Girls5eva almost had their record deal canceled for a second time when streaming network Peacock closed the curtain. Netflix came in to give the girls a comeback story greenlighting it for a third season. The show created by Meredith Scardino and executive produced by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock follows the story of a fictional girl group from the 90s that had peaked in the early 2000s. Now the women are middle-aged and trying for a second chance of super stardom.
Wickie (Renée Elise Goldsberry), Dawn (Sara Bareilles), Gloria (Paula Pell; who also serves a writer for the show) and Summer (Busy Philipps) do not look like your typical pop stars but it fits within the premises of the show and what makes the show such a hidden gem. Girls5eva does not take itself too seriously with the satirical jokes about the music industry and misogyny. Think of it as a mix of New Girl (comedy) and a thriller.
Busy Philipps as Summer Dutkowsky, Paula Pell as Gloria McManus, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Wickie Roy and Sara Bareilles as Dawn Solano. Photo: Alyssa Longchamp/Netflix.©2024. All Rights ReservedSeason three finds the ladies going on a tour to support a comeback album. A tour that really is not touring. The sales are so low that the ladies have to take on side jobs to make ends meat. Summer, who plays the scatterbrained character, sells tooth whiteners to help supplement income after her divorce. This is the type of comedy that the audience comes to expect from the writers. Although expected it does not offer too much growth for the Summer character. We do not see too much character development from her over the course of three seasons.
Summer is not the only one that has suffered this season as Dawn’s pregnancy pretty much stayed in the back even though this revelation last season hinted at a major story for her. She does shine when given the spotlight. She gives a realistic performance and keeps the viewer engaged. The season only consists of eight episodes so there will be some sacrifices here and there. Perhaps Summer’s character development came at the cost of the short season. The storyline of Lance Bass of N’Sync and Gloria involving a sex tape is one of the show’s top moments.
For example, Wickie always steals the show, whether it is Renée Elise Goldsberry’s powerful voice or her comedic timing, you are always waiting for her to show back up on your screen. Wickie may be delusional but her voice is far from it. Gags and cutaways to when the girl group was popular offer the series’ best comedic material.
The whole season is building up to a performance by the ladies at Radio City Music Hall and will it sell or won’t it. Have the ladies the popularity to pull something like this off? Which begs the question, have the ratings merited a fourth season for the struggling pop group? So far the curtain is still up for Girls5eva.
About the Author – Je-Ree Olenik
Je-Ree is the definition of a Jersey Girl. A true nerd who loves her comics. When not watching tv she is a paralegal by day. She loves writing, reading, binging all the newest shows and spending time with her family. Twitter @LoveSprina
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