By A.J. Livsey

“Eve,” UPN, Monday at 8:30 p.m.

Telltale quote: “Look at her – body like J. Lo, face like ‘Hell, no!'”

Overview: UPN originally titled this show “The Opposite Sex,” but wisely changed the name to showcase the program's headlining star, Grammy Award-winning Eve. Eve plays Shelly, who, with girlfriends Rita (Doritos girl Ali Landry) and Janie (Natalie Dessell-Reid), is trying to turn fashion design ideas into a top-name clothing label. Incidentally, Eve has recently launched a clothing line of her own, and UPN admits that some of the hip-hop star's fashions will appear on the show.

    The main thread of the show is the predictable theme of relationships. While creator Meg DeLoatch (of UPN hit comedy “One on One”) claims the series uses an innovative approach to the male-female dynamic by examining both perspectives, the real advantage is the attention given to the business challenge of clothing design, which gives the otherwise flat plot its texture.

Verdict: Eve is a better actress than many other singers-turned-actors (ahem, Mariah Carey), despite being dragged down by the nails-on-the-chalkboard performance of Ali Landry. While the script occasionally stumbles, the series shows promise. In addition, UPN appropriately scheduled “Eve” within its strong lineup of Monday comedies, making the show a likely prospect for a full-season pick-up.

By John Rash

“Eve,” UPN, Monday at 8:30 p.m.

    Eve takes a bite out of acting with the same confidence that has made her a Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist.  
   Unfortunately the script is rotten, with UPN's urban clichés worming their way throughout. Indeed, the supporting cast are archetypes that could appear on several UPN comedies, as the network has yet to return to the more subtle sitcom characterizations present in a previous singer's sitcom, Brandy's “Moesha.”