GLOW?

[trashcanman]

I finished Netflix's latest in one long session on America's Independence Day and enjoyed the fictionalized take on a real '80s women's pro wrestling league bunches. Goddamn, is Alison Brie a heavyweight actress. With no makeup and a desperate persona, I seriously didn't even recognize her until after I saw the credits, where I was baffled. Should've recognized those giant blue anime girl eyes anywhere. Anyways, her costar/rival has a body that is shaped like how Wonder Woman is drawn. No real life woman has that body. Insane. But yeah, great fucking cast and interesting mix of legit drama and really goofy, funny, spontaneous moments with a ton '80s nostalgia to boot. In fact, it may have the best soundtrack from the era I've heard.

Looking up the actual organization (how do I not remember it? I'd totally have watched that) I was a little disappointed to see that none of the characters from the show seem to actually exist and they opted for even sillier and more offensive stereotypes than what was actually represented in the league. Not that I'd take back the Klan vs. Welfare Mama beatdown for anything in the world, but still, for a show that pays tribute to the hard work and passion of these ladies, I'd think making their work seem even dumber and more lowbrow than it actually was would be counterproductive. So, anybody actually watch the original GLOW when it aired back in the glory days of pro wrestling? And what'd you think of the new show?

[The Curmudgeon]

I haven't watched it yet, but it's probably next on the list. I just finished watching Orange is the New Black (seriously, it dipped the last few seasons but this one was superb). I've read differing opinions on GLOW; actual fans of the original echoed your statements of disappointment that it didn't really reflect the real life people in it, but most people enjoyed it. I never actually watched GLOW myself, so the fictional stuff doesn't concern me. And Annie from Community in lyrca wrestling? Hello, boner.

[trashcanman]

Not to be too pervy, but you see a lot more of her than that. And it's glorious. Funny thing is, the show didn't even want Brie. She said she had to work her ass off campaigning for the part and honestly, I can't imagine the show being as good without her. Her performance really makes that story work, even considering that the entire cast is awesome. Damn impressive. But definitely a fun and unique show. I always wished there were more ladies matches in the WWF, but it seemed like it was a once every few years kind of thing. I always found them really entertaining when they did happen. Sadly, on GLOW the level of wrestling performance is super amateurish, either by design or because they didn't really use stunt doubles for the show and a bunch of actresses aren't going to be moonsaulting all over the place.

[The Curmudgeon]

To be fair, the wrestling on GLOW was super amatuerish anyway, if I've read reviews correctly. Back then, and really until the turn of this century, women's wrestling in America was largely tits and ass only, with garbage like lingerie pillow fights and stuff. It's now completely different, the word "Diva" was scrapped, it's now Women (gasp!) and it's now largely all about the matches. They're still smoking hot, obviously, but they can go in the ring now, so the antics of GLOW now seem hilariously antiquated.

I love this video, and it shows just where women's wrestling actually is in America now. This is Asuka, from WWE's "developmental" (read: cool "indie" fed) NXT. She has been in the company for almost two years and is still undefeated. I know, I know, made up sport, but when a woman now has the longest reigning undefeated streak in wrestling history, beating the Undertaker and Goldberg, you can tell shit is changing.

Anyway, take a look at Asuka, who is both sexy and terrifying at the same time. Her last match ended when she climbed up a scaffold and suplexed another girl off the top through the announcer's table. Awesome.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYAaYtPtkFI

[trashcanman]

Wow, they even pronounced her name correctly instead of Uh-Soo-ka. Well done, WWE. It looks like the wrestling00000 style mirrors MMA a lot more too. Interesting.

[The Curmudgeon]

Just watched the first episode. Really good, and DAMN you DO see a lot more of her. I was not expecting that. What happened to my innocent little Annie??

But yeah, a lot of fun. Again, I don't know anything about GLOW other than the name so I'm cool with an entirely fictionalised account (it does feature cameo's from actual wrestlers though, WWE's John Morrison was the trainer in the first episode). Yet another Netflix hit, it seems.

[trashcanman]

I read an article the other day that specified that they couldn't obtain the rights to the actual GLOW characters or something so the cast is loosely based on some of the actual wrestlers instead. I thought the old lady tag team was a total farce, but apparently that was actually a thing they had.

[The Curmudgeon]

OK, just finished the season. You can tell when something is a hit with both me and Mrs C because it pretty much takes over the TV schedule and nothing else gets a look in until it's done.

So, loved it. Couldn't give two shits if its based on real people, and if it was they probably couldn't go down a lot of the roads they did (the surprise daughter revelation, the abortion). Alison Brie really is great in it. Believable, funny, sympathetic, relatable. Just really well written, no surprise at all that it's from the same team behind Orange is the New Black.

One criticism, though. Even now they wouldn't do this and this is when the cat is totally out of the bag when it comes to wrestling being real. There is no WAY, I don't care how rinky dink or unprofessional your wrestling show is, would you have your top babyface and top heel standing yakking out in the open next to the crowd while some other stuff happens, especially in the 80's when they still tried to maintain it was real. Just. Would. Not. Happen.

Other than that, great stuff, and it's an instant watch when Season 2 hits.