A 15-year-old's competition with herself sparks the familiar center of another story about teenage girl gymnasts and what they might give up, including proper eating habits, when it becomes an obsession. Written with little distinction by Melissa Gould, directed flatly by Douglas Barr, "Perfect Body" has little to say that hasn't been said before and said considerably better. Andie Bradley (Amy Jo Johnson), spoiled and determined to be an Olympic gymnast, goes from Portland to Seattle with the unwise blessings of her parents Janet (Wendie Malick), who goes along, and Elliot (Ray Baker). The popular Andie is taking up training with coach David Blair (Brett Cullen), who's into gearing up a stable of femme athletes. Andie, whose hidden charms are elusive, has already shown her mean side to boyfriend Josh (Ron Melendez), who dumbly keeps coming back for more. ("Andie, I think you're perfect," he confides.)

At Blair’s gym Andie meets gold medalist Leslie (Tara Boger), who’s spoiling for a feud. Unfortunately there isn’t even that much zest in “Perfect Body”; instead, it lumbers along as Andie joins Leslie disclosing the vidpic’s supposed central message: the danger of bulimia binges.

Why Andie’s parents allow her such freedom and don’t at least check her diet brings up the subject of parental disregard no matter how concerned they seem, but that’s ignored here. Her mother does frown and does try to get her to eat better, but doesn’t check on her l5-year-old much.

And no one explains why the girl’s story is so unsympathetically told. Andie’s seen in the beginning as an oh-so-magnetic teenager, but it doesn’t ring true. Cullen’s intense, grim-faced coach works OK, and Boger’s Leslie seems like the real McCoy — and the character’s probably likable.

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A problem arises with stunning clip inserts by editor Mark Conte of gym doubles Chari Hunter for Andie and Kristie Phillips for Leslie. The doubles go through their paces, slyly hiding their faces, and Johnson often seems to be doing some high-flying herself. But showing each girl repeatedly and determinedly hitting the ground after a stunt looks phony.

Karl Herrmann’s camerawork is practical, and Pray for Rain’s music probably pleases bubble-gummers, who’ll find the storyline shiny new. It isn’t.

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Perfect Body

Mon. (8), 9-11 p.m., NBC

  • Production: Filmed in Vancouver by Polone/Winer Co. and NBC Studios. Executive producers, Judith A. Polone, Harry Winer; producer, Judith Cairo-Simpson; co-producer, Jon Cowan; director, Douglas Barr; writer, Melissa Gould.
  • Crew: Camera, Karl Herrmann; editor, Mark Conte; production designer, Douglas Higgins; sound, Gordon Anderson; music, Pray For Rain; casting, Shana Landsburg, Laura Adler.
  • Cast: Cast: Amy Jo Johnson, Brett Cullen, Wendie Malick, Ray Baker, Tara Boger, Ron Melendez, Julie Patzwald, Cathy Rigby, Michelle Skalnik, Chari Hunter, Kristie Phillips, Suzie Suics, Nicole McKay, Jane Perry, Alf Humphries, Jeremy Guibaut, Judith Maxie, Chelsea Hobbs.

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