Love Fest: 10 Things We Didn't Hate About '10 Things I Hate About You'

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TEN THINGS I Didn't Totally Hate About "Ten Things I Hate About You":

1) ABC Family chose a pretty decent option from the myriad late '90s teen-oriented romantic comedies to adapt into a series. The movie had two major things going for it: Like teen classic "Clueless," it was adapted from classic literature, in this case Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew." Additionally, it provided the break-out role for subsequent Oscar winner Heath Ledger, a refreshing change from the then ubiquitous blandness of Freddie Prinze Jr.

2) While the show is derivative at moments, it at least chooses worthy subjects of emulation. The popular girls at the high school present an appearance- and staus-obsessed unified front worthy of (and undoubtedly inspired by) "Mean Girls." While substituting a keg of non-alcoholic beer at a party was a larger, funnier plot point on "Freaks and Geeks," at least it's homage to a classic.

3) Although a decade has passed since the film's release, Larry Miller returns to reprise his role as Walter Stratford, Kat and Bianca's widowed father. He is just as loving and overprotective as ever, if even balder than before. In the pilot, Walter punishes wild daughter Kat (Lindsey Shaw) for ramming a fellow student's car by making her use a wheelchair around the house for the next week — intending to demonstrate the dangers of vehicular assault. I'm not sure whether novelty punishments will be a recurring motif for the show, but if so, I see definite comedic potential.

4) Although it has been some time since alternative rock ruled the airwaves, Kat nonetheless dresses like a grunge rock acolyte, which works well as a rebellious fashion choice. Punk, goth and emo looks all have too much symbolic baggage. Grunge, in 2009 anyway, doesn't convey anything specific besides the intended: difference from peers.

5) On a related note, goofy nerd Michael (Kyle Kaplan) has adopted an amusing accessory-heavy emo look for his return to school. Sadly, neither his neckerchief nor his shouted references to Fall Out Boy are enough to deter overzealous bullies.

6) Kat's potential love interest, Patrick Verona (Ethan Peck, grandson of Gregory), doesn't have much to do in the premiere, but he doesn't really require much. He broods, leans on lockers and rides a motorcycle, already qualifying him as a better bad-boy heartthrob than the overrated Jordan Catalano on "My So-Called Life."

7) Fans of "Twilight"-style prolonged, angst-ridden courtships will enjoy the initial stages of Kat and Patrick's relationship. They don't speak to one another much, but they do exchange lots of lengthy, meaningful Edward-and-Bella-style eye contact.

8) "10 Things I Hate About You" features actual, realistic diversity. Overbearing head cheerleader Chastity (Dana Davis) is not a willowy blonde, but a petite African-American, and her second in command is Asian-American. Kat's first ally at her new school is an overweight artist with purple streaks in her hair. It's refreshing to see minorities playing primary roles on a teen program, and not just friends of the primary characters.


9) The one obvious All-American type, blond jock Joey (Chris Zylka), is played for laughs. He neglected his summer football training in favor of pursuing his dream of male modeling, only to be relegated to the second string when the season begins. Girlfriend Chastity is disgusted at his lack of adherence to high school stereotypes, believing that the head cheerleader should only date the starting quarterback. Poor Joey is forced to confide in (and demonstrate Zoolander-esque poses for) Kat's more traditional sister, Bianca (Meaghan Jette Martin).

10) "10 Things" also boasts a refreshingly cynical view of school administrators. After calling Kat and Chastity into her office following their parking lot altercation, Principal Holland (Suzy Nakamura) consoles the "injured" Chastity, who apparently has a powerful father on the school board. She then informs Kat that upholding fairness is not a top priority, but keeping her superiors placated is.

("10 Things I Hate About You" premieres Tuesday, July 7, at 8 p.m. on ABC Family.)

Written by Express contributor Meg Zamula
Photo courtesy ABC Family