Mile High: Season 1 [DVD] [2003] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Most provocative programming on American TV can be found on stations like HBO, FX, and now Showtime. Generally these show tend to be racier and edgier than the network counterpoints, but usually they are more interested in pushing buttons and have ambitions beyond being just plain "fun." Well, "Mile High" is an example of a British television import that wants to be nothing more than trashy entertainment. Premiering on American TV on BBCAmerica, it was coupled with a far more successful show--the blissfully wicked and over-the-top "Footballer's Wives" (which frighteningly enough is being adapted for US TV--I dread the result). "Mile High" doesn't hold a candle to the delicious "Wives," but its aspirations are so modest--it's hard not to get caught up in the lightweight spirit of it all.

Set in the fictional world of "Fresh" airlines, "Mile High" follows the misadventures of an attractive and highly sexualized crew of flight personnel. No need to go through the characters one by one, there are your typical types present--the overbearing supervisor, the outrageous gay guy, the womanizer, the reformed bad girl, the adulteress, and the girl who's unlucky in love. Most of Season One concerns itself with the introduction of a crew newbie, Marco, to the wacky goings-on. There is loads of gratuitous nudity (British TV doesn't share the same prudery), sexual conquests, drug use, partying--just about anything lewd and lascivious. Man, who doesn't want to see that? Have you already ordered this DVD?

But make no mistake, just because this outrageousness is fun to watch does not make this a particularly good TV show. When the proceedings are loose and bawdy, the entertainment value is high. You want to see what happens next even if things lean a little too far to the side of "silly." The show has a much harder time on its dramatic storylines, however. It's hard to generate too much sympathy with this group--only a few characters actually get real development. John Wisdom, as the aforementioned Marco, does a nice job humanizing the show. But it is ostensibly the show's "villain" who offers its most robust character. Jo-Anne Knowles plays no-nonsense supervisor Janis. I think we're supposed to view Janis in a negative light, but I never did. A bit brusque, at times, she tried to maintain a professional standard for which the others condemned her. Easily the show's most complex character--she also had the most believable story arc.

I do recommend "Mile High" (especially Season One)--I think most people who encounter this show will be enchanted by its ribald spirit. I did, however, quit watching things in Season Two. The characters start to change out, but more importantly, their self-involvement never ends. Self-involved debauchery is fun for a while, but for me it became too little--too familiar--and too tired. But for Season One, it was a glorious ride. 3 stars for actual merit plus one for entertainment value, Season One gets a total of 4 from me. KGHarris, 01/07.

To compare this show to Sex and the City, Friends and the OC is totally wrong, while Sex and the city is a great show the vibe on Mile High is more like Las Vegas (the show). Now Las Vegas is just a crappy show, but Mile High is trash tv done right. The series revolves around the cabin crew of Fresh! airlines and their sexy antics, they travel to beautiful locales in Spain, they get involved with pasengers and have all sorts of sexy adventures. The Fresh! crew lead a 24 hour party lifestyle which leads them into all sorts of trouble, from drug use to adultery to prostitution to crash landings to catfights. The only problem i have with the show is it never really embraces its soapy roots, for example one of the crew has a stalker but when it came time for a big soapy showdown it kinda stumbled and didn't deliver enough of a payoff. Another complaint is NO SUBTITLES?? with their thick accents sometimes it is hard to make out the meaning of certain phrases. But overall i would definetly recommend this show. EP

Think Sex and the City meets Friends and the OC and everyone works for an airline...this is pure gratuitous fun from the UK! Sexy smart looking youngish Brits all work for a discount airline and have a wild time in the friendly skies. Great for a good weekend of brainless soapsy entertainment:)