Hip-hop singer Eve proves she knows how to deliver a punch line in her new sitcom, which sports her name. The singer charms her way into UPN's lineup with a fresh look at relationships and the ever-risky world of dating.
Eve portrays Shelly Williams, a successful clothing designer who has been single for a long time. She likes being single, yet she has the urge to find that someone special. Shelly receives advice from her two best friends and co-workers. Rita and Janie are like the good and bad angels of love.
A former model, Rita (Ali Landry, better known as the Doritos girl) knows she's gorgeous and expects every man to fall at her feet. She can be outspoken and arrogant to men and clients at their dress store.
"You are our PR person," says Eve to Rita. "It doesn't stand for pretty and rude."
Janie (Natalie Deselle-Reid) represents all that is good in love. She is happily married and promotes the idea to Shelly.
The men's point of view is expressed by J.T. (Jason George) and Nick (Brian Hooks). Nick claims he wants a significant other, but his tough standards and continual dismissal of every woman he dates questions his readiness for a relationship. J.T. is just a regular guy who enjoys his freedom, until he meets Shelly.
The show easily navigates the complicated world of dating and the differences between men and women. The premiere episode is not afraid to ask the big questions. Is it OK for women to sneak food from the man's dinner plate⢠Are men allowed to cry in movies?
On their first date, Shelly realizes that her choice of "ET" may not be pleasing to J.T.
"You should have picked the movie," she says.
"That's OK," responds J.T. "I'm perfectly happy just paying for it."
This is a sentiment men must have been thinking of for years.
The sitcom features clips of interviews with people on the street. They express their views on relationship issues, such as how do you meet and are men allowed to cry. The bits are cute, but also a little distracting from the show. They just don't seem to fit with situation comedy.
The show features a lot of hip references to politics and pop culture.
"I checked her credit history," says Nick about his ex-girlfriend. "She had more debt than Enron."
The show was originally called "The Opposite Sex," which deftly explains the point of the sitcom. The name was obviously changed to trade on Eve's popularity. As an executive producer, Eve must be comfortable exploiting her fame. After all, it worked for Jerry Seinfeld and Roseanne Barr.
"Eve" is a smooth, hip show that will thrive with its target audience of young, urban viewers. The success of the show depends on the charming Eve, who should easily win the hearts of men and women.
