FinaleWatch: 'Lipstick Jungle' says goodbye

January 9, 2009 6:22 PM

Lipstick Jungle has been straddling the cancellation line for a few months now, teasing both fans and detractors alike with its uncertain future. Tonight it says what looks to be a final goodbye, and for those of us who have stuck with the show from the beginning I can attest: it will be missed.

Let's do this one last time, shall we?

Wendy is busy as usual, preparing for Shane's departure and Victory and Joe's engagement party, all while juggling being an independent producer. While casually meeting with new Parador head and good friend Sal, he mentions an amazing upcoming Bonfire story on Lucy McKay, which Wendy decides to try to acquire the film rights for out from under Parador's nose (with Sal's encouragement, I must add). They get into a bidding war and things get even more complicated when Griffin accuses Nico of tipping Wendy off to the story. Nico asks Wendy to out Sal as the tipper, but Wendy refuses to throw anyone under the bus and it's a little bit unfair that Nico asked, in my opinion. I know they're best friends, but is Wendy really supposed to burn a personal and professional connection in Sal just to get her out of jam with her new boyfriend/boss? At the engagement party, Wendy decides to tell Griffin that Nico wasn't the one who gave her the Lucy McHale tip, and when he shifts his focus to Sal she tries to deflect suspicion away from him as well. When Wendy gets word later that Parador outbid her for the rights, Joe offers to help and she lets him know that she is aware of his financial situation (which Victory accidentally slipped to her in a moment of desperation).

Things at home for Wendy are shaky as well, seeing as Maddie has decided to fully enter the realm of teenage-dom and lies to Wendy about having a study group with a girlfriend when she's really having more of a "grownup" study group in her new college beau's dorm room. If you know what I mean. At the engagement party, Wendy and Maddie's trials heat up when Maddie shows up drunk and upset. Wendy quickly escorts her off the premises and When Wendy inquires about why she's acting out Maddie explodes, saying that she knows her father didn't leave just to go on tour, he left because he and Wendy are getting a divorce and she knows it's all Wendy's fault. Say what now? Wendy tries to tell her she's wrong, but Maddie is too busy getting rid of all that warm, flat dorm room beer in the closest trash can. Ew, and ha. Back at home and cleaned up, Maddie realizes the error of her ways and apologizes to Shane over the phone for not saying a proper goodbye before he left. Aw.

Nico (wearing a fabulous gray coat that I covet, I must add) gets to her office only to receive a sweet voicemail from Kirby in Aspen...which turns out to be bittersweet when she hears a giggling female voice in the background. Ouch. Lucky for her, Griffin is there to ease her pain with a kiss...but only for a second, because he immediately presents her with a legal letter declaring to the company that they're dating. Heh. Nico is concerned about letting anyone in the company know they're dating for fear that rumors will run rampant. To top things off, Nico is getting snubbed in every corner, work-wise. She ends up hiring PR maven Dahlia to help her get back on the map, which she does immediately when Dahlia lands her a spot on the Today show. Granted, it's the almost unwatchable (except for trainwreck purposes) fourth hour of the show with Kathie Lee Gifford, but something is better than nothing, I suppose. Unsurprisingly, Kathie Lee steers the conversation towards Nico's past with younger man Kirby (with a little bit of help from Dahlia, I suspect). Nico says some very kind and touching things about Kirby, so good thing he's watching the show to see it! Too bad for her that Griffin sees it as well, and doesn't take her fawning over her ex very well considering she's having so much trouble signing the letter about their nascent relationship. After the engagement party, Nico arrives home to find Kirby in her apartment. He lets her know that he wants her, and he's willing to do anything to make that happen. She smiles and looks extremely hopeful, and it's right then that I forget any fond feelings I had for Griffin because this is Kirby. And Kirby is ridiculously hot. Go, Nico and Kirby!

Fresh from the glow of her romantic engagement, Victory's mother and father come to town for her engagement party. Her father, it must be pointed out, was also Kevin Arnold's father on Wonder Years (a.k.a. prolific actor Dan Lauria). Which is awesome. Her parents are solidly middle class, and the show wants you to know it, with them insisting on staying at Victory's house rather than the fancy hotel Joe booked, and wanting to eat leftover airplane food (!) rather than go to a fancy lunch at the chef's table of a chi-chi French restaurant. I suppose since it was private plane airplane food, it probably was a bit better than the snack mix and yogurt I got on my last commercial flight. But still...chef's table! In the kitchen! Joe goes over the top trying to give them his real (expensive) New York experience and gets touchy when Victory kindly points out that her parents don't want that and he doesn't have the money to pull it off right now anyway.

