lucy spiller

(S01E05) I still don't know Jack. Why? Because Dawson was barely in the episode. He's gay, we knew that, and now Lucy is going to put it in print. It was how the story developed that I liked. It was completely not what I expected.

From the moment we found out that Jack played for the other team, you knew it was going to become one of Lucy's cover stories. But I just expected it to be a situation when she was hitting a dry spell and needed a quick headline. I never saw it coming when we found out that Jack, America's premiere action hero, was a bit of a man-whore.

On top of that, It surprised me when Leo advocated the release of the story. Sure, he was hurt, but he also doesn't seem like the type of guy who'd be ready for the scrutiny of the public eye. But as Lucy said, they'll just "Photoshop the hell" out of Leo's face. My point is that, once again, this show has me impressed. It's not always what you expect.

(S01E04) This was a bit of a departure from what we've seen on Dirt, but I think it was a step in the right direction. If this show ever wants a chance at a second season (I'm starting to think it deserves it), then it's going to need more episodes like this.

It took four weeks, but we've now got a solid grasp on Lucy's past, where she came from, and the relationships she has with her family. None of it is good. It's painful and it gives you a better understanding of why she may have gotten into her line of work. She's got so many secrets of her own (and you know there will be more), that it makes sense she'd devote herself to digging up gossip on others while hiding her own demons.

(S01E03) Sharks eating their brothers and sisters while still in the womb? While a great metaphor for what Lucy is doing to her now combined staff, I could have done without that footage from National Geographic. It was like one big snot devouring another pile of snot. Ugh.

Moving away from that image, talk about a great episode. If you're not sold on Dirt by now then you probably shouldn't be watching it anymore. The magazines are combined, the staff is on edge, and Lucy is beyond nervous about the debut of "DirtNow."

But it all worked out because Don cut his finger off.

(S01E02) I think people need to appreciate this show for what it is. Similar to CSI: Miami, Dirt is over the top. It's cheesy and campy. Drama is played up for maximum effect. It's supposed to be like that. Dirt is definitely not a program for people who like to nit-pick about how true to life or realistic a show is. This is the TV version of a gossip rag. You don't take those things seriously, do you? It's fun to not care for an hour once a week. This show is a good excuse for doing just that.

One of the things I'm loving about the show is how real celebrity stories that we're all familiar with are being used to fuel the storylines of Dirt's celeb-fakes. The show is drawing from the antics of Britney Spears, Denise Richards, and numerous other recognizable names. It's not exactly a revolutionary idea but it's funny stuff.

(S01E01) I think I may be the minority here. I've read a handful of other reviews for Dirt and I think I'm one of the few who actually thinks it's worth watching. I realize it isn't the best show but realistically it'll follow in the footsteps of Over*There and Starved -- two other very well done FX series that just didn't seem to find the viewers. Look on the bright side though: FX could have aired nothing new on Tuesday nights. At least there's something fresh until The Shield returns.

Rather than just repeat myself, most of my thoughts about the pilot are laid out in this preview post I put up a few weeks ago. Dirt has potential if it's done right but my guess is that it won't be handled properly. Brian Lowry over at Variety makes some excellent points about what's wrong and if certain things change then Dirt will definitely climb higher on my list. He suggests that if Don weren't so far out there as a character and if publicists had a larger role on the show, it would feel a lot different. Better? Hard to say, but definitely different.

There are certainly far worse things on television and Tuesdays are sparse for me anyway. So I'll be posting about Dirt every week. I want to know what other TV viewers think though. Will you stick with it or is this something you won't waste your time on? I'd suggest at least sticking it out until the third episode. If you weren't impressed with tonight's pilot, it definitely picks up after that. Let me know what you think in the comments.

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.