Fall Television Review: "Samantha Who?"

Like Harrison Ford's character in "Regarding Henry," Christina Applegate plays an amnesia victim who gets a second chance at life in the new ABC sitcom "Samantha Who?". Based on the pilot episode, however, this is one forgettable comedy.

The Title Character, Samantha Newly, Suffers From Retrograde Amnesia

After getting hit by a car, Applegate's character, Samantha "Sam" Newly, lapses into a coma for 8 days and wakes up with a case of "retrograde amnesia". Though she retains her general knowledge, language skills and other basic abilities, Sam's specific memories about her life are now gone. She doesn't recognize family, friends or even her live-in-boyfriend Todd (Barry Watson).

The "Old" Samantha Newly Wasn't a Nice Person

After learning that she hasn't spoken to her parents (Jean Smart and Kevin Dunn) for 2 years, Sam wonders if she was a bad person before the accident. Sam finds out for sure how rotten she was, though, when she learns that she has been cheating on Todd for quite some time.

Sam Definitely Isn't as Funny as Kelly Bundy

Applegate became famous for her role as the sexy but clueless Kelly Bundy on "Married with Children," but Sam Newly is just clueless without the comic timing and sexy outfits. Applegate struggles with this character, almost as if she can't get the right handle on playing an amnesia victim.

Jean Smart and Kevin Dunn Have Potential as Sam's Parents

"Designing Women" alum Jean Smart plays Regina Newly, Sam's opportunistic mother, with just the right amount of venom. After her daughter comes out of her coma, Regina is quite disappointed because she hoped to use Sam's condition to get on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Character actor Kevin Dunn also has some good moments as Howard Newly, Sam's dad.

The strained relationship between Sam and her parents could become the saving grace of the show, especially since Sam has to move in with them after her boyfriend kicks her out of the apartment.

The Humor in "Samantha Who?" Comes From an Injury