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UnReal Review
Been sort of binge watching UnReal - which is a new Lifetime series created by Marti Noxon that satirizes the reality television show biz, specifically The Bachelor. It's rather dark in places and somewhat sharp. I wouldn't say it was funny exactly, but it is mildly entertaining.
The story focuses on an associate producer of the series Everlasting, Shari Apley (of Rosewood), in which a modern day "Prince Charming" chooses amongst various pretty women. She's just come back from rehab, having gone a bit nuts on the show last season. And small wonder - her job is basically emotionally manipulating the contestants to do whatever is necessary to make a great show. That's going to warp anyone after a bit, unless you are a complete sociopath.
Now broke, in debt to her ex-roommate, not to mention avoiding serious fines and prison time from the series - she's back to attempt to piece her life back together. Unfortunately that involves working on the show as a handler/producer keeping the contestants in line.
The satire is bit weak, and it is not quite as biting as it should be. The people do horrific things to each other. In the 5th episode, one of the producers sneaks into a contestant's room and screws around with her medication. And in a previous episode, the protagonist manipulates a woman who just lost her father into staying on the show - and sells her grief as insanity.
It's hard to care about the contestants, who are all a bit dumb. And the Bachelor is not that attractive. Although he does look like the guys that usually pop up on these reality shows, as do the women. All very model pretty, all very boring, and all very stupid.
Yet, it's weirdly compelling. Mainly because it does poke fun at the genre. But, lacking something...not sure what. Maybe a hot guy? The women are more interesting than the men.
The story focuses on an associate producer of the series Everlasting, Shari Apley (of Rosewood), in which a modern day "Prince Charming" chooses amongst various pretty women. She's just come back from rehab, having gone a bit nuts on the show last season. And small wonder - her job is basically emotionally manipulating the contestants to do whatever is necessary to make a great show. That's going to warp anyone after a bit, unless you are a complete sociopath.
Now broke, in debt to her ex-roommate, not to mention avoiding serious fines and prison time from the series - she's back to attempt to piece her life back together. Unfortunately that involves working on the show as a handler/producer keeping the contestants in line.
The satire is bit weak, and it is not quite as biting as it should be. The people do horrific things to each other. In the 5th episode, one of the producers sneaks into a contestant's room and screws around with her medication. And in a previous episode, the protagonist manipulates a woman who just lost her father into staying on the show - and sells her grief as insanity.
It's hard to care about the contestants, who are all a bit dumb. And the Bachelor is not that attractive. Although he does look like the guys that usually pop up on these reality shows, as do the women. All very model pretty, all very boring, and all very stupid.
Yet, it's weirdly compelling. Mainly because it does poke fun at the genre. But, lacking something...not sure what. Maybe a hot guy? The women are more interesting than the men.