I had a very eclectic weekend with regards to media and entertainment. Between the Power Rangers movie and Collective Con I definitely traveled across the spectrum. I also binged on a little known TV Show called UnReal. I literally know no one who has even heard of this show, much less watched it.
Hulu recommended it to me a while back based on my watching Burning Love, the Bachelor/Bachelorette parody with many of my favorite comedians. UnReal is a Lifetime show that centers around the making of a Bachelor-type show. I know what you're thinking. It's on Lifetime. It's about a dating show. How good could it possibly be? The answer is that it's amazing. Yes, it's a soapy drama and there are definitely flaws, but the acting never feels forced or cheesy. The writing is on point…and the two leads? Shiri Appleby and Constance Zimmer? They play two of the most complex characters I've seen on TV in a while. They play Rachel and Quinn (respectively). As producers of Everlasting, it's their job to ensure that week after week the "show" pulls in the ratings. They lie and manipulate the contestants on the show into doing what they know will garner the biggest ratings. The writing as mentioned before is superb. The webs they weave show how predictable human behavior can be when presented with the right promises. In their professional lives they are at the top of their game, but the nuanced portrayals come into play when it comes to their personal lives and their personal ethics. Each has their own personal demons to face and they use that to their advantage more often than not. What I find the most interesting about this show it that even the smallest hint of drama can pack the biggest punch. You don't need crazy cat fights or name calling or having someone's life in peril all the time to give your audience a good drama. I think a lot of shows today forget that. If you're into soapy shows, then you're going to fall for UnReal and you're going to fall hard. Take away the previous perception you have of anything related to Lifetime. This is one of the best non-network TV shows in its genre being made right now. And for the love of everything…if you're already watching or watch because of this? Please tell me. I need someone to talk to about the end of Season 2. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3314218/
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