Thursday, September 8, 2005

Review

Go ahead and skip this 'Reunion'

The cast looks great, but the storyline in new Fox sitcom is not funny and too predictable.

By Mekeisha Madden Toby / The Detroit News

Fox Sean Faris, clockwise from top, Will Estes, Amanda Righetti, Chyler Leigh, Dave Annable and Alexa Davalos star as a group of longtime friends in Fox's "Reunion." 'Reunion' GRADE: C- 9 p.m. Thursdays on Fox Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

Do you remember the time on "Friends" when they had this flashback episode where they showed Rachel and Ross and most of the gang back in the '80s? It worked for "Friends" because it was funny.

Fox's new show "Reunion" is not funny or even redeemably entertaining. Instead, it's a good premise gone bad and filled with predictable, hackneyed plots and staid acting.

The first episode is set in 1986 and follows six friends who are graduating from a suburban New York high school. Just like the beloved NBC sitcom, "Reunion," a drama, has three girls and three guys.

But Joey and Phoebe are deeper than these kids. The group comprises the pretty and spoiled rich boy Craig (Sean Faris); his prettier girlfriend, who could be his sister, Samantha (Alexa Davalos); Jenna, the slutty babe who wants to be a star (Amanda Righetti); and Aaron (a long-in the-tooth-looking Dave Annable), the affable nerd who's in love with the slut.

There is also the poor kid, Will (Will Estes), with big dreams and more than a slight resemblance to Emilio Estevez in "The Breakfast Club" and Carla (Chyler Leigh), the tomboy with the heart of gold who has a crush on bookworm Aaron.

This is the John Hughes movie that never left the cutting room floor -- where the path to college beams bright.

But this isn't a Hughes movie, and everyone knows some bad stuff has to happen to give "Reunion" an edge.

That "bad" stuff is a drunk-driving accident and an unwanted pregnancy. "Reunion" also fast-forwards to the present day when one of the pals is murdered. But who? And why? Each episode takes the cast forward a year from 1986 and offers more clues.

The answers to these questions may not be enough to keep viewers, and it's not as if Fox cares. "Reunion" will go head-to-head with CBS' hit show "CSI."

Good luck with that!

The only thing "Reunion" has going for it, besides its comely cast, is that it airs after "The O.C." "O.C." fans can stick around and watch "Reunion," or they can catch "Friends" in syndication.

After seeing the debut episode, the latter is not only more attractive than the show's stars, but also more satisfying.

You can reach Mekeisha Madden Toby at (313) 222-2501 or mmad den@detnews.com.