It has such a great name and Blast from the Past actors (pun intended). I was hoping for witty humor or even to be slightly entertained, but this dud left me hanging and the actors from way back when left their acting abilities back in the 90s. They should time travel and go back and fetch them. That it I was too young and dumb to realize how awful they were at the time.
45 Reviews
More Like American Boredom
icanbeaghost15 June 2018
I was really excited for this show when I first heard about it and saw the trailer. The premier was decent but I feel like it has fallen flat on its face, even after only two episodes. The premise is unique enough, and I usually always enjoy shows or films that tackle women's liberation, especially from an era before our own. But sadly, American Woman is just that- sad. The acting leaves much to be desired, the pace is too slow and despite its handful of semi charming moments, it quite frankly doesn't hold my interest. I will probably keep watching to see if it improves as it goes along but I am not optimistic. Perhaps if they gave Mena Suvari (whom I adore) more screen time I might feel differently, although she alone probably could not redeem the credibility of this hot mess. If the production team were a little league baseball team, I'd present them with a lame participation trophy and then call it a night.
It Grew on Me
breckstewart10 April 2019
I was curious to see this because I am a huge fan of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and so I saw several scenes with Kyle Richards connected to this project. She said it was inspired by her life as a child actress so of course, it made me want to check it out.
I think that the 1970's sets, props, costumes and attitudes were all very well rendered and this is by far the best aspect of this production. The story didn't grab me instantly but I kept watching and it eventually grew on me and I started to enjoy it a lot more as the season progressed.
The most interesting character to me is definitely Kathleen Callahan played by Mena Suvari who shines in the subplot with Cheyenne Jackson as her lover Greg Parker. The other best friend part played by Jennifer Bartels as Diana Vaughan is also interesting which brings me to the leads who are I'm afraid are the weakest part of the equation.
Alicia Silverstone is the main protagonist here as Bonnie Nolan and for some reason, I had a hard connecting with her portrayal. She felt annoying and whiny to me which might be the point but even though Silverstone is a fair actress, her choices in this part might not be my cup of tea.
As for the 2 kids, Makenna James as Becca and Lia McHugh as Jessica are competent but nothing great and I kept thinking that different actresses might have been better choice but I'm not in charge of casting so this is what we are dealt with and I can still enjoy the show.
This said, I was saddened to hear Kyle declare in Real House of Beverly Hills (episode 9.6) that the show was not picked up for a second season which is a shame because I felt like it was getting better but now we will never have a chance to find out if it had the making of a great show.
I can still recommend it and I gave it 7 stars mostly for the feel of going back to the wonderful 1970's and I must say, every detail was perfectly in place to let us wallow in a gone era when everyone smoked, use drugs as casually as drinking coffee and had spontaneous sex whenever they felt like it. I applaud the production side because they did their homework and even though the show is now done, it still represents a nice depiction of a world now gone by that we can revisit with great pleasure.
I think that the 1970's sets, props, costumes and attitudes were all very well rendered and this is by far the best aspect of this production. The story didn't grab me instantly but I kept watching and it eventually grew on me and I started to enjoy it a lot more as the season progressed.
The most interesting character to me is definitely Kathleen Callahan played by Mena Suvari who shines in the subplot with Cheyenne Jackson as her lover Greg Parker. The other best friend part played by Jennifer Bartels as Diana Vaughan is also interesting which brings me to the leads who are I'm afraid are the weakest part of the equation.
Alicia Silverstone is the main protagonist here as Bonnie Nolan and for some reason, I had a hard connecting with her portrayal. She felt annoying and whiny to me which might be the point but even though Silverstone is a fair actress, her choices in this part might not be my cup of tea.
As for the 2 kids, Makenna James as Becca and Lia McHugh as Jessica are competent but nothing great and I kept thinking that different actresses might have been better choice but I'm not in charge of casting so this is what we are dealt with and I can still enjoy the show.
This said, I was saddened to hear Kyle declare in Real House of Beverly Hills (episode 9.6) that the show was not picked up for a second season which is a shame because I felt like it was getting better but now we will never have a chance to find out if it had the making of a great show.
