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Hollywood Reporter Joan Van Tassel BZZZ "Beverly Hills, 90210" meets "The Dating Game" -- and it looks like they'll live happily for a good long time in local living rooms. The show exhibits little of the opening week jitters expected in a debut. Femme host Annie Wood is bright, bubbly, and personable -- a new addition to the long line of comic blondes like Mae West, Jean Harlow, and Joan Davis. She's a find! The contestants are attractive twentysomethings ready to strut their stuff in the video meet market. Wood stands with a chooser who hears from prospective dates masked in shadow. He or she picks them to come out and have a short talk or perform some stunt, like one fellow who stood on his hands while speaking German. Director Bob Loudin, designer Steven Kazanjian, and art director Scott Story give "Bzzz" a nightclub feel with a casual, intimate set, whimsical background graphics, and way cool animated overlay graphics. The camerawork works and Michael Franks' lighting is a welcome departure from the over-lit style typical of the genre. The music is a bit uneven, too overpowering at time, absent when it's needed at other times. Just a minute or two to create more intimacy between Wood and her guests would make the high energy pay off more through contrast. All in all, this is a fun, clever half-hour that entertains without taking itself too seriously. Back to Press
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Copyright
© 2011 Annie Wood |