February Shows: Pants and Smash

February 2 saw the premiere of MTV's latest foray into television drama with I Just Want My Pants Back, a silly show that sadly is not much more than it's title.  After the 30 minute pilot involving refrigerator sex, snarky dialog, and the expected loss of one's pants (and not much else of value), you are left with an empty feeling.  You need to ask "Is the life of such young people really this bleak and aimless?"  Overall, this new show came across as a shallow New York version of Chicago's Happy Endings, where happiness still reigns among some of the youth in this country. 

February 6 was the start of NBC's Smash, the long-awaited adult version of Glee.  Then again, maybe not.  While the first season of Glee had humor and hope, NBC's new show starts off a tepid Fame-like material and does not offer much hope beyond that.  While I like the cast, Smash did not have the energy I expected with its back story of divorce, adoption, and bad blood between two artists/creators.  You seem to be walking into the middle of a well worn plot and not all that interested in catching up.  And even the idea of creating a musical from scratch sounded interesting until it became the tale of Marilyn Monroe.  Really?  That's what this new generation is clamoring for?  I just don't get it.  Smash is a dud.

Update:  I Just Want My Pants Back has been cancelled by MTV, whereas Smash is getting a second season.  Oh well, one down and one more to go.