'Lipstick Jungle' falls short of expectations
By Rachel Hanes, Staff Writer
February 12, 2008 | 12:11 a.m.
It is a show packed with fashion and sex in a big city, and an overwhelming feeling of déjà vu. NBC’s "Lipstick Jungle" treads in the well-worn footsteps of New York TV dramas but fails to make its own mark.
The show may be based on the book and executive-produced by "Sex and the City" writer Candace Bushnell, but this tale of stylish, big-shot friends in the Big Apple was doomed from the first time it was advertised as the next "Sex and the City."
"Lipstick Jungle," which airs at 10 p.m. every Thursday, is NBC’s newest series. It follows the lives of three best friends, all of whom claim a spot on Wall Street Magazine’s "New York’s 50 Most Powerful Women" list. Wendy (Brooke Shields, "Suddenly Susan") is a top film executive who tries to juggle her busy work schedule along with her husband and two children. Nico (Kim Raver, "24") is the editor-in-chief of a top fashion magazine and has found herself in a loveless marriage and a steamy affair. Last, but not least, is Victory (Lindsay Price, "Beverly Hills, 90210"), who is a fashion designer who has her head in the clouds and is trying to shed herself of her single status. These three women seem to span the spectrum of female characters, which leads to their being predictable.
There are some people who say there are no new story ideas left in this world, and, in the case of "Lipstick Jungle," those people would be correct. The show does not bring a new point of view. Showcasing lifestyles of the rich and famous is nothing new, and the "girl power," lecture-laden pilot hardly blazes a trail for a fresh, new look on women of substance.
One of the most detrimental issues that faces "Lipstick Jungle" is its obvious comparison to HBO’s "Sex and the City," which told the stories of four women as they lived in New York City and succeed in their professional lives as well as their sex lives. Does this sound familiar?
As one of HBO’s most successful programs and one of the hottest shows on television, "Sex and the City" delighted and shocked viewers for six sexy and stylish seasons, ending its run with eight Golden Globes and a number of nominations under its belt. Few shows could match its success, and "Lipstick" is no exception.
"Sex and the City" had the benefit of having HBO as its platform, allowing room for vulgarity, nudity and sexual content that added spice without being brash. "Lipstick" does contain some steamy scenes, and too-much-information girl talk, but sex doesn’t sell on national television like it does on cable. There is no shock value or exciting visuals; there are only allusions to past flings or quick cuts from a sexual scene.
Another aspect that "Sex and the City" had that "Lipstick" does not is a realistic and inviting cast. The friendship between the three women of "Lipstick" is not very believable, and this could be because of some surprisingly poor performances by some seasoned veterans of TV. Shields and Raver take their roles too seriously, leaving little room for any casual moments between the characters and the audience. The two women come off as pretentious, which makes it very difficult for the audience to develop a liking for the two women.
Price’s performance as Victory could be the show’s saving grace. She is, by far, the most lovable character, which could be because her character is the most down-to-earth. She is the underdog of the three, she is lowest on the "50 Most Powerful Women" totem pole and the only singleton. Price plays her wonderfully, presenting her with a great sense of humor and a light-hearted attitude. Victory is certainly one character with whom the everyday woman could identify, far more than the personalities of Wendy and Nico.
Lastly, "Lipstick" is far too contrived for its own good. It seems that the idea that these three women are so chic that they should be looked to as style gurus comes straight from the source rather than word of mouth. It would be much more believable that these characters are fashion goddesses if the idea were formed by the masses. It seems that the praises of fashion ferocity come straight from the horse’s mouth, and, in all honesty, these three city women are not as fashion-forward as the producers would like one to think.
As for being the next feminist "Sex and the City" breakthrough, "Lipstick Jungle" falls flat. To market the new show as any comparison was setting it up for failure. The performances by the cast and the all important clothes that they wear leave much to be desired. It does, however, hit the mark as NBC’s newest fluff.
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To watch the pilot episode and to check show times, visit NBC.com.