FX's New Television Series "Dirt" Lives Up to Its Name

January 2, 2007, marked the long awaited premiere of "Dirt", an FX drama co-produced by husband and wife team Courtney Cox and David Arquette along with the show's creator, Matthew Carnahan. I say, long awaited, because FX has been promoting the show since the beginning of the fall season. This equated to hundreds of promo spots; most featuring Cox dressed all in red, standing in front of the Hollywood landscape with figures writhing in agony beneath the swath of material that encircled her. The series, which centers on the world of tabloid journalism, sparked of possibilities and tremendous potential. Unfortunately, I am not certain that it can deliver what it promised.

Cox plays the role of Lucy Spiller, editor of two magazines - - "Dirt" and "Now." It appears that the publication "Now" is more of an upscale true entertainment magazine while "Dirt" is a publication that is aptly named for what it delivers. Although Cox attempts to breathe some vulnerability and likeability into her character, it just doesn't ring true. I fear that most will view Lucy exactly for who she is; a Hollywood pimp of sorts. This is certainly a far cry from the sweetheart roles that Cox has played on television in the past and more akin to the TV journalist she played in the "Scream" movie trilogy. While there is no doubt that Cox can act, be it comedy or drama, I can't think of any actress who could make Lucy Spiller palpable. She may not even be of the caliber of a villain you can love to hate. Only time will tell.

Lucy's accomplice in digging the dirt is Don Konkey, played by Ian Hart. He is the photographer to whom Lucy turns for the key shots she requires for her lurid exposés. While Konkey is an interestingly flawed character, the audience may not be able to relate to his schizophrenic personality. His visions and voices are perhaps a little too much even for today's television audience. Still, Hart is an excellent actor with an obvious acting range. The scene where he comes home to find his cancer-ridden cat dead on the floor was absolutely heart breaking. You can not help but feel his pain.