On paper, it shouldn’t have worked.
But it does – it works.
I have no idea how, but it works.
The Only Way Is Essex is a staged ITV2 reality-soap docu-drama mash-up mutant from hell that defies explanation even as the opening voiceover from Denise Van Outen (who else) explains that everything’s real about it, apart from the bits that are set up. The banter within is so mundane and unremarkable that it couldn’t possibly be scripted, but every situation the characters find themselves in is obviously synthesised, to the point it actually becomes LOL funny when someone enters a room. Inevitably saying those omnipresent words: ‘awight babe?’
I love how they pretend they’re part of a fly-on-the-wall drama and attempt to ignore the cameras and lights. The show’s so silently aware of its own fakery, it starts to become weirdly admirable.
I found myself grinning and absorbed for the full forty-four minutes of The Only Way Is Essex, even learning new things as it scrolled in front of my face. For example, the concept of a ‘vajazzle’ was a new one on me. Not literally on me, obviously – I haven’t got the skin tone for that. But even in episode one I’d developed a relationship with poor, clueless Lauren and worried how a vajazzle might clash with the tattoo of Mark’s name she’s got inked on her mons pubis.
Of all the people whose name you could tat on your twat, she had to go for Mark – the only genuinely bad egg in the whole coop. Where Kirk is gormlessly good-natured, Sam is likable if expressionless and Candy and Michael are just decently normal (if improbably coiffeured), Mark is a walking/talking stereotype based on the evidence of episode one. Constantly bullying best mate Arg (as in: ‘ARRRGHHH who’s this turd I’m hanging out with?'), he wanders around in three-grand watches and seven-hundred quid jackets mouthing off and generally being an unbelievable cock.
Having said that, even he’s nice to his Nanny Pat – so not all bad, all said and done!
"The Only Way Is Essex is an ITV2 reality television show based in Essex. It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way. It debuted on October 10, 2010, it follows the lives of young adults: Mark Wright, Jessica Wright, Kirk Norcross, Amy Childs, Lauren Goodger, Sam Faiers and their friends. The show is primarily filmed in Brentwood close to London and shows their lives as young, rich Essex boys and girls."
The show is filmed only a few days in advance and Series 1 ran initially for four weeks, with two episodes a week. It is narrated by Denise Van Outen, who is from Basildon, Essex. The show has been described by the Daily Mirror as Great Britain's answer to The Hills and Jersey Shore which I disagree as I could never compare anything to my much loved Jersey Shore!The cast members do not get paid for the show, however, negotiations were put in place for a salary for series 2 which filming started yesterday!
The show is filmed only a few days in advance and Series 1 ran initially for four weeks, with two episodes a week. It is narrated by Denise Van Outen, who is from Basildon, Essex. The show has been described by the Daily Mirror as Great Britain's answer to The Hills and Jersey Shore which I disagree as I could never compare anything to my much loved Jersey Shore!The cast members do not get paid for the show, however, negotiations were put in place for a salary for series 2 which filming started yesterday!
ITV2's reality soap The Only Way Is Essex follows the group of friends and frenemies in their lives of living in Essex, the only place to be apparently - ahem. The show has done great in the ratings and has a strong following of fans, including myself.
I personally love the show and was lucky to take part in some filming for season 1. It's so addictive and the majority of characters are so loveable, especially Amy Childs who is a lovely girl and now a friend so I will most defo be tuning in for season 2.
P.S - Here are a few exclusives behind the sceen photos!
Deano! xxx
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