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January Pix & Pans

As a concession to Shirley (who'll be on maternity leave for a bit), shows about women dominate this month, although our duo didn't let sexism deter their criticism. Many readers are wondering who'll take Shirley's P&P chair next month. We're glad you're wondering. Films for February are due to Seth Arenstein in our D.C. office on Jan. 16.

Rollergirls, A&E, Mondays at 10 p.m. ET

This docu-soap about the fiercely competitive world of women's roller derby teams in Austin, Texas, boasts foul-mouthed, punky babes sporting tattoos and fishnets. A blatant ploy to get Gen Y (or just plain horny) guys tuning in, although it's also a thoughtful fly-on-the-wall slice of life. --S.B.

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Grade: B

Rollergirls could be seen as an interesting look at a how a gonzo sport empowers women, or as a freak show, mocking working-class girl-women with names like Punky Bruiser and Venus Envy, whose mixture of bosoms and brawn create their dubious sexuality. Not that anyone will care once A&E starts re-running The Sopranos. --S.A.

Grades: Ep 1, B-; Eps 2-3 C

Campus Ladies, Oxygen, Jan. 8

These ladies should have stayed off-campus. Feeling like an SNL skit that's overstayed its welcome, this improv-style "comedy" (Oxygen's description, not mine) co-stars The Groundlings' comedy troupers Carrie Aizley and Christen Sussin. Although cringe-worthy, Curb Your Enthusiasm this ain't, despite the presence of Curb co-star Cheryl Hines, who serves as executive producer. --S.B

Grade: C-

Believing that women like to laugh, Oxygen's been marinating comedy proposals. While it's hard to believe this awkward offering about middle-aged women at college is its best shot, it's a decent attempt, especially if you crave sophomoric humor and a non-sequitur script whose main motivation is finding ways for our ladies to copulate with college boys. --S.A.

Grades: B (for effort); B- (overall)

Anything to Win, GSN, Jan. 10

GSN's first documentary series is well worth watching, if episode one is anything to go by. Revisiting the 1980 Boston Marathon scandal with key players, GSN scores the first on-camera interview with Rosie Ruiz since she forfeited the women's title. Ruiz holds on to the claim that she didn't cheat in this still- gripping tale. --S.B.

Grade: B+

We critics would endure root canal to avoid making snap judgments. Still, we'll assess ATW after just one episode. The opener is Rosie Ruiz, who apparently created a route rather than lose a marathon. The 1980 controversy is examined ably, yet with docs upcoming about Arnold and MIT students goosing Vegas, we're hoping GSN, like a marathoner, is conserving its energy. --S.A.

Grade: Ep 1, B; potential, B+

Lincoln, The History Channel, Jan. 16

Beautifully shot and featuring insightful interviews with top-notch Lincoln scholars, this in-depth look at the White House's original man of constant sorrow comes from Oscar-winning documentarian Vikram Jayanti. He takes the viewer under Abe's skin, probing his tragic childhood, suicidal tendencies, chronic depression and the question of whether or not he was gay. --S.B.

Grade: A

With more books about Lincoln than any president, you'd think the public's had its fill. Perhaps that's why History tosses history aside, concentrating instead on Lincoln's depression (but still includes tasty historical tidbits). This special's mix of content is so strong it overcomes embarrassing reenactments. Fortunately, History realizes photos of Lincoln are treasures, and its cameras linger on them lovingly. --S.A.

Grade: B+

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January Pix & Pans

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