Daddy's Girls

Although DADDY'S GIRLS is marketed as a reality show, the action comes across as pretty scripted and contrived; it kind of feels like a sitcom without the laugh track. In one episode, for example, the sisters go for a walk and conveniently end up at a wildlife habitat for mountain lions and rattlesnakes, just as dad calls Angela's cell phone. But, of course, the signal is bad, setting up a joke for dad and mom to think she bought a mountain lion -- or even worse, that she was attacked by one. Back at the apartment, there's someone at the door, and the girls toss confetti into the air, thinking it's their cousin, Jessica. But, surprise! It's just their neighbor, Alycia, who's dropped by to give them a housewarming gift. Seconds later, Jessica arrives ... almost as if on cue. You get the idea.

While adults might not be interested in the over-produced exploits of these affluent 20-somethings, tweens and teens will find them likeable -- and the best news for parents is that they're surprisingly good role models. In fact, they make respecting yourself and your body look cool, which is a much-needed antidote to the onslaught of negative messages young girls get from other reality programming on MTV and elsewhere (The Bad Girls Club, anyone?). When it comes to this slice of "reality," Angela and Vanessa might be working from a script ... but at least they're modeling behavior that's worth watching.