Nice Girls Want To Save One Show. Or Four Shows.

Everyone and their dog is posting articles about which shows are on the bubble, polling visitors about which shows they want to save, and mounting campaigns to show fan support for their favorite show. We might as well join the crowd, right? Of course our moms might pull out the “if everyone jumped off a cliff…” metaphor, to which we might roll our eyes and say, “but moooooooom!” Then we’d get the “don’t ‘but mom’ me; I want you to be an independent thinker” speech. We’d reluctantly agree that she had a point, then we’d plead our TV case anyway, so let’s just skip to the end result, shall we?

Nice Girl: Rueben
Show: V
Why: As I examined the shows for which I was most concerned about, I first latched onto the Canadian series Being Erica, until numerous confirmations came out in the press that the show will be renewed for a third season. I then decided I would put my support into the syndicated series Legend of the Seeker (which is my personal, weekly guilty pleasure) only to learn that the show will not be continuing for another season. There are still many shows that are “on the bubble” at all of the major networks and at some of the cable channels as well; and while I had thought to put my support into the ABC Family Channel series 10 Things I Hate About You the unfortunate demise of that series came down just as I submitted this article for publication at NiceGirlsTV.

Needless to say, I am starting to feel like each show I choose ends up with a giant bulls-eye on its back, making me hesitant to select another show; but that’s the point of any Save Our Show “campaign”, right?

Under the circumstances, I will put my weight behind the ABC remake of V, which debuted to high numbers last November only to watch those numbers begin to plummet over the subsequent (few) episodes that aired during that month. When it returned to the airwaves in March, most viewers had, unfortunately, departed or forgotten about the show. However, the series is making strides in terms of story development and is, for the most part, keeping me invested in the characters (more so than FlashForward, which is also struggling at the network). The basic premise of the series, much like its predecessor, depicts giant spaceships hovering over key cities around the world, containing what appear to be benevolent beings from another planet that not only look just like us but also mean us no harm. Their beautiful leader, Anna, appears, on visual screens on the outside of the ships stating, “We are of peace, always”. As the stories progress, some humans begin to doubt the “Visitors” intentions and join with the Fifth Column, those Visitors who have turned against their own to help mankind. Meanwhile, others are convinced the Visitors mean us no harm and begin to believe the messages of peace and the good will extended by the Visitors.

V airs on ABC on Wednesday nights at 10/9c.

Nice Girl: BethAnne
Show: Chuck
Why: In a fight for its life for the second time is that lovable, nerdy, spy show, Chuck. What’s not to love about this show? It’s got a talented cast, awesome writing staff, interesting plots, comedy, drama, spy stories, fabulous guest stars, great music and Josh Schwartz. Why aren’t more people watching Chuck? It’s not like you have to wait until the kiddies are tucked in their beds first. They love it too! It’s in a comfy time slot on Monday nights. Chuck has delivered three exciting seasons, so far, and with the direction the show has taken recently, a fourth season holds so much promise. There are so many more stories to tell with Chuck and Sarah, Casey and Morgan, Ellie and Awesome, and even Beckman. The fans are certainly doing their part by running ads and flashing rallies. Come on, NBC, give! Watch Chuck every Monday night at 8/7c, on NBC.

Nice Girl: Tiffany
Show: Life Unexpected
Why: As each Nice Girl got to choose one show that they felt worthy of saving, I would like to offer as my selection the CW family drama Life Unexpected. Based on the premise of a 16-year-old girl who tracks down her birth parents in order to get emancipated by the Court, and then finds herself awarded back to her birth parents, this unusual story of finding love in the most unexpected of places is charming, heart-warming, and a delight for the soul.

Under the deft story-telling of creator/writer Liz Tigelaar, what could have been an abrasive and heart-breaking story instead became a story of inspiration. It invited us to be a part of a broken family that is brought together and discovers that they can love again. Starring Britt Robertson as the adorable Lux, a teenager with a tough streak and wise beyond her years, Shiri Appleby as Cate, a radio talk show host trying to live the white-picket-fence dream but with a fractured heart and deeply rooted insecurities, Kristoffer Polaha , the perpetual bachelor who has never quite gotten his life together but who astoundingly steps up to being a great dad for Lux, and Kerr Smith as Ryan, Cate’s radioshow co-host and fiancée with a heart of gold, Life Unexpected takes us on a journey of self-discovery and healing. It offers a light touch on sensitive matters and yet does not shy away from the controversy either. It tackled head-on the trust issues that Lux had with her biological parents due to being given up for adoption and then never having a family choose her. It also addressed the problems of infidelity and casual sexual relationships and the long-term ramifications. These are deeply flawed individuals who are still working to try to be a family and learning to love and trust again. The end result was a perfect mixture of drama, comedy and poignancy. If there is one thing that Life Unexpected had in abundance it was “heart.” It is rare that a television show so completely captures our hearts and imagination and it deserves a chance to share its story next season.

Nice Girl: Melissa
Show: Lie To Me
Why: Using keen observation skills to bust criminals isn’t a new concept on television. Right now there are two other shows – The Mentalist and Psych – based on the same basic premise. So why fight for a third variation on the theme? Because Lie To Me is the show that actually tells the viewer how lies are revealed. The science of body language and facial expressions is explored in narrative form, making it fairly accessible for the average viewer. At least once per episode, a fictional suspect’s facial expression is shown next to two other well-known figures from the real world making that same expression. I find that both entertaining and enlightening. In addition to the science on the show, the interpersonal relationships keep viewers on their toes. Tim Roth is the quirky, charismatic lead (sound familiar?) and he’s surrounded by a crack supporting cast whose foibles and genius and heart make them compelling. Just when you think you have a grasp on relationships and motivations, you realize you still need practice at reading body language.

Fox will resume airing the second season of Lie To Me on June 7.