Who’d have thought that a project called GOSSIP GIRL would quickly become the least talked about new series on the CW’s fall 2007 slate. While the show, from OC creator Josh Schwartz definitely looks to be a winner — after-all, who doesn’t love glitzy New York socialites and OC levels of melodrama — the real talked about shows were some of the CW’s more offbeat and original offerings.
Namely, ALIENS IN AMERICA. Now I know what you’re thinking — EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS aside, ‘funny’ and the CW are two words that don’t generally go together. Well, if the reaction from the UpFront audience was any indication, the CW may have its first bona-fide comedic hit on its hands (translation: people actually laughed).
ALIENS IN AMERICA tells the story of Justin Tolchuk, a sensitive 16-year-old just trying to make it through the social nightmare that is high school. Realizing that her son needs a friend, Justin’s mom signs the family up for the school’s international student exchange program. Needless to say, if BORAT taught us anything, it’s that America loves its foreigners. Come fall 2007, the next big CW star is going to be a 16-year-old Pakistani Muslin named Raja.
by Ishmael Bean.
