Selfie - Pilot
'Selfie', the most predictable new series from ABC. At least, that is my first impression after watching the pilot released online by the network. The series is created by Emily Kapnek, the same woman who is also the brains behind 'Suburgatory'. If you've watched 'Suburgatory', you will recognise the superficial and over-the-top characters in both series. Whereas that worked out alright for 'Suburgatory', it is too much for 'Selfie'. Even though you do sympathise a bit with the characters near the end of the episode, it is not enough for a pilot. And even though it is supposed to be a comedy, I hardly laughed.
But what is 'Selfie' actually about? Eliza Dooley (Karen Gillan, 'Doctor Who') is popular … but only on social media. Everything revolves around her, her phone, Instagram and Twitter et cetera. She transformed from being a plain girl, into being enormously popular, but due to an embarrassing event on a plane, her reputation has taken a turn for the worse. In addition, no 'friend' wanted to help her when she was ill. It became painfully clear: she doesn't have real friends. Furthermore, we have Henry (John Cho, 'Go On'); a star in marketing but also lonely and by coincidence anti social media. After some persuasion from Eliza, Henry agrees to help her 'rebrand'.
The concept is clear. We will see how Henry turns Eliza into a sophisticated, worldly woman. And here's the predictable part: there is no doubt that Eliza will get a relationship with Henry and will finally find real love. There is no doubt she will become best friends with the girls of the book club in her building, who gave her a make-under and made her feel what real friendship is. By the end of the season, she will no longer be obsessed with social media. Instead of looking at her phone, she will ask how you are doing. If it was up to me, the series could have used a little more mystery and I will be really surprised if the series does not proceed in this way.
Even though the end of the pilot hints at what the rest of the series could be, I am not convinced. It's got something, but they should really develop it. They have the actors, because people like creator Emily Kapnek, Karen Gillan and John Cho should be able to produce a solid series with better and funnier jokes. The potential is there, but I have yet to see if it will develop into something better. Question is, if it will be given this chance. Network ABC (better known as Always Being Cancelled) is sometimes difficult to predict in terms of which series it does or doesn't cancel. 'Selfie' officially premiered on 30 September.
But what is 'Selfie' actually about? Eliza Dooley (Karen Gillan, 'Doctor Who') is popular … but only on social media. Everything revolves around her, her phone, Instagram and Twitter et cetera. She transformed from being a plain girl, into being enormously popular, but due to an embarrassing event on a plane, her reputation has taken a turn for the worse. In addition, no 'friend' wanted to help her when she was ill. It became painfully clear: she doesn't have real friends. Furthermore, we have Henry (John Cho, 'Go On'); a star in marketing but also lonely and by coincidence anti social media. After some persuasion from Eliza, Henry agrees to help her 'rebrand'.
The concept is clear. We will see how Henry turns Eliza into a sophisticated, worldly woman. And here's the predictable part: there is no doubt that Eliza will get a relationship with Henry and will finally find real love. There is no doubt she will become best friends with the girls of the book club in her building, who gave her a make-under and made her feel what real friendship is. By the end of the season, she will no longer be obsessed with social media. Instead of looking at her phone, she will ask how you are doing. If it was up to me, the series could have used a little more mystery and I will be really surprised if the series does not proceed in this way.
Even though the end of the pilot hints at what the rest of the series could be, I am not convinced. It's got something, but they should really develop it. They have the actors, because people like creator Emily Kapnek, Karen Gillan and John Cho should be able to produce a solid series with better and funnier jokes. The potential is there, but I have yet to see if it will develop into something better. Question is, if it will be given this chance. Network ABC (better known as Always Being Cancelled) is sometimes difficult to predict in terms of which series it does or doesn't cancel. 'Selfie' officially premiered on 30 September.