After spending the day together Joe gets worried that her parents don't approve of him and says that if she wants they can just stay dating and not have a big ceremony to diffuse any conflict. Victory is taken aback, and in no uncertain terms tells him that's not an option. Joe's fears are confirmed when, at the engagement party, Victory's father lets her know that he is more than wary of Joe. Victory tells him the fact she loves Joe should be enough to win his support. At the end of the night, Joe lets Victory know he's aware Wendy knows about his financial difficulties, and nicely lets her know he'd like things like this to be only between them and not her girlfriends. Wow, a conflict that a couple on TV talks about right away and then resolves! It's like someone has been reading my mind, and I love it. Joe then says that he'd like to have their wedding in her hometown church, something he was not amenable to earlier. Then they make out like teenagers. Aw, sweet!

The show ends with a very nice montage of some of the best moments of the series, which is when I realize it's really over and NBC was just giving us some sort of snow job with the tease of calling this a "season finale." I have to admit, I got a little bit misty. At least all three ladies got a happy ending, or something that looks like it would turn into a happy ending eventually. When this show began I'd never thought I'd say this, but...I'll miss you, Lipstick Jungle.

Comments

I can't believe they took off Lipstick Jungle and Knight Rider is still on or they have that Dancing of the World thing on. NBC needs to see what a good show is and I don't think they have a clue!!!!

Susan | Jan 9, 2009 7:45:42 PM | #

I am sooooooooo gonna miss this show! I cried at the end! The closing scenes were like 'goodbye'. I LOVE these women, and their lives. Theyre like friends. I just wish if it is canceled for good, they would give us a finale. A 2 hour special to tie up lose ends, and a Joe and Victory's wedding. We're owed that much! Arent we??? Tonight's episode was perfect. I do kinda like Nico with Griffin though, mainly because theyre both cut from the same bolt of cloth and are both very aggressive, and equal. The sparks between them are fireworks while Nico and Kirby are more like firecrackers. Please, give us more...........!

SISSERS | Jan 9, 2009 7:55:40 PM | #

I still have hope since NBC has not officially cancelled it. I LOVE this show. I soooo want to see Victory and Joe get married in a wedding dress she designs for herself. How horribly saddening it would be if this was the end!!!

Lacarr54 | Jan 9, 2009 8:29:41 PM | #

Favorite show ever. I had to go home tonight to celebrate christmas with family that just arrived back to the country... and at 9:00 I made everyone sit down and watch LJ. I was explaining the story to them during commercials, and they all really liked the show. I can not believe that they left the show so open ended! I want to see Joe and Victory's wedding! Does Joe get back on his feet? do nico and kirby get back together? Does Wendy's kid stop acting like a brat? I hate NBC, they have really lost a great show. We can only hope that another network will pick the series up. I have forbidden my family to watch NBC if they do not bring LJ back... and i will not be watching NBC anymore, all their other programming sucks.

| Jan 9, 2009 8:52:22 PM | #

This is gonna be greatly missed!

FQ | Jan 9, 2009 9:57:37 PM | #

I think they are crazy to have cancelled this show its awesome! I hope they bring it back for another season!!

sarah | Jan 9, 2009 10:06:30 PM | #

They can't cancel LJ it is the best show! I hope they bring it back for another season!!

| Jan 9, 2009 10:08:52 PM | #

I can't believe that this show is canceled!!! I love these women, their strength, and the love for one another. If there is hope that it will return...I will hold on to that hope. I looked forward to this show every week and enjoyed watching it with no interruptions...that was my time!! I hope NBC (or another smarter network) opens their eyes to the beauty that is Lipstick Jungle and the fabulous ladies.

mecacali | Jan 9, 2009 10:18:47 PM | #

Going into tonight's episode, I believed that it was merely a SEASON finale. But, after seeing the ending montage, I am convinced that the show is gone forever. This is a shame, since LJ really has grown on me.

Ex-Vegan | Jan 9, 2009 10:19:33 PM | #

I love Lipstick Jungle. The characters and storylines are awesome. I really hope NBC will keep this show. I look forward to watching it every week. It sure did not help that NBC kept moving its time slot. I am tired of getting hooked on a show only to have the networks take it off the air.

Katie | Jan 9, 2009 11:50:32 PM | #

I love Lipstick Jungle. The characters and storylines are awesome. I really hope NBC keeps this show. I look forward to watching it every week. It sure did not help the NBC kept moving its time slot. I am tired of getting hooked on a show only to have the network take it off the air.

Katie | Jan 9, 2009 11:54:41 PM | #

As a gay man in his 20s, I never quite got into the whole Sex and the City craze - just didn't do it for me. But Lipstick Jungle has been a must watch (and talk with friends about) ever since it started. I'll be really sad if it goes - with so many other lame shows staying alive, it AMAZES me that this show hasn't caught on yet to a bigger audience. My fingers are still crossed........

Steve | Jan 10, 2009 12:36:55 AM | #

First time I ever watched the show was tonight with my wife. Wasn't bad. Not really sure what these morons at NBC plan on replacing the show with, but I'm sure it will be crap. They actually have a half decent show here with a loyal following. They should rethink the cancellation.

