The New TV Show Review Challenge: Twins

The WB's new comedy Twins, which premiered on Friday, is a show that should have been better...even with its simple premise. Even though there were talented people in front of and behind the camera, the show ended up being mediocre and lackluster. There are glimmers of hope in this show, though, and if it stays on long enough to find itself, it could end up being nice, decent television.

Twins was created by the Duo of David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, who also created NBC's groundbreaking comedy Will & Grace. It stars Sara Gilbert and Molly Stanton as twin sisters who work at their parents' underwear company. Mitchee (Gilbert) is brilliant, likable, and nerdy. She is the one who designs new cutting-edge items for the company. She designs a panty that makes a lady's rear area look better (one that is repeatedly called the "butt pucker" throughout the show). Farrah (Stanton) is the opposite of Mitchee, beautiful, shallow, and incredibly dim. She is the company's spokesmodel. The twins' parents are Alan (Mark Linn-Baker) and Lee (Melanie Griffith). Alan, like Mitchee, is smart and nerdy while Lee, like Farrah, is shallow and not the sharpest tool in the shed.

The premiere episode has Alan and Lee getting ready to officially turn their company over to their daughters. However, things don't exactly go smoothly. Mitchee and Farrah go back and forth about whether or not to stay with the company. Mitchee wants them to stay because they have a commitment, then she later wants to stay because she thinks a new employee at the company may have an interest in her. Farrah wants to leave so she can be free but then decides to stay because her sister acknowledges her as her twin. Just as the twins bicker, so too do the parents. Alan and Lee consider getting a divorce because they can't get along.

One of the things I like about this show is the cast. Sara Gilbert does a good job with this role and it seems very suited to her. Molly Stanton, who previously appeared on NBC's daytime drama Passions, also does a good job and has good chemistry with Gilbert. Melanie Griffith and Mark Linn-Baker do a good job with their roles as well, even if they aren't showcased well in this first episode. While there are some laughs to be found, they don't come often enough. I enjoyed some of the exchanges between Gilbert and Stanton and Melanie Griffith had a great line after Gilbert threatened to kick her sister's ass: "Don't. It's her fortune."

Twins tries to find humor in the simple conflict between the smart and the beautiful. Right now, relatively little humor is being found, especially considering the creators' pedigree. However, this show has a capable cast. If the show's writing can improve even just a little, the cast can make this show funny. If it can last, it could end up being a nice, fun sitcom that won't win awards but at least be entertaining for 30 minutes.