Cheerleading and espionage: two subjects that should go together more often. Today the CW released trailers for its new pilots Hellcats and Nikita, shows that bring foxy females to the fore and illuminate them in either choreography or gunfire. Join Movieline as we watch the preview videos, "yay" or "nay" both upcoming series, and clap our pompoms if the mood is right.
Hellcats is to Glee what The Vampire Diaries is to Twilight: a purportedly lurid spin on a recent phenomenon that's actually more benign than the original. That said, I find nothing wrong with a show that may as well be titled Bring It On 6: It's Already Been Broughten to Primetime. If the energy keeps up, Aly Michalka leaps beyond her Disney safe zone, and weird Melrose Place self-seriousness doesn't set in, this may have a full season's worth of Spanky tugs in it.
Verdict: Yay
CW, come on: You think legitimate martial-arts actress Maggie Q can save the silliest-looking action pilot of the season? The USA Network is starting rumors about your sanity on the playground. Everything from the overly furrowed brows to the wretched sexual innuendo reeks "lame". Capitalizing on a large female viewership never means broadcasting what looks like the stunt-double reel of Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life.
Verdict: Nay