hilarious. This is no warm fuzzy. This is wicked comedy, watered down so kids can watch but adults will like, too.
The kid playing "Malcolm" is great and does comedy as easily as breathing. Don't pass this off as a kids' show.
UPN
MONIQUE (Tuesdays) - A spin-off of Moesha, featuring Moesha's friend, Kim, and her mother, MoNique, as they start college together.
Pretty poorly written and the actresses really deserve better. They have talent, but it's lost in this incoherent silliness.
WB
ROSWELL HIGH (Wednesdays) - A teen in New Mexico discovers that a few of her classmates are aliens.
Somewhat bland sci-fi that could and should be a little edgier. Instead, it's mildly interesting. Not bad for a pilot. I'm curious, and might give it a second chance.
POPULAR (Thursdays) - The school's most popular girl and least popular are forced to spend time together after their parents suddenly get married.
Boring, cliched high school fluff. The epitome of bad teen television. Hopefully, this will die soon and that will be the end of the Dawson rip-offs.
Glen again...
THANK YOU to The Empress for taking the time to write up this report, and re-sending iot to me after it somehow got lost in transit the first time around.
More Fall '99 pilot reviews coming up very soon. Stay tuned...
