Spy Groove,

By James Poniewozik

One of the challenges of watching MTV is trying to tell the shows from the ads. The channel has always cleverly acknowledged the feedback loop between its content (music, style) and its commerce (gadgets, soft drinks, style again), and this animated spy-and-fashion spoof takes that interplay to a new level. Not only does the art look like a Bluefly.com ad, the show is also winkingly laced with faux-product plugs (like "limited-edition Stussy surveillance shades"). Alas, ironic-style porn turns out to be as tiresome as the real thing. And as a genre, spy parody is about as happenin' as a Members Only jacket.

--By James Poniewozik