So NoTORIous (VH1)

SO NOTORIOUS stars Tori Spelling as -- who else? -- former teen actress Tori Spelling, star of Beverly Hills, 90210 and daughter of TV mogul Aaron Spelling (90210, Charmed, Melrose Place, Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island). Tori plays a fictitious version of herself, blending her personal life with the rumors spun by tabloid reporters, and surrounds herself with a bevy of sitcom-ready characters. Her roommate, Pete (James Carpinello), is supposedly only living in her apartment until he finishes med school, but dating distracts him easily; her best friends, Sasan (Zachary Quinto) and Janey (Brennan Hesser), are diligent about getting Tori some action, quick to assure her that she's a national icon, and even quicker to encourage her to use her family connections. But Tori is determined to do things on her own -- which includes winning roles based on her talent, not her pedigree (she stars in an F-movie -- "like Lifetime, but worse" -- as a "plucky melanoma survivor who solves crimes while battling hypoglycemia and a sex addiction."). When Tori visits her parents at their infamous mansion, we only hear her father over a loudspeaker (a la Charlie's Angels); her visible family includes her emotionally challenged mother, Kiki (Loni Anderson), and her childhood caretaker, Nanny (Cleo King), who constantly comments on Tori's figure, sighing, "Damn girl, look at those boobies. They get bigger every week -- that can't just be the bra."

The series' antics are painfully humorous but done in a lighthearted tone. Bottom line? Tori's character is fighting against a stereotype, and as co-executive producer of So NoTORIous, Ms. Spelling is having the last laugh.

TV Rating: NR
Network: VH1
Cast: Tori Spelling, Zachary Quinto
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: VH1