'Normal' makes for less than brutal TV Anika Kohon Daily Arts Writer "When perception replaces reality, high school can be brutal," claims the teaser for the WB's latest foray into teen life, "Brutally Normal". When perception replaces reality? Isn't that universal truth the very premise of high school? The first episode of "Brutally Normal" introduces three best friends, Anna, Robert and Russell, all searching for their places at Normal High School. The focus of the premiere episode is the three main characters' competition for proper representation in the yearbook. Anna fights with Lenny (dubbed Musso-Lenny by her friend) to keep an unflattering picture of herself out of the yearbook, while Robert fights to have a place in the pages. There is also Russell's "tryst" with the substitute teacher which creates a sub-plot that ties in nicely with the main conflict. The show is actually a microcosm for the individual characters' struggles to differentiate themselves from the masses. This is what makes Normal High School just that - normal. The three best friends all represent easily recognizable high school stereotypes, but not necessarily a predictable group of friends. They seem to have little in common, except their insecurities. Anna is the aggressive, intelligent, yet insecure girl, worried about others' perception of her attractiveness. Russell is the charming class clown fixated on sex and needy for attention, while Robert, more commonly called Pooh, is the over-achiever, known for little more. Time will tell if these three can break free of their shallow characterizations and offer audiences more than trite plots inspired by their simplicity. Hopefully, the writers will reveal more humanity and complexity if the show survives. Stylistically, the show plays with "Ally McBeal" type antics where the characters' thoughts are visually represented, adding to the focus on perception. The writers are keenly aware that there can be no reality when popularity is based on the brand of your jeans and your reputation hangs in the balance as your sexual prowess is discussed in the locker room. This is perhaps the motivation behind the deluge of shows set in high school. What better way to attract audiences than to pander to their insecurities and re-open their pre-adolescent wounds? The question remains, though, whether this show will resonate little more than the recycled truths about high school, or if it will set itself apart from the other ordinary "normal" high school fare. Originally on page 8A in the 1-24-2000 issue of the Daily.