REVIEW

TV Review: Number One Single

Written by knitmi
Published March 05, 2006

Coffeehouse cutie Lisa Loeb's first and biggest hit song "Stay (I Missed You)" of 1994 resonated with me and undoubtedly many other college-aged women at the time.

The song was also featured in the definitive Gen-X movie Reality Bites. Lisa's crisp voice, confessional lyrics, and even her signature cat's eye glasses won my affections. I listened to her albums over and over and saw her in concert with her band, Nine Stories (named after the J.D. Salinger short story collection — another reason to love Lisa).

After a few years, her popularity waned. Then two years ago, she resurfaced with Dweezil & Lisa, a show on the Food Network that also featured her cute (and unfortunately named) musician boyfriend, Dweezil Zappa. The show followed the adorable couple across the country as they played music and ate lots of good food. When I recently heard that they had broken up, I was sad that such a cute and seemingly happy couple didn't make it.

Number One Single is the new E! reality show about Lisa's search for love. As a 37-year-old, nice Jewish girl that recently became single for the first time in 12 years, Lisa is eager to settle down and start a family.

One of the reasons she moved from Los Angeles back to New York City was to look for her soulmate. The show follows her adventures in dating. Despite still being as cute as a button, friendly, smart, and talented, Lisa hasn't had much luck so far. Her dates have ranged from dull to faintly horrifying. (How about the guy that kept using the derogatory term for Jewish women and admitted to stealing from archaeological sites?)

Helping and hindering her search for love are her family, friends, and various professionals, such as Dr. Joy Browne of Dating For Dummies, actress Illeanna Douglas who feng shui's her new apartment to optimize her romance area, and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Jai Rodriguez who lends Lisa his dog to use as a guy magnet.

I'm not a big fan of reality shows, as I never know how much of the show is actually "real," not to mention that these shows tend to bring out the worst in people. That being said, I've really enjoyed this show. Lisa Loeb is natural, charming, and funny in front of the camera.

On a totally shallow note, I love the way she dresses! Little T-shirts, short skirts and dresses, knee-high boots, and pigtails completely match her personality. I admire her pluck — even though she's been on multiple bad dates, she hasn't given up hope. I've actually learned a few tips on dating from the show: there are no dating "rules," just do what you're comfortable with, and dogs (and friends) can be useful for meeting people.

The latest episode had her old friend, actor Michael Panes, acting as a "wingman" to help her meet guys. Soon it became clear that he was jealous when she talked to other men. The episode ended with him kissing her over a wedge of cheese. Who knows if these two long-time friends will end up together? Of course, if they do, it'll be the end of the show.

Number One Single airs on E! on Sundays at 10 p.m. EST.

Avid scientist by day, intrepid knitter/TV watcher by night.
Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
Buy from Amazon.com
Reality Bites (10th Anniversary Edition) Reality Bites (10th Anniversary Edition)
DVD,
Reality Bites: 10th Anniversary Edition Reality Bites: 10th Anniversary Edition
Original Soundtrack
Music,
Nine Stories Nine Stories
J.D. Salinger
Book,
Tails Tails
Lisa Loeb
Music,
Firecracker Firecracker
Lisa Loeb
Music,
The Way It Really Is The Way It Really Is
Lisa Loeb
Music,
Dating for Dummies Dating for Dummies
Joy Browne
Book,

TV Review: Number One Single
Published: March 05, 2006
Type: Review
Section: Video
Filed Under: Video: Reality TV
Writer: knitmi
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Comments

#1 — March 5, 2006 @ 11:02AM — Don Baiocchi [URL]

Great review! I also am surprised by how much I like this show. Lisa is a lot of fun and down-to-earth. How about the episode at the Isaac Mizrahi show when she walked around in her underwear? Girl has a kinky side! Too bad she's meeting so many shmucks.

#2 — March 5, 2006 @ 14:56PM — knitmi [URL]

Thanks! Yeah, when I first saw this show, I thought, "Oh no, not another lame reality show." But Lisa is so adorable and relatable.

#3 — March 7, 2006 @ 08:13AM — Joanie [URL]

Congrats! Your article has been chosen for Advance.net

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