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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Give Pepper Dennis A Chance

And Also: Some note that the newly appointed treasury secretary (have a nice life John, thanks for playing) is actually someone we can truly respect. On the job training sort of works that way -- after six or so years, you make some sound moves. Hey, let's re-elect the lot of them in November. Bush did lie a few days back when asked if the old guy was on his way out, but hey, it's not like he's a straight shooter or something. Honesty is so subjective, especially if you are not Clinton. This is also why there are not big stories about the marriages of other senators.


UPN and WB are combining their network products to from CW, which will be broadcast over the WB channels (at least that is the case here). UPN, which is a FOX subsidiary, for some reason will stay alive -- it now has a "My 9" theme, like "My 9 News," which just sounds stupid. "It's not your news, it's mine ... all mine!!!" Sounds like Daffy Duck, or something.

The point is, and I mentioned this in the past, is that Pepper Dennis (starring an X-Men babe Rebecca Romijn) is not scheduled to make the transfer to CW. This is questionable, since the show has an attractive lead (nice on the eyes, and actually has some personality as well) and some potential plot-wise. Given the paucity of talent even on the "real" networks, this seemed enough to fill an hour slot. In fact, it probably can fit one of the hours of the three major networks, or FOX -- which, as Conan O'Brien notes, sometimes beats one of the former big three in the ratings.

Given House was not on last night, I had a chance to watch an episode. The show is flawed, but I stick with my previous opinion, partly since being flawed is not exactly a rarity on television these days. For the uninitiated, Pepper Dennis (a professional name as we find out when her divorcing sister embarrasses her by using her real name) is sort of like a latter day Murphy Brown, a serious Chicago investigator TV. reporter dealing with personal issues and producers/higher ups who want to focus on entertainment and personality over hard news. Like Murphy, she also does not have a great personal life, though (more so here) she is a babe. Again, apparently, women reporters just have lousy sex lives.

This is one problem -- the show has a tendency to embarrass its lead. For instance, she has a one night stand, and later finds out it is the new anchor -- who one-ups her more than once. Last night, it was a gay football player who uses her as a beard -- the anchor finds out he is gay, but Pepper doesn't want to admit it at first. And, to boot, he investigates the story behind a pending tell all book better than she does. This overall is supposed to be amusing, but after awhile it seems a bit exploitative. PD says the "f" word on air (after that anchor, thanks to her sister, refers her by her real name). She goes undercover in some men's club (well, that's almost a gimmee with that bod). And, so forth. This does not really respect the lead character, and poisons the well.

This is unfortunate since I do think the character has potential, especially if we accept that she would not be a perfectly drawn one in various ways. Also, those around her -- the sister (the two actresses have a real resemblance) is an enjoyable character, attractive with a veneer of need/privileged suburban wife forced out of position who plays off PD very well. PD's best friend at work is her make-up artist, who looks like the author of The Washingtonienne, the infamous roman-a-clef of insider D.C. gossip. She'd be good in the movie version. The anchor/rival plays off PD well, if only she was given a bit more of an upper hand at times. And, there is some other attractive support staff, including a slutty weather girl and so forth.

One potential thing going for it, though you never know about the new series about the behind the scenes look of a SNL-like show (the other more light 1/2 hour version with Tina Fey also sounds good -- like her), is that there is a spot for a hour long light office comedy with serious aspects that does not have to do with law or medicine. It still might be saved, especially as a mid-season replacement deal (people thought Seventh Heaven was over, and Less Than Perfect is back), but it would be something of a shame if it was not given a chance.

No great loss, obviously, but it has potential to be a pleasing way to spend an hour sort of like Becker is (at least for now) turning out to be a nice thing to watch at the end of the day (it's on 1:35AM locally ... I also can watch it 11:30PM/my time on WGN). I never watched it when it was on Monday nights, but it has something -- who can begrudge a show that takes place in a clinic in the Bronx? As with many things, decency (as in decent) is something that we sneer at while looking back depressed that it isn't there any more. I have great respect for those who are steady sorts, not great by any means, but able to do their thing with consistency. Thus, your corner outfielder who consistently gives you effort, some key hits, and good fielder. Or, a worker who is there everyday, reliable, and does not really give you any trouble.

Anyway, last night's episode concerned Pepper Dennis liking a football player who turns out to be gay. Part of the humor of it all is that her co-worker simply loves the guy as a football player, so wants to help him when his sexuality causes problems. For instance, he goes to a resident gay at the office for advice ... a scene that works pretty well. He also finds the author of an upcoming tell all (who secretly dated the player, who eventually cut it off when it got too serious), passing by a duo who are excited that he works with PD -- she is just their favorite (think drag queen material), which also was an amusing bit. The anchor reminds the guy that it is a lot easier for a writer like himself to be out than a professional football player. And, he agrees not to release the book. Taking the easy way out, the show has the football player come out anyway* -- and having even most of his team (the dissenters, if any, not "outed") supporting him.

All of this, somewhat roughly, raises some interesting questions. For instance, the whole matter of "outing" people, which has been debated various places. Some argue that it is proper to invade one's privacy in this fashion if the person is overly hypocritical -- such as supporting anti-gay public policy. Outing "role models" like athletes is a different matter. This is generally deemed improper, privacy being more valuable than the potential good that might come from people realizing just how diverse the homosexual class truly is. A purely utilitarian approach might argue that outing some people might be a good thing, especially those like the player he who lied about it via flashy use of cover models and so forth. But, privacy is also a value, if not always clear in concrete terms.

I say to CW that having a show that -- however imperfectly -- gives us a chance to think about such issues with some nice eye candy and decent writing on the side is a good thing. This is so especially if it can find its groove after a few episodes, which often is the case in television. [Seinfeld took a good season or two to become so successful ... Friends hit its groove in the middle of its run.] An extra hour of model reality shows or the like really is not an improvement. If not, maybe FOX -- which surely has some slot to fill -- might take it on. If not, some of the talent here has potential elsewhere. As to Becker, Ted Danson is due to be on a new ensemble show, also playing a doctor. I might check it out ... now, or five or so years down the road if it makes syndication.

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* PD and the anchor had just talked to him, so they are watching from behind the front door as he comes out in a major press conference. This upsets the news manager -- top two reporters in background as opposition release major story. PD reassure him that they have an exclusive ... he cries.