Drop Dead Diva
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Beauty vs. brains dramedy is fun, despite some stereotyping.
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Drop Dead Diva
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Based on 5 parent reviews
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What's the Story?
After a fatal car accident, the spirit of aspiring model Deb Dobson (Brooke D'Orsay) ends up trapped inside the body of recently deceased plus-sized attorney Jane Bingum (Brooke Elliott). Now shallow Deb must rely on workaholic Jane's brains instead of her (former) looks to get by. With the help of Jane's assistant Teri (Margaret Cho) and best friend Stacy (April Bowlby) -- not to mention guardian angel Fred (Ben Feldmen) -- Deb begins to use her second chance to become a better person. But it isn't easy, especially when her former boyfriend Grayson Kent (Jackson Hurst) starts working at Jane's law firm, attracting the attention of catty co-worker Kim Kaswell (Kate Levering).
Is It Any Good?
DROP DEAD DIVA relies too much on stereotypical characterizations of women -- the dumb blonde, the homely intellectual, the vampy temptress, etc. -- to be wholly fresh and original. While the show ultimately sends the message that being superficial or relying solely on looks isn't a good thing, it also makes conflicting points about the role that being physically attractive plays in a successful woman's life.
Still, Deb/Jane's journey of self-awareness creates lots of funny and poignant moments while the two women negotiate their extreme personalities. Meanwhile, the various legal cases that Jane's firm handles add to the drama. It's a little bit much for tweens (and even some young teens), but older kids and adults who can look past the easy-out characterizations could find the series both smart and entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether women should ever have to choose between being beautiful or being smart. Is this really a choice that women are forced to make today? Do you think the show dispels or reinforces stereotypes about women?
Families can also discuss how the show addresses body image. Does it make you consider the issue any differently? Why or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 12, 2009
- Cast: Brooke D'Orsay, Brooke Elliott, Margaret Cho
- Network: Lifetime Television
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
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