The RPM Show

By Ryan Matthews

It’s that time of year again: the month of September where television shows premiere. This year, the major networks are pulling out all the stops for pilots, and the CW is the first network to kick off the fall season. This time around they have two new pilots and one of them is called Hellcats. It’s from executive producer Tom Welling of Smallville and is based on the book Cheer:Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders by Kate Torgovnick. I must say, Tom has his work cut out for him, with acting and producing on Smallville to executive producing on this show.

Hellcats tells the story of pre-law college student Marti Perkins played by Aly Michalka of Aly and AJ fame. She goes to Lancer University in Memphis, Tennessee and is supported by her mother who works at the college bar. Due to budget cuts and her mother failing to help pay her tuition she loses her scholarship. So, in order to stay in school she unwittingly tries out for the cheerleading squad when she hears a spot has opened up. Basically, if she gets on the team she gets a scholarship and stays in school. So, with her dancing and gymnastic skills she’s had since high school she ends up getting a spot on the team. The captain of the squad is Savannah Monroe played by Ashley Tisdale. You may know her from High School Musical, but she has come a long way since then. This is her first major TV role since The Suite Life with Zack and Cody on Disney Channel.

After watching the first episode, I am really impressed with Tom Welling. I believe he’s done a great job with this show so far. And, as far as Aly and Ashley go as lead characters they are really good. They have the looks and they work really well together on screen. I know Aly doesn’t have much experience in acting like Tisdale does; but I think she will grow as an actor as time goes on. Even though cheerleading has been overdone with the Bring It On franchise, this show puts a fresh spin on it with a good premise and great characters. So with all that being said, I give Hellcats three out of a possible four stars, as TV shows are rated by most reputable organizations like ourselves. What do you think about this show? Is it worth watching? Did Tom Welling get it right, or did he bite off more than he can chew? Send me an e-mail and let your voice be heard.