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Review:
Maggie
Written
by Rick Ellis
I've never
been a big fan of the programming on the Lifetime network. I certainly
have no trouble watching a show made for a woman, but it's the kind
of programming from Lifetime that drives me nuts.
There's the constant barrage of "They've taken my Daughter/ Slept
With My Sister/Made Me A Hooker" made-for-tv movies.
And let's not even get into the horrific lifestyle programs, complete
with makeup tips, which is designed to send any man running from
the room in the kind of pain you usually only experience when someone
asks you about your feelings.
So when I heard LIFETIME was debuting some original programming
on Tuesday nights, I was happy that they were bucking the rerun
tide on cable, but I figured there wasn't a chance in hell I'd actually
enjoy any of the shows.
Okay, I was wrong...
Like it's partner sitcom Oh
Baby, Maggie is being produced by a major studio, and
it looks as good as anything on broadcast television. But it's hard
to imagine a show with this plotline on any of the big four networks,
and frankly, it's their loss.
Maggie Day is turning 40, and it's not going well. Her husband Art,
is a cardiologist and barely notices her existence. Her 17-year-old
daughter Amanda is spending all of her time with her friend Reg,
who is not only a budding cartoonist, but a guy who's decided that
he wants to be gay, because "all the talented cartoonists are..."
Maggie decides to return to school and study to be a vet while getting
a partime job at a local clinic. All of which sounds like a good
idea until she unexpectedly, without meaning to, finds herself attracted
and drawn to the doctor...feelings that are jarring to a woman who's
been married for 19 years.
Like all good sitcoms, the storyline doesn't seem all that compelling
when it's written out, but it's a wonderful show. Maggie is played
by Ann Cusack, who was last seen on tv playing the wife on The
Jeff Foxworthy Show.
Cusack is so cute, and funny, and an assured and talented actress.
She's able to seem confused enough to be close to a breakdown, but
still be strong enough to run a household and have one of the funniest
screaming scenes I've ever seen.
Other fine perfomances come from John Slattery, who plays Richard
the vet, and Melissa Samuels, who plays the flaky vet clinic receptionist
Amy.
It's a tribute to the program that not only did I laugh hysterically
at the pilot, not once did I think "chick show." Although it obviously
is designed to be one.
Maggie is funny, wry and has a different approach to life
as we know it. And it'll be fun to follow her heart--wherever it
may lead her.
Maggie airs on Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT, with reruns on Saturdays
at 11pm ET/PT.
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