I've heard this is a good show. I'll be watching.

electricspacegirl | September 22, 13:32 CET

Yeah, tonight is all about Lost and Veronica Mars for me...which isn't as cool as what Whedonesdays used to be about, but at least I'm not resorting to The Bachelor.

And I have to come clean here that I broke my WB boycott for the Gilmores yesterday. Score one for the Pallidinos, though, because it was an awesome premiere. Well, I wasn't really intentionally boycotting so much as they didn't have anything I wanted to watch up until yesterday. But trust me, Gilmore Girls is the only show that I could cave into. Well, that and Drew Carey's Green Screen.

Kidding.

VampiresSuckLOLOLGetIt | September 22, 16:15 CET

Damn. I was sure it was on last night and having switched on the TV already - ended up watching TWO whole hours of mindnumbing "The Greatest Race". I hate myself this morning.

WWBD | September 22, 17:45 CET

When I look at the Veronica Mars promos, all I can see is that little con-woman Flora (from Deadwood) who got her skull split open by Cy Toliver. One of the goriest death scenes in recent history. So graphic. It's the same actress.

Cool for her though, that she got her own show. And I like the vibe it's giving off in the ads. Don't know just yet if I'll become a regular watcher.

*Must shake off image of Flora blindly waving arms around while waiting for Cy or Joanie to finish killing her...eeep!*

Willowy | September 22, 18:19 CET

And I have to come clean here that I broke my WB boycott for the Gilmores yesterday. Score one for the Pallidinos, though, because it was an awesome premiere.

Ok, OT, but go Luke and Lorelai!! :)

And I've never heard of Veronica Mars, but from the description...I don't know. Of course, before I was into Buffy, the description of that would have put me off too. I'm just so...not trusting about trying new shows. They usually underwhelm me. Damn you Joss! You've ruined me for average tv forever!!!!

Rogue Slayer | September 22, 18:20 CET

Veronica Mars got a great review in the Chicago Tribune today too. I'm going to at least check it out. I just set my VCR to tape both it and Lost. As someone who's not generally a big TV watcher, i'm not really looking to have a bunch of must-watch shows, but i wouldn't mind one or two - I really haven't watched anything but the Daily Show, the Olympics, and DVDs since last spring, when both Angel and Alias had their finales. And it's always fun to have at least one show where you can't wait to see what happens with the next episode.... (which is my big problem with all the CSI/L&O type shows – it's not that they're bad, just that all the episodes are interchangable. To me, the thing that makes TV a fun medium is its serial nature, and the way it hooks you into a story told over time).

acp | September 22, 19:07 CET

Willowy said:

When I look at the Veronica Mars promos, all I can see is that little con-woman Flora (from Deadwood) who got her skull split open by Cy Toliver. One of the goriest death scenes in recent history. So graphic. It's the same actress.

Yeah, that's the problem for me as well. Chilling. Her and the guy who played her brother were excellent guest star editions to the already-great debut season of Deadwood. Apparently Veronica Mars won't be as light as one might think, but I'm not sure if I wanna get attatched to yet another teen show. Also, the show's not airing on any Canadian channel and I cancelled my digital cable subscription to The WB/UPN once Angel finished, so who knows when/if I'll even be given the choice of whether or not to watch. No doubt the Canadian carrier (CTV) is waiting to see if the thing gets killed early on to see if it's even worth putting on their already-crowded schedule.

Kris | September 22, 19:07 CET

Funny, the promos don't highlight the murder, the disgraced father or the peer abuse. And they don't mention the gang rape at all.

wissxwe | September 22, 19:38 CET

I knew nothing of this show until now, but I’ll probably check it out. I read a lot of Nancy Drew books when I was a young-un, but was more into Trixie Belden because she wasn’t little miss perfect. I can probably live with the “teen-oriented” aspect if the show has good dialogue and interesting characters.

“I'm just so...not trusting about trying new shows. They usually underwhelm me. Damn you Joss! You've ruined me for average tv forever!!!! “

So true. So true. I know it’s unfair to hold everything to that standard, but I can’t help it either.

