Drop Dead Diva Airs on Lifetime

In between programming I had been watching, I noticed preview after preview for the new series of Drop Dead Diva. I'm a woman of today that loves to shop, manages my household, and juggles kids and my career. I'm not overweight, but I'm not thin. I'm a standard size 10, the average woman. This series seemed like a series I could really embrace.

Last night I watched the pilot episode and have mixed feelings about this new series which airs on Lifetime. The beginning of the pilot began with two characters dying based on bad decisions. One of the characters is a shallow model that would like to work on the game show, The Price is Right, while the other non-standard model figured character wants to eat all the time, doesn't stand up for herself, but is an intelligent lawyer. When both of the characters die, there is a slightly weird twist of fate that leads the shallow character of Deb into the body of Jane. Being used to her skinny body and shallow expectations, Deb is shocked and disappointed in her new body and perspective on life.

The episode continues to have Deb, as now Jane, moving through life in Jane's body and living everyday life from Jane's perspective. I felt very torn when watching this show. The beginning of the episode is best described as "cheesy." It was not believable, and seemed as though the writers couldn't even creatively figure out the best plot for the body swap, so they gave up and wrote something dry, shallow, and unbelievable.

After the introduction of the two characters and the swap that led Deb to Jane's body, I almost stopped watching the show. I really thought that if the rest of the show was as poorly thought out, that I couldn't waste more of my time watching. I'm glad to say that the plot got better. I started getting more interested in the show, especially when the actors were showing true emotions. In one scene Jane sees her old boyfriend who is grieving for her. In these moments where the two characters were together, my heart went out to the characters.

It seemed as though this show was very disconnected. In one moment, Jane is recalling fashion tips and in another moment she needs a donut to settle her nerves. I couldn't see myself relating to either character and that's where the writers are losing me. I don't think women that are overweight always need food to calm themselves. These impulsive moments when Jane needed a donut, or Easy Cheese to settle her nerves almost made me outraged. I really wonder if the writers of this show are overweight or even understand how women feel that have a few extra pounds.

To me, this show has an "Ugly Betty" feel that seems almost too similar. Jane is working in a law firm with good looking people, just like the character of Betty. Jane doesn't have confidence to stand up for herself, same with Betty. Jane doesn't have a love interest, either does Betty. See the similarities?

What is next for Jane? Give her a makeover and drop a few pounds and now you are back to being Deb in Jane's body? Or, leave her slightly heavier and just dress her nicer?

I can't say that I'm going to watch another episode of this series. I just don't think I can handle watching another show similar to another that's already on the air. The writers just can't seem to write script that is believable. Sorry, you've lost one viewer.