Ralph Spoltore | Jan 10, 2009 12:46:39 AM | #

Wont there be any more seasons of LJ coming??? :(

Sabrina | Jan 10, 2009 3:08:11 AM | #

Why does NBC think the solution to getting a hit show is to keep changing the night and time in order to find THE audience. In the process they lose the viewers they had or at the very least, are forcing viewers to juggle their lives to conform to an NBC exec's whim. They have repeatedly used this tactic, but fail to realize it doesn't work. Give your new programs a longer period of time to get established. With cable, Direct TV, DISH, etc. offering many programming options, it takes new shows longer to catch on. You have once again blown it...LIPSTICK JUNGLE was a great show, Please reconsider

Linda | Jan 10, 2009 3:09:49 AM | #

Wasn't sure I'd like it after the first show, but I stuck w/it and I am really sorry to see it go.

Mary Ellen | Jan 10, 2009 6:14:08 AM | #

love this show, so sad

ladybugvb | Jan 10, 2009 6:25:13 AM | #

I'm not going to believe that it's cancelled until NBC announces it. If last nights ratings are satisfactory then NBC is considering renewel. If not it's possible it could sent to another network. I love this show and have followed from day one and I have to say it got better and better. Some shows just have to gain it's ground and I have to say LJ did. I'm hoping the show will return with a third season with a bang!!!!

anita | Jan 10, 2009 7:02:26 AM | #

It never fails...you finally come out with a classy show and give it pretty bad time slots and then you are surprised when it fails. It is a fantastic show whom even captured my husband's eye....he was shocked last night when there were no upcoming prviews......we are so upset this show is cancelled! Bring it back! Please!

LInda Vander Kamp | Jan 10, 2009 7:18:08 AM | #

I've laughed and cried with these fabulous women for two seasons. I've named my persian himilayan kitty after Niko cuz they're both beautiful and sweet. These women are my friends and CURSE YOU NBC for taking them from me!! You know they had a blast working together and you're not only hurting many fans but the cast as well. Please reconsider. Don't do this. I love them! WE LOVE THEM!

Shannon | Jan 10, 2009 7:18:14 AM | #

LInda lou | Jan 10, 2009 7:18:28 AM | #

Niko, Wendy, Victory, Shane, Kirby and Joe.. Don't feel bad. You DID NOT fail.. NBC failed you! Kirby.. congrats on the move to "Priveleged." I'm a fan of that show as well and will be looking forward to meeting up with you again. Nico..you're beautiful and I'm a huge fan. Loved you as Audrey on "24." I look forward to seeing you in the future. Victory..I dont remember where I know you from and it drives me crazy still :) I know I'll be seein you again, you're FAB! Wendy..well duhh! Clearly you're timeless! I've always been a fan! Joe..I've crushed on you since the early 80's. I am so proud of you. Shane..I apologize that I didnt know you before LJ. You are super fine and a great actor, I really hope to see again.. luv the accent! Yummy! What a wonderful cast. You were great together.

Good luck everyone. I love you all and you will truly missed.
Shannon, Dayton, OH

Shannon...again! | Jan 10, 2009 7:38:51 AM | #

PLEASE, PLEASE do NOT CANCEL Lipstick Jungle. This is one of the shows I NEVER MISS. Why do you keep on the Knight Rider SHOW AND SHOWS LIKE MOMMA'S BOYS?????? and CANCEL THIS CLASSY ADULT SHOW.

SHAME ON YOU. PLEASE RECONSIDER

Carol | Jan 10, 2009 8:02:22 AM | #

Shannon, I think you might know Victory from '90210'. She was married to Steve Sanders. She was also on an episode of "How I Met Your Mother" a season or 2 ago as the girlfriend of Ted's who wouldnt stop talking so much.

SISSERS | Jan 10, 2009 8:26:54 AM | #

Canada loves Lipstick Jungle !!

What were those NBC execs thinking about when the thought of canceling Lipstick Jungle crossed their boardroom table ? . Obviously, not the ever-growing audience that has been following it despite it’s repeated track through timeslots.
.
How does a new show establish an audience when the time slots keep changing. ? Hmm……..Maybe it should have been given a decent one in the first place.

I started watching LJ last season and found it very refreshing. Taking three powerful, yet believable NY women and placing them in situations that the regular viewer could relate to. (The glamour and Kirby’s abs were definitely an added bonus)

I circulated the word about LJ at the office early this season and admittedly had amassed them quite a following.

We all know it’s about profits ………….. however , what the execs should be contemplating is that sometimes you have to go out on a limb and give things a half decent chance before pulling the plug. Then and only then does the decision hold any credibility with NBC viewers.

Hoping to see LJ back (with all the same players)…..NBC, please reconsider.

Lynn C. | Jan 10, 2009 8:42:18 AM | #