Review: 'Telenovela' is pleasant, not perfect

There isn't much wrong with NBC's Telenovela (Monday, 10 p.m. ET/PT, **1/2 stars out of four) that Jane the Virgin's Rogelio de la Vega couldn't fix — or at least improve.

And it would be worth the effort, because there's clearly potential in this pleasant but not-yet-impressive showbiz comedy — as you should expect from a series starring Eva Longoria, at her best here as soap diva Ana Sofia Calderon. The role doesn't exactly stretch her; it's right in her Desperate Housewives wheelhouse. But it's the kind of role she does as well as anyone around: a gorgeous woman prone to pratfalls, whose innocent, completely egocentric mix of selfishness and sweetness is somehow sympathetic.

The problem isn't the star; it's that her show often seems to be striving to go over the top without quite getting there. And that's because, funny as some of the scenes are, and as good as many of the actors are, Telenovela lacks that one, grand, scene-stealing, supporting performance that might push it to another level. Which means, if you like, it lacks Jaime Camil, Jane's Rogelio, who has the same ability as Longoria to make a star's outrageous demands and fragile ego seem charming. Well, from a distance, anyway, which is how you really want to view most stars.

As we meet Ana, she's not having her best day. It's hard enough to be the star of a Spanish-language soap opera when you don't speak Spanish (a running joke Longoria lands with an amusing blend of confusion, embarrassment and indignation). But it's harder still when your cheating ex-husband, Xavier (Jencarlos Canela), has been added to the cast — and the show's poster.

Naturally, Ana turns for help to her two best friends on the show: Mimi (Diana Maria Riva), the down-to-earth costume designer, and Gael (Jose Moreno Brooks), a gay man-child who relies on his abs for job security. And just as naturally, she tries to avoid the barbs coming from Isabella (Alexandra Meneses), the show's former star and current dragon lady — who has a bigger, funnier part to play in the second of tonight's two preview outings. (The series returns Jan. 4, Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT).

With its evil-twin plot, that second episode functions in part as a telenovela spoof — but it also helps Telenovela transition into a workplace comedy along the lines of 30 Rock.

In terms of the writing, there's nothing extraordinary going on, but the casting and setting is another step forward in TV's drive toward greater inclusion. Telenovela may not win many awards, but it's a good-natured show built around a certified TV star, one who has earned the showcase it provides.

Let's hope that earns her show the time it needs to improve.