Marisa Coughlin in "Side Order of Life"
courtesy of Lifetime


Lili Taylor in "State of Mind"
courtesy of Lifetime
"Side Order of Life/State of Mind" (Lifetime)

Two new original series debut on "Lifetime" July 15. "Side Order of Life" can be seen at 8Pm, followed at 9 by "State of Mind." Both of these precede the hit series "Army Wives" which has revitalized that cable channel. Of "Side Order of Life" and "State of Mind," the former is easier to like but they both show potential - still neither has hit written all over it as the premiere of "Army Wives" did.

In "Side Order of Life" Marisa Coughlin stars as Jenny McIntyre, a young woman anxiously awaiting her wedding day. Her fiancée' is Ian (Jason Priestley), a successful man who appears to adore her. Jenny thinks everything is going great until her best friend Vivy (Diana Maria Riva) delivers some troubling news.

From this point on Jenny's life is different. She begins to see things that aren't visible to others. She also tries to call Ian and gets another man on the phone. This stranger begins to talk with her and influence her life. Could she have gotten a direct connection to God?

With all the strange things going on in her life Jenny decides to take her friend Vivy's advice. No longer is she going to dwell on the side orders of life, she is going for the main course all the way.

Coughlin is pretty and endearing in the main role of Jenny. She exudes likeability. But the heart of the show seems to be Riva as Vivy. This actress can grab your attention in a variety of ways and hold your interest for as long as she wants. As long as she and Coughlin are both involved on the show, it looks like viewers will have a reason to watch.

"State of Mind" is a harder sell. It stars Lili Taylor as Dr. Ann Bellowes, a "family psychiatrist." Ann is associated with a group of other professionals in an office building/home. One of the "associates" is her husband Phil (Chris Diamantopoulos). 

When Ann finds out her husband is cheating on her she boots him out of the office complex and replaces him with attorney Barry White (Devon Gummersall). There are some sparks between them and it looks like he may also become a new love interest for her.

Lili Taylor has always had a difficult time finding the right roles in Hollywood. She is a quirky actress who has been best presented in small independent films. Audiences do not warm up to her quickly and that is the case here. She might become someone we will welcome into our home each week but that is not evident now.

Of the two shows "Side Order" has the best chance of success. Perhaps "State of Mind" will improve with future episodes, and maybe not. Time will tell.

"Side Order of Life" premieres July 15 at 8PM and "State of Mind" follows at 9. Both shows are on Lifetime, the home of the hit "Army Wives."
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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