Cupid (2009 remake)

"Love is passion. Love is heat, chemistry, sex." -Trevor, Roman god of love

That's just what this remake lacks. What the original Cupid had plenty of. Passion, heat, and chemistry at least. I love they tried to remake this show. It had a lot to offer, and the cult success of Veronica Mars could help creator Rob Thomas create some fresh interest in his first TV project's potential. It's just a bloody shame they crashed and burned casting.

Jeremy Piven was believable in the original role, and his passionate ways helped sell 'Cupid's point of view on love. And Paula Marshall was equally brilliant as his opposite, creating scenes that actually sparked on screen. The duo, and some great writing, was the original Cupid.

Bobby Cannavale is an awful cast as 'Cupid'. I never believe in his character. I don't believe anyone in the singles group would consider taking the advice from this guy. He's just too boring, and lacks the charisma needed. I like Sarah Paulson. She was great in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, but she never manage to come across with the same grace and heartfelt convictions Marshall did a decade ago. It sure doesn't help she'll have to act of Cannavale, while Marshall had Piven, but she's not that convincing on her own either in scenes 'Cupid' isn't there.

The dynamic between the two leads was incredible in the original. In this remake it was quite honestly forgettable. The banter never sparks, their opposite views never come to life, they make me wish someone never hire that casting director again and worst of all; I notice the writing is actually good, but they can't bring life to it.

As mentioned reviewing the original, I never enjoyed the 'Champ' character there. Here they learned, and the two siblings hired to play supporting roles is much more convincingly played and spent. That was a good cast, and a great improvement on one of the originals few flaws.

The writing is also in many ways more polished, which makes it work well these days. It's more focused, while it keeps the banter and references. A shame they didn't have a duo to perform it. Also a shame they chose much of the material I disliked most from the original, to recycle here. 'The Linguist' was never my favorite, and I didn't enjoy a revisit. Overall this version somehow didn't attract as interesting guest stars either. Connie Britton, Lisa Loeb and Tiffany Thiessen among those I remember fondly from the original.

I applaud those who decided to pull the plug on this show, because Cannavale ruins the good writing. I'll rather remember the original and the intentions of the show, and who knows. Maybe a third one day sees the light with an equally good cast as the original duo.