Like most 20-somethings, the six main characters of NBC's "Quarterlife" drown in a Dawsonian creek of melodrama. Dylan, the sole editor of the titular video blog on which the show centers, records all of their unrequited loves, stagnant careers and creative frustrations. She exploits them, much to their chagrin, because she’s just as unhappy as they are.
Who’s that?: No, really! “Quarterlife” boasts a cast made up of fresh faces. Star and blogger Dylan Krieger (Bitsie Tulloch) is joined by her three roommates: an alcoholic actress, Lisa (Maite Schwartz); a bookish hottie, Debra (Michelle Lombardo); and a lovelorn artist, Jed (Scott M. Foster). There’s also Debra’s boyfriend and Jed’s creative partner, Danny (Michelle Lombardo), and some guy named Andy (Kevin Christy) who just sort of... shows up.
Buzzed about: This show wasn’t actually meant for television—it was originally intended as a series of Internet shorts, but the strike-induced dearth in programming prompted NBC to buy up the rights and air it themselves. If the show is a success, it would be a glimmer of hope to the thousands of other Web series out there.
The “ooh” factor: “Quarterlife” is brought to you by the creators behind the iconic and oh-so-brilliant “My So-Called Life.” You can see the similarities in both the diarist narrative and clever use of typewriter font on the title screen.
The “eh” factor: Most 20-somethings are guilty of complaining about this frustrating point in their lives. In the case of the kids on “Quarterlife,” that frustration is also shared by anyone watching. And if their whining doesn’t make you cringe, the overuse of the word "blog" certainly will.
The verdict: A discussion of self-obsessed, self-chronicling 21st century college grads, “Quarterlife” is a lot like the recent film “Cloverfield”—just without the shaky handheld camera and gigantic monster. (Though it should be noted that those were the only redeeming qualities of “Cloverfield.”)
”Quarterlife” premieres Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10 p.m./9c on NBC.
