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Sex, Love & Secrets

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Sex, Love & Secrets
UPN promotional poster for Sex, Love & Secrets.
GenreSoap opera
Created byMichael Gans
Richard Register
Starring
Composer
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10 (list of episodes)
Production
Production locationLos Angeles
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkUPN
ReleaseSeptember 27 (2005-09-27) –
October 18, 2005 (2005-10-18)

Sex, Love & Secrets is an American soap opera, created by Michael Gans and Richard Register, which originally aired for one season on United Paramount Network (UPN) from September 27, 2005 and October 18, 2005. With an ensemble cast led by Denise Richards, James Stevenson, Lauren German, Eric Balfour, Tamara Taylor, Lucas Bryant, and Omar Benson Miller, the series focuses on rich young adults living in Silver Lake, Los Angeles and their secrets revolving sex and love. Prominently using voice-over narrations, the show took a documentary approach to framing the characters and their storylines. The executive producers were Jonathan Axelrod, Kelly Edwards, Daniel Ceron, Michael Gans, and Richard Register. The series was originally developed as a vehicle and television debut for Richards under the working titles Wildlife and Sex, Lies, and Secrets. The episodes were filmed in Los Angeles.

Sex, Love & Secrets was canceled after one season due to low viewership; six of its ten episodes were not aired. The unaired episodes were shown on Universal HD in 2008. It has not been released on home video or made available on streaming services. Critical response to Sex, Love & Secrets was mixed; some commentators praised it as a guilty pleasure, though others felt that the storylines and characters were unoriginal. Critics had mixed reviews for the show's content and style when compared to other television series, specifically Desperate Housewives, Melrose Place, and The O.C..

Premise

Described as a "Generation Y soap opera" by John Kenneth Muir, Sex, Love & Secrets revolves around rich young adults living in Silver Lake, Los Angeles and their secrets relating to sex and love.[1] Richard Andreoli of The Advocate identified the group as "close friends",[2] while the official website references that they became like family.[3] One of the show's taglines was "the only thing that can come between them...is the truth".[1] A contributor for The Futon Critic classified the series as a television drama.[4] According to Brian Ford Sullivan of the same publication, the show uses "'National Geographic'-esque footage" to pivot the characters and their storylines as "a study of human behavior" on lying and secrets.[5]

The series has voice-over narrations, and lines include: "Be it Santa Claus, Twinkies, infidelity or murder, all humans keep secrets."[6][7] The narrator (Virginia Hamilton) talks about the characters and their storylines while using "clinical terms".[8][9] Anita Gates of The New York Times likened the narrator to Mary Alice Young, as played by Brenda Strong, from Desperate Housewives,[10] while Melanie McFarland of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer also compared her to Strong as well as Marty Stouffer.[11] McFarland wrote that the narrator talks in "ominous tones",[11] and other commentators found the voiceover similar to that of a Discovery Channel program.[5][6]

Characters

Publicist Jolene (Denise Richards) has tension with rock musician Hank (James Stevenson), who is planning to marry journalist Rose (Lauren German).[1][6] As the lead singer of the band "Modern Apes", Hank performs "mocking [and] self-congratulatory" versions of Barry Manilow's music.[4][7] Richards said that people compared Jolene to Heather Locklear's performance as Amanda Woodward from Melrose Place.[12] Muir characterized Jolene as "maneating",[1] and Phil Gallo of Variety viewed her as "a devilish character with a dark soul".[13] On the other hand, Shandy Casteel of PopMatters described Rose as the girl next door.[6] David Bianculli of the New York Daily News cited Rose as the show's lead character.[14] In the pilot episode, Rose receives the ashes of her ex-boyfriend Billy (Dylan Bruno), but he is revealed to be alive and re-enters the characters' lives. Jolene believes that Rose had ruined her relationship with Billy, and responds by plotting to take Hank as "a means to nasty retaliation".[6] As part of the show's comedy, Rose imagines people singing pop music to her.[8]

