Great review. You’re quite perceptive even though I haven’t watched this show. These show runners/producers/writers can’t hit it out of the park every time. Except for Taylor Sheridan.
Oh yes, Beth! All of this! I watched the first episode and, though I adore ballet, and they’ve gone to the trouble of showing proper dancers and performance, I don’t think I can carry on. It is so tone deaf and hammy. I admire you for sticking with it!
Cheyenne is clearly meant to be a Sylvie Guillem-like ‘Madamoiselle Non‘ (Sylvie went from ballerina to environmental campaigner on Sea Shepherd) which should be interesting but is just plain clunky.
Thanks Wendy! You have given me a juicy tidbit in this “Madamoiselle Non” inspiration for Cheyenne! I can totally see this. While curmudgeonly is often employed for male leads (been reading my share of romance fiction with such leads), it’s a little harder to deal with a non stop sourpuss in an ASP production. Why is she so angry all the time? Ok, scratch that. I get that. Life can be infuriating. But why for her? Walking around looking for something to pick on is a whole next level irritant when you’re prima ballerina.🩰
I’ll just have to settle for my adult beginner ballet lessons and knowing it’s so hard to do what they do. Anything with flexibility is commitment. That’s where my appreciation will come from.
The dialogue is stilted… I think that’s my biggest problem it just feels like most of the interactions between characters is extremely forced. Completely agree with what you said about Tobias as well and your point about his similarity (but ultimate non-comparison) to Kirk is very true
Thx Ella! Agreed that the interactions feel forced. Like there’s no “natural” chemistry happening. To do the fast paced repartee it hinges on that comfort and ease with your partner.
My wife and I watched the first several episodes and liked it less and less with each passing moment....EVERY single character speaks in pronouncements or shouting/arguing: it is SO scripted they don't come across as real people, just cliched awful people...unpleasant and narcissistic - really tiring
I have not watched this show yet, but I just wanted to comment on the article voiceover in your post, that was an excellent addition (not sure I have seen that before). This show reminds me a lot of the mini series Flesh and Bone from 2015, not sure if you have seen that one but it is also based on New York and focuses on ballet, I think I started it a while ago but forgot to finish it.
I haven’t heard of this series you mentioned. Will take a look. I love ballet and was excited for this but I need less serious fodder and funnier fare.
Gaaagh...! I had such high hopes for this one as I spent an early part of my career filming dancers for commercials. Luke Kirby was positively mesmerizing as Lenny Bruce in Marvelous Mrs. M. In this, he just seems like a neurotic in DEEP need of meds. Cheyenne is detestable, and I can't see her making much of an arc. Amy's earlier enfants terribles (like Taylor Doose from Gilmore Girls) at least brought mild comic relief. We SO need that these days...
I really enjoy what you have to say when you find a "miss", just as much as finding a "hit". Your reasoning is always well thought out, never just emotional or reactive. However, It's a shame that this show underwhelms, since you were really looking forward to it, and ASP set such a high barre (kyuk-kyuk-kyuk) to follow.
Thank you. I have a lot of respect for people who create and put their work out there. I try my best to handle that with care and be responsible. That said, sometimes it’s unavoidable to confront the not so great and find what it is that’s missing. A hit/success is such a delicate balance of so many components coming together in perfect symmetry and when it falls short and you can see the cracks then you can also analyze more readily.
I’m a big ASP fan—she’s brilliant—but the preview for Etoile left me cold. Granted, I’m not into ballet at all, but I did give Bunheads a look based on the preview and stuck around to watch the whole series because of the ASP-ness of it all. So thanks for confirming my suspicions about this one.
Thanks so much for the shout-out! And it's good to get a glimpse of Etoile. I'm going to review this one sometime this month, too. Boy, Amy seems to have her types, doesn't she?
Of course! I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about this show especially given you depth of knowledge of Gilmore Girls. And yes, ASP has her types but when it is too much or become uninspired?
I was ready to fully write off the show and never start watching it after reading all the comments and review but now I'm slightly intrigued. What did you like about it?
