Hollywood Darlings

Hollywood Darlings is an interesting and unique pop culture unscripted docu-comedy series that ran from 2017 to 2018 on Pop. It offers audiences an unconventional, hilarious, and often heartfelt peek into the unique dynamic between three actresses who grew up in the public eye.

The show stars three '90s child stars: Jodie Sweetin of Full House fame, Christine Lakin from Step by Step, and Beverley Mitchell from 7th Heaven. Unlike many reality shows where the celebrities are portraying an exaggerated version of themselves or a character, in Hollywood Darlings, the three actors play heightened versions of their current selves, blending the best bits of sitcom and reality TV into an engrossing television viewing experience.

The premise of Hollywood Darlings is simple yet distinct: it offers a no-holds barred view into the current lives of these former child actors. The series covers various aspects of their lives - from their careers, which have seen many ups and downs, to their personal lives involving families and raising children, to managing friendship and professional dynamics with each other.

The unscripted nature of the show is one of its major highlights. Given that the show is largely improvisational, allowing the actresses to guide their own storylines, the dialogue feels real and the situations are authentically funny. The unpredictable scenarios and the genuine reactions of the stars, with no scripts to bound them, make each episode truly engaging.

The viewer gets to explore the experiences and challenges of navigating Hollywood as grown-up former child stars, including auditions, fan conventions, and personal relationships. The series features guest appearances by several other '90s-era actors, adding another layer of nostalgia and reconnection to the pop culture zeitgeist of that decade. It holds a mirror to the pop culture landscape, dissecting it with self-deprecation, wit, and insight, without ever losing its fun and light-hearted spirit.

In Hollywood Darlings, audiences are treated to a relatively rare breed of reality TV—one where the cast can laugh at themselves, adding a certain charm and likeability to their characters. The ability of the stars to embrace their past and present challenges, an approach epitomized by the show's tagline “Embrace your past, destroy your future,” is a refreshing and entertaining break from traditional scripted sitcoms.

Jodie Sweetin, Christine Lakin, and Beverley Mitchell bring a considerable amount of charisma, relatability, and comedic talent to the show. Their strong bond and unique camaraderie make them feel less like actresses and more like longtime best friends, which adds to the enjoyment of witnessing their endearing engagements and spontaneous hilarity. The show, thus, serves as a wonderful testament to the power of female friendships while simultaneously paying homage to the unique culture of the '90s.

The dichotomy of their known personalities from the '90s and the women they have bloomed into presents brilliant viewing material. They manage to connect with the audience not just on the strength of their previous fame but also as contemporary, multidimensional women managing their careers, families, and a significant friendship.

In its two seasons, Hollywood Darlings does an exceptional job of maintaining an ideal balance between nostalgia and present-day reality, with equal doses of humor and heartwarming moments. It creates an inviting space that encourages audiences to remain invested in the lives of these three actresses who, despite moving away from the limelight of their early years, continue to show that they can entertain with their down-to-earth relatability and spontaneous humor.

In conclusion, Hollywood Darlings serves up a novel take on a reality sitcom, with its unfiltered look into the lives of three beloved former child stars. It's packed with humor, heart, genuine moments, and the joy of female companionship, making it the kind of show that both '90s pop culture enthusiasts and fans of modern-day reality TV will enjoy.