OnScreen Review: ‘Girls5Eva’
Ok, you’re probably thinking “the title of this show has already lost me”. It’s the kind of title you try to avoid saying because you feel dumb when it comes out of your mouth. Like that neighborhood restaurant that you actively avoid saying the name of because it’s stupid but it’s so good you want to tell your friends about it. That’s this show. Do you cringe when you say the title? Yes. But I am willing to say it if it means telling everyone I know to watch it. The title may be cringy, but it’s also when you hear it, doesn’t your mind go immediately to an early 2000’s girl band? ‘Cause mine does. That’s the genius of it. The title makes you squirm because it’s so bad just like the early aughts pop groups. Without even watching the show, you already have a great sense of what you’re getting into when you hear “Girls5Eva”.
Just as the title suggests, this show is about a late 90’s/early 2000’s pop girl group who according to their one big hit, are “gonna be famous 5 eva, cause 4-eva’s too short”. But now they are all middle-aged women who have drifted from the spotlight. However, when a new rapper samples their hit, they find themselves having a bit of clout again, so they decide to try and resurrect their career. The show was created by Meredith Scardino, who has written for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Daily Show, and many other hilarious shows and is produced by Tina Fey. The show is the same kind of off-beat humor as 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, The Good Place. So if you’re a fan of the shows I have just mentioned Girls5Eva will be right up your alley.
All the actors on this show are next-level hilarious. The main women of Girls5Eva consist of Busy Philipps (Freaks and Geeks, White Chicks), Paula Pell (Wine Country, writer for SNL and 30 Rock), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton), and Sara Bareilles (Waitress the Musical, Grammy Award Winner). I knew these women were funny, but I was not expecting the level of funny they bring to the show, especially Bareilles. I knew she could sing, obviously, but I had never really seen her act. I was very pleasantly surprised! I hope we get to see her do more comedy in the future. And I dare you not to laugh every time Pell is onscreen. Here character is genius, and she takes it to the next level with her physical comedy. All the actors exceeded my expectations including the minor characters (watch out for Andrew Rannells).
While I truly loved every actor in this show, I think the real star is the music. You can’t have a show about a girl pop group without giving us some of their famous music. The music was created by Jeff Richmond who is married to Tina Fey and has done all the music for 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Mean Girls the Musical just to name a few. The lyrics were done by the creator of the show, Scardino. The lyrics are so ridiculous, over the top, and vaguely sexist, which is the perfect spoof on the kind of music young women were expected to sing in the early aughts. Many of the songs mention finding boys to kiss or being a “side piece”. The kind of lyrics you could not get away with today but were somehow perfectly acceptable just 20 years ago, again it’s the perfect spoof. But even though the lyrics are absolutely insane and purely for comedy, they are actually weirdly still great songs! I am currently listening to the soundtrack as I write this article! You could play these songs at a party and I truly don’t think anyone would bat an eye. They are a perfect mix of absurd/hilarious and actually great songs. You will absolutely get these songs stuck in your head, sorry not sorry.
Even though the whole show is a great escape and perfect for a laugh after a long day, it also still has very sweet and genuine messages. The show really teaches you that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. These women are middle-aged and putting everything they have into show business again. It may take some work, but if there is something you really want to do all you have to do is try. Have confidence in yourself, put your mind to something, give it your all and you double your chances of succeeding. The show also emphasizes leaning on your friends. These women hadn’t seen each other in years before deciding to create music again. It wasn’t until they came back together that they were able to be successful. Sometimes our friends are the most important thing we have, and we should cherish that. Some of the characters just want to be rich and famous again, but what they learn is sometimes what you want isn’t necessarily what you need.
This show is just so joyful. It’s funny, it’s timely as people have become nostalgic again for the 2000s, it’s sweet, and has great messages. It’s such a well-written show and has quickly become one of my favorites. There’s only one season so far but I’m sure there will be a second. The show is currently streaming on Peacock Premium. Now, if you’re not looking to start another subscription service, just simply start a 7-day free trial. This show can be easily binged in seven days. I promise it’s worth it. The show’s soundtrack is also streaming if you want to listen to these incredibly addictive songs again and again. Happy watching and happy listening!