I liked the dancing, the music. I always love Luke Kirby. Yes, there were cringey parts, but I feel like a lot of shows have those, especially the Palladino shows in my opinion. It felt a bit like Emily in Paris and that show is mostly cringe, but I take it for what it is — fun froth. If people were expecting “better” because it’s a Palladino show, I’m not sure what to say. I gave up on Maisel after 2 seasons, and I recently did a rewatch of Gilmore Girls and absolutely abhorred Rory🤷♀️ Is it the best thing out there? No. Watch The Pitt for that (best TV show this year so far again in my opinion). But considering all the BS going on in the world right now, I found it to be something that took my mind off of that for a little while.
Thanks for providing a counterpoint. I also enjoyed learning about what aspects you liked. I found myself comparing this show to another show about the frenzied artists’ life in NYC (and not “Fame”) but a more recent one: “Mozart in the Jungle” which I felt did the “artist vs board or admin” plight and artist struggle well - with humor and grace. It acknowledged the hardship of art (in this case classically trained musicians) surviving in the material world, especially one where classical music is not a popular genre. It managed to create characters of substance we wanted to come back for and watch and a compelling slow burn romance as well. I like “Emily in Paris” and while can see the cultural comparisons and perhaps the similarities between the misunderstood ingenues, EIP’s misfires at comedy I don’t find as egregious as Cheyenne’s perhaps because Emily allows herself to be a tad vulnerable or can laugh at herself at times even if she’s irate at first. And she has the best friend to help her work through these moments.
Honestly the Emily in Paris comparison speaks to me. I had totally wrote off Emily in Paris until I was sick one day and needed something light to chill and even my partner ended up watching with me 😂. I might give Étoile a 2 episode try because of your comment. Thanks for sharing! Obviously we all have different tastes and all so it's nice to read a different opinion on it too.
Thanks Ingrid! Me too. I asked my daughter again if she’ll watch last night but alas she turned me down. She made mini chocolate molten lava cakes with Nutella instead which were so good and clearly a better choice for her time. (And mine)
I was WAITING for you to drop something smart-sharp about this series! ;) I am two episodes from finishing and will see it through, but agree with everything you've said and I think you've been very fair and generous in your insights. Sadly I'm finding most of the characters in this ASP joint insufferable, especially Tobias. A critic for the Guardian described it as every character acting in his/her own show, and I think that's also a great way to frame it. I also feel like I don't believe the principles who are trying to get us to care about ballet as much as they do. There's too much chaos and upheaval and BIG DANCE PERSONALITIES overshadowing whatever it is that made Jack, for instance, fall in love with ballet. Given how fragile the arts in America are right now, I wish we saw some different kind of championing for why the form and expression MUST continue to exist and thrive aside from giving a billionaire a chance to exact revenge and put his name on a theatre or steal wine glasses or whatever.
Thanks Teri! Yeah it’s not feeling like many are loving this ASP creation. Maybe she needs to leave the dance world for a little bit and find inspo elsewhere and then return to it
i'm such a massive gilmore girls fan to the point of following ASP no matter what. I'm intrigued by the mixed reviews... excited to see how my experience goes!
Excited to see how your experience goes. I massively love ASP and this show is so counter to what she said in her promotional interview for it - that her shows are ultimately about female friendship. Not seeing this at all. But again 6 episodes to prove me wrong here!
Great review. You’re quite perceptive even though I haven’t watched this show. These show runners/producers/writers can’t hit it out of the park every time. Except for Taylor Sheridan.
I abandoned the show. I just couldn't - I really tried, nothing worked for me.
I get it. Totally.
Oh yes, Beth! All of this! I watched the first episode and, though I adore ballet, and they’ve gone to the trouble of showing proper dancers and performance, I don’t think I can carry on. It is so tone deaf and hammy. I admire you for sticking with it!
Cheyenne is clearly meant to be a Sylvie Guillem-like ‘Madamoiselle Non‘ (Sylvie went from ballerina to environmental campaigner on Sea Shepherd) which should be interesting but is just plain clunky.
