Eastwick

This is a pretty entertaining show, especially coming from a network known for throwing dull, whiny shows out there like Brothers and Sisters and it's latest clone, Modern Family. So naturally, I was pretty bummed to hear that ABC is canning this one. The story lines are great, often mixing serious supernatural situations with some humorous touches to lighten it up a bit and all of the actors all well cast (Paul Gross in particular is a funny slimy riot as Darryl Van Horn). I guess the only set back was the ridiculous 10 p.m.(EST) time-slot (aka "death slot") on Wednesday that ABC put this show into. It seems the network had little faith in this show to start with so they tanked it's chances of succeeding by showing it mid-week when most folks have to get up early the next day for work/school. Pity. I think if the CW or even NBC had this one, it would've had a chance.

Looks like it will be a cute, easy watching show that should appeal to a wide range of family viewers. No big, deep messages or morals, nor roll in the aisles comedy, but keeps you smiling the whole way through. The three women work well together, their very different personalities contrasting and complementing just like the very different powers that they possess. Jaime Ray Newman is totally believable as the "doormat" housewife, and mother of five (and the favorite character of our five kids). Lindsay Price and Rebecca Romijn also fit their roles perfectly as the scatterbrained journalist and the earthy artist. We will tune in to see how this "dynamic trio" will come together to confront the ideally cast demon Paul Gross, and the small-town small-minded community that they are about to be unleashed upon.

The show is exactly what you'd expect if you're familiar with cable network TV dramas. It features the usual tropes and humor, with every character hiding some nasty secret. The casting isn't bad, and while the acting isn't award-worthy, it's not jarring either. Some of the over-the-top fawning or lovestruck dialogue can get tiresome-even cringey at times-but it fits the tone of The Witches of Eastwick and reflects the era in which the show was made.

I'm not usually one to watch shows like this, so the fact that it held my attention with its "small town with a secret charm" vibe says something. Unlike Charmed, the characters here take much longer to realize they have powers, and the show leans more into dealing with social issues-using magic incidentally rather than engaging in demon battles or cult-like power struggles.

Unfortunately, around episode 9 or 10, the show started to lose its footing. I'm not sure if the creators knew it was getting canceled, but everything suddenly went into overdrive and overwhelmed the story, stripping away the charm that had made it enjoyable. That's especially disappointing because Jerry O'Connell appears in episode 12, and I like him as an actor.

All in all, it's a cute little watch-nothing to write home about. It might be hard to find nowadays, but it shows potential for a similar future series. If you're looking for something in the same vein, Witches of East End is the closest match, though it takes a very different approach.

6 out of 10.

Kat Gardener (Jaime Ray Newman), Joanna Frankel (Lindsay Price), and Roxie Torcoletti (Rebecca Romijn) live in Eastwick, New England. A mysterious stranger gives these frustrated women witchy powers.

This show starts off well. The ladies are all good actors. All the pieces are there. It coasts along for several episodes very well. Somewhere along the line, the story spins out of control. By the end, I remember that it was a little tiresome to watch. It lasted only 13 episodes. I wasn't angered by the cancellation. It was very much expected by the end. I did wish they gave it a full season to see if they could straighten out the show.

I'm not someone who tries new shows often this was a pleasant surprise. Sad it's gone.