Too Hot for TV

Hodges (A Love of Her Own) keeps this streamlined contemporary romance tightly focused on the beautiful couple of Raymond Thomas, a doctor running a free clinic, and Imani Gilliam, an underappreciated Juilliard-trained actress. He's tired of gold diggers, she's tired of men who want her to jump into bed before she's ready, and neither wants to marry. They join the Let's Get Married show anyway%E2%80%94Raymond looking for funding, Imani for fame and exposure. Hodges misses big opportunities for humor and development of secondary characters, instead giving Imani and Raymond instant chemistry and a smooth trip into money and success with an easy exit strategy. The awkwardness between experienced Raymond and sexual novice Imani is never explored, though Raymond gets excessive credit for not being (very) pushy. The tension-free gushing is fun wish-fulfillment, but poor storytelling. (Sept.)