Hair stylist Charlie (Eric Balfour) has sex with Gabrielle (Katie Cassidy), the girlfriend of his close friend Coop (Omar Miller);[1][6] Charlie is portrayed as a "sexual dynamo",[6] though he chooses to remain friends with Meg (Nadia Bjorlin) rather than have sex with her.[13] Charlie looks to Warren Beatty's character from the 1975 film Shampoo as an inspiration for his life.[8] The group frequently seeks advice from gynaecologist Nina (Tamara Taylor), characterized as a workaholic without a sex or social life.[6][13] The "nerdy hipster" Milo (Lucas Bryant) becomes Nina's new roommate,[6] after she met him through an online advertisement.[4] Shandy Casteel wrote that Nina was a "vixen-waiting-to-flower" and Milo fulfilled the "creepy-geek-as-potential-killer cliché". The group are typically shown spending time in a bar.[6] Executive producers Michael Gans and Richard Register said that storylines involving LGBT characters were planned.[2]

Production

A woman with long blonde hair with a grey dress smiles toward the camera.
Sex, Love & Secrets was created as a vehicle for Denise Richards, and it marks her television debut.

Sex, Love & Secrets was first announced as part of a September 7, 2004 press report,[15] and developed under the working titles Wildlife and Sex, Lies, and Secrets.[5][16][17] Brian Ford Sullivan wrote that the Wildlife title matched the documentary-style of the series,[5] while Amy Amatangelo of The Gazette felt that the second title was changed to avoid confusion with the 1989 film Sex, Lies, and Videotape.[17] When talking about the changes in titles, executive producer Jonathan Axelrod said "I've always felt we had more love than lies in the show".[18]

Production was handled by Axelrod/Edwards Company and Paramount Network Television. Jonathan Axelrod, Kelly Edwards, and Daniel Cerone worked as the show's executive producers, while its co-executive producers were Michael Gans and Richard Register.[13] Along with being the show's creators, Gans and Register serve as some of its primary writers.[4][13] David Schwartz handled the music, and Caty Maxey and Brandy Alexander worked as the production designers. The casting process was overseen by Robin Lippin.[13]

Jolene was Richard's first role in a television series,[12] and Richard Andreoli referred to Sex, Love & Secrets as her star vehicle.[2] Richards was drawn to the character and script, explaining: "It was something I thought was so different and the character was different. It was definitely appealing to be shooting something at home." Richards was pregnant during the filming of the pilot episode.[12] When talking about balancing the filming schedule and motherhood, she said: "My children are my first priority, but it’s nice to have a balance between work and home. This is an ensemble show, so I’m not working every day.” Richards also thought about creating a nursery on the set.[19] Brian Ford Sullivan wrote that Richards plays a smaller role than expected in the show given her listing as the main actor.[5]

The episodes were shot in Los Angeles, and David Straiton, Allison Liddi-Brown, and Rachel Talalay were a few of the primary directors.[1][13] Shandy Casteel wrote that the series made frequent use of "rapid camera zooms, faded-out flashbacks, and quick cuts" and other types of "production flourishes".[6] Phil Gallo described the direction as having "an intimate and racy feel" focused on colorful settings.[13]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Secrets"David StraitonMichael Gans, Richard RegisterSeptember 27, 20051.4[20]
2"Ambush"David StraitonMichael Gans, Richard RegisterOctober 4, 2005—
3"Danger"Allison Liddi-BrownDaniel CeroneOctober 11, 2005—
4"Molting"Michael FieldsAlysa Sun, Elle TriedmanOctober 18, 2005—
5"Territorial Defense"Bethany RooneyJennifer CecilJuly 6, 2008—
6"Fear"Michael FieldsMichael Gans, Richard RegisterJuly 13, 2008—
7"Abandonment"Nick MarckMichael Platt, Barry SafchikJuly 20, 2008—
8"Protection"Rachel TalalayJessica BallJuly 27, 2008—
9"Camouflage"UnknownUnknownAugust 3, 2008—
10"Symbiosis"UnknownUnknownAugust 10, 2008—

