Rivals first-look review – an eye-popping explosion of sex, more sex and bad wigs

I’m taking a bit of a risk here by claiming that no TV show has managed to convey its essence as quickly as Rivals does. The very first scene features a man and a woman in red stiletto heels getting intimate in the restroom of a Concorde, all set to the beat of Robert Palmer’s "Addicted to Love." Meanwhile, the passengers outside are indulging in prawn cocktails and smoking like it’s their last day on earth. At the peak of the encounter, the plane hits supersonic speed, a champagne bottle pops, and everyone erupts in cheers. After that, you can’t say you weren’t warned about the ride ahead.

When it was revealed that Jilly Cooper’s book was being turned into a series for Disney+, many worried it would lose its fun spirit. Fortunately, those concerns turned out to be misplaced. The show captures the essence of Cooper, showcasing it in a rich and concentrated way. It’s overflowing with nudity and poor-quality wigs, celebrating a delightfully outrageous style. If there were a scale to measure this, you would find Rivals sitting somewhere between the Carry On films and Eurotrash.

Nonetheless, the production quality is exceptional. It almost feels like every actor from British television has a role in Rivals. We've got David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson, Danny Dyer, Emily Atack, Rufus Jones, and Victoria Smurfit, among many others. The array of familiar faces is staggering, and they all seem fully committed to the show's demands. If there was any audition process, one can only imagine it involved submitting a self-taped close-up of their face while acting out a rather intense scene of pleasure. By the end of the first episode, nearly all of them have pulled that off.

You should also consider that the primary audience for *Rivals* consists of women who discovered Cooper’s books on their mothers’ shelves, possibly marking a loss of their innocence. If this is true, then explaining the storyline isn't necessary, since for them, *Rivals* is like a sacred text. However, for the show to truly succeed, it needs to connect with those who are unfamiliar with Cooper's work. Honestly, the plot alone may not be what draws in those newcomers.

At its core, Rivals explores the world of regional television in the 1980s, centered around franchise shows, which isn’t exactly a topic associated with excitement. It mainly depicts individuals working hard to ensure they create content that can match the quality of LWT, no matter the challenges they face. A presenter leaves the BBC to join a new station and struggles to uphold his journalistic values while his bosses develop a talk show featuring him. It feels a bit like watching a biographical film about Michael Aspel—definitely not the most inspiring scenario.

However, viewers aren't tuning into Rivals for the storyline. The attractions lie in its backdrop and atmosphere. The backdrop features grand Cotswold estates, an abundance of flashy outfits, and plenty of shimmering perspiration. The Rivals universe is filled with numerous loud, wealthy characters who, oblivious to the sun, interact with each other in various states of minimal clothing, all while maintaining their oblivious upper-class charm.

In terms of vibe, Rivals distinguishes itself with a theatrical flair that's delightfully over-the-top. Sure, there are elements of sexuality, highlighted by scenes like a nude tennis match in the first episode, but the nudity carries a playful sense of humor. No one seems to be aiming for sultry or seductive here. It’s a portrayal of intimacy reminiscent of how sexuality was approached in the past in Britain, acting as a spontaneous release from our traditional restraint.

What's even more enjoyable is how the show nails that intense, over-the-top drama typical of telenovelas, making every moment feel like it's leading up to a series finale. Tensions rise, the retro music swells, the camera zooms in for dramatic effect, and just as you think the credits are about to roll, another scene unfolds where it all happens again. Then there's yet another. And another. Clearly, with a formula like this, they need to save something special for the true finale. I don't think it's giving too much away to reveal that, in the first episode, that big moment is an all-cast sex montage. Mission accomplished!

We're currently in a time when television is particularly gloomy, with even lighthearted shows like The Penguin becoming drawn-out and monotonous. In this setting, Rivals stands out as a breath of fresh air. We should all be really grateful for its arrival.

Rivals will be available on Disney+ starting October 18th.