Weird Science: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2

A so-so 1985 movie written by John Hughes inspired this equally middling TV series, which managed to air for five seasons on the USA Network. The film's basic premise was maintained: high school nerds Wyatt Donnelly (Michael Manasseri) and Gary Wallace (John Mallory Asher) pool their computer skills and technical knowledge to create a cybernetic simulacrum of the perfect girl, who they name “Lisa” (Vanessa Angel). For reasons that the show's scientific mumbo-jumbo never quite make clear, Lisa has magical powers capable of granting practically every wish of her creators. Of course, when she takes their carelessly expressed desires too literally, all sorts of complications arise. The explanation for the show's popularity is obvious: it appealed to teenage viewers who wished they could conjure up a Lisa to help them navigate the tricky waters of high school, and—indeed—Angel is the series' principal asset, more down-to-earth than the feature film's beautiful but aloof Kelly LeBrock. Angel is no Hilary Swank, acting-wise, but she deserved better than the tired goofball situations she encounters here. Compiling all 26 first and second season episodes from 1994, DVD extras include a trio of cast audio commentaries and a trivia quiz. Optional. (E. Hulse)