Wasteland (1999) User Reviews

The good die young... or get cancelled

[Havan_IronOak · 12 July 2002]

I saw the first few episodes of this when it was broadcast in prime time and loved it. 20 somethings living in NYC and dealing with real issues, prejudice in the workplace, comimg out, getting past one night stands and into relationships.

As a gay man myself, I was particularly interested in Russ, a soap actor who was struggling with coming out. Also the other male principals, Dan Montgomery Jr and Brad Rowe are easy on the eye and were both very cool about having a good friend who's gay.

This series had a LOT of promise and I was upset to see it end. I recently caught the episodes that I missed on Cable and I would recommend it to others.

Did they hate Williamson that much?

[m-47826 · 5/10 · 1 March 2022]

Putting this show on ABC was out of nowhere. And this choice clearly had it set out to fail. Why not put it on The WB, or Fox even? It would've been perfect there. But not ABC. As much as I like this show, and every teen and young adult dramas of that time. It was too angsty and influenced a lot by shows like Dawson's Creek, Felicity, and Party of Five, to appeal to a larger crowd. The cast was mostly late 90s teenagers idols, and it's nice to see all of them together. The show may have not left an impression, but it will definitely appeal to the genre lovers out there.

Never got a chance

[preppy-3 · 12 April 2006]

I saw this show on network TV when it came out. I tuned in because Kevin Williamson wrote it and I think he's great. I was expecting the worst--a show about whiny 20 somethings--but I was pleasantly surprised. It was written and acted and had (for TV) a realistically played gay guy (Don Montgomery Jr. was great--and very handsome). Also the scene where he came out to his friend was (for TV) pretty bold. He tells him when they're taking a shower at the gym! U get a look at a extras butt and Montgomery ALMOST shows everything when his towel swings off. To be honest I'm surprised they got away with that. And his friend is very accepting. Just great.

It was pulled due to low ratings--they SAID it would return with changes. Naturally we never saw it again. No classic but very good. Worth seeing--if you can.

great chemistry

[jayjaysaldana · 8 January 2003]

I loved this show. The cast had great chemistry. There were many storylines that had potential. The problem with the show was it's time slot. It was up against MUST SEE TV on NBC and THE WORLD SERIES on FOX. The show probably would have done better on another network as well. Although only 3 episodes aired it left a good impression. I Would have loved to be able to see all 13 episodes that were taped. Great show!

hum.. :)

[jamiiep · 22 May 2003]

This Show is on now for the first time here in Portugal, and I'm loving it. I've never liked Dawson's Creek though.. and for what I've read here they're both from the same director. Well i don't care about that. It just seemed cool when i first watched it.. and now that the story is getting so involving I'm loving it even more!! I just hope there were more than 13 episodes.. since it's already in 11th :(

Crank Up The Heat Kevin!

[Alan E · 30 August 1999]

To all fans of Kevin Williamson. Behold his latest triumph! While 'Dawson's Creek' focused its themes coherently towards the first coming of age, his new television series 'Wasteland' will most definitely hit it big with the teen and twenty something demographic, when this well produced show focusing on the second coming of age hits the air!

I was actually fortunate enough to receive the original pilot episode as well as the remade new pilot.

The original pilot was in fact lily white, but never the less terrific all the same. Dawnie the 26 year old virgin lives in a huge apartment in New York with her two best friends, Russell a hot and I mean hot TV soap hunk who is in fact gay and terrified of being outed. He has a one night stand in the pilot. His agent is Jesse, a sleek bad to the bone girl who smokes too many cigarettes, drinks to much and finds out that her boyfriend Kurt cheated on her. She is the shows bitch, yes! Their other friends include Sam, a private eye from the South who is desperate to be taken seriously by her male contemporaries and then there is Vandy, a struggling musician by day bartender by night who we find out still secretly loves Sam. Tye who emerges in the pilot out of nowhere was the college campus stud who slept around and dumped Dawnie, when she failed to sleep with him. She can be seen constantly slapping him in the pilot.

The new pilot has a few additions and changes. Sam (played by Rebecca Gayheart) has now had her profession changed to a legal secretary (more believable), and acts as assistant to Jeffrey D. Sams character who is the district attorney. We see in the new pilot, sexual tension arising which will lead to an interracial relationship. Monica Keena (who played Abby on 'Dawson's') joins the cast (but I had better keep her role a secret for fear of hate mail).

