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Summary: A biting and melodramatic exposé on the production of a reality television behemoth named Everlasting that primarily focuses on the story of a troubled, alcohol infused producer/"people wrangler."

Despite the many reasons UnREAL probably shouldn’t work, it does so effortlessly and confidently. [...]The staleness of the premise is the show’s biggest hurdle, after all, and given how much of the world building and expositional heavy lifting falls on the pilot, “Return” is limited in its efficacy. But there’s such a caustic charm and cleverness about “Return,” it carries the promise of a phenomenal show. [...]

Rachel Goldberg (Shiri Appleby) works as a producer on Everlasting, a Bachelor facsimile in every way. UnREAL’s co-creator, Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, is a former Bachelor staffer who Lifetime paired with Buffy The Vampire Slayer alumna Marti Noxon to develop the show, so it comes as no surprise the show is so unabashed in its attempts to replicate that show’s sausage-making protocols. UnREAL has it all: the limousines from which gorgeous women in form-fitting garments spill forth like tramps from a clown car; the token black contestant marked for death the instant she appears on screen; the insistence on keeping around the most unstable contestants, even if the lucky beau has to be prodded into doing so.

[...]

(AVClub)

Mondays @ 10/9c on Lifetime. Crackle picked up the streaming rights.

 

[ivysaur12]

A few things didn't work, but this was probably one of the stronger pilots I've seen in quite some time, and engaged with the concept on such a deeper level than I expected ("REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE A WOMEN'S STUDIES MAJOR?!?! notwithstanding)

The scene where NotKateMara coaxes the bitch Britney to break down was phenominal. Incredibly textured, unexpected in how it was going to go down, and just fucking layered. It was great writing and great performances.

The best thing that Lifetime has done since Drop Dead Diva!!

Spoiler

and the beautiful residual it has given me

 

[Fuzzy]

People really need to watch this show. It's so fucked up and I'm loving every minute of it.

 

[TripOpt55]

Just got caught up with this after seeing people talk about it in the Cancellation thread and am really enjoying it. I didn't know much about it, so I was expect something perhaps a little goofier from the satire side of it, but it gets pretty dark at times which is more interesting to me. And Rachel is an anti-hero of sorts which works well. Like some of the stuff she does is revolting and yet it is impressive at the same time because of what she pulls off. Pretty neat seeing that one of the people behind it worked on the Bachelor too. Anyway, I will definitely be watching the rest of the season. Great stuff so far.

 

[DrEvil]

Just got caught up with this after seeing people talk about it in the Cancellation thread and am really enjoying it. I didn't know much about it, so I was expect something perhaps a little goofier from the satire side of it, but it gets pretty dark at times which is more interesting to me. And Rachel is an anti-hero of sorts which works well. Like some of the stuff she does is revolting and yet it is impressive at the same time because of what she pulls off. Pretty neat seeing that one of the people behind it worked on the Bachelor too. Anyway, I will definitely be watching the rest of the season. Great stuff so far.

Exactly this. Just got to ep 5 today after reading the cancellation thread. It's pretty awesome, kinda reminds me of the newsroom in a weird way.

 

[Fuzzy]

First, I'm glad you guys are on board with the show.
Second, holy shit at the end. I really hate Shia for what happened to Mary.

 

[anaron]

the best show on right now tbh


so unbelievably happy for the renewal

 

[TheOddOne]

Whoa, didn't know this show had its own OT.

Will watch, maybe.

 

[TripOpt55]

Good episode this week. I didn't expect them to go that far with it at the end.

 

[Lathentar]

Also tipped off by the cancellation thread. Wife and I are hooked. Great show.

 

[DrEvil]

I really wonder how these next 4 eps will go, as having something happen like that during production would likely shut down any other reality show.. so the plausibility of it still filming would be lessened, I think.

 

[TripOpt55]

I really wonder how these next 4 eps will go, as having something happen like that during production would likely shut down any other reality show.. so the plausibility of it still filming would be lessened, I think.

I was wondering the same thing. I must say the med switching bit was the one part that kind of bugged me while catching up and it leading to this might be a step too far for the show (or for me at least). I am waiting to see how they handle the fallout of this though before I judge it, but I'm not sure I like this particular part or not.

 

[anaron]

I think Mary is probably/maybe? not dead and they're going to frame it as either an accident or "not knowing" about her mental health issues.

"come with me" and all of her testimonials were so frightening and sad.

this show is such a fantastic examination of the awfulness of reality TV and just general human behavior and responsibility. the positioning and layering of Rachel and Quin has made them some of the most fascinating characters in a while.

 

[Rookje]

This show is great, one of the best shows on TV atm. Really shockingly dark.

Also that scene with Rachel peeking in through the door... omg, I had no idea shit like that could be on cable TV.

 

[TunaMarshmallow]

My partner and I have been watching since ep 1. We love it. It's goofy, but it's fun.