Thanks Wendy! You have given me a juicy tidbit in this “Madamoiselle Non” inspiration for Cheyenne! I can totally see this. While curmudgeonly is often employed for male leads (been reading my share of romance fiction with such leads), it’s a little harder to deal with a non stop sourpuss in an ASP production. Why is she so angry all the time? Ok, scratch that. I get that. Life can be infuriating. But why for her? Walking around looking for something to pick on is a whole next level irritant when you’re prima ballerina.🩰
Yes, her anger and stomping makes her very one-note and just boring! It’s a shame as I really want to like the series, being a ballet fan.
I’ll just have to settle for my adult beginner ballet lessons and knowing it’s so hard to do what they do. Anything with flexibility is commitment. That’s where my appreciation will come from.
The dialogue is stilted… I think that’s my biggest problem it just feels like most of the interactions between characters is extremely forced. Completely agree with what you said about Tobias as well and your point about his similarity (but ultimate non-comparison) to Kirk is very true
Thx Ella! Agreed that the interactions feel forced. Like there’s no “natural” chemistry happening. To do the fast paced repartee it hinges on that comfort and ease with your partner.
My wife and I watched the first several episodes and liked it less and less with each passing moment....EVERY single character speaks in pronouncements or shouting/arguing: it is SO scripted they don't come across as real people, just cliched awful people...unpleasant and narcissistic - really tiring
You’re spot on! I keep wanting depth but it all feels very shouty and childish.
I have not watched this show yet, but I just wanted to comment on the article voiceover in your post, that was an excellent addition (not sure I have seen that before). This show reminds me a lot of the mini series Flesh and Bone from 2015, not sure if you have seen that one but it is also based on New York and focuses on ballet, I think I started it a while ago but forgot to finish it.
Thx Matthew! Appreciate you listening to the voiceover. I’ve done it here and there in the past. I also like that it connects into my perma-hiatus podcast and has inadvertently brought it back to my life - an unintentional delight. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beths-exceptional-video-playlist/id1570059012?i=1000705775816
I haven’t heard of this series you mentioned. Will take a look. I love ballet and was excited for this but I need less serious fodder and funnier fare.
Gaaagh...! I had such high hopes for this one as I spent an early part of my career filming dancers for commercials. Luke Kirby was positively mesmerizing as Lenny Bruce in Marvelous Mrs. M. In this, he just seems like a neurotic in DEEP need of meds. Cheyenne is detestable, and I can't see her making much of an arc. Amy's earlier enfants terribles (like Taylor Doose from Gilmore Girls) at least brought mild comic relief. We SO need that these days...
Well said. It’s just a hot mess. I miss my characters who I want to root for. I can’t find any here!
Me too!
I really enjoy what you have to say when you find a "miss", just as much as finding a "hit". Your reasoning is always well thought out, never just emotional or reactive. However, It's a shame that this show underwhelms, since you were really looking forward to it, and ASP set such a high barre (kyuk-kyuk-kyuk) to follow.
Thank you. I have a lot of respect for people who create and put their work out there. I try my best to handle that with care and be responsible. That said, sometimes it’s unavoidable to confront the not so great and find what it is that’s missing. A hit/success is such a delicate balance of so many components coming together in perfect symmetry and when it falls short and you can see the cracks then you can also analyze more readily.
I’m a big ASP fan—she’s brilliant—but the preview for Etoile left me cold. Granted, I’m not into ballet at all, but I did give Bunheads a look based on the preview and stuck around to watch the whole series because of the ASP-ness of it all. So thanks for confirming my suspicions about this one.
Yeah I think you are safe to skip this one! It’s not the worst thing I’ve watched and again I have six episodes to prove me wrong but it’s not great.
Thanks so much for the shout-out! And it's good to get a glimpse of Etoile. I'm going to review this one sometime this month, too. Boy, Amy seems to have her types, doesn't she?
Of course! I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about this show especially given you depth of knowledge of Gilmore Girls. And yes, ASP has her types but when it is too much or become uninspired?