I can still recommend it and I gave it 7 stars mostly for the feel of going back to the wonderful 1970's and I must say, every detail was perfectly in place to let us wallow in a gone era when everyone smoked, use drugs as casually as drinking coffee and had spontaneous sex whenever they felt like it. I applaud the production side because they did their homework and even though the show is now done, it still represents a nice depiction of a world now gone by that we can revisit with great pleasure.
cliche ridden yawner
furryoldman15 June 2018
It grows on you
gettagrip116 July 2018
If you don't mind a guilty pleasure ignore the bad reviews. People are looking way too deeply into the show. The "poor acting" is on purpose, and it's meant to be entertaining not get you to think. The style is super cool and accurate as well.
Good Watch
michael-257-99094522 July 2018
Give it a chance!
vanessaborges-8778418 August 2018
Disappointed
plasticanimalz21 June 2018
I was really looking forward to this after seeing the trailer. I really enjoyed The Deuce, and was looking forward to another stylish '70s show, and excited to see Alicia Silverstone in something other than a small part in an indie movie. Style is all this show has. The production design, costumes and hair are great but that's where it ends, unfortunately. Within a few minutes I was rolling my eyes. And that kept happening. The dialogue is terrible. They really don't want to leave anything to the imagination and spell out and show everything in pain-staking detail. This really is no Fargo with storytelling in subtleties. More like a hammer to the head. I get it, you're trying to convey that woman don't have all the options they have now. Got it. I really got the sense this was written by someone born in the '90s who has NO reference to the '70s and Goggled, "70s pop culture," and was sure to throw in a pop culture word in randomly here and there, making no sense at all, and not seeming to have any idea what they were referencing. This same person(s) also seems to be a big fan of Mad Men because they've got their eras mixed up in the culture for women, the divorce rate, and that they're always drinking cocktails. The '70s were pretty bucolic, especially for wealthy people. And if they'd bothered to do research for more than 5 minutes they could have seen the countless resources about the working class types, trying to move up in the world and having their family to lean on. Frankly, I didn't get the sense they watched anything from the '70s or ever experienced anything remotely close. If they did, maybe they should get checked out for dementia. I sensed a little Dynasty in there too, which, again, wrong era.
Also, the acting is bad. Basically, an extremely heavy-handed, poorly written, badly acted TV show that looks cool. Mena Suvari looked good. It's good to see her again. That's about the only other positive thing I can think of. If they fire all the writers, 'cause not a moment of the writing was good, fire the casting director, get a new director to get better work out of the three leads, maybe it would work. Too bad. Only production seems to have it together on this show.
*I just looked up the creator, writer, director. The majority of the show is done by two men. Seriously. One of the two is from England. Fairly ironic that the whole premise is about women being controlled by men, not able to think or act for themselves, and the show is done by two DUDES! I would say I'm surprised but I'm really not. The director not only doesn't know what it's like to be a woman but he was born in England in 1972 so what the heck does he know about the '70s in Beverly Hills, CA, and I can tell you his "improvising" isn't working. Alicia, Mena, and the other lead should get a refund on this BS. I can't tell you how sick I am of movies or TV about women empowerment written/directed by men who have no idea what they're talking about and are cranking out drivel they wrote at Starbucks in an afternoon. Probably just like that Michelle Wolfe skit where the show was originally written about men and the studio said, "You gotta make it about chicks. The networks are breathing down our necks about wanting diversity, or some garbage. Just change it up a little and we need the pilot script by tomorrow."
Also, the acting is bad. Basically, an extremely heavy-handed, poorly written, badly acted TV show that looks cool. Mena Suvari looked good. It's good to see her again. That's about the only other positive thing I can think of. If they fire all the writers, 'cause not a moment of the writing was good, fire the casting director, get a new director to get better work out of the three leads, maybe it would work. Too bad. Only production seems to have it together on this show.
*I just looked up the creator, writer, director. The majority of the show is done by two men. Seriously. One of the two is from England. Fairly ironic that the whole premise is about women being controlled by men, not able to think or act for themselves, and the show is done by two DUDES! I would say I'm surprised but I'm really not. The director not only doesn't know what it's like to be a woman but he was born in England in 1972 so what the heck does he know about the '70s in Beverly Hills, CA, and I can tell you his "improvising" isn't working. Alicia, Mena, and the other lead should get a refund on this BS. I can't tell you how sick I am of movies or TV about women empowerment written/directed by men who have no idea what they're talking about and are cranking out drivel they wrote at Starbucks in an afternoon. Probably just like that Michelle Wolfe skit where the show was originally written about men and the studio said, "You gotta make it about chicks. The networks are breathing down our necks about wanting diversity, or some garbage. Just change it up a little and we need the pilot script by tomorrow."