Broadcast history

Sex, Love & Secrets was initially broadcast on Tuesday nights at 9 pm EST on United Paramount Network (UPN), and the episodes ran between September 27, 2005 and October 18, 2005.[4] It was one of three new shows that the network ordered for the 2005–06 United States network television schedule.[21] Preview videos were released on the official website for Sex, Love & Secrets,[22] as well as an interactive map of the Silver Lake community.[23] Muir wrote that UPN intended for the series to be marketed towards fans of Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place.[1] Melanie McFarland considered Sex, Love & Secrets as part of the network's plans to pick up more prime-time soap operas in its scheduling.[24] Following the pilot, the show received "mixed reviews and weak viewership".[25] The episode was watched by an average of 1.4 million people.[20][26][27] The show received a TV14 rating for suggestive dialogue, sexual situations, and coarse or crude language.[22]

Due to the poor reception and ratings,[1][25] UPN canceled Sex, Love & Secrets after one episode aired.[20][25] The network clarified that it would broadcast the remaining episodes that had been filmed,[25] and may renew the show if ratings improved.[20][26] Six of the ten episodes were not broadcast.[4] It has never been released on DVD or Blu-ray, nor been released on an online-streaming service.[1][28] Overall, Sex, Love & Secrets was broadcast for a total of 240 minutes.[29] The show rated 155th out of 156 shows in the 2005–06 television schedule; it was only above Get This Party Started.[30] According to Muir, it did poorly in every demographic.[1] When talking about the cancelation, Balfour joked: "I LIKE doing shows that fail."[31] Gary Susman and Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the removal of Sex, Love & Secrets cut short Richards' career in television.[32] In 2008, Universal HD played the unaired episodes of Sex, Love & Secrets as part of its "Sexy Summer Sundays" along with episodes of South Beach.[33][34]

Critical reception

Based on 16 reviews, Sex, Love & Secrets received a score of 41/100, indicating "mixed or average reviews", from Metacritic.[35] Phil Gallo praised the show as having "the potential to be a real guilty pleasure", and cited Jolene as its highlight. Gallo described Richards as showing "the most dramatic presence" in the scenes, and wrote: "without her, the show would wither."[13] Rob Owen also commended the show as "a little sleazy and a heck of a lot of guilty pleasure fun".[8] A contributor for Zimbio responded positively to Lauren German’s performance, saying she “hit her stride by landing the lead role" in Sex, Love & Secrets and other television programs.[36] Brian Ford Sullivan praised Richard's performance as the only positive aspect of the series as she brings out its campy qualities.[5] While reviewing the show, Doug Elfman of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote: "It's skank-errific, if flawed." Despite being critical of Sex, Love & Secrets, Aaron Barnhart of The Kansas City Star felt that it was not the worst example of a prime-time soap opera.[37]

Sex, Love & Secrets also garnered negative reactions from television critics. Shandy Casteel panned the series, writing that it relied on "stock characters in stock situations".[6] Anita Gates criticized the narration as "vapid commentary [that] sets the tone for this vapid soap about vapid young single heterosexual friends".[10] Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe wrote that the characters acted out "every negative stereotype about LA".[38] Robert Bianco of USA Today did not believe that Richards and Balfour's performances could carry the show.[7] Tim Goodman of San Francisco Chronicle summarized the pilot episode as: "It's awful. Vote no."[39] A reviewer from Out criticized the show's tone, and wrote it was "too much mellow and not enough drama".[40]

