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Ep 13 - All About What Lies Beneath
Date: Jan 6, 2009
Marco goes on a date with his boyfriend where they discuss the possibility of Marco leaving Laurel for another career opportunity. Meanwhile, Megan is rushed to the hospital with a concussion, and Sage and Rose plan a benefit dinner.
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| News Update: Snap Judgment: 'Privileged' |
I was ready to declare the CW's new series Privileged an ill-advised knockoff of the 2007 flick The Nanny Diaries. I mean, come on, does any of this sound familiar to anyone else?
• Girl moves in with hoity-toity richies to tend to spoiled brat children
• Girl "studies" family
• Girl meets hunky next-door neighbor, flirtatious banter ensues
• Girl has verbal altercation with matriarch
Not to mention both are based on novels (Zoey Dean's How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls is the inspiration for Privileged). But that's where the similarities mostly end. Megan (pictured left), played by one of EW's 15 fall TV stars to watch, Joanna Garcia, is a plucky type-A with almost a little too much quirk about her.
Yet her can-do attitude makes her light-years more likable than Scarlett Johansson's sullen, whiny Annie Braddock (pictured right). (Plus it takes only one episode for Megan to tell off snotty twin Sage and her enabling grandmother Laurel, played by Golden Globe winner Anne Archer.) With an interesting backstory -- after Manhattanite
Megan relocates to posh Palm Beach, Fla., we find out she's actually a native and has yet to tell
her family she's returned -- and a faint glimmer of a love triangle involving Megan, neighbor Will, and BFF
Charlie, the clever dramedy has just the right amount of intrigue and suds to be my new Tuesday-night guilty pleasure.
What do you think? Did any of you catch last night's premiere? Want to weigh in early on whether Megan should choose friend Charlie or rich boy Will? Will Megan ever win over Sage?
Posted by Erin | September 12 2008 @ 1:32PM
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| News Update: Rich-Kid Soap 'Privileged' Earns its Keep |
The CW’s “90210” is getting all the hype, but "Privileged" (7 p.m. Tuesday, WGN-Ch. 9) soap about two willful heiresses who do battle with their new tutor is much more fun.
JoAnne Garcia (“Reba”) combines perkiness and smarts as Megan, the winning yet naïve instructor, and there are enjoyable complications with her rebellious charges, their imperious grandmother (Anne Archer) and Megan’s hunky (but platonic) best pal (Michael Cassidy).
You might argue that we have enough dramas about the filthy rich (in fact, this show was originally called “Surviving the Filthy Rich”). But former “Everwood” writer Rina Mimoun is in charge here, and it shows. The dialogue is witty, the pacing is brisk and there’s some real heart amid all the tokens of the Palm Beach high life.
As the two rich young women, Lucy Kate Hale (“Bionic Woman”), is slightly more effective than Ashley Newbrough, who plays the more sarcastic Sage. Still, it’s early days, and I’m more than willing to give this well-intentioned soap a chance. It may not be particularly ambitious or original, but if you’re looking for something escapist but not dumb, this might be the teen drama for you.
Posted by Erin | September 9 2008 @ 4:52PM
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| News Update: CW's 'Privileged' a Fairy Tale, but a Watchable One |
The frothy, candy-colored pilot of the CW's “Privileged," which premieres tonight, left me fretting about two things. First, it implies that all one needs to gain entrance to Duke University is a working knowledge of "The Great Gatsby," which may be a disservice to the more impressionable among its audience. And second, and more disturbing, it goes out of its way to equate money with magic.
"Privileged" (which was formerly known as "Surviving the Filthy Rich." Good call, CW!) is, after all, a modern-day fairy tale in which the poor but idealistic Megan Smith (JoAnna Garcia), beset by the student loans for her Yale education, is fired from her magazine job because she won't stoop to its gossip-hungry, TMZ-like demands.
But because Megan is quirky and smart, her editor sets her up as tutor to the twin granddaughters of cosmetics queen Laurel Limoges (Anne Archer). With a private jet as pumpkin-coach stand-in, Megan is whisked off to Laurel's Palm Beach castle. There she is offered a salary, a princess-perfect room and a flashy convertible and is told that, if she can get Sage and Rose Baker accepted into Duke, Laurel will pay off her student loans. There's even a handsome prince next door.
No magic wand, however, no pixie dust, no enchanted rose. Just an endless line of credit backed by Laurel's business acumen and good fortune in the local real estate market.
