I remember not too long ago when Sunday nights were reserved for some strong Lifetime dramas. Remember Strong Medicine and The Division? I really liked both those shows. After both shows left the air, Lifetime struggled and, to me, got a little too soft. Too many women in peril stories for my liking.
A couple of years ago they premiered Army Wives and while there are many things that annoy me about the show I am strangely addicted to it in a big way. Now it seems they have found a solid partner for the show in the new drama Drop Dead Diva. Created by Josh Berman who was a consulting producer at Bones for Fox the show ended up at Lifetime after Fox passed on it. God forbid a network TV show should have a woman who is not a size 2.
Here’s the premise. Vapid blonde model Deb (who is about to audition for The Price is Right) is killed in car accident and her soul is by accident sent into the body of a not so skinny lawyer Jane who has just been shot by a gunman at her firm.
When Deb wakes up in the hospital she discovers she is Jane and freaks out. Here is a woman who doesn’t eat in the body of a woman who stares at donuts with lust. I love the fact that the show takes on all the stereotypes that we deal with all day every day and blows them all up. One of my favorite moments was when Deb discovered that she was now smart and it really took her breath away.
The show works so well because of Brooke Elliot as Jane. She rocks. She has to play two different people now inhabiting one body and she pulls it off with aplomb. Show also stars the awesome Margaret Cho as Jane’s assistant who helps her navigate her life.
Add this to your Sunday night viewing starting this Sunday at 9pm.
We watched the show last night. I agree with you that Brooke Elliot makes the show–she’s really good. I hope that the episodes continue to deal with the stereotypes as the premiere did.