Pepper Dennis
By Brenda Kienan,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sex appeal vs. smarts in a mature dramatic comedy.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
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.
Is It Any Good?
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.
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. 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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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