The shadowy eyes, the cheesy music, the low-budget production and the bad grammar.
And, let’s not forget, the drama!
A new group of 14 women is ready to walk down the runway, hoping to become “America’s Next Top Model.” The new season starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday on UPN.
This is the best show on television – reality, scripted or otherwise – and because you can never really get enough, the third season should prove just as entertaining as its two predecessors.
What makes “Top Model” great is that it is an actual reality show, unlike others where people vie to marry a millionaire, or a bunch of strangers – Amish or secular – live in a house together for a while.
“Top Model” doesn’t pretend to be anything.
These women want to be models. They’re vain. They’re shallow. They cry when they get their hair cut.
They’ve gotten by on their looks and they’re riding those looks as far as life will take them.
“Top Model” has gone from a marginal niche reality show to full-fledged hit, which is why UPN is hitching its two most promising new shows – “Veronica Mars” and “Kevin Hill” – to host Tyra Banks’ ample caboose.
‘Veronica Mars’
“Veronica Mars” premieres at 9 p.m. Wednesday and is the first feature role for newcomer Kristen Bell. She plays the 17-year-old daughter of a disgraced sheriff who now runs a private investigation firm in Neptune, Calif. I only wish I were making up these names.
When she’s not dealing with the typical teenage drama of going through high school, Veronica is out solving cases.
Finally, a teen drama that’s less, “Did you hear what Joey said about Pacey?”
This Nancy Drew of the ’00s makes for a fine addition to the UPN lineup, despite some sappy lines and predictable plot twists. With some fine-tuning, “Veronica Mars” could light up Tuesday nights.
‘Kevin Hill’
Taye Diggs stars as a hotshot lawyer whose life is turned upside down when he inherits his 10-month-old niece on UPN’s new hourlong drama “Kevin Hill” (premiering at 9 p.m. Sept. 29).
Diggs masters the role and brings a new twist to a plot that could easily become sappy. The storyline is tried, but not always true.
Diggs brings the perfect combination of charmer and player to the part, making him just as believable in the club handling the ladies as he is on his couch lamenting his new life with the little one.
Hip and witty writing, a strong supporting cast and a other twists – including the wise gay nanny and the all-female law firm Hill winds up working for – should make “Kevin Hill” a star on UPN.
Columnist Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
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