Opposite Sex (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Opposite Sex is an American
comedy-drama
series that aired during FOX's
summer 2000 schedule. The series was one of the first teen dramas to primarily use independent artists on its soundtrack by such acts as Elliott Smith
and Ben Lee
.
), a 15-year-old boy who moves to Northern California along with his father shortly after the death of his mother. After enrolling at the prestigious Evergreen Academy, Jed finds out the school was formerly for girls that recently became co-ed. Along with Jed, two other boys attended the school; Philip Steffan (Kyle Howard
) and Cary Baston (Chris Evans
). The boys run into problems when the girls of the school are resistant to the changes and make it clear that their presence is unwanted.
It was initially shot in 1999 for the 1999–2000 season, but for various reasons the series was delayed until Summer 2000. The series lasted eight episodes before being canceled. It is unknown if anything from episodes 9–13 were filmed or completed.
wrote of the series, "Clever concept, sleek production values, a nice cast and thoughtful writing (for a teen show) add up to the enjoyable Opposite Sex". In concluding her review she stated, "Despite all the good things in this gentle comedy-drama, it's hard to say who the series is aimed at: It's not intellectual enough for "Freaks
" fans and too grounded for the WB
crowd. Young auds will have to seek it out. And therein lies the rub." Barry Garron of The Hollywood Reporter
described Opposite Sex as a "far-fetched, overly earnest teen-oriented show" that "never manages to overcome its contrived premise and establish real emotional connections." He went on to say that "My So-Called Life
and Freaks & Geeks
have raised the bar for teen drama by providing keen insight into the awkwardness of adolescence" and that while not on the same level this series is "not nearly as cartoonish" as Saved By The Bell
. Joel Brown, a New York Times
syndicated columnist published in The Spokesman-Review found that "Ventimiglia conveys Jed's frustration well" but that "bad TV cliches overwhelm this show's mild promise." The Modesto Bee's TV critic, Kevin McDonough, describes the series as "hardly the worst teen show of the year." He continues by stating that "it lacks the soft-core exploitation that permeates Young Americans
."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comedy-drama
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
series that aired during FOX's
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
summer 2000 schedule. The series was one of the first teen dramas to primarily use independent artists on its soundtrack by such acts as Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
and Ben Lee
Ben Lee
Benjamin Michael "Ben" Lee is an ARIA Award winning musician and actor. Lee began his career as a musician at the age of 14 with the Sydney band Noise Addict, but focused on his solo career when the band broke up in 1995. He appeared as the protagonist in the Australian film The Rage in Placid Lake...
.
Synopsis
The series chronicles the life of Jed Perry (Milo VentimigliaMilo Ventimiglia
Milo Anthony Ventimiglia is an American television actor best known for his role of Peter Petrelli on the TV series Heroes...
), a 15-year-old boy who moves to Northern California along with his father shortly after the death of his mother. After enrolling at the prestigious Evergreen Academy, Jed finds out the school was formerly for girls that recently became co-ed. Along with Jed, two other boys attended the school; Philip Steffan (Kyle Howard
Kyle Howard
Kyle Alan Howard is an American film and television actor.-Early life:Kyle Howard grew up in Loveland, Colorado. He has worked in both film and television...
) and Cary Baston (Chris Evans
Chris Evans (actor)
Christopher Robert "Chris" Evans is an American actor. He played Cary Baston on the television series Opposite Sex, and transitioned to a film career, starring in several hits, including Not Another Teen Movie , Fierce People , Fantastic Four, sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer , and...
). The boys run into problems when the girls of the school are resistant to the changes and make it clear that their presence is unwanted.
It was initially shot in 1999 for the 1999–2000 season, but for various reasons the series was delayed until Summer 2000. The series lasted eight episodes before being canceled. It is unknown if anything from episodes 9–13 were filmed or completed.
Cast
- Milo VentimigliaMilo VentimigliaMilo Anthony Ventimiglia is an American television actor best known for his role of Peter Petrelli on the TV series Heroes...
– Jed Perry - Kyle HowardKyle HowardKyle Alan Howard is an American film and television actor.-Early life:Kyle Howard grew up in Loveland, Colorado. He has worked in both film and television...
– Philip Steffan - Chris EvansChris Evans (actor)Christopher Robert "Chris" Evans is an American actor. He played Cary Baston on the television series Opposite Sex, and transitioned to a film career, starring in several hits, including Not Another Teen Movie , Fierce People , Fantastic Four, sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer , and...
– Cary Baston - Margot Finley – Miranda Mills
- Lindsey McKeonLindsey McKeonLindsey Johnson McKeon is a two-time Daytime Emmy-nominated American actress, and distant relative of Australian celebrity, Harry McKeon. She is best known for her roles as Marah Lewis on Guiding Light and Taylor James on One Tree Hill...
– Stella - Allison MackAllison MackNot to be confused with Alison MacAllison Mack is an American actress. She is best known for her role of Chloe Sullivan on the Superman-inspired television series Smallville.-Early life:...
– Kate Jacobs - Chris McKennaChris McKennaChris McKenna is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Queensland and Australia as well as club sides the Brisbane Broncos, South Queensland Crushers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His usual position was second row, though while he played...
– Rob Perry
Reception
Carole Horst of VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
wrote of the series, "Clever concept, sleek production values, a nice cast and thoughtful writing (for a teen show) add up to the enjoyable Opposite Sex". In concluding her review she stated, "Despite all the good things in this gentle comedy-drama, it's hard to say who the series is aimed at: It's not intellectual enough for "Freaks
Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geeks is an American teen comedy-drama television series, created by Paul Feig and executive produced by Judd Apatow, that aired on NBC during the 1999–2000 television season...
" fans and too grounded for the WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
crowd. Young auds will have to seek it out. And therein lies the rub." Barry Garron of The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
described Opposite Sex as a "far-fetched, overly earnest teen-oriented show" that "never manages to overcome its contrived premise and establish real emotional connections." He went on to say that "My So-Called Life
My So-Called Life
My So-Called Life is an American teen drama television series created by Winnie Holzman and produced by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz. It originally aired on ABC from August 25, 1994, to January 26, 1995 and was distributed by The Bedford Falls Company with ABC Productions. Set at the...
and Freaks & Geeks
Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geeks is an American teen comedy-drama television series, created by Paul Feig and executive produced by Judd Apatow, that aired on NBC during the 1999–2000 television season...
have raised the bar for teen drama by providing keen insight into the awkwardness of adolescence" and that while not on the same level this series is "not nearly as cartoonish" as Saved By The Bell
Saved by the Bell
Saved by the Bell is an American television sitcom that aired between 1989 and 1993. The series is a retooled version of the 1988 series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which was itself later folded into the history of Saved by the Bell...
. Joel Brown, a New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
syndicated columnist published in The Spokesman-Review found that "Ventimiglia conveys Jed's frustration well" but that "bad TV cliches overwhelm this show's mild promise." The Modesto Bee's TV critic, Kevin McDonough, describes the series as "hardly the worst teen show of the year." He continues by stating that "it lacks the soft-core exploitation that permeates Young Americans
Young Americans (TV series)
Young Americans is an American television drama created by Steven Antin. The show debuted on July 12, 2000 on The WB network as a summer replacement for, and spin-off from, another Columbia TriStar Television production, Dawson's Creek. The series was originally ordered for the fall 1999-2000...
."
Episodes
| Series # |
Title | Writer(s) | Director | Original Airdate |
|---|