The CW’s already-critically-beloved drama Life Unexpected will premiere in the Gossip Girl slot Jan. 18 (then take the One Tree Hill spot while it goes on a break, making for all-original Mondays throughout the back half of the season). And I’m asking you right now: Please don’t use the GG/OTH downtime to organize your iPod playlists or, you know, go out. Program the DVR as soon as this show’s available on the little search-box thing. The Juno-meets-Gilmore Girls dramedy — about a preternaturally mature teen named Lux (Britt Robertson) who, to get emancipated from foster care, seeks out her emotionally stunted biological parents (Shiri Appleby and Kristoffer Polaha) — has that heartwarming/witty/real combination that used to be a WB staple, back in the heyday of Lorelai, Rory, Dawson’s Creek, and Everwood. It’s absolutely worth watching just because it’ll make you laugh and cry and marvel at how Kerr Smith (who plays Appleby’s fiance) looks exactly the same as he did back when he was Jack on Dawson. But it would also be great to show The CW — and every other network catering to young folks — that there’s a market for these kinds of shows in addition to glossier (Gossip Girl), trendier (Vampire Diaries), and retread-ier (Melrose Place) fare. I love those shows, too, but I hope there’s room for this one:
What do you think, PopWatchers? What must we do to get you to watch?
It looks very sweet–but those people are way to young to be here parents. Even if they had her at 15–that would make them 31 and they all look about 24. Why would they do that? Why not just get more mature looking actors? These people all look like they should be going to school together. Not parenting each other.
I had to look it up because i thought the same thing. Shiri Appleby is actually almost 31 and Polaha 32. Kerr Smith is even older at 37 so they are all older than what they appear.
I’m pretty excited about, I love Melrose and Gossip Girl, and I’m glad they’re giving this show a chance because I am the biggest ROSWELL FAN, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Shiri Appleby in it. I’m so happy she’s coming back in a series I actually want to watch, compared to her last couple of series that were quickly canceled…Hope that doesn’t happen here!
I….huh.
This actually looks really interesting.
That was my first response as well. Until the last line that was uber-cheesy.
My same reaction…
Damn it. Why did you have to show me this? Now, I will have to go back to the CW after shunning them for nearly a year.
the odd thing for me is realizing that Shiri Appleby is indeed old enough to have had a child who would now be a teen.
man, i feel old.
(that said, I will probably DVR an ep or two and give it a chance – but CW has disappointed me with the character-driven shows of late.)
Appleby was born in ’78. Robertson was born in ’90. Bad casting choice, unless Appleby giving birth before her freshman year of high school is actually a plot point.
Like you said, it reminds me of the shows from the WB’s glory years—I’ll give it a shot.
The best part about this show is that Being Erica’s Erin Karpluk is going to be on it too as the radio show’s producer! Too bad she’s not in the preview. But still Makes it a must watch!
Wait, does that mean no more Being Erica? Big disappointment to me if that’s the case – I love that show.
The plan is to do both….assuming Being Erica gets picked up for a third season!
This actually looks good, plus I love Shiri Appleby. Methinks I need something to watch Mondays at 9 whether or not GG is on, lol, so this will be an interesting 6 weeks.
I’m so in! I loved Shiri Appleby on Roswell…ahh, Roswell, i miss you.
That just freaked me out as I am approaching 33 and while I knew I could have a kid who is…um..whoa, 19 and I knew how old the actors were…wow, it is pretty close to the age difference between Rory and Lorelei, right?
I think the same thing. The adults look “young” to me because they are my age and I am to young to have kids that age, right? right? Oh lord, I feel old.
Darn it, like I need another show to watch!
I am sooo sold on this. CAN. NOT. WAIT.
Yes, more shows like this! This show looks like it’s totally up my alley. I’ll be watching.
This show will be fantastic because of the cast, the fact it is a return to what the WB used to be (even if they call themselves the CW now; and yes, I know all about the comingling of WB and UPN to make this new network) and exec. producer. Liz Tigelaar. Britt (the actress playing the teen daughter) is playing younger than she is – which is typical – hello, Jason Behr played a teen in Roswell and he wasn’t a teen (nor were most of the cast) [just one example] and Kristoffer and Shiri are just old enough to have a teen child in real life let alone in the show. Watch for the quality storytelling and stick because it will be a great show.
Wow, it looks good. I don’t care for the casting very much but it still looks worthwhile.