11 replies to this topic

[Chrissytd]

E! Homepage

From Zap2it

The UK's hottest girl-group to take over the states in nearly two decades, are set to wow American viewers with their fierce style, fun-loving personalities, and harmonic voices when E!'s new docu-series "Chasing The Saturdays" premieres Sunday, January 20th at 10pm ET/PT.

To date, the sexy talented young women have had eleven Top 10 singles in the UK and three Top 10 UK albums. In addition to releasing a string of chart-topping hits, the uber-stylish group made up of Frankie Sandford, Mollie King, Una Healy, Vanessa White and Rochelle Humes has dominated the UK media due to their high-profile romances, influential and edgy fashion sense, celebrated friendship, engaging personalities and of course their undeniable talent. Now, the fab-five are ready for their next challenge as they take the US by storm to work on their highly anticipated fourth album and take over American play lists from coast to coast as E! cameras are granted unprecedented access into the private lives of The Saturdays.

The series’ inaugural season focuses on the band taking up residence in Los Angeles where they will live, work and play together as they expand their incredibly successful music careers and break into the American music market. As soon as The Saturdays arrive in style to their new home, they immediately head into the recording studio to begin working on their album -- the first to be released internationally. Cameras will follow as they shoot the music video for their first American single, “What About Us,” featuring the Grammy-winning reggae artist Sean Paul. The girls will also debut the song for the first time at a Hollywood hot spot as well as perform a set at an exclusive VMA after party hosted by Perez Hilton. However, translating UK fame overseas is not easy when the work, travel and distance start to take its toll on the girls and they begin to miss their loved ones back home. Newlyweds Rochelle and Una have the hardest time but luckily the girls are able to lean on one another along with a few special friends here in the states including The Wanted, who bring some British familiarity back into the scene.

[Kerri Johnson]

I expected better for a first episode but maybe it will improve. I didn't know it would only be 30 min long.

I feel their desperation wafting from the TV, when they were so excited about Perez, I wanted to tell them Perez is considered trash.

I was surprised by the amount of Vanessa since she's considered the fat, ugly one of the group. I saw some chemistry between Frankie and Mollie. I'm kinda shipping it.

I wonder if the viewers will be taken aback at Rochelle and Marvin looking so much alike next episode.

[Fabricationary]

I like these girls and their music. They haven't had the same amount of commercial success in the UK as Girls Aloud in their heyday, but they did seize the "biggest girl group" crown when Girls Aloud took their multi-year break.

Back when X Factor was on, I made several comparisons between X Factor-formed group Fifth Harmony and the Saturdays. I think the Saturdays do some things well that Fifth Harmony should take note of, such as the fact that it's easy to tell the five girls apart in terms of appearance, and at least in the introductory episode they are each shown to have their own storyline (Frankie's battle with depression, Una's baby, Rochelle's long-distance marriage as a newlywed, etc.).

I think the success of this show hinges upon how well it can engage the "fantasy" desires of its viewing audience (I'm guessing the targeted demographic are 18-34 women) - going to LA on a quest for stardom, living in luxury (plus or minus a walk-in closet, a decent-sized couch, and a TV set), being in a band, performing, etc. I think the girls are fairly engaging (well, mostly Mollie, who's not the best singer or dancer in the group but is probably the most charismatic), but that alone won't carry the show.

[Kerri Johnson]

So did this bomb?

[mooncreek]

I kind of feel bad for this group, who seem like nice ladies, being promoted together with the Kardashians and believing it's awesome to perform for Perez Hilton (hell even Paris Hilton, who I thought they said at first, would've been a positive step). I caught this at 11am and didn't mind it - although the way it's edited bears an unfortunate resemblance to "real fake" Made in Chelsea.

[PharmGal10]

When they acted like Perez was some huge star, I said 'bless their hearts'. He is a nobody who only gets attention for silly twitter fights and they thought he was considered a star-maker. Sigh.

Anyways, I listen to The Saturdays and really like them. They seem genuinely sweet. I don't know how long they'll last with two members who are mothers (well, one is pregnant, but she is due later this year)- the timing is difficult because they're trying to break into an industry in the US that relies on artists striking while the iron is hot. I hope they do well, but it is notoriously different for UK artists to do well here.

[Fabricationary]

but it is notoriously different for UK artists to do well here

Yes, exactly, especially for female groups. Girls Aloud, the biggest UK girl group of the 00s, never made a splash in the US (the only 00s UK girl band act with a minor splash in the US that I can recall is Atomic Kitten). In the 90s, the Spice Girls, All Saints, and Bwitched were somewhat well-known stateside, but not for very long. But at least in terms of the Spice Girls (and Bwitched), they were marketed toward kids and preteens and had a more wholesome, "big kid"-like image (in a time when, in my opinion, the music industry was a lot less overtly sexual than it is now). The Saturdays' image isn't exactly wholesome, and neither is their music. They're styled more in the image of the Kardashians, only with different hair colors and ethnicities (and actual talent).

[Chrissytd]

Ratings for the premiere
0.914 million viewers
0.606 million (Adults 18-49)

[Kerri Johnson]

The neighbours loudly having sex next to Rochelle's room was straight up lifted from SATC. They can do better than that.

[FaithsMum]

I like The Saturday's in a "oh, is that their new single, yeah it's catchy" kinda way but they're delusional if they think they're gonna become anything in the US. Their popularity is waning in their home country - what did their last album chart at? 20-something? So I have no idea why they think they're gonna have any luck in the US which is a notoriously hard market to break particularly if you're a girl group.

Edited by FaithsMum, Feb 12, 2013 @ 4:41 AM.

[mittul]

Is this canceled? I notice they have a repeat of the Kardashian's on the DirecTV guide.

I hope its not I really find them down to Earth and enjoyable.

[Chrissytd]

Is this canceled? I notice they have a repeat of the Kardashian's on the DirecTV guide.

New episodes return tonight and the season finale airs on March 25.

I don't know why it hasn't aired since February 18, I guess E! didn't want to lose ratings to the Grammys, Oscars, and other award shows.

Edited by Chrissytd, Mar 3, 2013 @ 12:34 PM.