Talkin' The CW's "Hellcats"

By PAUL RUSSELL
TV Talkin' Blog Sultan of Spreadsheets

“Hellcats” is a new show on the The CW this year, a mix of the movies “Election” and “Bring it On” in simple terms.

Where “Outsourced” took a formula from the 2006 movie it is based on and stripped away its thin pleasures, the pilot of “Hellcats” shows our central character watch “Bring It On” to prepare for her cheerleader audition. “Hellcats” is not afraid to take what works from another show. To openly admit it is a nice note, as it is what the audience is thinking anyway.

Most shows work on one of two levels. There is the procedural with a compelling story each week: “LA Law,” “NYPD Blue,” “ER.” The action or story each week keeps the audience interested and the actors and dialogue hopefully is enjoyable but it is not the focus.

Then you have the show where writing and characters are more important. “According to Jim” is inane but Jim Belushi is a lovable guy. Be it “Seinfield” or “Cheers“ or “How I Met Your Mother,” you want to like the characters and the stories give them a chance to do something amusing. Barney Miller does not require compelling crime.

“Mad Men” has little going on for episodes. “Breaking Bad” has a relatively simple story line, and “Rubicon” has story that does not always work, but these AMC shows have characters that are compelling.

Some shows are a mix, either they do both well or survive in the middle. “Bring it On” has a simple storyline but it is nice to see Kristen Dunst fall for the good guy and fit into the complex social stratosphere of a cheerleading team at a new school.

“Hellcats” has those character elements in place: the new cheerleader who lost her scholarship and is forced to cheer, the idealistic team captain with grudging respect for the new girl, the poisonous cheerleader whose status is in danger.

These are tried and true characters but they can work. “Hellcats” works in a way that the new “Nikita” fails and it is hard to describe why. “Glee” has storyline elements in the way “The OC” “The Office” and other shows in this space do and so does “Hellcats:” the first few episodes have an important competition, bonding with the squad, family issues, the idealistic and naïve cheerleader dates the new girl’s guy friend.

Somehow these stories work as “Nikita” failed to give their attractive stars something to do. “Hellcats” also compares to “High School Musical,” watching young people start out in life holds a nostalgic appeal and the hope of new beginnings.

As a Memphis native, I feel compelled to mention the setting. There are shows that make excellent use of their surroundings: “Miami Vice,” “NYPD Blue,” a show like “John from Cincinnati.”

“Entourage” and “Making it in America” can sometimes fail completely in terms of story characters and writing and the atmospherics provide some enjoyment. Memphis has had a recent growth in its entertainment industry: “Walk the Line,” “Hustle and Flow,” there is a MTV show based on local music scene. “The Firm” started things rolling.

“Memphis Beat” is set here and Jason Lee gives episodic monologues about confessing and cooperating with cops for the honor of Memphis, but there is scant evidence of Memphis as a compelling reason to do anything in that show.

“Hellcats” shows Beale Street. There are Mississippi River views. I think some filming takes place at Rhodes College, but regardless it is a nice southern collegiate setting for the campus scenes. The new girls mom ingratiates herself with barbecue and someone is mentioned as coming from Millington, home of Justin Timberlake. In the third episode, the date, our naïve cheerleader appears to get smashed on hurricanes, presumably at the Pat O’Briens on Beale street. These are

nice touches.

So if you are fan of teen soap operas or character shows where the action is like a “Glee” or “Community” or “High School Musical” you may enjoy “Hellcats.” It is a show that does not command must view status but one I will enjoy in the background doing chores around the house.