Get me rewrite

Tonight's episode of "Over There" (10 p.m. ET on FX) features a storyline about a wire-service cameraman (guest star Mark-Paul Gosselaar) embedded with the troops. It doesn't begin very promisingly: There's one of those clichéd scenes where we see one of the characters through the viewfinder -- that old "window into the soul" viewfinder that's been used countless times since the  "M*A*S*H" black-and-white documentary episode 30 years ago. Worse, the journalist actually coaches the soldier during that interview, which makes him look like a Jerry Springer producer pumping up a jilted girlfriend before sending her out on stage. (And the camera's on while he does it!) Later, after an intense battle scene, before the troops are even out of danger, the journo declares his video "awesome" and says he can't wait to uplink it.  Please.

Then again, maybe he works for a really sleazy wire service, because later in the show an editor there does something to his video that completely changes its meaning. What is done to it, I feel confident in saying, would get that editor fired in the real world.

If this episode makes me feel this way as a journalist, it starts to make me wonder how its depiction of the military makes veterans feel. (According to this New York Times piece, the answer is: much the same way.)  But watch and judge for yourself.  I'm still recommending the episode, because a middling hour of "Over There" still beats any hour of "Law & Order." One other thing worth noting about this episode: During the unit's raid on an Iraqi village, see if it doesn't put you in mind of an "NYPD Blue" raid scene. Even the music sounds familiar.

In today's Star, I review an extended "Tom Brokaw Reports: Deep Throat" and the ABC Family's cruel-to-be-kind reality show "Kicked Out."

Coming up in the Star, I'll have features on two HBO shows: "Entourage" on Friday and "Rome" on Saturday, plus a preview of KSHB's new morning show.

Comments

[Jim Treacher]

"Then again, maybe he works for a really sleazy wire service..."

Bit redundant, innit?

(The Religious News Service's lawyers will be contacting you shortly.--AB)

[Jim Treacher]

Wait wait, I just thought of one: United Prayer International! Hardy har.