TV Recap: Manhattan Love Story, Series Premiere

Plot: A twenty-something woman (Analeigh Tipton) moves to New York City from Georgia to chase her dream of working in the publishing industry. She’s not looking for love, but her best friend (Jade Catta-Preta) has other plans.

The plot of Manhattan Love Story is best left for a Nicholas Sparks novel or a movie adaptation…of a Nicholas Sparks novel. Girl (Tipton) moves to big city, so that she can chase her dreams. The best friend (Catta-Preta) sets her up on a blind date with husband’s (Nicolas Wright) best friend (Jake McDorman), despite the girl having no interest in dating. Girl and boy’s first date goes terribly. They vow not to see each other again. However, the best friend has other ideas. Boy apologizes, but doesn’t know why. After girl accepts, he accidentally blurts out that he was forced to apologize. Girl slams door in his face. Another woman realizes the huge mistake the boy made and makes him see the good thing he hasn’t given a chance. Boy goes running back to girl with a showy romantic gesture that wins her over. The cynical jaded boy turns out to be a big softy with a hard crusty exterior. The couple lives happily ever after. Oh wait, this is a TV series, so we’ll have to wait four seasons before the couple gets married.

Manhattan Love Story’s most memorable quality is that it’s plot could be any romantic comedy. Along the way, there are a few things like the boy’s occupation that are unique. The boy, real name Peter, is a trophy maker. Since the United States has started awarding mediocrity, he has found that business has picked up. The comment is sadly true, but funny in context. Awarding mediocre has helped one segment of the economy. Yay?

In the end, Manhattan Love Story does not transcend the genre it’s boxed into. Unless you love romantic comedies or are a 14-year-old girl with a crush on Jake McDorman, the show has nothing for you. This is made worse by the writers because they are tasked with spreading a story that could be told in 90 minutes throughout an unknown number of seasons.

Disney would have had much more success with the material, if it had aged down the characters, put them in a squeaky clean high school, had the girl be the new kid in town, and aired the show on the Disney Channel.

Rating: 4 out of 10

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Allison Lips is the Founder of Wait! What’s a Dial?, a television blog that showcases the writing of millennials. Allison graduated from Rowan University in May 2013. She has a passion for TV history, especially late night and game shows. If she could go back in time, Steve Allen would still be hosting The Tonight Show. Follow her on Twitter @waitwaitsadial.
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