On TV: 10 Things I Hate About YouBottom Line: Makes the grade.Reviewed by
Randee Dawn
July 10, 2009
To summarize: 10 Things I Hate About You is ABC Family's new series, based on the 1999 hit teen comedy, which itself was loosely based on The Taming of the Shrew. Boiled down into a half-hour series, there's little left to suggest the Bard other than the lead family's surname (Stratford). But that doesn't mean the show has nothing to contribute. 10 Things revolves around two sisters, social climber Bianca and confrontational outcast Katherine, who have relocated to sunny Padua High School. They step into the slipstream and are absorbed with such speed that by the end of the first day, they've been through cheerleader tryouts, attended a kegger and caught the eye of no fewer than three boys. In other words, don't expect a realistic, or even a Beverly Hills, 90210 high school experience. These students are so well-costumed, primped and coiffed that it wouldn't be out of line for Zac Efron to kick off a song-and-dance number. (This is Disney, of course.) But though High Gloss High School is an acceptable patina these days, the writing is more hit-and-miss: When the head cheerleader insists she must date only the starting quarterback, it's hard to know if that's parody or if Ward Cleaver is showrunning. Speedbumps aside, 10 Things has genuine appeal. Larry Miller reprises his film role as Papa Stratford, and his dry, acerbic wit adds a modern splash of real life. (Too, Kat, when she mumbles about a newspaper article: "Are you talking to me or the Democrats in your head?") And the interplay between the sisters is the show's most sharply drawn of all the relationships thus far: "How do I look?" Bianca asks; "Shallow," Kat replies. "Thanks!" says Bianca, never happier. The same could be said for 10 Things. It looks shallow, and probably is, but it just couldn't be happier that way. That's why finding the gems beneath the shiny surface are so rewarding. Shakespeare might be turning in his grave, but he's probably got a smile on his face while doing it. Airdate: 8-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 (ABC Family) Production: ProdCo. Cast: Larry Miller, Lindsey Shaw, Meaghan Martin, Ethan Peck, Nicholas Braun, Dana Davis Executive producers: John Ziffren, Carter Covington Writer: Carter Covington Producers: Shawn Wilt, Michael Platt, Barry Safchik Director: Gil Junger Director of photography: Greg Gardiner Production designer: Mark Hofeling Costume designer: Mandi Lane Casting: Brett Greenstein & Collin Daniel, Tess Sanchez – Nielsen Business Media |
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Industry Grosses
| Rank | Title | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | WICKED | $1,505,286 |
| 2. | THE ADDAMS FAMILY | $1,192,213 |
| 3. | THE LION KING | $1,191,289 |
| 4. | BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL | $1,124,274 |
| 5. | JERSEY BOYS | $1,052,412 |
| 6. | WEST SIDE STORY | $945,557 |
| 7. | A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE | $895,598 |
| 8. | A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC | $803,632 |
| 9. | THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA | $781,329 |
| 10. | MARY POPPINS | $760,371 |
Week ending March 14.
Credit: The Broadway League
| Rank | Title | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ALICE IN WONDERLAND | $62,714,076 |
| 2. | GREEN ZONE | $14,309,295 |
| 3. | SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE | $9,775,278 |
| 4. | SHUTTER ISLAND | $8,144,133 |
| 5. | REMEMBER ME | $8,089,139 |
| 6. | OUR FAMILY WEDDING | $7,629,862 |
| 7. | AVATAR | $6,526,421 |
| 8. | BROOKLYN'S FINEST | $4,471,932 |
| 9. | COP OUT | $4,268,068 |
| 10. | CRAZIES, THE | $3,680,940 |
Week ending March 14.
