March 7, 2007: We've Got a Runner!
OK, first thoughts on
The Wedding Bells: I really hope this show sticks around. It has potential, albeit a few clichés. I'm both disgusted by and strangely attracted to Ernesto and I already find myself identifying with Annie (and not just because of the tension-filled relationship she has with David, who just so happens to remind me of an ex-boyfriend). Then there's Sammy, the rambunctious kid-sister type that you want to scold for being naive, only to find yourself wishing you could hug her instead when you remember some of the mistakes you made at her age. Which leaves us with Jane, the calm, cool and collected one who holds them altogether. OK, there are actually a few others here, but so far, those are the ones that have made the biggest impression on me.
So, they kicked things off with a runaway bride, which makes me wonder: Just how often does a bride make it to the church, don a gown and heels, then decide at the last minute that she'd rather sprint down the block than walk down the aisle? From the look on Sammy's face, it was just another day at the church, which garnered my first laugh of the night. Unfortunately, my joy for Sammy's character quickly faded when next we saw her trying to score with one of the groomsmen. Which made me think, does she do this at every wedding? Tacky, if she does... but later I found myself feeling sorry for her, when she realized the guy that was responsible for giving her "sex hair" was actually married.
After the first commercial break, the show led into the next scene with a song by
Sinatra, "Love and Marriage." Suddenly, I found myself caught up in reminiscent thoughts of
Married with Children. However, the sight of the real-life Tom sisters as Laurie and Laine (the blonde twins, for those of you still catching up), quickly brought me back to the present day. How funny were they with Debbie, played by
Sherri Shepherd of
Less Than Perfect fame? Watching the bubbly, ditzy duo get put in their place by Debbie was priceless.
Now let's talk about Russell, because right about here is when he went off on Jane about her attraction to Ernesto. Granted, I don't think Jane needed to be quite so honest at that moment, fully knowing how worked up Russell was over the situation, but did he really have to get so crazy? Seriously, this guy is a prime candidate for the
Dr. Phil show. Although, even before this point in the night, I wasn't much of a Russell fan. Hopefully that sentiment will change over the course of the series.
And let us not forget Amanda, bridezilla No. 2 of the night. She was another harsh one, but it made sense when her mom, Stella, played by
Delta Burke, showed up. Let's just say, I can see how the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Though I still feel bad for the wedding singer and the things Amanda said to him. Hey, at least he's getting paid to do something he loves to do, which is sing! Sure, it's not exactly as exciting as rocking out a stadium, but it's a steady gig. I guess he got his digs in, too, when he told her that she was a "loveless fraud." Which brings me to her freak-out session, right before her wedding. I honestly thought this woman just did not want to get married, especially after her earlier chat with Jane on the stability and longevity of marriage. Yet once again, David was able to come and save the day, as he did a few times in tonight's episode.
So, there we have it... the first episode in a nutshell. For those of you who missed it, check out the rebroadcast on Friday at 9 pm/ET. And for those of you who did watch tonight, let me know what you thought....
