Washington Heights

Heights almost feels like atonement for the biggest hit in MTV history. The kids don't swear (much), esteem their elders, work at their dreams and have no obvious or debilitating vices--until they drink.

It plays a little bit, in spirit, like the HBO series How to Make It In America. It is in that way that it feels both fresh and familiar--the scene is new, but the story is old. There's drama, but not as much trash.

Of course it's formulaic, but the cast is inviting and the formula works.

There's not much new to see in this neighborhood, but the producers have done a superb job of scoring the series with fresh music.

It's possible that Washington Heights will devolve into "Jersey Shore-North," and become unwatchable. But it's hard to imagine young people like JP, Frankie and Ludwin going off the rails to that extent. As long as they don't, Washington Heights may be an exception to the apparent rule for this kind of show by keeping it legitimately real.

It's a bit of a mess. I found myself wishing that the series, which tracks a loosely knit group of nine friends in the Washington Heights area of New York, actually had more direction.

The show consistently produces a "Who cares?" response.