The Only Way Is Essex
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| The Only Way Is Essex | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality television |
| Starring | Mark Wright Jessica Wright Kirk Norcross Amy Childs Lauren Goodger Sam Faiers |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. |
| No. of series | 1 (current) |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 26 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV2 |
| Release | 10 October 2010 – - present |
The Only Way Is Essex is an ITV2 reality television show based in Essex. It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way."[1] It debuted on October 10, 2010, it follows the lives of young adults: Mark Wright, Jessica Wright, Kirk Norcross, Amy Childs, Lauren Goodger, Sam Faiers and their friends. The show is primarily filmed in Brentwood close to London and shows their lives as young, rich Essex boys and girls. The cast members do not get paid for the show, however, negotiations are in place for a salary for series 2.[2]
The show is filmed only a few days in advance and Series 1 ran initially for four weeks, with two episodes a week. It is narrated by Denise Van Outen, who is from Basildon, Essex. The show has been described by the Daily Mirror as Great Britain's answer to The Hills and Jersey Shore.[3].
Overview
The series starts with a brief introduction to all the characters' lives and how they are all inter-connected. We see how everyone is getting ready for Lauren Goodger's 600 person 24th birthday event at the nightclub Sugar Hut, owned by Kirk Norcross, and learn about her nine-year on/off relationship with Mark Wright, which ended a few months earlier. He openly discusses his relationship problems with his sister, Jessica Wright, who is sceptical about her brother's commitment. We also learn about the relationship of Amy Childs and Kirk Norcross, who says of Childs "she's the only girl I can act like a right idiot in front of". At the gym, we see Sam Faiers, Amy's best friend, talk with Mark, with his friend 'Arg' (James Argent) later asking how good she is "in the sack". Mark does not tell. This is a common theme - "Arg" being ridiculed by his friend Mark Wright.
In a further episode, the cast go speed dating at one of Mark's events. Kirk and Amy end up in an argument due to Amy's flirting and "Arg" once again is the butt of Mark's jokes when he is forced to go speed dating.
The first series also follows Jessica and her Lola bandmates Lauren Lindsay, Amba-Hollie Wood, and Linzi Peel (who quit the band in December 2010) sign a record deal with Universal and release their first single Claustrophobic, which peaked at 59 in the iTunes chart in November 2010.[4]
Cast
| Cast Member [5] | Age | Lives | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Childs | 20 | Brentwood, Essex | Lead role |
| Jessica Wright | 25 | Brentwood, Essex | Lead role |
| Kirk Norcross | 22 | Thurrock, Essex | Lead role |
| Lauren Goodger | 24 | Buckhurst Hill, Essex | Lead role |
| Mark Wright | 23 | Abridge, Essex | Lead role |
| Sam Faiers | 20 | Brentwood, Essex | Lead role |
| James 'Arg' Argent | 22 | Woodford Green, London | Lead Role |
| Candy Jacobs | 27 | Gants Hill, London | Supporting |
| Harry Derbidge, Amy's cousin | 17 | Romford, London | Supporting |
| Lydia Bright, Arg's on/off girlfriend | 20 | Woodford Green, London | Supporting |
| Nanny Pat, grandmother of Mark & Jessica | 87 | Supporting | |
| Lucy Mecklenburgh, Mark's on/off love interest | 19 | Brentwood, Essex | Supporting |
Episodes
| Episode Number | Original airdate | Miscellaneous |
|---|---|---|
| 1.01 | 10 October, 2010 | 1 hour special, 1.2 million viewers |
| 1.02 | 13 October, 2010 | 781,000 viewers |
| 1.03 | 17 October, 2010 | 896,000 viewers |
| 1.04 | 20 October, 2010 | |
| 1.05 | 24 October, 2010 | 1.2 million |
| 1.06 | 27 October, 2010 | 957,000 viewers |
| 1.07 | 31 October, 2010 | 670,000 viewers |
| 1.08 | 3 November, 2010 | 1.0 million viewers |
| 1.09 | 7 November, 2010 | 852,000 viewers |
| 1.10 | 10 November, 2010 | 1 hour special |
| Totally Vajazzled | 8 December, 2010 | 1 hour "Best-Bits" special |
| Essexmas | 24 December, 2010 | 1 hour "Christmas" special |
| 2.01 | 23 March, 2011 | Series 2 premier |
The Sun's TV Biz section reported that ITV have commissioned at least two more series. Series 2 was confirmed to be starting on 23rd March 2011 by Mark Wright on This Morning, broadcast on 28th January 2011. and Series 3 will be screened in September 2011.
Filming
The Only Way Is Essex is filmed only a few days in advance of airing. Filming began in late September/ early October, in the town of Brentwood, where cast member Kirk Norcross' Father's bar, The Sugar Hut is located. Filming also takes place at Belles & Beaus and Pet Couture, Queens Road in the Essex golden-platinum[citation needed] area of Buckhurst Hill, and The Manor House nightclub in Woodford Bridge. The cast members also visit Faces nightclub in Gants Hill, Greater London, as well as Deuces Bar and the King William IV pub in Chigwell.[6]
Controversy
The show has been criticised for its negative representation of Essex, and there have been many complaints to ITV2. Many felt it was not a true representation of the area and the people that live there. Many of the main characters felt to represent the 'air head' style of character, obsessed with money and distinctly lacking knowledge. [7] [8]
See also
References
- ^ Grace Dent , "The Guardian", 23 October 2010
- ^ "Jack Tweed's best friend Mark Wright makes his own bid for fame in The Only Way Is Essex". www.dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
- ^ "The Only Way Is Essex: Our guide to the jaw-dropping new TV show". www.mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
- ^ http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/161869/The-Only-Way-Is-Essex-Lola-quids-in
- ^ "The Only Way Is Essex - Birds and Blokes". itv.com.
- ^ http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/home/only_way_is_essex_stars_true_to_life_chigwell_pub_regulars_1_677616
- ^ http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/home/tv_s_the_only_way_is_essex_slammed_as_offensive_1_677073
- ^ http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/news/set-20-years/article-2754688-detail/article.html