The Archieverse takes another step towards world domination with its second spinoff, Katy Keene airing Thursdays on The CW. Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars) plays the titular character, an aspiring fashion designer trying to make her dreams come true in NYC. Katy’s pals include other Archie Comics characters Pepper Smith, Jorge/Ginger Lopez and Josie McCoy.
The series is off to a stylish, splashy start, including a marriage proposal in the final moments of the premiere. Does Katy Keene have what it takes to become a pop-culture juggernaut like its predecessors? Only time will tell. Here are five things we like about the show so far and five things we don’t.
Like: The Show’s Whimsical Vibe
Katy Keene is a refreshing palate cleanser from all the doom and gloom happening on Riverdale. Season 4 has been the most gruesome and absurd yet thanks to vigilante Archie’s constant fisticuffs, Cheryl’s chats with the rat-infested corpse of her dead brother, sex tapes, Kevin’s foray into fetish films and the return of creepy characters such as Chic and Evelyn Evernever.
In comparison, Katy Keene veers away from somber, dark hues in favor of vibrant colors, making NYC appear like a filtered Instagram photo. Hale infuses Katy with an optimism that’s endearing and not annoying. The aesthetic of the series is almost Disney-like. It wouldn’t be surprising if cartoon birds and mice helped Katy get dressed in the morning. Because Katy’s passion is fashion, costumes are an unmistakable extension and expression of all the main characters’ personalities.
Don’t Like: Pepper Smith Is A Snooze
Out of all the members of Katy’s inner circle, Pepper, who is played by Julie Chan, receives the least amount of attention during the pilot. This supposed “It” girl is a Generation Z (Chan is 36) Paris Hilton only she takes herself more seriously, and she’s more cerebral.
While Katy, Josie, and Katy’s roommate Jorge ooze charisma, Pepper fades into the background. It’s unclear what her passions are since she mentions everything from writing to acting to subsidizing some mystery project. All we know is that she’s one of the most connected people in the city, making her a walking, talking Zagat guide when it comes to the who’s who of NYC.
Like: Josie McCoy Gets A Chance To Shine
Josie McCoy, played by Ashleigh Murray, never gets to sink her teeth into any in-depth storylines during her three seasons on Riverdale. She’s even stripped of her iconic Pussycats during the show’s sophomore season. Josie has a short-lived fling with Archie, but unless a scene justifies a musical number, Josie is overlooked.
Josie’s already getting more time in the spotlight thanks to crossing paths with the ambitious, producer wannabe and heir of his father’s company, Alexander Cabot, who thinks Josie is the key to relaunching the Cabot empire’s defunct record division. But things aren’t going to come easily for Josie. She’s quickly learning that while she was a big fish in the small pond that is Riverdale, the city is full of talented singers.
Don’t Like: The Storylines Lack Depth
Talented young adults trying to make their dreams a reality is a plot that’s been tackled endlessly on both the big and small screens. So to make a splash, Katy Keene is going to have to go deep below the surface to the bitter stuff hiding underneath the froth and foam. Katy, Jorge and Josie all face major disappointments from the jump and bounce back in quick succession. Katy Keene doesn’t need to be as gritty as Fame or Pose, but it’s a tad too saccharine at this point. The pilot includes an actual prince pulling a Pretty Woman, taking his commoner girlfriend on a shopping spree.
The show is titled Katy Keene, so there’s a chance the rest of the ensemble will suffer the consequences of not pulling too much attention from the main character. All of these characters are on different paths, so the challenge will be following their separate journeys but ensuring they intersect as well.
Like: Crossover/Cameo Potential
Katy Keene is set five years ahead of events currently taking place on Riverdale. This might make crossover episodes tricky since the futures of Jughead (he’s not dead!), Veronica, Betty, Archie and the rest are very much in a state of flux. We love the Josie-Kevin dynamic, and since their parents are married, it makes sense that he should show up at some point. Plus, Kevin’s dream is to attend NYU, and with Veronica supposedly headed to Barnard and a childhood pal of Katy’s, they seem the likely candidates for future appearances.
With so much focus on music, fashion and theater, there are endless opportunities for cameos from models, designers, recording artists, Broadway mainstays as well as NYC-based celebs. Shangela (A Star Is Born) makes an appearance as a cutthroat drag queen who will likely prove to be a thorn in the side of Jorge’s (Jonny Beauchamp) drag persona, Ginger Jones. Riverdale has cleverly capitalized on cameos from stars of beloved teen dramas such as Dawson’s Creek and Beverly Hills, 90210 as well as Brat Pack members Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall. Expect similar clever casting on Katy Keene.
Don’t Like: Katy’s Boxer Boyfriend
Katy has the perfect boyfriend: her high school sweetheart with washboard abs who supports her even at the expense of his ambitions. There may be more to KO (Zane Holtz) than just eye candy, but it’s going to be difficult for him to shine beneath Katy’s huge shadow.
Maybe Holtz suffers because he’s surrounded by so many over-the-top personalities, but he seems completely out of his element – like a Teamster at a tea party. Hale and Holtz’s chemistry feels more friendzone-y than the palpable spark between soul mates.
Like: Established Talent Behind The Scenes
Katy Keene was brought to the small screen, along with Michael Grassi, by Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa who is also the chief creative officer of Archie Comics.
He’s served as a producer on Supergirl, Glee and Big Love. You can’t ignore the pure genius of Riverdale: a subversive reimagining of the Archie characters with just a hint of the weirdness of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks thrown into the mix.
Don’t Like: Josie’s Love Interest
If there was any question if Josie McCoy is a big girl now, her one-night stand with mogul Alexander Cabot (Lucien Laviscount) lays them to rest. It’s a bit painful to see Josie become a cliche, but she turns it around as best she can in the end. Alexander isn’t quite what he presents himself to be, and even though he’s in hot water with Josie, we haven’t seen the last of him.
Alexander can’t handle himself around strong women whether it’s Josie or his far more compelling sister. He’s less Lucious Lyon and more The Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz, or even the little guy behind the curtain.
Like: Girlboss Alexandra Cabot
Katy Keene has an unmistakable gynocentric vibe, and while Katy is a perky go-getter, Alexandra Cabot (Camille Hyde) is more of a take-no-prisoners kind of gal. She’s a socialite with ambition, and unlike her brother, she has a commanding presence.
She’s more seasoned and cynical than some of the other characters. As the senior vice president of Cabot Entertainment, she’s in a position to mentor Josie, but the two don’t get off to an auspicious start. It would be nice to see the two join forces instead of being at odds, sending a message that you don’t have to tear others down to build yourself up.
Don’t Like: Ice Queen Gloria Grandbilt
Gloria Grandbilt (Katherine LaNasa) is the self-important personal shopper at Lacy’s: she’s the Miranda Priestly to Katy’s Andrea Sachs. Instead of a mature woman mentoring someone with talent, she’s threatened by Katy which raises the question of why must girl-on-girl crime factor into entertainment so predominantly? There’s no room for growth with Gloria, and likely her sole purpose will be to place obstacles in Katy’s way she’ll have to overcome to get closer to realizing her dream. Ho-hum.