People talking about the cancellation thread: is this show at risk? I've not paid any attention to the ratings. That would be sad.

 

[TheAbsolution]

My partner and I have been watching since ep 1. We love it. It's goofy, but it's fun.

People talking about the cancellation thread: is this show at risk? I've not paid any attention to the ratings. That would be sad.

It's just been renewed so don't worry.

 

[Fuzzy]

My partner and I have been watching since ep 1. We love it. It's goofy, but it's fun.

People talking about the cancellation thread: is this show at risk? I've not paid any attention to the ratings. That would be sad.

No, some of us have just been talking about it to try to get people watching it. It's been renewed for a second season.

 

[TunaMarshmallow]

It's just been renewed so don't worry.

No, some of us have just been talking about it to try to get people watching it. It's been renewed for a second season.

Woo! Hot damn! That's great news.

 

[anaron]

well, fuck.

RIP Mary

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Just finished catching up on the first 7 episodes of this - I'm hooked! It's an entertaining show and really quite unexpectedly dark. I wonder just how exaggerated these manipulations really are when compared to real life? :x

Also that scene with Rachel peeking in through the door... omg, I had no idea shit like that could be on cable TV.

There's even more explicit stuff than that on FX (The Americans especially). Cable has come a long way.

 

[anaron]

Just finished catching up on the first 7 episodes of this - I'm hooked! It's an entertaining show and really quite unexpectedly dark. I wonder just how exaggerated these manipulations really are when compared to real life? :x

the co-creator used to be a producer on the bachelor so yeah, it's pretty unsettling in how true a lot of it probably is.

There's even more explicit stuff than that on FX (The Americans especially). Cable has come a long way.

the sounds, Ratsky, the sounds

 

[Skux]

I had no idea this show existed until today and now I've binged the whole lot and am hooked!

I've always been fascinated by the idea of producing a reality TV show more than the actual finished product itself. All the "producing", all the manipulation, all the editing magic, and all the contrived storylines and character archetypes and how they do it is all really interesting to me. This show is obviously heightened and extreme but it's exactly what I've been looking for.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

New episode tonight!

Two

Spoiler

Adam is offered an interesting proposal, with the final elimination ceremony right around the corner. Meanwhile, Rachel is pulled between Jeremy and Adam; and Chet makes a decision about his relationship with Quinn.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

So that's how they plan on getting a second season without just doing a new season of "Everlasting". Interesting...

the co-creator used to be a producer on the bachelor so yeah, it's pretty unsettling in how true a lot of it probably is.

I wish someone who worked behind the scenes on The Bachelor/ette in a senior position who didn't give af about working in the business anymore would write a tell all book or something, lol.

the sounds, Ratsky, the sounds

the glorious sounds

 

[Rhaknar]

Why is this thread so dead if the show is so good, damn it gaf!

Caught up with the latest episode, please tell me Rachel knew they were on camera so she is even more of a monster and I can love her even more :3

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Queen Quinn

 

[zeopower6]

I watched all of this a while ago and it's gooood. Maybe because this is on Lifetime, there's literally no interest here?

The original short film 'Sequin Raze' btw was basically all used in the first episode with the Brittany exchanges. It was so odd seeing so many HIMYM faces in that.

Some stuff seems too hot for Lifetime though, lol.

Looked at some ~spoilers~ and apparently

Spoiler

Adam's future in season 2 is uncertain according to the actor and creator but nothing is out of the cards. I'm also curious about how they'll end this season... please not on a cliffhanger or anything. EDIT: OMG I just looked at some preview images for the finale and some descriptions... of course they'd do that.

Supposing that they go beyond season 2, I wonder how that'll work out and if they'll keep going for the "Everlasting" angle or change it up but keep it based in reality TV.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

‘Bachelor’ Host Chris Harrison Slams Lifetime’s ‘UnREAL': ‘It’s Really Terrible’

“Really, the main difference that I’ve seen is that people watch ‘The Bachelor,'” Harrison told Variety when asked what he thinks about “UnReal” at “The Bachelorette: Men Tell All” taping earlier this month. “It’s complete fiction. As much as they would love to jump on our coattails — they were begging for us to talk about it and for people to write about it — at the end of the day, no one is watching. I mean, absolutely nobody is watching that show. Why? It is terrible. It is really terrible.”

He sounds upset.

 

[zeopower6]

He's probably mad because the host of Everlasting slept with a bunch of contestants and is generally a sleaze. I wonder if it hit a little too close to home for him

UnREAL is critically acclaimed and just about everyone who tunes in gets addicted to it. The network though is a huge issue.

 

[Prime crotch]

This show is fantastic and I hate every character in it

 

[zeopower6]

This show is fantastic and I hate every character in it

Perfect. There's literally no one that you should like besides maybe Faith because they're pretty much all horrible people.

