Just heavenly

Brooke Elliott, left, stars in "Drop Dead Diva," which airs at 9 p.m. on Sundays.

By: Casey Gillis | Lynchburg News and Advance
Published: July 10, 2009

In Lifetime’s newest series, heaven isn’t exactly what you’d expect.

There are no pearly gates, puffy clouds, angels or even harps in the afterlife on “Drop Dead Diva,” which premieres at 9 p.m. Sunday night.

Here, heaven looks more like a modern, albeit blindingly white, office — think escalators, desks and sleek flat-screen monitors — where a series of gatekeepers meet with the recently deceased to review their lives.

“You know, heaven or hell,” gatekeeper Fred tells Deb Dobson after she meets her demise while driving to audition for a spot as “The Price Is Right’s” newest prize model.

Her review reveals that she is what Fred calls a “zero-zero:” she’s never done anything outright bad in her life, but she hasn’t done any good either.

Deb isn’t a flat-out mean girl; she’s just a little ditzy and self-centered. Oh, and a bit shallow.

Ever the fashionista, she divides her closet up by season. Her idea of a healthy breakfast consists of one grapefruit and two Splendas, and she’s never been larger than a size 2 — well, except for “the freshman 15,” she says, “which is why I quit community college.”

After her review goes awry, Deb is accidentally transported into the body of dowdy, heavyset and also recently killed lawyer Jane, who wears the same dark suit/white shirt combo every day, often sleeps at the office and doesn’t think twice of indulging in a large, frosted cinnamon roll for breakfast.

“Oh my God,” Deb says upon seeing her new body. “You sent me to hell?”

Because memories remain with the soul, Deb remembers her old life.

But she also inherits Jane’s brains, which enables her to pick up Jane’s old life and cases right where she left them. It isn’t long before she’s spouting off legal jargon like an expert, helping clients with Jane’s inherent smarts and her own common sense.

“Drop Dead Diva” is the best show of the summer, and star Brooke Elliott just might be my new favorite actress.

As Deb-turned-Jane, she’s hilarious, especially as her character discovers a love for foods and flavors she’s denied herself for years.

But Elliot also gives her depth as Deb adjusts to her new life and look, which is further complicated when Deb’s grieving boyfriend, also a lawyer, lands a job at Jane’s firm. Now she has to work alongside the love of her life, heartbroken, without telling him who she really is.

I hate to compare this charming show to anything, but it really reminded me of ABC’s “Ugly Betty.”

Both shows are equal parts heart and wit, with leading ladies playing supposed ugly ducklings that are really anything but.