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RSSWatch out, here comes 'Maneater'
Before I talk about "Maneater," premiering this Saturday at 9 p.m. on Lifetime (it concludes Sunday at 9 p.m.), we need to discuss that the full title is "Maneater, a Lifetime summer event presented by Vaseline aloe fresh."
Kids, I believe this is the future of TV. On a scale of 1 to Annie and Dixon talking lovingly about Dr. Pepper on "90210," the Vaseline product placement in "Maneater" is about a five.
The problem is when LA socialite Clarissa (Sarah Chalke) starts waxing about the glories of the new Vaseline aloe fresh the action in the movie comes to a stop. It is awkward and clunky. "It's gel. Gel is the new lotion isn't it," Clarissa gushes. That kind of dialogue glaringly sticks out and this kind of product placement doesn't sway me.
I understand shows need to find a new and innovative ways to fund productions and I know there's a concern that viewers are fast forwarding through commercials and I certainly don't have any solution to the problem. "Maneater," based on the novel by Gigi Levangie Grazer (who also wrote "The Starter Wife"), is such a fun, frothy TV movie that the product placement won't stop me from watching. I just needed to vent for a moment.
Okay on to the movie. Chalke is definitely one of the most likable actresses around. She has the innate ability to make you root for her character. Even when she left Ted at the alter on "How I Met Your Mother," I still liked her. Chalke's likabilty is critical in "Maneater." Clarissa is a spoiled 32-year-old woman who has never supported herself and flits around LA going from girls lunch to hot club scene to lounging around the pool all on someone else's credit card. When her dad (Gregory Harrison) cuts her off financially, Clarissa starts planning her wedding to Aaron Mason (Philip Winchester), a wealthy producer she hasn't even met yet.
The movie starts off all fun and fashion but as the four hours progress, Clarissa's life gets more complicated and I just found myself rooting for her success more and more. It also helps that Chalke is surrounded by a crackerjack cast including Judy Greer and Marla Sokoloff as her equally trendy gal pals and Maria Conchita Alonso as her mother. The movie is the equivalent of a juicy summer beach read. "Maneater" may not make me want to moisturize with Vaseline aloe fresh but it does make me hope the movie becomes a series. It has a bit of that "Sex and the City" vibe going on which could be a lot of fun on a weekly basis. Three and a half stars.
After you watch "Maneater," let me know what you think.
Question of the Day
Once again, it's time to reflect on the TV season that just ended. Today's question is: Did "Fringe" become a good show? I say yes it did. "Fringe" may never be a great show. It's certainly no "Lost" or "Alias," but over the season it evolved to become if not must-see-TV, then sure -I'll-watch-TV. Plus it always helps when a show ends its season on a compelling cliffhanger. An alternate reality and the fact that Peter is from that reality not this one is a twist I'm interested in learning more about. Plus it explains a lot about Walter. What do you think? Did "Fringe" become a good show?
A Fun Link
The third season of "Army Wives" starts Sunday, June 7 and season two is released on DVD next Tuesday, Here's a look at the behind-the-scenes extras that are on the DVD.
Quotes of the Week
"Although I must say absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I really like that guy a lot better now that he's gone." Cappie to Casey about Max on "Greek."
"And Betty it would be like losing an elderly aunt that I'm sort of fond of." Amanda to Betty about the possibility of Betty leaving Mode on "Ugly Betty."
Amy Awards
Thanks again to everyone for all your great suggestions. Just a reminder that you have until Sunday, May 31 at 5 p.m. ET to email me your suggestions for categories for the 2009 Amy Awards. You can talk up your suggestions by posting below but you must email me your suggestion to have your vote counted. Next week, I'll announce the 12 categories for the 2009 Amy Awards and begin the call for nominees.
Remember you can now follow me on Twitter.
That's all for today. Don't forget that ABC begins airing the final three episodes of "Pushing Daisies" this Saturday at 10 p.m. I'm back on Monday to announce the 12 categories for the 2009 Amy Awards. Next week I'll also have reviews of the new shows "The Listener" and "Royal Pains." Don't forget to email me your nominations for the 2009 Amy Awards. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Have a great weekend. Talk to you on Monday.
Love Sarah Chalke!
Yeah Fringe is great looking forward to the next season, and as always what will comr out of Walter's moouth.
Am I first?
Yes I'm first and second woohoooo
product placement has been over-the-top for a while now... i still cringe to think about the oreo cookie episodes of 7th heaven, the venus razor/staurn vehicle plugs on veronica mars, or the ford spots on alias. there was a glaring one on bones a few weeks ago when cam was talking about how "angela's matrix [was] roomy enough to fit a dead body" or something.
i think 'trust me' is/has the most brilliant use of product placement. the whole show is about marketing products so it makes *sense* to hype the dove shampoo and the rolling rock. on every other show just feels so *obvious*.
Woo Hoo and I don't know what first and second mean!
How about the I can't believe I need AA before I'm out of High School Award? It could be for entire casts or individual characters...
Thanks for the reminder about Pushing Daisies - definitely something I don't want to miss...
Maybe shows could have a character that works in advertising so they can be working on a certain product each episode in the background. If they work in retail, they could be talking to a customer about a product. The coffee shop they frequent could be a starbucks. It could be someone's kid's birthday and they look everywhere for a certain toy. Make characters quirky enough that they can talk about anything without it sounding like blatant advertising. I think I remember an episode of Gilmore Girls where Lorelai was talking about eating a Poptart.
I'm looking forward to Royal Pains. There still isn't much to watch this early summer other than SYTYCD, so I might check out Maneater for fun.
I think Fringe did become really good TV fun. If I had to choose between Fringe and, say, Mad Men, Fringe would lose. But was truly interested in Mr. Jones (who I thought ended a wasted opportunity of a character) and why Peter's childhood memories don't match Walter's. I want to know why in the alternate reality that Olivia was able to see - the one with "He is here" written on the smoking shell of a building in Boston - that Charlie had a scythe-like scar just like the reverse impath (recently activated) had in this reality. There are many reasons to look forward to Fringe's season 2.
I enjoy watching Fringe--lots of laughs to go with the intrigue.