The harder they fall
“THE prettiest sight in this fine, pretty world is the privileged class enjoying its privileges,” sneers James Stewart’s Macaulay Connor in “The Philadelphia Story.”
Unless it’s a member of said privileged class having her privileges revoked.
In “The Starter Wife,” a new USA miniseries, Molly Kagan (Debra Messing) is living the high, and high-strung, life of spouse to Hollywood big shot until, mere moments into the pilot, she gets “fired” via cellphone call. Suddenly, without a spa membership to her name, she must face the ruthless world of post-power-breakup Hollywood armed with only the occasional protection of a friendly but troubled studio exec (Joe Mantegna), her best friends -- an alcoholic society dame (Judy Davis) and a gay designer (Chris Diamantopoulos) -- and, of course, Messing’s perpetually bewildered face.
A review will certainly follow, but suffice it to say this is chick lit large and luxe, with production values so bright and shiny they make your eyeballs hurt. But man, oh, man, everyone is soooo mean. Witty, but mean. If you have ever looked with longing at the walls and gates enfolding the Malibu Colony or the mansions of Brentwood, “The Starter Wife” is delicious if not nutritious, the perfect antidote for envy.
Based on the bestseller by Gigi Levangie Grazer, wife of producer Brian Grazer, it is the ultimate candy-hued insider tell-all. It may be pretty, but it ain’t pretty, if you know what we mean.
(USA, Thur., 9 p.m.)
-- Mary McNamara