A money-can't-buy-happiness undercurrent dutifully runs through "Privileged," but for a show so clearly determined to be sharp and sassy, the unquestioning acceptance of wealth as some sort of alternate universe or higher state of being is very, very depressing.
Which doesn't mean it isn't fun to watch. Written by Rina Mimoun ("Pushing Daisies," "Gilmore Girls," "Everwood"), "Privileged" may find a direct hit with young women (and their mothers) who take comfort in the trials of the super-rich but find "Gossip Girl" or "Dirty Sexy Money" too racy.
As Megan, Garcia ("Reba") is an absolute charmer, blessed with a lovely but elastic face and an ability to deliver comedic monologues with a joyful rat-a-tat-tat not heard since the glory days of Rosalind Russell. The twins are appealing symbols of both sides of the spoiled heiress coin. The perpetually sneering Sage (Ashley Newbrough) is so bratty she shoots Megan with a Taser and gets away with it, while Rose (Lucy Kate Hale) is sweeter (Rose, get it?) though equally overindulged.
In her corner, Megan has old friend Charlie (Michael Cassidy), so down-to-earth he's a waiter, and Laurel's chef, Marco (Allan Louis), so gay he gets all the best lines. ("Look at you, so cute with the waiting," he says to Megan when the twins skip their first tutorial.)
Throw in handsome neighbor Will Philips (Brian Hallisay) and you've got one of the best-looking and viewer-friendly casts on television. Also what has to be the cushiest job ever bestowed by a real writer onto a character writer. Megan's duties seem to consist of getting the girls to read one book on their summer reading list (never mind that most privately educated 17-year-olds have already read "The Great Gatsby.") Now, I'm pretty sure that if that was all it took to get into Duke, there'd be a lot more Blue Devils walking around, but hey, for room and board in Palm Beach, not a bad gig.
Of course, it's Not That Simple. Not only are the twins given to saying things like "I throw up cuter than that outfit," this is not Megan's first trip to Palm Beach. Apparently she was raised there until a split with her father and sister (because this is a fairy tale, Mom is MIA) sent her scurrying up the coastline. Enter lovely but angry sister Lily (Kristina Apgar) to mix things up.
So many great dresses, so much YA angst, so much deep appreciation for the varying levels of shallow -- no wonder Lauren Conrad wants in.
Posted by Erin | September 9 2008 @ 4:50PM
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| News Update: 'Privileged,' Born With a Silver Lead-in |
“Privileged” fits nicely into the CW's strategy of targeting young women, and it certainly would seem to have all the elements to do just that.
We can start with the locale, Palm Beach, a most ritzy resort area populated by old money, which gives the series the sort of aspirational quality attractive to young females, very much in the vein of CW’s other teen soaps, “Gossip Girl” and “90210.”
The main character is in her early 20s, which should attract women of a similar age also starting out in their careers, as well as teens drawn to the sudsy drama the show promises.
But "Privileged" has a lot going for it beyond its demographic appeal.
The show leads out of "90210," which debuted last week to all sorts of records for CW, and it should deliver a solid audience for tonight's "Privileged" premiere.
"Privileged" is also debuting earlier than most new shows this season, giving it a chance to draw viewers against light competition.
Also working in "Privileged's" favor, it won't be airing against shows with broad appear among the 18-34 demographic the CW targets.
Tonight it's up against ABC's "Wipeout," CBS's "Fashion Rocks" special, and NBC's "America's Got Talent."
Once the season gets under way, it will air against ABC's “Dancing with the Stars” results shows, CBS's “The Mentalist,” NBC's “The Biggest Loser” and Fox's "Fringe."
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Two things could hurt “Privileged's" prospects, and both seem unlikely. After a strong start, “90210” could fall off dramatically, leaving “Privileged” with a weak lead-in. Or the show could simply fall apart on its own because of poor writing or acting.
The buzz
If CW’s goal is to emulate the old WB during its best years, “Privileged” hits dead center as light, quick-paced fluff.
“It was cute,” says Tracie Chinetti, a senior buyer/planner at Blitz Media in Boston, speaking of the screener of the premiere. “It’s certainly not highbrow entertainment, but it was an entertaining hour. My teenage daughter enjoyed it.”
Chinetti dismisses any suggestion that the CW might be going overboard in the suds department with shows like "Privileged" that play off similar themes.
“It’s like saying there are too many food programs on Food Network,” says Chinetti. “This is what the CW is.”
