'One' portrays recycled material

REVIEW
	You're the One The WB Sundays at 9:30 p.m.

Dolly the sheep isn't the only thing getting cloned these days. To prove it, WB has just cloned Paul and Jamie Buchman in the new show "You're the One." But their cloning technology needs some fine-tuning. On the surface, the stars of the show may resemble Paul and Jamie but this doppleganger is lacking something - humor.

"You're the One" is about a southern belle who falls in love with a Jewish guy from Long Island. Now, the two lovebirds want to tie the knot. Standing in the way of their marital happiness are their neurotic families, and it's up to the lovebirds to find peaceful ground. Is this starting to sound familiar?

Elon Gold and Cynthia Geary play Mark and Lindsay Weitz, the Paul and Jamie Buchman look-alikes.

Elon Gold is a former stand-up comedian and has appeared on short-lived series such as "She-TV" and "The Dana Carvey Show." It is evident that Mark in "You're the One" is his first starring role. Elon tries too hard to come across as funny and makes most of the jokes as forced as the laugh track playing in the background.

Courtesy of the WB Cynthia Geary and Elon Gold aren't the ones to replace Paul and Jamie.

Instead of laughing, you want to grimace. The only funny line to come out of his mouth is when he's all dressed to go hunting with Lindsay's dad, Bo (Leo Burmester). He looks in the mirror and says, "I look like Elmer Fud."

Cynthia is best known for her role of Shelly Tambo on the long-running series, "Northern Exposure." This former Emmy nominee's talent is wasted here. She does little more than act as an ornament - someone had to wear the wedding dress. She's either flashing her pearly whites or throwing a fit because the two families can't get along.

Most of the premiere episode focuses on the debate over Mark and Lindsay's upcoming wedding. The two families fight over everything from the food to the location. Lindsay's family is traditionally southern - complete with a famous legacy of war generals. Mark's family, on the other hand, originates from Long Island. Needless to say, neither family understands the other.

"You're the One" is full of all too familiar storylines and stereotypes about conflicting religious views, bickering families and hardships of marriage. But, of course, somehow love always saves the day.

One can't really blame the producers for wanting to cash in on the success of a "couple" show like "Mad about You" and "Dharma and Greg." But, as "You're the One" demonstrates, recycled material does not make for good comedy.

04-17-98