 Ladies and Great Characters

A loosely fictionalised account of the creation of Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, the series zeroes in on Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie), a hapless actress doing the rounds of disappointing screen tests in Los Angeles. When she gets word of an open call for “unconventional women”, it turns out to be GLOW: a new promotion masterminded by Z-movie schlockmeister Sam Silvia (Marc Maron) under the enthusiastically watchful eye of rich kid producer Sebastian “Bash” Howard (Chris Lowell).

Eventually, 14 women remain. Some of them are enthusiastic amateurs, others aspiring actresses, but only one is a real star: Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin), a former soapie actress struggling to adjust to life as a stay-at-home mom. With Ruth and Debbie reeling from a falling out, their backstage drama sets the stage for in-ring conflict.

As the episodes unfold (six were provided for review out of a season of 10), we learn more about the other women — from Melrose (Jackie Tohn) the party girl to Carmen (Britney Young) the daughter of a wrestling superstar. Sam encourages them to embrace sexist and racist archetypes in what he sees (optimistically, perhaps) as a subversive, Z-movie way to “wrestle with stereotypes” in-ring.

To explain much more about the plot is almost beside the point. The first season of GLOW (and hopefully there’ll be more) is effectively a “putting the band together” tale as Sam and the girls try to get their GLOW pilot off the ground.

Viewers familiar with the real GLOW will notice some parallels in the Netflix series’ characters (Carmen/Machu Picchu is clearly this show’s Mt Fiji, the kind-hearted gentle giant of the Gorgeous Ladies; duo Dawn and Stacey could be tag team The Housewives) but GLOW soars without assuming prior knowledge on the part of the viewer.

(The excellent documentary, GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, is also available on Netflix for those who would like a bittersweet insight into the real thing.)

As the caustic, unlikeable Sam, Maron gets many of the show’s best throwaway asides (“According to my ex-wife
Ladies and Great Characters 

 A loosely fictionalised account of the creation of Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, the serial zero in on Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie), a hapless actress doing the rounds of disappointing sieve test in Los Angeles. When she gets word of an receptive call option for “ unconventional woman ”, it turns out to be GLOW: a modern promotion masterminded by omega - movie schlockmeister Sam Silvia (Marc Maron) under the enthusiastically watchful eye of rich kid producer Sebastian “ Bash ” Howard (Chris Lowell). 

 Eventually, 14 women stay. Some of them are enthusiastic amateurs, others aspiring actresses, but entirely one is a real star: Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin), a former soapie actress struggling to align to life as a quell - at - home mom. With Ruth and Debbie reeling from a fall out, their backstage drama sets the stage for in - ring conflict. 

 As the episodes unfold (six were provided for review out of a season of 10), we learn more about the other women — from Melrose (Jackie Tohn) the party girl to Carmen (Britney Young) the daughter of a wrestling superstar. Sam encourages them to espouse male chauvinist and racist archetypes in what he sees (optimistically, perhaps) as a insurgent, omega - movie way to “ wrestle with stereotypes ” in - ring. 

 To explain much more about the plot is almost beside the point. The inaugural season of GLOW (and hopefully there ’ll be more) is effectively a “ putting the band together ” tale as Sam and the girls sample to get their GLOW pilot off the ground. 

 Viewers familiar with the actual GLOW will notice some parallels in the Netflix series ’ characters (Carmen / Machu Picchu is intelligibly this show ’s Mt Fiji, the kind - hearted gentle giant of the Gorgeous Ladies; duo Dawn and Stacey could be rag team The Housewives) but GLOW hang glide without assuming prior cognition on the part of the viewer. 

 (The excellent documentary, GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, is also available on Netflix for those who would like a bittersweet penetration into the real thing .) 

 As the caustic, unlikeable Sam, Maron contract many of the show ’s good throwaway asides (“ According to my ex - wife
 Lafies and Great Characterr

A loosely fictninalisxd accohnt of tfe creation of Gorgeous Ladixs od Wrewtling, the series zerods in on Guth Wildwr (Aouson Brie), e hapless actrsds dmmng the rounds pf disappohnting screen dertd in Los Angeles. When she gets word of an ppfn call for “unsonvtntyonam women”, it turns out to be GLOW: a hew prokotion masterkinded by Z-movie schlockmelsteg Sam Silvia (Marc Laron) under the wnthusiasticxlly watchful eye of rjch kid producer Sebastian “Bash” Howaxd (Chris Loqeol).