What critics are saying
“After the low-rated, buzzed-about ‘Gossip Girl’ and the no-preview-copies-of-‘90210’ debacle, there wasn’t much reason to hope The CW’s new drama ‘Privileged’ would amount to much. But it turns out to be one of the more pleasant surprises of the new fall season.” – Rob Owen, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“At the risk of raising expectations too high, I’ve got some good news for all you ‘Gilmore Girls’ fans. ‘Privileged’ is the closest thing we’ve seen to that show since it left the air.” – Scott D. Pierce, Deseret News
“I don’t know that I’ll ever watch another episode, but that says more about my own demographic and interests than it does about the merits of ‘Privileged.’ As these shows go, it’s not bad.” – Alan Sepinwall, New Jersey Star-Ledger
Posted by Erin | September 9 2008 @ 4:40PM
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| News Update: 'Privileged' Actresses Bond as Sisters |
In "Privileged," Ashley Newbrough plays Sage Baker, one of two pampered twins living with little guidance or direction in upscale Palm Beach. She's the big sister, by 6 seconds, to Rose (Lucy Kate Hale). Sage splits all of her energy between partying and protecting her twin. The result is a teen with a bad attitude.
The sisters finally get some guidance when a 23-year-old Yale graduate (JoAnna Garcia) moves in to be their tutor and life coach. The series debuts tonight on The CW network.
Newbrough grew up in Newport, R.I., and had no trouble stepping into the role.
"I have two sisters and an amazing brother. And I am the oldest," Newbrough says during an interview in July at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. "When the sisters lost their parents, Sage made the decision to be the more protective one and take more control of their lives.
"I think Sage is very different from the typical mean rich girl. She is very damaged."
Shooting the series has taken Newbrough away from her siblings. But she has bonded with Hale.
Hale, a Memphis native, actually auditioned for the role of Sage. When that didn't work out, the producers invited her back to read for the part of Rose. Hale auditioned for Sage because it was a chance to play a villain.
"And who doesn't want to play the villain?" Hale says. "It is OK because now I get to play someone closer to who I am. And that will be better if the series goes on for a long time."
Before landing this role, Hale appeared on such TV series as "How I Met Your Mother," "The O.C." and "Drake & Josh."
With the new CW series, Hale is getting a lot of practice playing a sister. This summer she took on the role of the bratty sibling to Alexis Bledel's character in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2."
Although the actresses will face many heavy emotional moments with the show, it won't be all doom and gloom.
"Privileged" is the latest television series to take a look at the lifestyle of the rich and famous. The show will be on a network with two very similar series in "90210" and "Gossip Girl." Executive producer Rina Mimoun explains the way "Privileged" will stand out in the crowd is with humor.
"We're really hoping to keep this almost like a romantic comedy," Mimoun says.
Posted by Erin | September 8 2008 @ 1:35PM
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| News Update: 'Privileged' Star Cried When She Got the Part |
She is not afraid to say it. The star of the new CW series Privileged premiering tomorrow at 9pm said she cried in front of the producers and network officials when she was told she got the part.
“I know it sounds like a cliché, but this really is a dream job for me," Joanne Garcia said. "I'm working harder than I ever have, and I'm loving every moment.”
The Tampa-native went from being a blonde to a redhead to suit her role for the auditions, and she admits she had initial qualms with how things would turn out.
"I had to go red because the script called for it," Garcia explained, "and I thought, 'Oh, I'm blond now, and I'll do this whole red thing for the script. And then somehow in this magical transformation, I'll be blond again,' but there's no way now. I don't miss the blond."
Yes, she had no regrets. "I think I'm getting more attention, more respect and more of everything - life is good right now."
Garcia, 29, shot into mainstream popularity when she co-starred in another CW sitcom Reba from 2001 to 2007. After doing the show for 124 episodes, she was reportedly concerned that her extensive role in the series would make it difficult for her to bag other, more different roles. A year later, she was cast on the short-lived CBS comedy Welcome to the Captain.
Going back to the subject of color, Privileged, in fact, opens with aspiring journalist Megan (Garcia) putting henna color on her hair while proclaiming, “Red is bold. It grabs people by the collar and says, 'Promote me. I am ready for greatness.'”
Greatness, it is. Privileged producer-writer Rina Mimoun compared Garcia's work to Lauren Graham of Gilmore Girls.
Posted by Erin | September 8 2008 @ 1:33PM
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| Media Update: New Privileged Fan Video Section |
I just finished up putting together the Media Archive for the site, so go check it out for all the latest Privileged Videos!
