The most amusing moments of the generally promising pilot come from the bickering of these staffers. The three fantasies, on the other hand, seem like tacky leftovers from the Spelling years. Smartly, future episodes will feature only two fantasies, leaving more room for personnel shenanigans. Alas, that does mean less of that other Island trademark: a parade of has-been guest stars a la Barbi Benton; Sonnenfeld will either go for unknowns or try for bigger, more current names. Along with Alyssa Milano, who will slink into the second episode, his wish list includes Monica Lewinsky (please, no!) and Danny DeVito. "The fact that we're in Hawaii might be a way to get some people to come out and have some fun by working 18 hours a day and never seeing the light of day," he jokes.
Speaking of scheduling, Fantasy part deux, like the original, will be seen on Saturday night. Da pain! Da pain! ABC hasn't had a bona fide Saturday hit since, well, Fantasy Island. But, insists Finkel, "we don't want to move. We know the network isn't going to demand too much from us, and we're going to deliver more." After all, fantasy fulfillment is in the zeitgeist. As Finkel says, "Nowadays with--what do you call it? Viagra!--everything is possible." --A.J. Jacobs
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