I Love It!
carolynh26 July 2018
Not the 70s I grew up in
dsarosi2 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Mom was divorced in 1975 and we were living in the LA area not far from where this supposedly takes place. Mom was too busy keeping food on the table, taking me to school, and keeping her life from falling down around her ears to carry on like Alicia. Truly a grossly inaccurate representation of life, and disgustingly filled with shallow stereotypes of 70s mom's, women, men, bosses, etc. For sure it could have been better.
Finally!!
AdrienneGrayceMusic25 July 2018
I am going to take a shot in the dark here and assume that most of the low ratings here are from men, because this show is on point! I love how they told the truth about what was going on in those times. Women being treated like they were nothing but child bearers who had no skills and had to stay home all day raising the kids while the men could do as they please. The sexism during those times baffles me and this show makes me feel blessed that I was born in the 80s and didn't have to live through all of that. Unless you were a female celebrity, as a woman, you were treated like you were nothing. I love Alicia Silverstone and glad to see her on the small screen. I think the acting is great, at least from the women. I wasn't sure if i would like the show at first but I am now addicted because I let it play out. My advice is to not give up on the show after one episode. It gets better. I'm sure men won't appreciate it as much as women.
Oddly uncomfortable
ian-86429 June 2018
It's telling that I turned to my wife and said "I get the impression this show about the 70s was written by someone who didn't experience it" and the first review I saw said exactly the same thing. I don't remember 70s women being anything like as oppressed as the characters in this show. On the contrary, there were iconic strong women role models. Charlie's Angels, The Bionic Woman even the Fall Guy for goodness sake, had women equal or better than their male co-stars, kicking ass and taking names.
OK so that's just TV, but this show portrays men having a disdain for women that just isn't accurate. Feminism was alive and well in the 70s but without the anti-men slant that it has now.
So in summary, I felt the show wanted to push an agenda rather than take me back in time to watch a slice of someone's life. The acting was ok, but given the experience of the actors, that's disappointing. They are capable of much more.
I think I'm out.
OK so that's just TV, but this show portrays men having a disdain for women that just isn't accurate. Feminism was alive and well in the 70s but without the anti-men slant that it has now.
So in summary, I felt the show wanted to push an agenda rather than take me back in time to watch a slice of someone's life. The acting was ok, but given the experience of the actors, that's disappointing. They are capable of much more.
I think I'm out.
Don't be fooled!
Glenn_K922 June 2018
This cast of strong female actresses clearly have mastered the art of storytelling. Even still now we forget the place of woman in the 70's and this show is quick to show how the phrase "its a man's man world" was coined. Stunning costumes for sure an Emmy maker and how cinematography embraced the real true essence of living in the 70's make this show even that much more incredible to watch. This show is destined to be a top hit of the season. There is gay content which also epically shows us a new perspective on this culture in the 70's where we see that woman were tragically the first class to embrace homosexuals in the day. Bravo Paramount!!!
Very Disappointed
jjwarfel-822781 July 2018
This show is embarrassing its so bad. I finally turned it off. It wanders around a 70's theme but extremely boring. Some think their life can make a good story, but this was badly done. A real step down for Alicia Silverstone. I hope she was paid well for this dog.
OMG! Pure FUN!
Jazzie-too16 August 2018
I love this show! Never heard about it or I forgot if I did. So now I just binged the first 8 episodes! LOVE IT!! LOVE IT!! Who are these morphodites bashing this show!! Prissy Republicans or homophobics? So entertaining! OH! I was born 1941!! So I think I've seen quite a bit! And I have evolve! Funny thing, I have been a reg GOP for all my like, but do not support their ultra-hate convictions! I love people! Women's rights!! Peoples Right! Blacks! Gays! All people!!
