TV Reviews : ‘Sexual Considerations’ Looks at Harassment

Afternoon teen-problem shows, although often presented well, rarely waste time on subtleties; victims and villains are immediately identifiable, and adults are either the problem or peripheral to the story line.

Today’s “did he or didn’t he?” drama on CBS, “Sexual Considerations” (3 p.m., Channels 2 and 8), is no exception. High school students debate the issue of sexual harassment with sledgehammer finesse.

Richard (Gabriel Olds), the slick, 17-year-old editor of the school newspaper, has been accused of sexually harassing junior reporter Jen (Heather McAdam), and the school’s principal (Bernie Casey) has reluctantly ordered a hearing before student body officers after Jen’s complaints to both the editor and to the journalism teacher, Ms. Warshak (Tovah Feldshuh), have been ignored.

With obvious parallels to the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill hearings, Richard is a high-achiever with a bright academic career ahead, popular with teachers and students. Jen is perceived by many of her peers to be a troublemaker whose accusations are motivated by A) jealousy, B) bad sportsmanship, C) oversensitivity or D) vindictiveness.

As the “hearing” progresses, Jen is smirked at, put down, her virtue and her sexual preferences questioned. Much is made of the fact that she wears “Papaya Passion” lipstick. One of Richard’s friends asks why Richard would “go after that”--pointing to fragile Jen--”when he’s got this?”--pointing to Richard’s sexy girlfriend.

Unbelievably, no parents are involved and the principal and Ms. Warshak, the only adults present, let Jen take the abuse.

Jen does have one defender, however. When Richard points out how much he’s done for the school, Bobbie (Wendy Benson) snaps, “I don’t care if you’re a Supreme Court justice.”

Pamela Douglas wrote the loaded script; Susan Rohrer directed.