But when Christina's around, fights have a tendency to break out and things have a tendency to explode. Which makes life in this little Point Pleasant Peyton Place complicated.

Complicated, but not particularly interesting.

At least not in the first couple of episodes. I'm not entirely ready to write this one off. Nighttime soaps have a tendency to start slow. The pilot of "The O.C." wasn't much to get excited about and that series turned out great.

I'm just not sure what it is the producers of "Point Pleasant" are trying to do. And I'm not sure they're sure, either.

"We've talked a lot about the idea that everybody in town is kind of under (Christina's) influence so that spooky and scary things can happen in all corners of the town," Noxon said. "So I think as we develop it, it starts to be much more a kind of horror-based soap opera than it is a soap opera and a spooky show."

Whatever that means.

So, yes, there's a lot of work to do in "Point Pleasant." And it will have to be done quickly or the show doesn't have a prayer.

After tonight's premiere, "Point Pleasant" moves to its regular time slot Thursday at 8 p.m., on Ch. 13.

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E-MAIL: pierce@desnews.com