BY JOHN KIESEWETTER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PASADENA, Calif. -- Keri Russell took a few hours away from her campus drama to give Felicity a midterm exam.
Not surprisingly, she gives the WB drama passing marks.
"Our show is doing exactly what I had hoped it to do," says Ms. Russell, 19, who stars as indecisive college freshman Felicity Porter away from home for the first time.
"We're not the No. 1 rated show, but it has a really great, respectful audience that I think will gain over time, which is exactly what a creative, artsy show could hope for," she says to TV critics at a WB party at a restaurant in Old Town Pasadena.
Already Felicity has earned the respect from the Golden Globe Awards jurors, who nominated the series for best TV drama and best actress (Ms. Russell) in a TV drama.
But not everyone puts Felicity at the head of the class. Some viewers found the first few Felicity shows as slow-moving and repetitious as an old forgetful philosophy professor.
Others wanted the freshman art student to lighten up, or become a stronger character. Viewers will see evidence of a change on Tuesday, when she decides to lose her virginity in a comical farce.
"I attempt to lose my virginity, and it's an absolute disaster," she says about the episode entitled, "Gimme an O!"
WB executives acknowledge that Felicity producers have had some problems portraying life at a Manhattan college.
"I think the tone has been actually, in some cases, radically different in the first 13 episodes," says Suzanne Daniels, WB Entertainment president. "The show will become a little bit lighter than the first few episodes."
Creators J.J. Abrams (Armageddon, Regarding Henry) and Matt Reeves (The Pallbearer), producing their first TV series, "are experimenting, and they're figuring out what makes the most sense," Ms. Daniels says
"The men I talk to like more humor in the show, and the women I talk to say, 'It was too funny.' They like some of those more serious moments," Ms. Daniels says.
While Felicity struggles to find her way, Ms. Russell certainly wouldn't want to trade places with any other member of TV's Class of 1998-99. Many have already flunked out (Buddy Faro, Brian Benben, Desmond Pfeiffer, Costello).
"In the next few episodes, we're going to explore more of the art aspect. She's also chosen a boyfriend, which is a big deal," Ms. Russell says.
Felicity returns from Christmas break in Tuesday's show and announces to Noel (Scott Foley) that she thinks they should have sex. He drops his new computer.
He gets tested for sexually transmitted diseases. She checks out books on human sexuality. They plan a romantic candlelight evening, which goes awry.
"What's so great about Felicity is the college experience," says Ms. Russell, who decided to skip college to concentrate on her show business career.
"She's not just choosing this one path. She's keeping all of her options open to her."
It turns out, the missteps by Felicity writers aren't that
different from the uncharted journey most students take through any university.
Enquirer TV critic John Kiesewetter is reporting from the Television Critics Association winter press tour.