Premise: FX's new drama Dirt stars Courteney Cox as Lucy Spiller, a ruthless editor in charge of two celebrity gossip rags, "Dirt" and "Now." Her successes are unrivaled but her methods have made her one of the most hated women in all of Hollywood. Spiller completely ignores the old adage of "keep your friends close but your enemies closer." She keeps everyone at a distance, only deciding to turn on her charm and offer an open ear when it may lead to the next juicy bit on a tinsel-town starlet or sports icon. To assuage her own insecurities, she's convinced herself that Hollywood needs her when the reality is quite the opposite.
My Thoughts: I went into this completely biased before I sat down and watched the first two episodes. I had every intention to hate this show and tear it apart. Especially after I read that Ausiello over at TV Guide had dubbed it "flop of the year" before 2007 has even started. All that being said and guess what? I like it.
Is this going to be the best new show on TV once the new year rolls around? Far from it. But it still garners an enthusiastic "yes" when you ask the simplest off all TV viewer questions: do I care what happens next?
Cox, who also executive produces the show along with her husband David Arquette, can be proud of one thing, that's for sure. She's shed her Friends skin and done so in the most dramatic way possible. Lucy Spiller is the anti-Monica Geller. You won't see any of the chipper attitude that Cox graced NBC audiences with week in and week out. Lucy Spiller is an über-bitch, yet still likable. Don't be surprised if you find yourself quietly cheering Spiller on as she makes those around her cringe or cry. Similar to Showtime's latest runaway hit Dexter, there are moments when Dirt tests your inner ethics meter.
Spiller isn't alone in her quest to embarrass the famous though. Always by her side is her most trusted paparazzo, Don Konkey. Played wonderfully by Ian Hart, Konkey takes pride in being the only "pap" to still use film while the rest of the world has gone digital. Beyond that, Konkey is the only character that I can see audiences having an issue with. He's schizophrenic and this plays a major role over the first two episodes, as the writers try to integrate what he's going through as part of what the audience sees. This leads to some very cool uses of CGI graphics (I won't get into details because it is fun to watch), but ultimately I'm not sure that it matters. Overall, we're left questioning whether knowing what Don goes through is essential and unless his medical condition someone ties into the over-arching story, the answer is no.
Supplementing Cox and Hart are a host of other characters played by recognizable faces. Look for strong performances from Shannyn Sossamon as a pregnant actress caught in Spiller's cross-hairs as well as Rick Fox playing a slightly twisted version of himself. Blowing them all away, though, is Josh Stewart (you'll probably remember him from Third Watch) who plays washed up actor Holt McLaren. In exchange for puff pieces talking up his non-existent career, Holt becomes Lucy's latest well of gossip.
Of course, throughout the entire show, you have to wonder what happens when Lucy becomes the topic of the next hot story. However, from what I've seen, this woman? She's cold and she's untrusting. As a result, she doesn't make mistakes. But her desire to profit from the follies of others seems to be insatiable.
Dirt premieres on FX on Tuesday, January 2 at 10.
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-20-2006 @ 10:18PM
dingo said...
I just dont think she can carry a show on her own.
Reply
12-20-2006 @ 10:18PM
La-di-dah said...
Sounds interesting. I will actually, actually keep my mind open, when I was set to ignore it before. Besides, with all my shows going on "fall" hiatus, I am BORED bored bored.
Reply
12-21-2006 @ 8:28AM
TomB said...
The fact that it's airing on FX gives a big reason to give it a multiple episode go.
Reply
12-21-2006 @ 8:28AM
Joseph Bua said...
Besides, with all my shows going on "fall" hiatus, I am BORED bored bored.
Posted at 9:50PM on Dec 20th 2006 by La-di-dah
I know!I have nothing to watch until late Jan. New content just in time for Feb sweeps.
I'll give this a shot. An FX show I can watch would be nice. I don't like the cop stuff and the blood on N/T makes me gag.
