The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman (2006–2007)

Jackie (Laura Kightlinger) is a journalist for a very minor Hollywood blab magazine. Naturally, the job does not pay very well, so she has a roommate, Tara (Nicholle Tom) to help make ends meet. In addition, Jackie has no car and Tara carts her around, to work and play. Tara, herself, has a very unimportant job with a film studio so its these two young ladies "against the world". They don't always get along, for sometimes Tara does resent her role as a chauffeur and they pick fights over minor things. Basically, Jackie is on the lookout for a nice romance, too, but usually ends up being pursued by losers. On the job, things can also get sticky, for Jackie's ideas are rejected. For example, a chance encounter with Sally Kellerman provided material for a retrospective look at the original "Hot Lips". However, her editor rejected the idea. Their readers, she said, only want the latest information on the current stars. In a couple of episodes, Tara joined an almost cult-type group and Jackie had to rescue her. Another time, the two went to a Hollywood party but there was such a prevalence of drugs, Jackie decided to walk home while Tara partied. Will these ladies ever get a break, big or little, in LaLa land? I never heard of this series and have no idea what network presented it but I found a disc of the first season in the markdown bin. Parents of minors, don't let your teenage girls have a look, for there is horrid language and a lot of narcotics. But, overall, Jackie has a strong wit and a sharp commentary for the world around her. As Jacks, Kightlinger is quite good, and very lovely. I knew I had seen her before and finally figured out that she had a strong cameo at the beginning of the film Must Love Dogs. Tom, who starred as Maggie in "The Nanny" series and had other roles as a child actor, is now a gorgeous, blonde adult. Folks expecting sweet Maggie may be shocked at Tom's Tara, who wears skimpy outfits and spout bad words easily. And, while Jackie is intelligent, Tara has less gray matter upstairs, that's certain. The rest of the cast, unknown actors, do a very good job, too. The scenery in California is nice and the costumes very nifty. But, by far, it is the script that is compelling here, for the series really does have an authentic feel and plenty of humor in its behind-the-scenes look at cutthroat Hollywood life. If you enjoy biting wit, you would do well to look this series up, especially if you have cinematic aspirations. It tells it like it is in the banana-peel-world of Tinseltown.