Critics had mixed reviews for Sex, Love & Secrets, when compared to other television programs. Rob Owen identified it as a good replacement for Melrose Place fans.[8] Nancy DeWolf Smith of The Wall Street Journal likened the show's storylines and tone to Desperate Housewives.[37] Shandy Casteel described the series as an unsuccessful attempt to recreate Melrose Place,[6] while Matthew Gilbert felt that its serious tone clashed with its intentions to become a guilty pleasure in the vein of Melrose Place.[38] Robert Bianco interpreted Sex, Love & Secrets as a shallow version of The O.C..[7] Kay McFadden of The Seattle Times wrote that the show lacked "the self-aware wit" of The O.C. and the "over-the-top fun" of Melrose Place.[41]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Muir (2007): p. 118
  2. ^ a b c Andreoli, Richard (September 27, 2005). "Broadcast steps up". The Advocate. 947: 65. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "About The Show". UPN. Archived from the original on October 13, 2005. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f "About This Show". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Sullivan, Brian Ford (July 6, 2005). "The Futon's First Look: "Sex, Love and Secrets" (UPN)". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Casteel, Shandy (October 11, 2005). "Sex, Love & Secrets". PopMatters. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b c d Bianco, Robert (September 26, 2005). "'Sex, Love & Secrets' should stay hidden". USA Today. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d e Owen, Rob (September 25, 2005). "TV Review: Three shows are three winners". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  9. ^ "Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Gates, Anita (September 27, 2005). "What Are You Up to Now, Desperate 20-Somethings?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ a b McFarland, Melanie (September 12, 2005). "Fall TV: Supernatural bent tunes into fright rather than spirituality". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b c Morales, Tatiana (September 27, 2005). "Denise Richards On 'Love'". CBS News. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i Gallo, Phil (September 26, 2005). "Sex, Love & Secrets". Variety. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Bianculli, David (September 27, 2005). "Richards Gives 'Sex' Appeal". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Development Update: September 1-7". The Futon Critic. September 7, 2004. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  16. ^ Amy, Amatangelo (August 28, 2005). "Entitled to Flourish". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ a b Amatangelo, Amy (August 30, 2005). "Title can hurt, help TV show". The Gazette. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "More Love, Less Lies in New UPN Series". The Futon Critic. July 7, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  19. ^ "Denise Richards Gets Back to Work". People. July 27, 2005. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ a b c d Huff, Richard (October 4, 2005). "Richards' 'Sex' Gets Interrupted". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "UPN Makes Bold Scheduling Move on Thursday with Highly Anticipated Series "Everybody Hates Chris" to Lead Off a Night of Comedies as Part of UPN's 2005-2006 Primetime Schedule". The Futon Critic. May 9, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Official Website". UPN. Archived from the original on October 13, 2005. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Silverlake, California". UPN. Archived from the original on February 8, 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ McFarland, Melanie (January 9, 2006). "UPN's new 'South Beach' is stuck in shallow water". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  25. ^ a b c d "UPN ends 'Sex, Love & Secrets' production". United Press International. October 4, 2005. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ a b "Sex Takes A Breather". TV Guide. October 3, 2005. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Ryan, Joal (May 25, 2006). "'Idol' Extends Reign". E! News. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "Sex, Love & Secrets (2005)". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Bump, Philip (October 23, 2015). "The 1,657 TV shows that spent less time on the air than the Hillary Clinton Benghazi hearing". The Washington Post. WP Company LLC. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 17, 2006.
  31. ^ "Balfour courts stardom with 'Conviction'". Today. February 28, 2006. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Susman, Gary; Slezak, Michael (October 22, 2005). "See which major movie stars flopped on TV". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Uni Hd Is Bringing Sexy Back in June to Kick Off Summer". The Futon Critic. May 23, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  34. ^ "View All Related Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  35. ^ "Sex, Love & Secrets: Season 1". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ "Where Are They Now: The Cast of 'A Walk to Remember'". Zimbio. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ a b "Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ a b Gilbert, Matthew (September 27, 2005). "Despite pretty faces, this 'Sex' is no fun". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ Goodman, Tim (September 27, 2005). "Will 'Commander' help Hillary? Who cares? It's just a good show". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "Five New Reasons to Turn Your TiVo on (and off!) this Fall". Out. August 11, 2005. Archived from the original on April 11, 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ McFadden, Kay (September 26, 2005). "Davis is in command, but show is impeachable". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

Book sources

  • Muir, John Kenneth (2007). TV Year: The Prime Time 2005–2006 Season. New York: Applause Theatre. ISBN 978-1-55783-684-7.
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