Reply
12-21-2006 @ 8:30AM
tv junkie said...
i'm gonna give it a try only bcuz it's on FX and bcuz of the hiatus and reruns going around nowadays. this is definitely one of those shows that i won't know how i feel until actually seeing it (the previews really didn't intrigue me enough.) but i'll give it a try anyway cuz i'm interested to see how Courtney Cox reinvent herself (after, of course, Lisa Kudrow's hilarious and brilliant "Comeback" didn't work out on HBO.)
But seriously, it seems like everyone can play a cold, heartless bitch...many actresses seemed to overplay this type of character, so the question here is, how well can Cox pull it off?
on a completely unrelated note, Courtney's hobby, David Arquette's new show "in case of emergency" is debuting the day after "dirt"..."Coquette" team in full force '07!
Reply
12-21-2006 @ 10:05AM
Skin Man said...
One thing is for sure, Countney Cox as a bitch seems plausable. The show sounds interesting.
Reply
12-21-2006 @ 2:20PM
Gordy said...
Of course Ausiello would 'say' is was a flop...his whole thing is getting dirt. Methinks Courtney hit a little too close to home for his tastes.
I'll be watching.
Reply
12-21-2006 @ 3:28PM
This Time You've Gone Too Far said...
Despite wanting to bang my head against a wall every time I sat down to watch Nip/Tuck and they aired a "Dirt" commercial every break, I'm intrigued.
Reply
1-03-2007 @ 9:24PM
ethan said...
I really liked the show. I think Cox really pulled off being a bitch and veered away from her Monica character from Friends, which I am sure we were all wondering if she could do. I think we have to give the show a chance, i mean come on we all love the reality shows and the drama of the celbrities in the real tabloids, this show just brings some other tings to the surface, while providing us with some entertainment. Let's give it a chance, i think it will suprise us in the long run...I know I'll be watching it and some friends I have loved it too, so at least it has some following already...
Reply
1-13-2007 @ 11:49AM
elisha faragher said...
I thought 'Dirt' was awesome, a little distrubing-yes, but real, oh yeah! To be honest, I was not to sure about watching it myself, but, I am also bored with the reruns, and waiting for returns of my other shows.
I am glad I gave it a chance, and I look forward to seeing Josh Stewart, I miss Third Watch, anyone no what happened to Jason Wiles?
Reply
1-17-2007 @ 7:59AM
KiKi Hillary said...
I think the show is edgy and fabulous. Its really starting to find its comfort zone. Its a very brave character for Courtney to play, and if everyone can begin to attempt to imagine her as anything other than Monica Geller, they will truly appreciate the work she is putting into this Hollywood shock drama. The cast is wonderful, as is the directing.Its a glamorous look into the real world of tabloid news. Please trust me on this one! Give it a chance!It will only get better!
Reply
1-21-2007 @ 8:54PM
rachel said...
I love the show. I think it has great story lines. Courtney Arquette if absolutley fabulous. I could see a little less of her pleasuring herself. I was so excited when I seen the commercials for this show. My excitement was knocked just a little bit when Mrs. Arquette showed the world her dirty little secret that is kept at her bedside. That could have been totally left out the show. All in all I think it is a really great show. I know I can't wait each week to see what lengths Lucy will go to just to get a story.
Reply
1-21-2007 @ 3:33PM
rachel said...
I love the show. I think it has great story lines. Courtney Arquette is absolutley fabulous. I could see a little less of her pleasuring herself. I was so excited when I seen the commercials for this show. My excitement was knocked just a little bit when Mrs. Arquette showed the world her dirty little secret that is kept at her bedside. That could have been totally left out the show. All in all I think it is a really great show. I know I can't wait each week to see what lengths Lucy will go to just to get a story.
Reply
1-23-2007 @ 11:05PM
cruelintentions504 said...
i think this is gonna bean excellent show! i love reading all the celeb gossip...thanks for recapping it, and dont stop! :)
Reply
3-14-2007 @ 7:23AM
Dina said...
I do like the show as it has become one of my favorite. I think it is clever as well as hot. I hope it stays on the air as many of my friends are Huge fans...we have actually had a dirt girls night!!
Reply