I was literally just thinking (two episodes in), not sure I want to waste my time on this one! You just put context to the feeling.
Glad to hear it! Yeah you’re not missing out here
Guess I’m in the minority because I enjoyed it. 🤷♀️
I was ready to fully write off the show and never start watching it after reading all the comments and review but now I'm slightly intrigued. What did you like about it?
I liked the dancing, the music. I always love Luke Kirby. Yes, there were cringey parts, but I feel like a lot of shows have those, especially the Palladino shows in my opinion. It felt a bit like Emily in Paris and that show is mostly cringe, but I take it for what it is — fun froth. If people were expecting “better” because it’s a Palladino show, I’m not sure what to say. I gave up on Maisel after 2 seasons, and I recently did a rewatch of Gilmore Girls and absolutely abhorred Rory🤷♀️ Is it the best thing out there? No. Watch The Pitt for that (best TV show this year so far again in my opinion). But considering all the BS going on in the world right now, I found it to be something that took my mind off of that for a little while.
Thanks for providing a counterpoint. I also enjoyed learning about what aspects you liked. I found myself comparing this show to another show about the frenzied artists’ life in NYC (and not “Fame”) but a more recent one: “Mozart in the Jungle” which I felt did the “artist vs board or admin” plight and artist struggle well - with humor and grace. It acknowledged the hardship of art (in this case classically trained musicians) surviving in the material world, especially one where classical music is not a popular genre. It managed to create characters of substance we wanted to come back for and watch and a compelling slow burn romance as well. I like “Emily in Paris” and while can see the cultural comparisons and perhaps the similarities between the misunderstood ingenues, EIP’s misfires at comedy I don’t find as egregious as Cheyenne’s perhaps because Emily allows herself to be a tad vulnerable or can laugh at herself at times even if she’s irate at first. And she has the best friend to help her work through these moments.
Honestly the Emily in Paris comparison speaks to me. I had totally wrote off Emily in Paris until I was sick one day and needed something light to chill and even my partner ended up watching with me 😂. I might give Étoile a 2 episode try because of your comment. Thanks for sharing! Obviously we all have different tastes and all so it's nice to read a different opinion on it too.
I just love your reviews!! I was originally so excited about a ballet show, but unfortunately it didn’t end up capturing me.
Thanks Ingrid! Me too. I asked my daughter again if she’ll watch last night but alas she turned me down. She made mini chocolate molten lava cakes with Nutella instead which were so good and clearly a better choice for her time. (And mine)
Your daughter has the right priorities
I was WAITING for you to drop something smart-sharp about this series! ;) I am two episodes from finishing and will see it through, but agree with everything you've said and I think you've been very fair and generous in your insights. Sadly I'm finding most of the characters in this ASP joint insufferable, especially Tobias. A critic for the Guardian described it as every character acting in his/her own show, and I think that's also a great way to frame it. I also feel like I don't believe the principles who are trying to get us to care about ballet as much as they do. There's too much chaos and upheaval and BIG DANCE PERSONALITIES overshadowing whatever it is that made Jack, for instance, fall in love with ballet. Given how fragile the arts in America are right now, I wish we saw some different kind of championing for why the form and expression MUST continue to exist and thrive aside from giving a billionaire a chance to exact revenge and put his name on a theatre or steal wine glasses or whatever.
Great observations about this show. I watched the first episode and found all of the main characters annoying. And not in a good way. 🙄
I also watched Flesh and Bone—Ben Daniels was so great in it.
Not sure if I will go back for episode two.
Thanks Teri! Yeah it’s not feeling like many are loving this ASP creation. Maybe she needs to leave the dance world for a little bit and find inspo elsewhere and then return to it
i'm such a massive gilmore girls fan to the point of following ASP no matter what. I'm intrigued by the mixed reviews... excited to see how my experience goes!
Excited to see how your experience goes. I massively love ASP and this show is so counter to what she said in her promotional interview for it - that her shows are ultimately about female friendship. Not seeing this at all. But again 6 episodes to prove me wrong here!