Barely Famous
| Barely Famous | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre |
|
| Created by | |
| Starring |
Erin Foster Sara Foster Abbey DiGregorio Jensen Karp |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
|
| Camera setup | Single |
| Running time | 20-22 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
|
| Distributor | VH1 |
| Release | |
| Original network | VH1 |
| Picture format |
480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Original release | March 18, 2015 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Barely Famous is an American reality television parody on VH1. The first season was 6 episodes broadcast on Wednesday nights at 9:30, starting March 18, 2015.[2] On April 28, 2015 VH1 announced that the show had been renewed for a second six-episode season to be broadcast in 2016.[1]
Background
The show was created by sisters Sara and Erin Foster who stated via a press release that they were influenced by The Larry Sanders Show, Extras and The Comeback and that "By design, the show pokes fun at the reality show genre as we play these stereotypical, delusional sisters who find themselves shooting a reality show".[3] Erin said that "I wanted to sell a show about fame and celebrities and wealth and vanity and Hollywood".[4] And, "We wanted to make a show that was light and fun, but showed the neuroses that goes on between two people filming a reality show and the strategies and manipulation behind it".[5] According to Susan Levison, VH1’s Executive Vice President of original programming, the goal of the show was "to present a humorous take on reality TV and the rarified world of Hollywood".[6]
Premise
The show follows quasi-famous sisters Sara and Erin Foster around in a reality show format, but it is scripted and they play exaggerated satirical versions of themselves, and get into various predicaments.[6]
Celebrity Appearances
Cameos
The show has had brief appearances by Amanda de Cadenet, Ashley Benson, Milla Jovovich, Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, Courteney Cox, Nicole Richie, Kevin Connolly and Molly Sims as themselves.[2]
Guest Roles
Comedian Esther Povitsky played a receptionist at an exclusive private school in the 3rd episode titled "Favorite Socks". In the 6th episode titled "Bananas Foster", Kay Cannon appeared as a lesbian version of herself who was considering casting Sara for a part, and Sara falsely says her sister is both single and still a lesbian in order to get Cannon to attend her house party.
Reception
Amy Amatangelo, writing for The Hollywood Reporter, called the show "Part mockumentary, part reality show, part sitcom and entirely hilarious" and said the show works because "the innately likable siblings are willing to be the brunt of the joke".[4]
Ellie Shechet, in a review for The Muse - Jezebel, said that the show was surprisingly great. While characterizing the show as one that makes you giggle (not laugh) and as relatively funny, she said that she couldn't wait for Season 2.[7]
David Hinkley, in a review for the New York Daily News, felt that the show was taking on an impossible task - trying to create situations that are sillier or more outlandish than what is already on reality shows. And he felt it was "not at all hilarious" and in the end more likely to make us "nod off".[8]
Allison Keene, in a review for Collider.com gave the Pilot a "3-star Good" rating (Proceed with cautious optimism). She said the show was "fun, and while it has a clear sense of the scene it’s deconstructing with perceptive humor, it’s never mean".[9]
References
- 1 2 3 Wagmeister, Elizabeth (April 28, 2015). "VH1 Renews ‘Barely Famous’ for a Second Season". Variety. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- 1 2 Abrams, Natalie (February 17, 2015). "VH1 debuts trailer for faux-reality show Barely Famous". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 5, 2014). "VH1 Announces New Docu-Comedy Series "Barely Famous" Featuring Erin & Sara Foster". zap2it. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- 1 2 Amatengelo, Amy (March 16, 2015). "'Barely Famous': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ↑ Nathan, Sara (March 10, 2015). "Sara and Erin Foster turn the tables in VH1's Barely Famous". Daily Mail. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
- 1 2 Bacle, Ariana (April 28, 2015). "VH1 renews Barely Famous for second season". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ↑ Shechet, Ellie (April 24, 2015). "Dang, VH1's Barely Famous Is Surprisingly Great (!?)". themuse.jezebel.com. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ↑ Hinkley, David (March 18, 2015). "'Barely Famous' review: VH1 reality-show sendup is hardly necessary (and not all that hilarious)". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ↑ Keene, Allison (March 13, 2015). "Barely Famous Review". Collider.com. Retrieved May 6, 2015.