The hole that follows Blow-C

Play it: Reunion 1986 (series premiere)

Fox, try as they might, can't seem to keep viewers glued to the crap that they throw in the slot after The O.C. In only two seasons, they've marched North Shore, Point Pleasant and Tru Calling after The O.C. and all failed miserably in the slot, so perhaps the bar is now low enough for their new attempt, Reunion. The series even features Amanda Righetti, who's been on both The O.C. and the failed North Shore. However, even with Righetti and a lower bar, the crap they tossed out last night as the pilot has to be one of the worst written shows I've had to sit through in a long time. It even opens with this cringe-inducing line in a funeral eulogy:

...I never would've thought that one of those six friends might be brutally murdered in their prime — by an unknown assailant.
- from the eulogy that opens Reunion

I'd say the acting was as bad, but most did the best they could with what little they have. It was like a dumbed down John Hughes film trying to be serious, and the last thing a Hughes film needs is dumbing down. Here's the thing, though - it will probably last because it is soooo bad....and they spent a lot of money on the music.

The concept of the show is actually interesting in theory... It's 2005 and there's a murder to be solved... but the mystery begins twenty years ago and through flashbacks, each episode goes through a year. It starts in 1986 and boy does it rely heavily on the soundtrack, which is, like, so totally 80's dude! The producers pick such obvious songs that it's like their constantly hitting you on the head with an 80's hammer to remind you of the time period. Wham! ("...just you wait, Andrew Ridgeley is the next John Lennon,") The Bangles, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Mr. Mister, A-Ha and Cyndi Lauper are examples of what I'm talking about here (the official site has no tracklisting for the music, another complaint.)

Anyway, enjoy this initial soundtrack, because apparently they completely blew their wad on the first episode and there won't be nearly as many songs in years going forward... which might be a good thing. Maybe they'll spend their money wisely on songs that aren't as obvious (and maybe a little cheaper to license.)

Eventually it will also be available for download on AOL.

Previously:
The Blow-C is back in the hizzle

tags: playlist, music, reunion, soundtrack