Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Bachelor(ette) fans like myself often wonder what is going on behind the scenes of the fairy tale that we see on TV. We want to know what is real, what is a result of editing, and if the bachelor this season is as dreamy as he seems.
Lifetime’s new scripted drama UnReal gives us dramatized answers to these very real questions. The show, which airs Mondays on Lifetime, follows the off-camera drama surrounding Everlasting, a Bachelor-esque show. UnReal is definitely Lifetime’s best show and with only two episodes aired, it’s easy to catch up on. The first four episodes are even available to stream on Lifetime’s website now, two of them before they air on TV. Read on for five reasons why you should take the time to catch up on your new summer obsession.
Shiri Appleby is perfection.
Appleby plays Rachel, a producer on Everlasting who is returning to the show after suffering a meltdown which resulted in set damage, a ruined finale, and a stolen car. Rachel is often unlikable with her ability to manipulate situations between contestants, but Appleby is able to give Rachel enough redeeming qualities that the audience still roots for her. This can’t be an easy task for Appleby as Rachel is in trouble with the law, penniless, often unshowered, and even deserted her very hot boyfriend without so much as a phone call.
It's visually stunning.
Between Rachel’s ex-boyfriend Jeremy (Josh Kelly of One Life To Live) and the suitor (aka bachelor) Adam (Freddie Stroma of Pitch Perfect), the hot guy factor is definitely present. The lovely ladies in evening gowns and a set that rivals that of Cinderella’s castle also add to the show’s visual appeal.
It's super dark.
Constance Zimmer (Entourage) plays Quinn, Everlasting‘s executive producer who cares far more about ratings than the actual people on the show. She even fails to tell Anna, one of the contestants, that her father had a heart attack and is in the ICU. Because of this, Anna’s dad dies without a goodbye from his only daughter. When Anna quits the show following her dad’s death, Quinn sends Rachel and Adam to the funeral to convince her to come back to the show. Insensitive much?
It's likely based on reality.
UnReal was co-created by Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, who happens to have been a producer on The Bachelor from 2002-2004. This real-life experience likely served as inspiration for the new show, though Shapiro did call UnReal “totally fictional.” We can only hope that things like using the fact that a contestant was abused by her ex to make her more open-minded towards the suitor (yes, this really happens in Episode One) only happen on scripted television.
The drama is top notch.
When Jay, a producer on Everlasting, is on a “bitch hunt,” he approaches the two black contestants. He tells them that black girls hardly ever make it to the top four and that they are going to have to go big if they want to stick around. This leads one of the girls to verbally attack another contestant for no reason. The drama isn’t only with the contestants, but also with the producers; there is a tricky love triangle, bribes galore, and even a possible producer/suitor relationship brewing.
Watch the first four episodes of UnReal on Lifetime’s website, and click here to find out where to watch the season as it airs.
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