SORDID LIVES, THE SERIES

For those who have been anxiously awaiting the further adventures of the "Sordid Lives" gang, I'm here to tell you that I've seen several episodes of the upcoming LOGO series, and it's undoubtedly one of the funniest hootenannies I've ever seen on television. Director, Creator, Producer Del Shores has outdone himself. Nearly the entire movie cast is back and better and white trashier than ever. The series is a prequel to the film. That means Peggy, merely a corpse in the film, is fully fleshed out and played to the sinful, Southern Baptist hilt by golden girl treasure Rue McClanahan in this incarnation. The characters that so many have been quoting for so long, including Sissy, Brother Boy, LaVonda, Latrelle, Noleta, Bitsy Mae and Dr. Eve will have you faithfully peeing in your pants with laughter every week. Beth Grant, Ann Walker, Leslie Jordan and Bonnie Bedelia shoplift scenes with their usual panache. And as much as I loved Delta Burke as Noleta in the movie, Caroline Rhea replaces her in the series and more than owns the role. And special mention to the amazing Sarah Hunley as Juanita. My nephew (who also screened several preview episodes) put it best. After the final credits roled, he turned to Del Shores and asked, "When is Juanita getting her own series?" She's that good. And so is the show. Oh, wait a minute. It is its own series. Mark July 25th on your calendar and join in the southern-fried perfection that is "Sordid Lives." (The picture is me with Robert L. Stephenson, who plays soap stud Hunter in the series.)