By A.J. Livsey

“All of Us,” UPN, Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.

Telltale quote: “Let’s get a couple things straight – Tia is going to be my wife, and you have to get used to that. Neesee is the mother of my child, and you’re going to have to get used to that. I’m going to be in hell for the rest of my life, and I’m going to have to get used to that.”

Overview: Perhaps the biggest premiere for UPN in recent memory, “All of Us” brings two Hollywood heavyweights to the network, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. The couple executive produces the show, which despite initial speculation does not mirror their own lives.
   "All of Us” follows Robert (Duane Smith) as he struggles to keep peace between his new fiancée Tia and Neesee, the mother of his child. The trio’s relationship is complicated by Neesee and Robert’s pending divorce and the well-being of their son, 5-year old Bobby Jr.

    Divorce and remarriage are nothing new to primetime, but focusing on the delicate nuances of managing a relationship for the benefit of a child adds a new twist. From the trivialities of fighting over a sofa to discussing the impact of divorce and remarriage with little Bobby, the script successfully balances both the comedic and more serious issues of the situation.

Verdict: The show’s fresh take on today’s family, backed by the star power of Will and Jada, is likely to result in a well-deserved success story for UPN and a strong anchor for the network’s Tuesday night block of comedies. At the very least, “All of Us” and “One on One” will help carry the network through the drudges of “Rock Me Baby” and “The Mullets” in the 9 p.m. hour.

"Rock Me Baby," UPN, Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Telltale quote: “That kid’s gonna make you go soft, and when you go soft, your ratings go down. And when your ratings go down, you’re gone.”

Overview: Remember when Dan Cortese’s last name was pronounced Core-tez? Apparently it was a ruse for SOL-challenged MTV viewers, because on UPN, he’s now a much more sophisticated Dan Core-tay-zee.
     He plays Jimmy, a shock-jock morning radio DJ who’s learning to deal with a new baby in his life. His wife Beth, a former agency creative director, struggles with the sacrifices she’s making while hubby yuks it up at her expense over the airwaves. Aside from the forced marital tension and the pressure to be “cool parents,” the duo is joined in their misery by a support network of misfits and intellectually challenged.

Verdict: The show would never make it on any network but UPN, and may not even make it here, especially when paired with “The Mullets” on Tuesday. But UPN isn’t expecting to jump out of the gates with a dominant Tuesday night lineup, so they may let this one simmer for awhile.



By John Rash

“All of Us,” UPN, Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.

     Inspired and produced by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, “All of Us” could use both of them in front of -- rather than behind -- the camera. Otherwise, this is just another indistinguishable UPN urban comedy, perfectly at home on UPN's Monday or Tuesday night. And once UPN's "bait and switch" promotions regarding the Smiths fail to get viewers to bite, “All of Us” will attract few of us, exacerbating UPN's challenges.

"Rock Me Baby," UPN, Tuesday at 9 p.m.

     Every season gives a reason for watching an entire pilot and reserving judgment until the closing credits. Two years ago, it was “Girlfriends,” which at first glance looked like the same sass crass that usually defines UPN's Monday comedies. Instead “Girlfriends” is often a surprisingly sophisticated look at the realities of race and relationships.
     No, “Rock Me Baby” doesn't share the same nuances of “Girlfriends,” but the pilot improved by the minute and resulted in surprising smiles and more promise than the premise would have suggested. This is due mostly to the co-star chemistry and some genuinely good lines. So while it's clearly not an Emmy nor Nielsen award winner, it is at least not a loser -- a moral victory in the attempt to upend UPN's creative and commercial challenges.

For past Media Life reviews of the new fall shows, click below.

UPN's "Eve"

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/sep03/sep15/1_mon/news3monday.html

WB's "All About the Andersons"
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/sep03/sep08/5_fri/news3friday.htm

WB's "Steve Harvey's Big Time"
WB's "Run of the House"
UPN's "The Mullets"
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/sep03/sep08/4_thurs/news4thursday.htm

UPN's "Jake 2.0"
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/sep03/sep08/3_wed/news3wednesday.htm

NBC's "Whoopi"
NBC's "Happy Family"
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/sep03/sep08/2_tues/news4Atuesday.htm

A.J. Livsey's fall season overview:
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/sep03/sep08/2_tues/news4AAtuesday.htm