UnREAL

Okay, so I must admit I started doubtful. The subject matter was turning me off (boy, do I *hate* "bully TV"), and lifetime... well, let's say I was envisioning the worst in TV.

But I saw good reviews, took a careful plunge, and wow. This is truly THE best show this year.

The characters are meaty, with thick back stories and deep, intricate personalities and relationships. Great cast - Appleby and Zimmer make a dynamite duo.

It's kinda like the anti "Newsroom", and still, almost as good :)

Really recommend it.

An original show with salacious character development and juicy "made for TV" story lines. If you're looking for something that'll make you think and feel good about watching with positive, happy people, then this might not be for you (Lifetime generally isn't at all like PBS). But if you, like me, hate reality TV and would like to see the gritty, honest (as honest as they can for TV) side of film making and how people behave behind the scenes to wreak drama and tension for ratings, or the shots that viewers think are "real" and not heavily edited or manipulated, then this show is for you.

If you, like Chris Harrison, is offended by UnREAL, you probably got your "competing to find true love and monetary rewards with a stranger that's being filmed" bubble burst.

This show is incredible. The writing, acting, direction, all excellent. And how timely, with the fascination of all things "real", which is to say, of course, not close to real at all. The manipulation of the lead characters is stunning in it's depravity. As a friend who's watched it said, "this is on Lifetime?" I'm no fan of reality TV and this skewers it to the wall, warts and all. I have a suspicion that there's a good bit of truth behind this show, from the story lines, the "girls" and the "bachelor" and the crew. It's equally entertaining and frightening. Saw all four currently out in sequence, but each one is great. Sometimes brutal, the well-acted psychosis of the main characters is worth the watch.

This Show started off strong in the first season and I'm now kind of confused of the direction of the second season which seems to be a more or less mimicking the idea of season 1.

None the less i have to give this show some credit. Not terrible acting and a story line that is VERY different. I like this show not necessarily because of what it is but more what it represent. I would describe it as introduction to media manipulation. This concept in television has seen a really big rise lately with Scandal, Mr. Robot and House of Cards. And UnReal addresses this new idea under the light of a reality TV rather than political.

Not your top of the line big show like the previously mentioned are but now too far down the list for when you feel like a lighter show. Bonus if your guilty pleasure is reality TV and drama, you will definitely satisfy that craving with this one.

The plot line and acts of manipulation are genius. Like, scarily genius. I find myself relating to every character in some way. And through every episode, I have a complete 360 emotional response to every single character. You love them, then HATE them! (omg how can he/she do that?!) and right back to loving them; all in one episode. I've never been so addicted to a show this fast.