Reviews: Aliens in America, Cane, and Life is Wild

Aliens in America
Premiere date: October 1, 2007
Airs: Mondays @ 8:30 p.m. ET on the CW

Most of us felt like aliens in high school. Just imagine if you were an awkward teenager going to your first day of class in America, but you happened to be a Muslim from Pakistan. Aliens in America is the story of a young foreign exchange student who is sent to live with a Christian family in Wisconsin. The family has a son of their own, who feels like an alien at high school, too. Justin and Raja soon discover that they have more in common than they imagined. Aliens in America is one of my two favorite new comedies this season. (Reaper is the other.) Adhir Kalyan is so charming in this role, you’ll want to play host for him, too. In addition to many laugh-out-loud moments, the show is an excellent social commentary on the xenophobia currently occurring in our country. The premiere episode has a sweet ending and hits all the right comedy notes. We need more shows on television that provide a cultural education. Aliens in America does that and gives us plenty of laughs to boot. Here’s hoping Raja gets a green card to stay more than one season.


Cane
Premiere date: September 25, 2007
Airs: Tuesdays @ 10 p.m. on CBS

Jimmy Smits returns to television in this drama about a Latino family that operates a rum business. This show is full of Latin verve and good acting. The cast is stellar and includes Hector Elizondo, Nestor Carbonell and Rita Moreno. A sibling rivalry between the two brothers, Smits and Carbonell, provides plenty of drama. (Think Bobby versus J.R. Ewing.) Cane was a pleasant surprise to me. I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. The Duque family is so large it may take you a couple episodes to remember all of them, but it’s worth the investment. Smits shines in his role as head of the family business. He waivers between good and evil. In other words, he’s got a touch of Tony Soprano in him that makes him dangerous. This drama has plenty of secrets and lies, as well as family love. It’s easy to get drunk on Cane. And don’t be surprised if you’re thirsty for a Mojito after you watch.

Life is Wild
Premiere date: October 7, 2007
Airs: Sundays @ 8 p.m. on the CW

If you’re looking for a show to watch with the entire family, then Life is Wild may be to your liking. It’s this season’s 7th Heaven. A New York veterinarian uproots his family to South Africa to get them away from the pampered lifestyle to which they’ve grown accustomed. The show is actually shot in South Africa and features some of the most beautiful wildlife shots I’ve ever seen on a TV show. It was a bit predictable at times, but it didn’t ruin the show. The heart of Life is Wild is the family, albeit a newly blended family of stepsiblings and rebellious teens. For those who loved 7th Heaven, I think you’ll love Life is Wild just as much. If not, you’ll at least to get to see some beautiful cinematography.