Sunday, January 6, 2008

Cashmere Mafia

Premieres Sunday at 10:01 p.m. on ABC; regularly airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

Basic story: Four ambitious, fashionable executives have been BFFs since college, and each has her own laundry list of dramatic problems. Mia (Lucy Liu) has just been pitted against her colleague-slash-fiance in a cutthroat battle for a major promotion; Juliet (Miranda Otto) is plotting to avenge her husband's infidelity; Caitlin (Bonnie Somerville) questions her sexuality after experiencing an unexpected spark for a woman; and Zoe (Frances O'Connor) is struggling to balance a full-time career with full-time motherhood.

What it faces: "Law & Order"

on NBC and "CSI: NY" on CBS. (NBC's look-alike show "Lipstick

Jungle," also about high-powered female friends in New York, is slated to premiere next month.)

What you'll love: These women have the clothes and the careers to make you swoon.

What you won't: Most of the plot twists are predictable, and the characters are only semi-likable. They clearly like themselves, and each other, but will viewers feel the love?

Bottom line: Four fabulous women? Check. One big city? Check. Outrageous wardrobes? Lunch-hour dishing? Check, check. The show by Darren Star (the brains behind that famous Foursome in the City) features women who thrive more on power than sex, but otherwise, the differences are few. Maybe it's time for a new idea.

-- Michelle Thomas