"The Starter Wife": What's all the fuss about?

If the constant promos on almost every channel proclaiming it “a major television event” didn’t tip you off that “The Starter Wife” was a big deal, maybe the fact that USA re-aired it FOUR times in a row on Saturday gave you a clue.

I just wish someone would give me a clue as to what all the fuss was about…

“The Starter Wife” is the story of Molly Kagen (Debra Messing), who as the show opens is leading a charmed life as the wife of Hollywood studio executive Kenny Kagen. But when Kenny asks for a divorce, Molly instantly becomes a social pariah. Forced to confront her status as a “starter wife,” Molly tries to pick up the pieces and move on.

Helping her along are her friends Rodney, her gay interior decorator, and Joan, her alcoholic friend who is married to an older man. Molly is shunned by her friend, Cricket, because Cricket’s director husband is trying to sell a picture to Kenny’s studio (Cricket doesn’t want to, but she’s playing the good wife.).

Also in the mix are Lou, the head of the studio and Kenny’s boss who helps Molly navigate some of the social waters (and who clearly has his eye on her); Sam, the mysterious hunk who saves Molly’s life; and Lavender, the Malibu colony security guard Molly befriends.

The show tries very hard to get inside Hollywood and expose all of its backstabbing and petty ways, but it all comes off as so “been there and done that” that it’s hard to get engrossed. Personally, I think the show could stand to get a little more outrageous…

Not that it hasn’t tried. Cricket’s husband, Jorge, slept with their nanny, who then blackmailed Jorge for $50,000. Joan told everyone she was going to France, when she was really going to rehab at the urging of her husband (who did go to France). After her therapist told her they needed to get to the emotions that caused her to drink, Joan began making up wild stories about her sister (which the previews tell us that Molly will pose as in this week’s episode). But somehow it just isn’t enough…

Nor is the background on these characters. I had to read on the website what Kenny actually did for a living. And the show has the weakest use of voiceover I think I’ve ever seen. While riding in her car, we hear Molly say, “I was glad that I could spend the day with Joan before she left.” How about you tell us who Joan is and why we should care about her!

And sadly, after watching for two hours, I still can’t tell you what in the world a starter wife even is…

Plus, I know that we’re supposed to feel sorry for Molly, but after watching her throw her kid off on the nanny at every turn and her conceited interactions with both Sam and Lou, I find it really hard to do. I’m sure as the show progresses that Molly will learn the error of her ways, but right now, she’s getting a little annoying.

The one thing the show does have going for it is its amazing cast. Debra Messing is doing Emmy caliber work as Molly and Judy Davis (Joan) is always sensational—even when her character has no purpose. Tony Winner Anika Noni Rose (“Dreamgirls”) is just as appealing as ever as Lavender and Joe Mantegna is adorable as the infatuated Lou. I just wish they all had something more exciting to do.

“The Starter Wife” is actually a six-hour mini-series, but after the $20 million USA spent promoting the premiere (which garnered record ratings for the network), I have no doubt it will turn into a regular series. Maybe then they could crank it up a notch…

Or at least explain to me what a starter wife is…

“The Starter Wife” airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on USA…