Holy yikes! Channel Ten have entered the ridiculous world of “dramality” (drama + reality we’re told) with a partially scripted reality series set in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire. The Shire, not to be confused with the Hobbit stronghold of the same name, hinges on the same car crash reflex as MTV’s Jersey Shore and its British equivalent The Only Way is Essex, enlisting a group of terrible young people with dysfunctional interpersonal relationships and the audience base with which to construct a mid to low level DJ career. Interestingly, the show first came to public attention when a promotional video leaked across Facebook and Youtube, forcing Ten to fast track its announcement and take down the offending clip on copyright claims.
So then, what kind of people populate The Shire? A press release spruiks “girls next door” and “home-wreckers” (how’s that for neighbourhood specific archetypes!) while a Channel Ten casting call requests “looker” blonde surfer bros and “sassy” blonde bombshells who love partying and taking care of themselves, whatever that means.
That could be you!
David Mott, Network Ten ‘s chief programming officer said in a statement: “The Shire is a fascinating look into a unique sub- culture in Australia..The genre has been a hit in the US (Jersey Shore) and the UK (The Only Way is Essex), changing the way people view television, and we intend to do the same.”
At this point the Jersey Shore comparison seems apt what with the beachside locale and questionable tattoos but it highlights a problematic Northern Beaches/Shire cultural divide best illustrated by the fact that MTV’s Northern Beaches series, Freshwater Blue, was based on The Hills and angled for a more aspirational vibe instead of the let’s watch douche bags do douchey things M.O. perfected by Jersey Shore. We feel some stereotypes a comin’…
Production on The Shire starts Monday March 26.
