TV Jots

As a result, MyNetworkTV is currently offering two prime-time soap operas with a distinctly novela twist—defined by a plot with a distinct beginning, middle, and end (not the open-ended, ongoing storylines that American soaps have historically had), they will air six nights a week over the course of thirteen weeks, with no repeats (except for same-night replays in some markets), for a total of 65 sudsy episodes, not counting the hour-long Saturday weekly recaps. And when they finish in December, two new titles will immediately follow: Art of Betrayal, starring Rescue Me‘s Tatum O’Neal, and Watch Over Me, with Catherine Oxenberg, Casper Van Dien, and former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres. Both of the present series are based on previous Spanish-language telenovelas, as well: Desire is adapted from Colombia’s Mesa para tres (Table for Three) and Fashion House from Salir de noche (Out in the Night), a popular telenovela two decades ago.

The first of the two debut soaps is Desire, an unexpectedly interesting treat about the young, good-looking (of course!) Thomas brothers, chef Alex (Zack Silva) and manager Louis (Nate Haden), who both work in the restaurant business and both fall in love with the same woman. The opening scenes in New Jersey introduce them near the opening of their own restaurant. Deceptively clean-cut older brother Louis, who looks like a well-mannered businessman, makes the deadly decision to bed the nubile daughter of a Mafioso (Chris DeRose) hellbent on maintaining her good reputation. When the gangster learns from his henchmen that the two are together one night, things get dangerous quickly, forcing the brothers to flee to California with their mother (Eliana Alexander) after their restaurant is burned down. There, they begin working in another upscale food establishment where, unbeknownst to them, their father is also employed. They each stumble upon the owner’s pretty and independent daughter, Andrea Zavatti (Michelle Belegrin), during their first day on the job helping out at her birthday party and immediately declare their love.

What most makes Desire appealing is the natural, melodrama-free performances of the three lead actors, Belegrin, Haden, and Silva, in addition to the sense of urgency imparted by the fact that the Mafia man back in New Jersey not only knows the Thomas family survived the restaurant fire, but now believes that Louis raped his daughter after she lied to protect herself from his rabid anger. Another asset is the presence of CSI: Miami alumna Sofia Milos (she played Detective Yelina Salas, the wife of Horatio Caine’s absent brother, from 2003 to 2005) as the scheming sister of Andrea’s scheming ex-boyfriend. How the story will unfold is truly anyone’s best guess, and if I had the time and urge to watch a daily soap opera, whether daytime or prime time, this one would definitely be it.

Fashion House initially seems to have two things going for it, as well—namely, the headliners, Bo Derek and Morgan Fairchild. Yet, in spite of Derek’s definitive presence in the premiere episode, the show never came anywhere near the compelling level of Desire. A large part of the problem is that, with the exception of model-actress Natalie Martinez’ engaging portrayal of the talented-but-desperate housewife Michelle Miller, who is married to an overbearing, cheating accountant named Lance (Mike Begovich), the acting and plotlines in the soap seem more tailored to cheesiness than provocativeness.

Derek plays Maria Gianni, the no-nonsense matriarch of Gianni, Inc., a well-known and seemingly successful fashion company. As we learn over the course of the first episode, however, things aren’t as rosy in her business as she would have others believe. Aside from financial problems, she has to cope with an unproductive artist son, Luke (Taylor Kinney), and a conniving blackmailer threatening to steal her business right from under her. Fairchild was absent from the premiere, but will make her grand entrance later as a bitter rival who is comparably ruthless and—dare I say?—bitchy.

Filled with familiar clichéd dialogue along the lines of “You’re such a bitch/Takes one to know one,” and with the promise of scores of petulant face slaps hanging tackily in the air, Fashion House comes across as downright corny and amateurish in comparison to Desire … and most other soaps. All is good if you like your sudsers high on the immature froth and low on the adult drama, but I’ll take Desire over Fashion House any day, divas be damned.

The Verdict: Desire gets a B for actually being interesting, while Fashion House merits a C, despite the welcome presence of Natalie Martinez

Desire currently airs Monday through Friday at 8pm EST and Fashion House at 9pm EST on MyNetworkTV, with weekly recaps on Saturday at the same times

Desire and Fashion House photos courtesy of MyNetworkTV