The word hackneyed comes to mind
nyceastvil6 July 2018
I really wanted to like this. I gave it a shot. It is not good. And considering how good it thinks it is, that makes it even worse. They must have spent a fortune on music rights, because the songs just keep coming along and along and along, which is unfortunate, because some really good writing and acting would have worked with these hits. Starting at the top, Alicia Silverstone sinks the whole thing. Whatever that voice is she's putting on... I'm not even sure what to write about it. But every time she opens her mouth to speak, I am forced out of the narrative and start to examine and critique what she's doing. Then there's the narrative. This is some of the worst television writing I have experienced in a long time. It is so obvious and literal and expository and weak. Okay, I'm done. Moving on to something that doesn't make me want to give up cable.
Good show
seashell3625 September 2018
Was the 1970s LA this boring???
JelenaG8907 August 2018
I'm not old enough to remember the 1970s, but I seriously doubt it was this boring. I watched two episodes, in anticipation of seeing Alicia Silverstone back on TV, but I've rarely been this bored by a TV show.
The costumes, sets, and 1970s themes are cool, but that's not enough to make up for an overall weak story line. The show wants to be like "Mad Men," but it just does not cut it. There are far better shows than this that take place in the 1970s (The Deuce or the 2nd season of Fargo, to name two)- I suggest you check those out instead!
The costumes, sets, and 1970s themes are cool, but that's not enough to make up for an overall weak story line. The show wants to be like "Mad Men," but it just does not cut it. There are far better shows than this that take place in the 1970s (The Deuce or the 2nd season of Fargo, to name two)- I suggest you check those out instead!
Love it!!
jbking-239851 September 2018
Couldn't stomach it after about 20 minutes.
jerianne10 June 2018
I really wanted to like this show, but I just didn't. The acting was awful, maybe they are out of practice, I don't recall seeing any of them in anything recently. The story...well, there really wasn't one. The music was good. I won't be watching it again.
It was probably worse
ottomahlgren14 June 2018
Can't recommend it
asleep_soon14 August 2018
I had much higher hopes for this show, but each episode has left me disappointed. In short, they've all fallen flat. There's no substance. Although I love Alicia Silverstone, I'm not rooting for her character, because she isn't likable.
It feels like each episode was written by someone who's out of touch with what it means to be an "American Woman." This is a woman of privilege. If she can't afford the mortgage on her mansion, how 'bout moving to a cheaper house? Otherwise, why are we supposed to empathize? Most American women will never relate to this.
Also, is it just me, or is Alicia Silverstone's delivery too pedantic and slow? Has she always spoken this way, or is it supposed to reflect the character's background?
I can't recommend this show, which is sad because I love all of these actors. I hope to see them all again, somewhere else.
It feels like each episode was written by someone who's out of touch with what it means to be an "American Woman." This is a woman of privilege. If she can't afford the mortgage on her mansion, how 'bout moving to a cheaper house? Otherwise, why are we supposed to empathize? Most American women will never relate to this.
Also, is it just me, or is Alicia Silverstone's delivery too pedantic and slow? Has she always spoken this way, or is it supposed to reflect the character's background?
I can't recommend this show, which is sad because I love all of these actors. I hope to see them all again, somewhere else.
Great show but I wish it was longer!
sosa-9140621 August 2018
I think this show is great. Even if the plot line isn't relatable it is funny. So it is still entertaining. I just wish the show was longer, as soon as things are getting really good it ends and I'm left sad. I think people are being way to harsh in their criticisms b/c of the relation to kyle Richards. I enjoy my half hour but would really like an hour of time.
Not what I was hoping for
giorgiana-murariu20 July 2018
I love shows set in that decade. I wished so badly it would be good. It's not. The acting seems fake, storyline and dialog are boring but there is one redeeming quality: Diane's character. If only the show would have her at the centre of it and develop her character and an enticing storyline around her. The actress does portray her very well,and you can actually see nuance as opposed to the flatness of the other 2 female leads. Regardless, I won't be watching anymore, which is a shame. The 5 stars are for the costumes, setting, and Diane.
Love this show!
mcg-4770224 August 2018
I don't get all the negative reviews. I was a preteen/teen in the 70's. This was exactly how my family was. Although I wish my mom was as put together as Bonnie. She really didn't know how to handle this situation. My Aunt is a proud attendee of EST. Totally changed her personality. I'm sure I like this so much because I can totally relate. Hope they give it a shot and renew for season 2.
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