Cox cleans up as ‘Dirt’ devil
“Friends” star Courteney Cox returns to weekly television in “Dirt” (10 p.m., FX), an ambitious and often uneven series that is shocking, riveting and a little silly all at the same time.
Cox plays Lucy Spiller, the brains behind two gossip magazines, “Now,” a glossy “People”-like weekly, and “Dirt,” a more down-market, down-and-dirty sheet that appears to have grown at the expense of its bigger, more respectable sister.
“Dirt” wastes no time showcasing the mechanics of gossip and access. Like “L.A. Confidential,” it demonstrates how blackmail is used to turn targets into sources and how sources become prey in Lucy’s spiderweb.
Lucy’s scarlet garb makes all the more sense as the drama unfolds. Call her a vampire, ghoul or Satan herself: She is a collector of souls.
Like most series on FX, “Dirt” is not for the kids, nor for the tame. Sex of all kinds, suicide, drug use and treachery are featured in nearly every frame.
It remains to be seen how fans of “In Touch” and other brainless gossip rags will feel about a show so gloomy. “Dirt” will certainly receive condemnation from the usual suspects. On the other hand, Cox appears to have one-upped the moral crusaders out to clean up entertainment. The movie stars and celebrity tormentors in “Dirt” aren’t just going to hell. They’re already there.
Tonight’s other highlights
The Orange Bowl (5 p.m., Fox).
Scheduled on “Dateline” (8 p.m., NBC): the death of a housewife.
A Lorelai and Chris spat at dinner on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., CW).
Wet work in Paraguay on “The Unit” (9 p.m., CBS).
The death of an immigrant woman may have been an “honor” killing on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (9 p.m., NBC).
Murder on embassy row on “Numb3rs” (10 p.m., CBS).
A patient (Brian Dennehy) makes a deathbed confession to Benson on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
Ivan needs help untying a tight knot on “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC).
“A Fish Story” on “Independent Lens” (10 p.m., KSPS) explores a struggle between environmentalists and fishermen defending their jobs and a centuries-old culture.
“Dog the Bounty Hunter” (10 p.m., A&E) looks back at an eventful year.