Girls5eva

I wasn't sure how much I would like this one because this had many of the same producers and writers from "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," and I couldn't make it past the first 10 minutes of the first episode of that one. But "Girls5eva," the reunion of a Spice Girls-type group from the 90's, is much better, and much funnier. The four main players - Sarah Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, and Renee Elise Goldsberry - all do a great job. Goldsberry is probably the MVP of this group, because she's very funny, and she can actually sing in real life. Bareilles is in real life the most successful singer, but she's mostly the "straight-man" here among this group, and leaves the funny lines to others. Philipps is very funny, buy my favorite is probably Paula Pell. Her casting in the show itself is funny, because she plays someone who has aged so poorly compared to her counterparts that in the flashback scenes, her character is the only one who's played by a different, younger-looking actress!

Tina Fey is a hit maker. You can see her signature on fast smart comedic writing. This is a cute show that is highly entertaining. One of those you have to watch a few times to catch every joke. Still wish Titus Andramadon would show up here.

A cluttered, ropey but remarkably likeable slice of nostalgic millennial foolishness from Meredith Scardino - strongly reminiscent of Kimmy Schmidt but lacking its consistency somewhat. It's held together by a strong central cast, some incredibly sharp observations on contemporary (and early 00s) pop culture and a bottomless well of surreal asides and over the top scenarios. Good solid silly fun with some real heart mixed in there too. Thoroughly deserves its deeper continuation on Netflix, although sadly it still seems to have found it's audience really.

Girls5Eva starts with a brilliantly idiotic 90s song in which a one-hit-wonder-to-be sings about their inevitable life long success as nonsensically as possible. The series then jumps to the present, when the 4 still-alive but generally forgotten bandmates get a brief moment of attention and decide to ride it all the way to the top.

This is very much in the Tina Fey comedy vein. One negative review described it as more "30 Rock" "Kimmy Schmidt" humor as though that was a negative. I agree with the comparisons but not with the negativity.

The songs are amazing. Some are pitch perfect take offs of the demeaning drivel middle-aged men write for teen girls, like the wonderfully creepy Dream Girlfriend, and as the band tries new material we get fantastic numbers like "I'm Afraid," which goes from relatable fears to weirdly specific and insane ones.

The cast is terrific and the jokes are insane yet support a story of growth and striving.

Highly recommended.

I absolutely love Sara Bareilles (literally my favourite singer/songwriter of all time) and she is great in this (or anything she's in). But Paula Pell is the true star of this show with her comedic timing. Those great one liners and brilliant comedic delivery - she's absolutely hilarious.

I just love hearing Sara Bareilles sing in every episode and she really is a great actress! She is the very definition of a triple threat!! Busy Philips is good in this too and Renée Elise Goldsberry's voice is just insane. It's not wonder she has done so well for herself on Broadway!!

This is a light and funny show with some great music (and a few annoying earworms).