'Once and Again,' Zwick's series shines

From the Emmy award-winning executive producers Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick ("thirtysomething," "My So-Called Life"), ABC's "Once and Again" closes the gap between Generation-X and the Baby Boomers. Sure to attract viewers of all ages, "Once and Again" realistically captures the confusing and ageless issues of life, love and growing up.

Anyone under the impression that relationships become easier with age is not a divorced parent. Likewise, anyone who believes that the teenage years are the best years of one's life must have repressed memories of high school. And everyone who thinks no one understands should watch this new romantic, family drama "Once and Again."

Courtesy of ABC Sela Ward and Marin Hinkle play a mother-daughter combo in "Once and Again."

The series stars Sela Ward ("Sisters") as Lily, a divorced mother of two daughters (played by Julia Whelan and Meredith Deane) and Bill Campbell as Rick, a divorced husband of two adolescents (Shane West and Evan Rachel Wood). The parents' meeting leads to instant attraction and thus, begins a relationship that has more people involved than those swooning from the first kiss.

Lily and Rick, both loving parents, try to do what is best for their children, while at the same time, try to regain a life that they had forgotten existed.

Both parents and their children deal with the issues of dating, sex and life in the series premiere of "Once and Again." However, the underlying common ground that all adolescents face and more adults are starting to embrace is the issue of self-discovery.

"Once and Again," employing a style similar to MTV's "The Real World" confessionals, has the characters come face-to-face with the camera and their own self. During these times of self-reflection, the viewer gets an inside look at the psychological make-up of the character.

"Once and Again" is an engaging series that confronts difficult topics in the wake of divorce. With witty lines and realistic characters, "Once and Again" is easy to relate to on many different levels because the show is multi-faceted.

With a strong cast of characters, "Once and Again" hits a highpoint for ABC, bringing one of their best series this season.

09-28-99