[ edited by bloodflowers on 2004-09-22 17:57 ]

bloodflowers | September 22, 19:41 CET

Dammit! I was staying home tonight to finish my writing assignment. Well looks lik thats shot. From 3 or 4 months of absolutely nothing to watch to two shows in one night. Maybe I can squeeze a page in between Veronica Mars and The Daily Show...

[ edited by sTalking_Goat on 2004-09-22 19:33 ]

sTalking_Goat | September 22, 21:32 CET

That was rather surprising, This show has a lot of potential in my eyes, It was witty and fun at times and dark and serious in others and It all blended together well. I like Veronica Mars as a character and the relationship between her and her father felt real. I'm also Interested in what's going on in that town, that school, her family and who raped her and how she's going to handle it all. There's a lot of possibility's here, and they have my attention, now I'll have to see if they can keep it up, and hope UPN doesn't screw it up If It stays good.

adventures in spelling | September 23, 06:35 CET

Impressive. Its not the new "Buffy" but I consider that a good thing. It has a real Karen Sisco vibe to it. Its stands on its own though. Hopefully UPN won't drop it or screw it up. The Paris Hilton thing next week already screams gimmick. Interesting music too, I didn't even know Americans knew about "The Streets".

sTalking_Goat | September 23, 08:40 CET

Hey, that was pretty damn good. Veronica is a plucky chica, isn't she? I agree, it blended the witty fun with the serious very well. It's a neat little detective show with depth and charm. It has a lot of potential. I'll definitely keep watching this one.

electricspacegirl | September 23, 09:01 CET

Thought it was ok. Didn't like the weird editing with her dad when they were eating the mac & cheese or whatever. One second he was seated beside her, eating, the next second he was standing in the doorway and they never showed him getting up. Sloppy.

Her sudden friendship with the new kid wasn't very believable. Neither was the biker gang. I think that asshole deputy who keeps telling everyone to "go see the Wizard" was one of her rapists. I also think that guy who got busted for the bong was a rapist too. We'll see won't we? I'll watch again.

Willowy | September 23, 09:14 CET

I thought it was very likable, a little overdone in parts, but I'll watch it again.

"Interesting music too, I didn't even know Americans knew about "The Streets"."

Hey, goat, I've had Original Pirate Material since it was released here umm was it two years ago? (wanders off humming "Don't Mug Yourself")

[ edited by zeitgeist on 2004-09-23 07:33 ]

zeitgeist | September 23, 09:30 CET

Pretty good TV night for me, with first Lost, then Veronica Mars (and then I had to watch CSI:NY for Gary Sinise, who deserves a lucky break; not too shabby for a premiere, though I can't compare it to any of the other CSI's since this is the very first one of any that I've ever seen).

VM was cooler than I had anticipated and surprisingly witty. I was almost marveling at how snappy some of the dialogue was, for a UPN show -- someone's definitely been cribbing off the Whedonverse writers and lacing their efforts with Joss's style of sarcastic humor (though not nearly as effortlessly as the master, it must be said). So, Veronica's (will she get a nickname? Ronnie? Von?) pulling her little gang of misfit Scoobies together, her hair's all wacky, she's pretty, smart, sassy and yet still a social outcast.... Yeah, it feels a little derivative, but what isn't on TV? It's worlds better than anything that's on the WB this year so far, that's for sure.

Well, except for the Gilmore Girls, which I couldn't not watch. God help me, I'm weak, and Star's Hollow has an irrepressibly quirky allure all its own that I'm somewhat powerless to resist.

Wiseblood | September 23, 09:50 CET

Like others upthread, I hadn't heard anything about this show, but then again it doesn't appear to be on any Canadian TV skeds. I researched thefutoncritic.com and they did have several reports but I simply don't remember reading them. Weird.

Anyone in Canada, eh, know whether it will come here, eh?

