Pilot View: The CW’s new drama ‘Hellcats’
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Editor’s note: We offer our first impressions of the original pilots for fall shows. Keep in mind these are not reviews and the networks may make significant changes to these shows before they air. We reserve the right to love them or hate them more later.
‘Hellcats’ uses the backdrop of a football program at a Memphis university to tell the coming-of-age-story of two young women who are committed to the cheerleading squad to realize their dreams. Marti Perkins is a pre-law student with a soul-sucking mother who loses her scholarship and realizes her only chance of staying in school is to try out for the cheerleading squad to get another scholarship. Her new roommate is Savannah Monroe, the peppy captain of the squad who is also using cheerleading as a steppingstone.
Who’s in it: Aly Michalka (‘Bandslam’) as Marti; Ashley Tisdale (‘High School Musical’) as Savannah; Gail O’Grady as Marti’s mother; Matt Barr (‘Friday Night Lights’) as Dan, Marti’s friend.
Who made it: Based on Kate Torgovnick’s book ‘Cheer!’ the script was written by Kevin Murphy (‘Caprica’ and ‘Desperate Housewives’). It is also produced by Tom Welling of ‘Smallville.’
Thumbs up: Michalka and Tisdale seem perfect for their roles. Competitive cheerleading is a fun and deep world to explore.
Thumbs down: Predictable story.
Verdict: It’s OK.
-- Maria Elena Fernandez
twitter.com/writerchica
Video credit: The CW.
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