Before I comment on the show lets get my credentials out of the way. I recently graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. I have also taken several film/arts courses because of my intense interest in them. I love art, but I am most familiar with film. There is nothing that I enjoy more than a thought-provoking movie. I understand film as art and I appreciate all the great directors (and I'm not talking Spielberg here). Color or B&W, old or new, domestic or foreign, it doesn't matter as long as the film is good. I'm not bragging here, but I'm trying to establish that I do have some intelligence before I get crucified for being an idiot that actually enjoys "VIP" from time to time. One of the things that upsets me is when people complain about a film being stupid when they don't even understand it. This happens with just about any non-conventional movie. However, the same thing can partly be said about "VIP." From most of the negative comments I can see that people are completely missing the point (not all the negative comments). Yes the show is ridiculous, unrealistic, predictable, and features one-dimensional characters, but does it ever pretend to be something better? NO IT DOES NOT. It never pretends that it is not any of the above. It wallows in its ridiculousness and embraces its one-dimensional characters. For those reasons, it will never be a great show, but it can be kind of fun.
One comment I read complained about Pammy spying at night in a tight purple outfit and stiletto heels. The reviewer was really bothered by this and believed that it could never happen. Let's think about it... OF COURSE IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN! THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT! Yes it is simple and silly, but don't miss the fact that that's the point. Would you also complain that Lt. Frank Drebin from the NAKED GUN doesn't really act like a very competent cop? Did the inflatable autopilot in AIRPLANE seem a little too "literal" to you? If so, then you are stupid. The quality of "VIP" and the show's humor cannot be compared to those great comedies, but "VIP" is in the same vein. There have been several witty moments in the series. Not genius, but witty.
The characters are supposed to be one-dimensional. Every member of the VIP team has pretty much one characteristic and they just go with it. Is it redundant? Yes it is. But it also makes them into cartoon characters. Why would you watch the Road Runner cartoons many times? It's always the same thing, but it can still be fun. The cars, the colors, the outfits, and the people are all beautiful, but that's the show's style. IT IS NOT AN EXERCISE IN REALISM.
Before I give the show too much credit, I do want to say that this is definitely nothing to admire. I think the show is decent if you have nothing else to watch and can be kind of fun. At the same time, there is always that tug of war going on in my brain between the intelligent me and the me who needs to stop thinking in order to enjoy the show. Because "VIP" is so one-dimensional, I don't get much satisfaction from it. The MTV-style editing can be kind of annoying. Everyone in the show is a walking arsenal of guns, but the only time they use them is to shoot other people's guns out of their hands (which is also kind of a funny thing). Everything comes down to hand to hand combat. And when they shoot those gorgeous vehicles, the bullets just bounce off. So all of these things get on my nerves, but they are kind of funny as well. It's all a part of the ridiculous nature of the show. The only time the show is really bad is when it abandons its nature. Anytime it tries to be serious or dramatic it becomes terrible. When the bodyguards actually believe that they are more important than the FBI or the cops, that's when the show is a little stupid. This would be fine if that belief was yet another joke, but the characters do appear to be a little too serious about what they are doing sometimes. Then again, even that can work well in contrast to Pammy's goofiness.
The bottom line is there is nothing amazing about this show, but it can be fun in a "cartoonish" way. It does not satisfy in a large variety of ways, but "VIP" can be enjoyable if you are willing to accept its nature. The acting is one-dimensional because that is how it is supposed to be and as that, it is quite good. Pammy herself has never been better. If you look at "Baywatch" or BARB WIRE, there she is a weak actress because she is stretching for dramatic levels that she cannot reach. She is perfect in "VIP" and is very willing to mock herself. Let's not forget all of her great outfits since she does look real good. It's definitely one of the reasons why people watch. "VIP" is a perfectly acceptable show because it is not an insult to our intelligence. It comes straight out and says, "I'm incredibly stupid. If you want, enjoy my stupidity. If not, change the channel." It is infinitely better than a show like "Baywatch" where the melodrama is truly ridiculous and insulting and the acting is pure garbage (because people are trying to act in dramatic ways they cannot). "Baywatch" actually pretends to have a serious story and "VIP" does not. That's what makes it much better. And if you are getting angry about how stupid "VIP" is and how a girl in high-heels could never be a bodyguard, think for a moment. You may be missing the point.
