DIRT: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
(not rated)
MOVIE: ** (out of 5)
DVD EXPERIENCE: **1/2 (out of 5)
STARRING
Courteney Cox as LUCY SPILLER
Ian Hart as DON KONKEY
Alexandra Breckenridge as WILLA MCPHERSON
Josh Stewart as HOLT MCLAREN
Laura Allen as JULIA MALLORY
Created by: Matthew Carnahan
Studio: Touchstone
BY KEVIN CARR
Being on cable television can be a blessing and a curse. For shows like “Sex in the City” and “Nip/Tuck,” the lax standards can make for a sexy, edgy show. However, other shows try to force this and end up giving the audience too much edge and not enough substance. “Dirt” is a classic example of such a show.
The brainchild of Coquette, the co-brand of husband/wife team Courteney Cox and David Arquette, “Dirt” tells the story of a tabloid magazine. Cox takes the leading role as the editor of the tabloid, and in many ways the show serves as a way for Hollywood to vent its spleen about the dangers of sensational journalism.
Cox’s character of Lucy Spiller is meant to be both sympathetic and biting. However, the show tries to walk the fence on this At times, we’re supposed to hate her. Other times, we’re supposed to feel sorry for her. Other characters like the sleazy managing editor and the imbalanced celebrities just aren’t likable enough to carry the show.
In fact, the only character that has any real depth and flavor to him is the schizophrenic photographer Don Konkey, expertly played by Ian Hart. However, Cox’s ego won’t allow him to take a front seat to her show, and we’re left with the spotlight on less interesting people.
The first season of “Dirt” is available on DVD, and there’s to be a second season this year. However, it will disappear into the wasteland of late-night cable television soon enough. Like too many Hollywood introspective shows, this is a prime example of the Hollywood elite being masturbatory in their focus and leaving the average viewer out of mind.
“Dirt: The Complete first Season” comes with a nice assortment of special features, including deleted scenes, outtakes, stories of true tabloid journalism, a profile on Don Konkey and a making-of featurette that highlights (surprise, surprise) Courtney Cox and David Arquette bemoaning the struggles of being a Hollywood couple.