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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this dramedy takes on issues such as balancing work and personal life, comparing newsroom glamour with substance, and the relative merits of sexiness vs. smarts. Especially the latter: The series is all about whether sex appeal and professional ability can coexist peacefully. Some families might find the sexy storylines and dialogue a bit racy. Also, some male characters seem to treat women as objects (patting their behinds, talking down to them), but that's part of the "sex in the workplace" setup.

Families can talk about what role attractiveness plays in a TV personality's qualifications. Are looks as important as substance, character, talent, and experience? Should they be? Also, what are the potential problems of a workplace romance? Can women be at the top of their chosen career and still have a satisfying romantic life? What sacrifices might you have to make to succeed at work? Are these issues the same for men and women? If you had to choose whether to work to live or live to work, which would you pick?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Brenda Kienan

Sexy, smart Pepper Dennis (Rebecca Romijn), top reporter at a top Chicago TV station, wants to be the news anchor. She's got the right stuff for the job; as she tells the station manager, she'd make a "solid, truth-hunting, very photogenic news anchor." But newly hired Charlie Babcock (Josh Hopkins) gets the position instead, which is particularly annoying to Pepper because he's also smart, talented, and very good looking. In fact, Charlie is pretty much Pepper's ideal man -- and now he's practically her boss.

PEPPER DENNIS takes a satirical run at the idea that women can be both very intelligent and drop-dead attractive, while also exploring how a woman might have to choose between her career and her love life. Pepper always gets the scoop for her station, plans to land the job she has targeted, and hopes to someday get the guy of her dreams -- once her career goals are accomplished. She'll do anything for her career, but what risks is she willing to take for love?

In Pepper's world there is "no substitute for brains, substance, or character." She'd like to dismiss or dislike Charlie, but he keeps proving himself to be as smart, funny, and capable as she is. Worst of all, he's available and interested, although he and Pepper keep missing each other's cues.

Pepper's life is also complicated by the presence of her unnaturally perky and somewhat inept sister, Kathy (Brooke Burns). The TV weather girl (Alexandra Barreto) schemes against Pepper and seems to have designs on Charlie. Meanwhile the station's makeup artist, Kimmy (Lindsay Price), offers Pepper counseling and support through her personal and professional crises.

As Pepper chases stories, always looking like a million bucks, cameraman Chick (Rider Strong), who admires and lusts after Pepper, chases right behind her. Often, she falls on her face, literally and metaphorically, but she always gets up and keeps going. The comic timing is spot-on, although some of the set-ups are a bit obvious. When a bank security guard points out an unexploded paint bomb next to Pepper, who's dressed in white from head-to-toe, it's a sure bet that the paint bomb will accidentally go off, splattering blue paint all over her -- on camera. The writing is also somewhat uneven; Romijn delivers her lines with gusto, but some of them come out sounding clunky or forced.

As a character, Pepper Dennis is somewhat reminiscent of Murphy Brown. But Romijn has put her own stamp on the driven newswoman character and plays the part with sharp comedic instincts.

Fans who enjoy Pepper Dennis might also like Will & Grace for its witty, racy repartee.

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