 |
| Courtesy of the WB Shannen Doherty stars in the new drama "Charmed" on the WB.
|
Doherty plays a witch, which seems only proper after being booted off "90210" for being the thing that rhymes with witch. Also joining her in her TV comeback is former "Melrose" cast member Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs from "Picket Fences."
These three play sisters who, after moving back to their childhood home, discover a family secret - they are really part of a long line of witches. Known as the "Charmed Ones," each of the three have a secret weapon, and together they are the most powerful witches of the supernatural realm.
Doherty, the oldest of the three, plays Prue. She has the ability to move objects with her mind. This works best when she gets angry, which is no problem, seeing as how she's pretty much angry the entire episode. Combs is the middle sister, Piper. Her special talent is being able to freeze time. That leaves Phoebe, Milano, the baby of the family, who has the gift to see into the future. Of course, they don't abuse their power. Most of us, if we could do what they could, would be thinking "Vegas, Baby!"
But somehow it's just so hard to imagine Doherty playing a good witch when she's perfected the art of being nasty. Her character is on the warpath from the moment she opens her mouth. First, Prue can't stand her little sister, Phoebe, which has something to do with Phoebe touching Prue's ex-boyfriend. Then Prue gets into an argument with her boss who also happens to be her former fiance (how convenient). Their arguments are the funniest part of the whole hour. After Prue has left her ex-fiance speechless, Roger says, "I feel as if I should say something, only if to avoid a lawsuit."
Milano fits the role of the free-spirited sister Phoebe perfectly. The producers must have thought so too because they axed actress Rom, previously slated to play Phoebe. All new episodes had to be shot in order to remove Rom and add Milano. Hollywood can be a cruel industry.
Combs doesn't really do much to the cast except stand between the other two and prevent them from destroying each other. But a couple of witches just doesn't look as nice as a trio.
In the premiere episode, titled "Something Wicca This Way Comes," neighbor witches are dropping dead unexplainably, a warlock is chasing after them and a mysterious cat follows the girls. But the scenes are more likely to make you laugh rather than send a chill down your spine. A mysterious man dressed in a black raincoat is just not scary.
When you put the pieces together, what we have on our hands are three average actors in a mediocre drama that will be better known as the show with Doherty as a witch. What did Spelling expect?
10-07-98
| Previous Article | Next Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |