'Dollhouse' review

Reviewing a new TV show based solely on its premiere episode is a tricky proposition. In many ways, a pilot episode is the worst indicator of a series' eventual merit—either the show hasn't found its voice yet (when's the last time you watched the first episode of the U.S. "The Office"?), or so much time, energy and moolah has been pumped into the much-ballyhooed first episode that the rest of the show struggles to keep up ("Fringe," anyone?).

Things get even hairier with "Dollhouse," Joss "I heart vampire slayers" Whedon's latest high concept TV offering. After fever-pitch Internet rumblings of alleged production woes and creative disputes on the "Dollhouse" set, a retooled pilot finally found its way to the hands and bleary eyes of American TV critics.

The series stars Eliza Dushku (aka the mean cheerleader from "Bring It On") as Echo, a member of—try to follow now—a mysterious group of good lookin' guys and gals who opt to have their personalities wiped and reprogrammed at the whim of the world's rich and powerful. This group resides at a top secret facility known as the "Dollhouse." And by top secret facility, we mean a "Real World"-style dormitory with slick, modern lines and totally gratuitous co-ed showers.

The buzz: With a steady stream of  TV fan faves including "Buffy," "Angel" and "Firefly," Whedon has amassed an impressive following among an ever-growing group of kinda geeky TV lovers. Early buzz compared "Dollhouse" to last season's short-lived Christian Slater starrer "My Own Worst Enemy." Thankfully, that comparison turns out to be completely unfounded.

The verdict: If the series opener is any indication, "Dollhouse" is a suprisingly chaste, suprisingly humorless and surprisingly unsurprising new series that's been shackled to a rough TV timeslot (Friday nights—ouch!). Want to see Whedon having fun? Check out his writers' strike-era "Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog."

Did you know? Whedon is descended from Hollywood royalty. His father wrote for "The Golden Girls" and his grandfather wrote for "Leave it to Beaver."

"Dollhouse" premieres Friday, Feb. 13, at 9 p.m./8c on FOX.