Elizabeth Reaser's Bella Bloom reunites with Jake, a former homebody turned fitness fanatic, on TV's 'The Ex List.' CBS Broadcasting Inc. Visit the Photo Place

Will you love 'Ex List' or 'Valentine'? WANNA WATCH?

Though they're billed as romantic comedies, these two offerings really aren't either

Date published: 10/10/2008

By Rob Hedelt

THE two new shows are supposedly romantic comedies.

Sadly, they're not especially romantic or entertaining.

The better of the pair is CBS' "The Ex List."

The strength of the show, if it has one, is its adorable lead, the striking Elizabeth Reaser as Bella Bloom.

Yeah, her name is Bloom and she works in the family greenhouse. Cute, huh?

Well, cute is what they're betting the farm on here, and even someone with the appeal and talent of this young actress can wear thin if you don't give her something meaningful to do.

Instead, they use a gimmick: Bella gets her future foretold in the pilot, and hears that she has already dated the man she'll marry.

That is, unless she doesn't reconnect within one year, in which case she'll be lonely forever.

This sets off a flurry of retro-dating to find Mr. Right.

So each week, we'll meet a different guy, with the beautiful, young Bella trying to make him fit--only to remember by each episode's end why it didn't work the first time out.

Adding to the general viewing misery: the requisite roommates Bella uses to test every thought and skimpy new outfit.

How's this for stereotypes: the straight-talking guy pal, his sex-obsessed wife, a wisecracking roomie of ethnic descent and a sister who's spoiled rotten. And the recent ex-boyfriend who's really a winner.

As one of the shows many critics and magazines picked as the new season's best bets, "The Ex List" does have some talent and critical mass. But enough already with horrid scripts and subplots fixating on anatomical parts and drunken revelry.

And why does every scene feel more like a fashion show than a dramatic production?

Here's hoping for improvement.

'Valentine'

If "The Ex List" needs a little work, CW's "Valentine" needs a full-fledged romantic, comedic and creative makeover. Which still might not be enough.

You see, there's this family of Greek gods who don't live on Mount Olympus, but just off Laurel Canyon.

WHAT: "The Ex List" WHEN: Friday nights at 9 WHERE: CBS WHAT: "Valentine" WHEN: Sunday nights at 8 WHERE: CW

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Date published: 10/10/2008