Posted by Erin | September 4 2008 @ 11:22PM
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| News Update: 'Fringe,' 'Privileged' and 'Do Not Disturb' on Tap |
"Privileged" protagonist Megan Smith is smart (she's a Yale grad who dreams of a meaningful career in journalism). She's also lovely (after all, she's the central character on a CW youth drama). And she's goodhearted, idealistic and a little bit dorky (so she'll strike a fitting contrast with the Palm Beach society in which she's just landed).
She has accepted a job to be a live-in tutor for cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges' twin granddaughters, one of whom greets her with the sneering observation: "I puke cuter than that outfit you're wearing."
For Megan no less than the defiant teens, this is going to be a learning experience.
"I can help them live up to their full potential," Megan tells herself. But what about her efforts to live up to her own full potential, as she navigates the fabulous distractions of Palm Beach?
As Megan, JoAnna Garcia ("Reba") has fresh-scrubbed good looks that suggest immunity to wealth's corrosive influence (which should make Megan's occasional stumbles all the more affecting).
"Privileged" is a bright, bouncy fairy tale of power and extravagance, tempered by reminders that money can't buy happiness. How hard will that lesson be for Megan and her students?
Posted by Erin | September 4 2008 @ 3:43PM
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| News Update: Privileged: Hot for Teacher |
In Privileged (Tuesday, 8 p.m., CW), a literary type named Megan
(JoAnna Garcia) gets a job tutoring two spoiled heiresses in Palm Beach.
At first glance, Megan looks like a standard character in a standard 14-to-29-demo drama:
the neurotic jabbermouth beauty.
But there's more to her than that, and more to Privileged, too.
The series offers Gossip Girl-style fun, with just enough substance to make it more than a guilty pleasure.
Megan is delightfully quirky, and her charges can be delightfully bitchy. "It's gonna be super-fun," one of them tells Megan sarcastically, just before making her life a living hell. The pilot is chock-full of such snark, along with enough bonding and betrayal, sexy swimwear and sincere speeches to give the 90210 area code a run for its money.
Privileged is gonna be super-fun.
Posted by Erin | September 4 2008 @ 3:34PM
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| News Update: Privileged: Clueless and The Devil Wears Prada |
Privileged, the new CW offering that follows Yale-educated Megan Smith when she lost her tabloid magazine job and ends up being nanny for the two grandchildren of a cosmetics mogul (Anne Archer), leads the barrage of shows premiering (or returning) this fall that is set against a fairly affluent backdrop and a storyline depicting how the so-called rich and famous lives.
Together with the remake of the 90s icon 90210, Gossip Girl, Dirty Sexy Money, Lipstick Jungle, and Do Not Disturb, Privileged is, according to experts, part of a wave of shows that reflect people's fascination with opulent mansions, preppy New York private schools, posh hotels, big business, and just filthy rich families. In fact, according to Privileged executive producer Rina Mimoun, she grew up watching hit TV show Dallas, who leaned toward more or less the same descriptions.
With the prohibitive cost of fuel and overall hard times, however, some can't help but question if these show do more than provide escapist entertainment to viewers.
"They know their friends and family; they don't know the super-rich. Some of this is curiosity. Some of it is envy. Some of it is jealousy. Some of it is snarkiness,” says Chuck Kleinhans, a professor at Northwestern University.
For Mimoun, she has definitely thought about it when doing Privileged. “You want to make sure that you're not alienating a lot of viewers across the country who might be in tough financial situations."
She says Privileged is “lighter” than Gossip Girl.
"Tonally, we want it to be more like Clueless and The Devil Wears Prada," she says. "It's a wish-fulfillment comedy. We want to keep it fun and upbeat."
And in the end, according to Mimoun, the satisfaction for the viewer comes in knowing that despite these characters having immense wealth and being very comfortable, they still encounter the same problems as anyone “normal” would.
Posted by Erin | September 2 2008 @ 3:50PM
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| News Update: More of The Same - The Good, The Bad... |
THE GOOD - It will never be the buzz-generator that “Gossip Girl” is, but The CW's “Privileged” (also debuting Sept. 9) has its charms. Much less catty than “Gossip Girl” – and therefore less entertaining – this dramedy about a quirky twentysomething writer hired to whip some sense and sensibility into two Palm Beach debutantes is gently witty and surprisingly good-hearted. Any show that name-checks Woody Allen and “The Great Gatsby” deserves its day in the TV sun.
Posted by Erin | September 1 2008 @ 10:14PM
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| Privileged Twitter |
Privileged is now on Twitter, here are some of the latest posts!
Check out more Here!
Lucy is deciding what to snack on at crafty
Lucy is trying to memorize her lines
Lucy is hanging out with Ashley in her trailer
More . .
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