So there you have it. A terrific show, terrific premise and a hot young cast, the show will be more successful than 'Dawson's Creek' I think. To anyone out there wishing to know more, feel free to email me.

"Thirty Something" meets "Beverly Hills 90210."

[Kyleshivers · 2 September 1999]

Wasteland is more than just your average television series, it is beyond most shows with its up-and-coming actors and actresses living in New York with a Kevin Williamson style. I taped the first episode and I was surprised at how interesting this show really is. Playing the naive and pure Dawnie, Marisa Coughlan does a wonderful job and her character is truly believable. I think that this show will really boost her career as a serious actress. We also rarely see Rebecca Gayheart in a sweet and flirtatious role. I think a lot of people will really enjoy this show no matter how old you are. I am in my teens and I still enjoy the show because it is weird to wonder what they must be going through and that I could possibly be like that when I am in my late twenties. ABC did a good move when they picked up "Wasteland," for their fall lineup.

I love this show, please help bring it back!!!!

[Angel001 · 22 November 1999]

I absolutely love this show. I'm not sure if it'll be coming back, but I wish I had the three episodes that aired on tape.

It's a show that those of us who are in our 20's or right out of college can absolutely relate to. It's about finding your way and trying to discover what you want to do. Maybe not as a permanent career, but to get over the awkwardness over being outta school and not yet considering yourself a "grown-up." If you were to sit down and watch it, you would probably find yourself relating to each character in a little way. Dawnie was the over-analytical one who is waiting for the right time to lose her virginity; Sam the one who tries to lose her Southern accent to move forward; Ty was the one true love of Dawnie's life who is just trying to make ends meet; Vandy is the sweet, lovable musician who is barely scraping by; Jesse is the tough-as-nails career woman who is afraid of being vulnerable; Russell is the guy who's afraid of being outed of his personal life and his role as hunk-du-jour on a soap opera. Each character is wonderfully vulnerable, miserable, despicable and lovable at the same time.

What was Kevin Williamson thinking ?

[cooper-29 · 2 November 1999]

I watched the first two episodes expecting allot from Mr.Williamson, whom I'm a big fan of.I didnt see any of his wit cool writing or pop culture references here.I just saw a bunch of characters moving through the motions. Obviously allot of people think simular thoughts since the show is doing terrible. I remember this problem with the first season of Melrose.Theres no antagonist to stur things up and its basically just a bunch of people whining about life.And to think they used to think that Thirtsomething was whiny.At least that was well written.Whats up with the story about the girl being hasseled about her accent.Do I hear harrasment in the workplace. Give me a break. Id like to see this show survive but it needs some reworking. Oh did I mention that everyone was pretty? That was the best part of the show.

Crapland!!

[Bob__Loblaw · 10 October 1999]

What a horrible show! How can a man who wrote incredible dialogue for the 2 "Scream" movies, and "The Faculty", put out such a big load of dung? I was so looking forward to seeing "Wasteland" and it is so depressing. The characters were so boring and shallow, maybe the actors are just bad. I know Mr. Williamson has great talent. He should look back at his old movies for the intelligent writing he is capable of. I am looking forward to more things by Mr. Williamson, and I am sure he will be successful. It is the opposite of the David E. Kelley thing. Mr. Kelley writes the best shows on TV, but can't seem to write a movie. Kevin writes great movies, but loses it on TV. I see a partnership possibility.

What a waste!

[MovieFan983 · 12 October 1999]

I was extremely disappointed with this new show. Dawnsons Creek is a great show and this just was nothing. There was no plot, the characters were under-developed and all-in-all a waste of time. I would give it a 3 out of 10. TV-14 for sexuality, language and brief nudity.

Ok, I might give it one more chance

[Bookends · 13 October 1999]

I was kind of looking forward to seeing this show, so I decided to tune in to the series premiere. It definitely has potential to be watchable, maybe not in a "I'll tape it if I am not at home" kind of way, but I could watch it if I was sitting at home on a Thursday night with nothing else to do.

The characters are interesting, but must they always give the Southern character a horrible accent? If the actress can't do it, it is ok, we don't all talk like we fell off of a cotton truck. Really, we don't.

The only thing on this show that I really hated was the way the scenes changed. The quick views of NYC that transition are a way overused technique, and don't seem to quite fit this show, one that isn't fast paced like an ER for example. In the case of this show, the transitions only gave me a headache.

2 1/2 stars out of 5.. for average.