Now that most cable and satellite provides offer literally hundreds of channels a network no longer has to try to reach the broadest possible audience. We now are able to choose from a myriad of niche networks tailor made for a smaller partition of the population. There are channels for history buffs, science fiction enthusiasts and people in need of drama, mystery or a few laughs. One of the newer of these highly targeted networks is Logo, the gay and lesbian channel. As with most of these niche channels they started off with reruns of other television programs and films in line with their demographics. They have recently branched out into the tricky world of original programming. One of the cornerstones to their programming is their very own half hour comedy, ‘Exes & Ohs’. Actually this is more of a drama-comedy but it is son the well known half hour sit-cm format. As a straight male born in the early fifties I am about as far away from this targeted demographic as possible but this is not the only consideration when looking at this series. As a life long viewer of television I know quality when I see it and this is a well developed and presented series. The fact that it focuses on a group of friends who are lesbians doesn’t really matter all that much. It is a series that has heart and reaches its audience on a completely human level.

Many will be quick to compare this to the hit Showtime series ‘The L Word’ and perhaps some of those comments are valid. Despite being basically a comedy with dramatic overtones there is more of a scene of realism than found on the Showtime series. First of all the talented women on ‘The L Word’ look as if they just stepped out of a fashion magazine cover shoot. They are all lanky, coiffure to perfection with nary an extra ounce to be found on them. The women here are without a doubt beautiful but they better represent body types that normal women have. Yes, they have curves. This may come off as a petty point but the intension here is the cast is more identifiable to the audience and that is vital for humor to work. This also helps the series to reach members of the audience outside the demographic. Everyone can relate to people who look normal instead of someone just off the red carpet.

Michelle Paradise is a woman with an amazing range of talents. She not only is the star here but she produced and wrote the series. It is roughly based on her short film ‘The Ten Rules: A Lesbian Survival Guide’ which was critically acclaimed and well received by the audience. There are a lot of books, TV shows and films about having rules to navigate dating but Paradise manages to give a fresh approach to the concept in this series. Unfortunately, life does not come with a guide book but Paradise has taken the trials and tribulations of social interaction and tried too boil it down to her rule set. While this may not be 100% successful in real life it provides an excellent foundation for a series like this. Paradise does well as the writer of this series. The topics range from overt shyness too romantic competition between friends. There is a younger character Crutch played by Heather Matarazzo who displays the confusion and turmoil of finding her way through life. This is not just learning about her sexuality but life and her future in general. This is where a writer like Paradise shines. She is able to strike a balance between issues that affect all people in the context of humor. This is a side effect of niche marketing; someone of talent like Ms Paradise does not have to try to find a voice that curries to all, she can work on a project like this that she feels passionate about.

The series is about the lives and loves of five women. Jennifer (Michelle Paradise) is a struggling documentary film maker. She has an active imagination that often is literally shown on screen. She broke up with her girlfriend some time ago and is now at the point of reentering the dating pool. She is somewhat sexually frustrated at this point which only serves to make matters worse. Jennifer’s best friend is Sam (Marnie Alton). Sam is the polar opposite of Michelle. She is free-spirited, open and complexly afraid of making an emotional commitment. Her job as a bartender gives Sam ample opportunity to meet Ms Right Now. Sam is self assured and often acts as the over protective big sister to Jennifer. Chris (Megan Cavanagh) comes from a small town in Ohio and was the first to be openly gay. She is also proud of the fact that she is one of the very few to escape her Midwestern captivity. Chris is a very dominating personality who can bulldoze through almost any confrontation. She is an excellent bowler and enjoys skeet shooting. She is practical and detail oriented. This is the complete opposite of her partner Kris. Kris (Angela Featherstone) is a more feminine member of the pair. She is intelligent but just sees things in a different way than most people. Kris is the only one who can win an argument with Chris. Kris was raised in Vermont by hippy parents who imparted a free-spirited life style and love for all living creatures. This love shows in the on line pet store she runs with Christ and her perchance to take in strays. Last there is the youngest member of the little group, Crutch (Heather Matarazzo). She is the most openly gay of the group with her ‘Dyke Power bumper sticker. She is trying to be a musician but has a bad case of writer’s block. Crutch enjoys attention from people especially for her purplish hair and piercings. She supports herself by working in a coffee house but really wants to be a famous singer/songwriter. Crutch is the kid sister to the rest of the women. She is trying her best to figure out how to be a young woman on her own as well as being gay.

Because of the writers union strike this first season only had six episodes. In the pilot Jennifer’s worse nightmare comes true. She is trapped on a yacht where it just so happens that her ex-girlfriend is getting married. She decides to take the advice of her friends and show the ex that she is still able to hook up. In a later episode Jennifer tries to learn how to pole dance to come out of her shell. This may sound like something sexy to watch but Paradise’s performance makes this a hilarious scene. There is a funny yet poignant scene where Sam has to confront her father about being gay. This scene is touching, real and expertly handled. Throughout it all Crutch is constantly in a state of transition. She buys a guitar that was owned by one of the Indigo Girls but all the music she writes sounds like them. Crutch is looking for a better job or better place to live always trying to make life a little bit more than it is now.

This is a worth while series to watch no matter what your sexual orientation. It is quality and that is what truly counts. This series would never get a shot on a major network but thanks to Logo a series that deserves a shot will get it.