Drifter | September 23, 11:12 CET

i hate all you people with your (possibly) good tv, i hope it comes over in australia. and it doesn't turn out like tru calling. i am still bitter over never seeing an episode of wonderfalls or joan of whatever. so bitter i can't type properly.

pezwitch | September 23, 11:31 CET

Drifter, if you subscribe to digital cable you can watch it on WSBK (that's Boston's UPN). Otherwise you'll have to wait for CTV to air it, they own the rights to the regular network showings of it in Canada. It may be a while, you could be waiting until next summer.

remembers the crap CTV pulled with the last two seasons of Felicity Grr...

Kris | September 23, 12:23 CET

I saw Veronica Mars last night before I read this. And I was thinking,'wow, this is like Buffy'. It was good. Of course, NOTHING will replace Buffy. 'Lost' was really good. I won't miss next weeks show. It catches you from the beginning.

jossfan | September 23, 18:01 CET

Lo and behold, a small miracle: a solidly written, entertaining UPN drama. Kristen Bell has just the right mix of spunk, wit, and vulnerability as Veronica; I liked the contrast between her days as part of the in crowd (in flashbacks) compared to the newer, tougher Veronica, who's been smashed in the mouth by life. I love it that she does not back down at any time at any place for anyone. That's our marshmallow.

Little touches: the principal's locker searches ("I'm so embarrassed"). Blue Oyster Cult. Veronica impersonating Inga. Backup the wonder dog.

Can't say I've been sucked into the main plot yet, and there are some aspects of the social and educational structure of Neptune that make me blink in confusion. For instance, that has to be the wimpiest motorcycle gang in TV history. Wallace doesn't want to give up the tape? Any self-respecting motorcycle thug would beat the crap out of him until he coughed it up. And why are members of the billionaire boys' club going to a regular high school when far superior private schools are out there? For that matter, does Veronica ever go to class? Does the series take place in a kind of stylized "teen noir" universe where this kind of thing is normal? (I'll go with it for now.)

I was going to say that Veronica looks and (mostly acts) like Chloe from Smallville. But if she watched the pilot, I'm betting Alison Mack thinks she's stuck in the wrong series.

cjl | September 23, 19:24 CET

I came to the tv with an oh, it's UPN smirk on my face, but now I'm looking forward to the next Veronica Mars.

lycoming | September 23, 20:00 CET

Well-written series. Acerbic but likeable female lead. Does anybody else worry that VM might get "Wonderfallsed"?

I'm preparing to send UPN a bag of marshmallows to protest a cancellation--just in case.

cjl | September 23, 20:16 CET

I was going to say that Veronica looks and (mostly acts) like Chloe from Smallville.

I was thinking the same thing, except I like Veronica much better.

electricspacegirl | September 23, 20:22 CET

Hey, that didn’t insult my intelligence! For all the comparisons to Buffy, Veronica reminded me more of Jaye from Wonderfalls—a conclusion more reviewers would have drawn if it hadn’t been cancelled so swiftly. A little too much feel good comeuppance at the end, but I think this show definitely has potential. I hate to put that out there because I don’t trust I will see more than four episodes of any new show anymore before it is yanked from the air. Why Paris Hilton next week? Why??? Can’t she just fall off the face of the earth and take Britney with her?

bloodflowers | September 23, 20:38 CET

If Paris Hilton helps the ratings, then good. But I can't see her...following (shudder to think) having much crossover with the show's potential audience. I don't think it will last long, either, and that's a shame. I like the mystery so far. It's sort of like Twin Peaks, but with linear people who aren't on Lynchshrooms and can speak to matters. I want to know what her ex saw, and what her father knows, and what her mother is up to. Hope we get to find out.

dreamlogic | September 23, 22:43 CET

This show was surprisingly good. Very funny in some parts and shockingly tragic in others. It also reminded me a little of Wonderfalls (but with more depth).

mai | September 24, 01:56 CET

"It also reminded me a little of Wonderfalls (but with more depth)."

Which is a sure sign of an almost immediate cancellation. You should know by now to never suggest that a tv series has depth, that isn't what television is meant for now is it! ;)

Koven | September 24, 02:02 CET