'Lipstick Jungle': Potential is a terrible thing to waste.

Tonight on Lipstick Jungle, we rejoin our three heroines as they learn for once and for all that they absolutely cannot have it all. Or even a little, in fact. Disaster looms at every turn in the form of bribable nannies, picky princes, and thieving assistants. And yet, as the plot flies by fast enough to make my head spin, I'm still very much un-grabbed. Maybe it's the sometimes painful dialogue, maybe it's the sometimes painful acting, maybe it's the danger zone between tongue-in-cheek and taking itself too seriously, but Lipstick Jungle isn't nearly fun enough. Too bad...the cast, at least, definitely had potential. And the pedigree isn't something to be scoffed at, either. (Spoilers ahead...)

In our most time-consuming plot, Wendy's former nanny has written an unflattering novel based on Wendy's life, calling her "shallow as a bedpan and twice as cold." You know, I could probably say the same about this show. Even worse, an old enemy of Wendy's is publishing the book. (Of course.) And when Wendy relates to her husband that there are anecdotes in the book that she didn't even think the nanny knew about, his absurdly overemoting face tells us that he has something to hide. At least, I think that's what he was trying to convey. It also could've been terror, shock, or possibly his "O" face.

At any rate, things continue to flow downhill when Wendy drags Shane to the possibly penitent nanny's house, and he admits to her that he told the nanny a bunch of damaging stories about Wendy's mothering skills when he was venting. Un! Comfortable! And wait, he somehow thinks that Wendy should leave it alone, since it should be enough that he and the kids know she's a wonderful mother? Um, I think it's probably still worthwhile to avoid slander and public humiliation. But that could just be me. We end with Wendy trying and failing to deliver a smackdown to her enemy publisher, which means that we're stuck with this plot for at least another week. Sigh.

In Nico-ville, she's got a prince to land. Prince William, to be specific. He's supposed to be photographed for the cover of her magazine, but is backing out. And, of course, the photographer's assistant is Nico's new boy toy. Awkward. At least, until the inevitable crazy sex in the photo studio. Which is immediately followed by the completely avoidable post-sex photo shoot. Um, what?! Why would you POSSIBLY let some guy you barely know take naked photos of you? WHY??? Sigh... As far as Prince William goes, it seems that he's really into softcore porn. Starring himself. Okay. So she lands him for the cover, but her boss isn't into the semi-nudity. It seems Nico is officially on notice. Best line, courtesy of her boss: "It doesn't take much for a halo to turn into a noose." Those are words to live by, you guys.

Victory is also having career troubles, and has been forced to fire most of her staff and move her office into her apartment. Her "loyal" assistant is taking a new job, and steals Victory's latest sketches on her way out. Which Victory somehow doesn't notice. SIGH. Later, Victory is reduced to stalking a drag queen and an old lady to get a hat she designed in fashion school, in an elaborate metaphor about how her career isn't moving forward. Don't ask. Trust me. Her rich boyfriend asked and is sorry he did. The words "live out loud" were involved. Later, though, he pays her back in full as far as clichés go. She's all, "I'm not usually the girl who needs to be saved," and he's all, "Who says I'm saving you?" Yes, really.

So, um, apologies to anyone who's getting into this show, but I'm just...not. At all. Can we transplant the entire cast into a new show, as a sort of scientific experiment? Because I really think the problem is the writing, but there's no way to know for sure, since it seems to be making the actors suck, too. Ah, wasted potential.

Are you enjoying Lipstick Jungle more than I am, or are you ready to cut and run?

For more TV recaps and commentary, visit Liz at Glowy Box.

I actually enjoy LJ-maybe it's the NYC part of it-I lived there for 10 years before the kids arrived and maybe it's because I like the hustle and bustle of it all but.......
Brooke Shields is gorgeous!

I'm actually enjoying this show, too, because I really like the three actresses. However, as with Cashmere Mafia (which I quit after one episode), I don't buy these women with high profile, demanding careers having so much time to hang out with their girlfriends. Why can't they just make them average, normal career women, sort of like Lynette on Desp. Housewives?

Well, after two episodes, my wife and I are in agreement this is the G or PG version of Sex in the City. It really bothered my wife how the women were walking down the street at the end with their arms locked, which was a direct Sex... rip-off (according to her). As for my opinion, I think they are good actresses, but I agree the writing is not the best and the stories are just not interesting. I think after shows like Lost have been on the air, the audience starts to expect more. I at least know I do.

I really wanted to love this show, but not so much. The second episode should have been better than the first -- pilots always show potential, but usually has a missed step. Great actresses, limp writing. I'll give it a few more episodes, but we'll see after that.

I was not impressed with the show. I had high hope for it. Everyone said it was going to be like Sex in the City and I loved that show. This show can't hold a candle to that show. I may watch a few more times...but it's not been very good so far.

Wendy's storyline this week annoyed me to no end, as did Victory's. I felt they were both way overdone, way overacted and just plain boring...not to mention the horrendous dialogue. Honestly. "Tsunami for bad mommy"?! Are you kidding me? It was the episode's CLOSING LINE too.

I can't believe some people actually prefer LJ to CM, that's nuts! Cashmere mafia is at least enjoyable and we can understand how these women actually have these great jobs...because they are good at them! If Brooke Shield's storyline had happened to Juliet Draper (from CM) then Juliet would have kicked some butt and succeeded, not merely attempt and fail, making the situation worse.
I think Brooke shields is pretty in real life but looks terrible in this show.
AND I have to say I love Nico and just want to transplant her into CM...then I'd be really happy.

The only reason, I'm watching this show is due to Without a Trace being too many reruns of the same show and not bringing back some episodes that they probably have already sent to TNT, or in syndication. The writers' strike may have gotten resolved, but this show will definitely be a surprise if it makes it. It has tough competition against Without a Trace, or Shark, or up against any of the CSIs. The same could be said for Marguiles' new show, Cashmere Mafia, etc. The "Power Females" type of show definitely have their drawbacks, but these can become good if they incorporate more of a "soap opera" type of show.