TV REVIEW: New series can’t ‘Drive’ for too long
If a cheesy B movie like “Cannon Ball Run” mated with a TV show, you’d have “Drive.”
“Drive” is the new action-packed, slightly silly, but overall fun show on FOX. When the show begins we are introduced to a few characters: a lady who has just had a baby (Melanie Lynskey, “Coyote Ugly”), a man whose wife is missing (Nathan Fillion, “Serenity”), and a convict who’s just been freed from jail (Kevin Alejandro, “24”). They have all been invited to join a secret and illegal cross-country race.
Like “The Amazing Race” on crack, “Drive” features a horde of contestants pitted against each other to win 32 million dollars. The contestants race down freeways, almost crashing into other motorists and trying to run each other off the road.
But, some people are playing for something more than money. During the pilot, it’s hinted that the people running this race are coercing some people to play against their will. I guess that would make for a better race, wouldn’t it?
“Drive” is cheesy, but in a good way. It’s extremely action-packed; the scenes of cars racing down freeways are surprisingly well done, especially for a TV show.
The thing I don’t understand about “Drive” is that how in the world, if it stays on the air, will this ever be a show that has more than one season? Sometime they have to finish the race right?
I’m all right with the idea of a loony race across the United States for one pulse-pounding season. But, if they stretch this show to two or even three seasons, I’m out. It just wouldn’t be worth it.
My guess though, is that we won’t even have to worry about “Drive” making it that far. Sure it’s a fun, silly show that doesn’t require a lot of thinking to watch. But, I’m betting it doesn’t catch on. It’s too bad, because it is pretty interesting in a nutty “Rat Race” sort of way.
Now only if they had Mr. Bean as a contestant, then it’d be a runaway smash hit (pun intended).
“Drive” airs Monday nights at 7 on FOX.
Aaron Peck is the Statesman TV critic. Send comments to
him at aaronpeck@cc.usu.edu