Privileged Review

Basic Information

Network: CW
Premiere Date: Tuesday September 9 (9/8 C)
Regular Time: Tuesdays 9/8 C

Things are not going as planned for 23 year old Megan Smith. She has a Yale education but her career as a journalist hasn’t picked up. When she is fired from a tabloid magazine she gets a job working for Laurel Limoges. This job is perfect for Megan since she gets to finally meet the rich and famous who she has always strived to make her career writing about. The problem is that Megan is hired to be Laurel’s granddaughters tutor. After their parent died in a plane crash Laurel has been taking care of her granddaughters. Rose and Sage (twins) are far from good students and would rather live of their wealth than actually study for school. As Megan learns about the world of wealth and fame she tries to motivate Rose and Sage to actually take charge of their lives and actually make something out of themselves.

My Thoughts

When Privileged was first announced for the 2008 season it drew a lot of comparisons to Gossip Girl. I can see where the comparisons cam from since the show is another teen drama about rich kids. After watching the pilot (which I received in the press kit I just received) I have to say that is about where the similarities end.

Privileged is just not that similar to Gossip Girl in my opinion. It is hard to put my finger on it but it just seemed like a a different type of show. First the characters in the show aren’t that similar to those in Gossip Girl. There is much more emphasis put in the older characters unlike Gossip Girl that almost exclusively focusses on the teens. This show mostly focusses on Megan.

As far as the plot is concerned I would say it was pretty solid. Nothing great or bad but completely average. The pacing was a little slow so I hope they pick it up in future episodes. If I had to compare the plot to a past television show I might have to compare it to Gilmore Girls. Take this comparisson with a grain of salt though since I have actually never see a Gilmore Girls episode and I am basing this comparisson on the little amount I know about the show.

As far as the characters are concerned I wouldn’t consider any of them to be very original. Megan is like your typical big sister character. Sage is your typical bad rich girl that thinks she can do whatever she wants. Rose is your typical girl that follows the rest of the crowd. Laurel is your typical rich parent (even though she is a grandmother in this case). Will is your typical friend/future boyfriend for Megan. Charlie is your typical friend. Marco is the gay friend (the Baker’s chef). Finally Lily is the sister who just can’t get along with her sister (Megan).

At this point (after watching just the pilot) I would have to say that Privileged is a very average teen drama. It’s not a show you would regret watching but it needs some work to become anything that is worth looking forward to from week to week. At this point thigns could change since I only did see one episode. At this point I couldn’t tell you whether the show would stay completely average, fall apart, or fix the problems to become an above average show. To get the answers to those questions we will just have to wait and see.

Pros

• After watching the pilot there is some promise for growth. I thought the pilot was completely average and could have used some work but the show did lay the groundwork to possibly be an above average show.

Cons

• The pilot was nothing more than average. The pilot was a little too slow in my opinion so the show will have to pick up the pace in future episodes.
• The characters need to grow their personalties since at this point none of them were very original in my opinion.

Chances of Success

At this point I wouldn’t have huge expectations for the show. It hasn’t gotten enough promotion or press so I think it will be hard to get an audience off the bat. It also is hurt by the fact that it isn’t the CWs biggest new show of the season. It has pretty much been hidden by 90210. If Privileged wants to succeed it is going to have to get out of 90210’s shadow. While 90210 is overshadowing Privileged, Privleged might benefit from 90210 since it does follow 90210 starting with 90210’s second episode. The question is though if many people will come back after the first episode of 90210 and on top of that stick around for Privileged after the second episode of 90210. I don’t think Privileged has a shot at becoming a hit. It does have a shot at getting high enough ratings for a second season though.

Privileged Cast

• Joanna Garcia as Megan Smith    Known for: Reba   IMDB Profile
• Ashley Newbrough as Sage Baker   Known for: Radio Free Roscoe  IMDB Profile
• Lucy Kate Hale as Rose Baker    Known for: Bionic Woman   IMDB Profile
• Anne Archer as Laurel Limoges    Known for: Fatal Attraction    IMDB Profile
• Brian Hallisay as Will Philips   IMDB Profile
• Michael Cassidy as Charlie Hogan   Known for: The OC   IMDB Profile
• Allan Louis as Marco  Known for: Stomp the Yard   IMDB Profile
• Kristina Apgar as Lily Smith    Known for: Terminator the Sarah Connor Chronicles   IMDB Profile

Privileged Executive Producers

• Bob Levy
• Leslie Morgenstein
• Rina Mimoun

Privileged Writer

• Rina Mimoun

Privileged Director

• Michael Engler

Privileged Videos

A preview of the show.

Joanna Garcia Interview

Ashley Newbrough Interview

Lucy Kate Hale Interview

Anne Archer Interview

Michael Cassidy Interview

Brian Hallisay Interview

Allan Louis Interview

Kristina Apgar Interview

Privileged Websites

Official Site

TV.com