 

[zeopower6]

Two days to the finale ;P

There was a panel at the Paley Center with the cast and well... people saw the whole finale. No spoilers seem to have been leaked but the general reaction was that it is veeerrryy good. The audience that was there was laughing and gasping the whole time and it works as a series finale as well.

Reports are going around that the second season will have a new suitor. Booo.

Some details here and here from the event.

Panel discussion stream here.

Spoiler

If Faith is the suitor next season ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Season finale is tonight!

 

[TripOpt55]

I'm really excited for the finale. I am honestly not sure what I even want to happen, but I'm looking forward to seeing what does happen.

 

[zeopower6]

Very excited~ gonna have to watch it on the Lifetime app T_T. Ooo, people already commented a bit on previously.tv but I didn't read anything other than "one of the best finales..." ahhhhhh, just a few more hours.

 

[Fuzzy]

It felt so rushed. It should've been 2 hours.

 

[faridmon]

That ending was.... whole lot of nothing.
While writing remained to be great throughout the season, the first 2 episode were the strongest. It just devolved into shticks of Soap Opera with a derivative take on Kdrama.

But now that everyone hate each other, a 2nd season could be amazing.

 

[zeopower6]

Hm... they really ended it at a place where it could go anywhere. I think they did a lot in an hour, maybe too much. It'd be really odd to see Adam back for very long after this finale. Jeremy continues to suck.

Wonder how their 'darker' ending that was planned would have ended up.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

I wasn't a fan of the increased soapy melodrama that was introduced in the back half of the season either. I think getting Rachel involved with Adam on a personal level was a mistake - I just didn't buy their relationship from either perspective - and the stuff with Quinn and Chet just wasn't very compelling either. I feel like a lot of the more interesting aspects of the series took a backseat to all of that as the season progressed, and I'd like to see a better balance next season.

 

[TripOpt55]

The finale was pretty good I thought. I like how it ended with a focus on Rachel and Quinn. I am glad Rachel ended the season with neither guy. I never really bought into either relationship. Jeremy in general is pretty awful. Not really enthused about the cliffhanger with him, but maybe the mom will be interesting going forward.

I do agree the beginning of the season was better for the reason you guys outlined. A little too traditionally soapy as it went on, not quite as interesting as the early episodes were. Still it was fun to see Rachel and Quinn work all season long. Definitely looking forward to another season. Thanks to the unrelenting posters of TV GAF for tipping me off to this one.

 

[border]

I liked the first half of this season a whole lot. The back half was just way too filled with ridiculous theatrics. They pushed everything too far -- I am surprised that nobody was murdered. I actually thought Quinn might have Shia bumped off at one point. The scene with Chet and Rachel in the sports car also felt ridiculously dumb and indulgent. UnREAL was fine without people dying and having the stakes raised to absolutely preposterous levels.

I have to wonder how the Everlasting Season Finale played out on TV. Did they actually tell the audience that one of their producers slept with the suitor? Orr did they just leave it at Anna having cold feet?

I was also disappointed to see the status quo almost completely restored at the end. I was hoping that for Season 2 they would at least be working on a different type of show, with Rachel performing a different job. Instead it's just going to be Everlasting Season 14 or whatever.

The cliffhanger with Jeremy and Rachel's mom just seemed silly and reaching. Is this really the juicy thing that's supposed to keep me wanting to watch? What's the worst they could do to her?

If you watched the show with Comcast On-Demand, the end of each episode had a little interview with the show's creator and the actress who played Quinn discussing the events of that episode -- it was really fun to see them discussing the show, and even they seem to have the sense that they pushed things to 11.

 

[Vazduh]

So over-the-top, but so much fun. For a show that's basically a satirical soap opera, it got pretty

Spoiler

deliciously

dark at times.

And who knew Shiri Appleby had it in her? Damn, she was good.

Watch this show, people!

 

[ivysaur12]

I feel like so much of me watching UnReal is watching through my hands screaming "AH!"

Rachel is the devil.

 

[bearythebear]

Started out pretty good, but then kinda fizzled out... The death was stupid.

I'll probably watch the next season though

 

[Sober]

I feel like so much of me watching UnReal is watching through my hands screaming "AH!"

Rachel is the devil.

Surprisingly, this show made me 'react' more often than I usually do, even when I watch other shows I would consider my 'favourites'.

 

[ivysaur12]

Surprisingly, this show made me 'react' more often than I usually do, even when I watch other shows I would consider my 'favorites'.

ftfy

 

[HP_Wuvcraft]

If you had told me ever that the best show of the season would be on fucking Lifetime....

 

[Vazduh]

Not only that, but a TV-MA show on Lifetime. The times, they're a-changing.

 

[WrenchNinja]

I just binge watched through this last night. Wow, that was really good. Hard to believe it's the Roswell chick.

 

[ivysaur12]

If you had told me ever that the best show of the season would be on fucking Lifetime....

They did have this show called Drop Dead Diva!!

Spoiler