It's All In The Presentation
I am a big fan of movies and tv shows. Probably because of the storytelling parallels to books. My taste in movies typically follows my taste in books: something that includes an element of fantasy, science fiction, quirky characters or romantic intrigue - usually catch my attention.
Recently, I stumbled across a new tv show (new to me). And before you stop reading just know that the show is nothing like how the ads present it. It has been airing for two season, but the ads I saw posted all over the web never caught my attention. The name of the show is Drop Dead Diva and from the web banners I always thought it was a knock off of Ugly Betty and Devil Wears Prada meets America's Next Top Model. Although I can't recall ever seeing a preview for the show other than the generic web banners that were plastered everywhere.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn the show was nothing like how it was presented in the ads.
Ultimately, it is a chick flick with an epic romance (the main character of course unable to pursue the man she loves). But the hook that caught me in the first few minutes of the show is the paranormal twist – the main character is actually dead. She tried to return to her life and ended up getting stuck in the body of someone else who had just died. Now she has to live the life of the other person which is opposite of her old life in almost every way.
The show is also witty. For example the "Dead" in the show's title is actually a pun referring to how the protagonist is actually dead!
In her new life, the protagonist is an attorney. It has the seriousness if a legal drama combined with the lighthearted humor of a chick flick, placed up against the paranormal background of a couple of the characters who have ties to the afterlife.
I can't believe I didn't find the show sooner. I blame it on the presentation of the marketing efforts. While targeting the Top Model crowd, the web banners never included anything that would draw those like me to the show. I was just lucky to stumble across it. Anyway, I would recommend it to anyone who likes chick flicks and/or legal dramas.
Oh and speaking of Drop Dead Diva, I have one other question. In season two and three Jaime Ray Newman (Vanessa) is the girlfriend of the protagonist's love interest. I love the actress and would love to see her character(s) get the guy if only her character were the one the viewers were setup to root for first. Why is it that she's "the other woman" in nearly every role I've seen her in recently? Eureka, Life Unexpected, and now Drop Dead Diva – she's "the other woman". Perhaps that's how directors see her since that's what she's done recently?
Last week I saw a new movie posted on Hulu. The description didn't catch my interest. But then I saw the same movie posted on Netflix and their description of it made me want to watch it. So I guess as the saying goes, "Don't just a book by the cover"… because the designer may no have actually read the book! Anyway, check out Drop Dead Diva and decide for yourself. I think it's actually pretty good!
