Previewing 10 Things I Hate About You

Sometimes you have to wonder if producers have some sort of IMDB randomizer to decide what crappy remake they are going to do next. Seriously, is anyone clamoring for a TJ Hooker movie? The latest randomizer apparently landed on 10 Things I Hate About You, the late nineties modern adaptation of Taming of the Shrew. So for those keeping track at home, it is a play made into a movie, made into a television series.

The names and characters remain the same from the movie, but the circumstances have changed a little as it is the Stratford sisters are the new ones at the school. But the big rule of Bianca not being able to date until Kat does is still in place, but on the television show it doesn’t look like either will be doing so anytime soon.

One of the major problems with this reboot is the acting. Both Ethan Peck (he has a grandfather named Gregory) as Patrick and Dana Davis (Prom Night) as Chastity try too hard to be cool, or at least too cool for school. Nicholas Braun (Princess Protection Program) is likeable enough but his AV friend is just straight up annoying. While Lindsey Shaw (Aliens in America) has her moments, like the Kim Jong-Il reference, but still has yet to find a footing in the role yet.

The writing isn’t that engaging either. The show doesn’t quite decide yet if it just wants stretch out the storyline of the movie or plot its own course. And though it seems like it wants to match the mix of comedy and drama that fellow channel show Greek does, but is rarely funny or has anything to emotionally invest in just yet.

The only redeeming qualities of the first episode are the always reliable Larry Miller (10 Things I Hate About You) who reprises his role as the overcautious dad who dishes out a pretty ingenious punishment to one of his daughters. The other being Meaghan Jette Martin (Camp Rock) who is just cute as a button (I am choosing my words very carefully here as not to raise the attention of Chris Hansen) and has the daunting task of filling the shoes of Alex Mac k and does a decent job doing so.

It is possible that the show can iron out its problems quite quickly and turn into a likeable younger version of Greek, but personally I may pass and wait until the inevitable televised version of She's All That.

10 Things I Hate About You airs Tuesdays at 8:00 on ABC Family. For those that cannot wait until tonight, or just want to watch the show without commercials, you can currently download the Pilot for free on iTunes.