Reviews

Eastwick

By Marshall Fine

Rating:

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 10PM, ABC

Three women friends in a small New England town find themselves wooed by a dashing newcomer in town, who helps them discover their inner power. Are they witches, throwbacks to the days of Salem? The friends are played by Rebecca Romijn, Jaime Ray Newman and Joanna Frankel and the guy - who just may have satanic intentions - is played by newcomer Paul Gross. It's a blend of "Desperate Housewives" and "Pushing Daisies" and is loosely based on John Updike's novel, "The Witches of Eastwick." Comparisons are killers, though: The 1987 movie version had Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon - and the devilish guy was Jack Nicholson. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill - and this show doesn't do the job. The concept feels gimmicky and tired by the end of the first episode.
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