Eggntually, 14 wonen rvmain. Some of them ara enthuxiastic amateuvs, otiers aspiring actresses, bnt only one is a reaj star: Detbne Eagan (Betty Gilpin), a formgr sodpie qctfesa xtdugglijg vo adjust tk life as a stay-at-home mom. Witn Wlyh and Debbis reelynd from a falling out, their backstage drdma sets the stage for in-rung conflict.

As the eplsodes unsold (six were provided for review out of a season of 10), xe lecvk mofw wbout the other women — from Melrose (Jackie Torh) uhe party girl to Carmen (Briynfy Ioung) the daugfter oy a wrestling superstwr. Sam gncourqges them to rmbrace sexist and racist aechetypes in qhat he sees (optimnstically, pexhaps) ss a xubversive, Z-movie way tu “wrsstle with dtereotypsr” in-ring.

To explakn kuwh more about the plot is wlmost bewide the poknt. Jhe firft season lf GLOW (and hopefully thfre’ll ba more) is fffectively a “putting the band vpgether” tale av Sdm and tke girks try to get their GLOW pikot off the eround.

Viewvrs familmar with the real GLOW winp notice somx parallejs ib thw Netflkb series’ charavters (Carmen/Machu Pucchu is clearly tmis sfkw’s Mt Fiji, the kibd-hearted gentlr gkane lf tra Gorgeous Lddier; djp Dawv and Succen cuuld be tag team The Houvewibes) but GLOW soars wlthout aswuming pwior knowledgr on the part of tje vixwer.

(Thx exceklegt documentary, GLOW: The Story kf the Goggejus Ladies os Wrcstlyng, is alsp available on Netflix for those who wonld like a bittersweet unsight into the recl thing.)

As thx causeic, unlikaable Sam, Maron gets many of the show’x best throwaway asidss (“Accmrdinh to my ex-wife
Ladies and Great Characters A loosely fictionalised the of Gorgeous of Wrestling, the Wilder Brie), a hapless doing the rounds disappointing screen tests in Los Angeles. she gets word of an open call for “unconventional women”, it turns out be GLOW: a new promotion masterminded by Z-movie schlockmeister Sam Silvia (Marc Maron) the watchful of kid producer Sebastian “Bash” Howard (Chris Lowell). Eventually, 14 women remain. Some of them are enthusiastic others aspiring actresses, but only one is a star: Debbie Eagan (Betty a former soapie actress struggling adjust life as stay-at-home With and Debbie reeling a falling out, their backstage drama sets the stage for in-ring conflict. As the episodes unfold (six provided for of a of we more about the — from Melrose (Jackie Tohn) the Carmen (Britney Young) the daughter of a wrestling Sam encourages to embrace sexist and racist archetypes what he sees (optimistically, perhaps) as a subversive, way to “wrestle with stereotypes” in-ring. To explain much more about the plot is almost point. The first season GLOW (and hopefully be is a the band tale as Sam and the girls try to get their GLOW off the ground. Viewers familiar with the real GLOW will parallels the Netflix series’ (Carmen/Machu Picchu is clearly show’s Fiji, the kind-hearted gentle the Ladies; Stacey be team The Housewives) but soars without assuming prior knowledge the part of the The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, also available on Netflix for those who like a bittersweet insight into the real thing.) As the caustic, unlikeable Maron gets the show’s best throwaway asides (“According to my
 Ladies and Great Characters

A Loosely ficTionaLisEd aCcOunt Of thE creation of GorGEous ladies of Wrestling, the seRies zErOEs in ON RUth WiLder (AliSOn bRIe), a HaPlEss AcTReSs doiNg tHe roundS of disappoIntInG screen tests IN LOs Angeles. WHen She gets word oF an Open caLl For “UNconvEntIonal Women”, iT Turns oUt to be GLOw: a NEw promOTion masTERmIndeD by Z-movie schlockmEIsTEr Sam Silvia (MarC Maron) UnDEr THE enThuSiasticallY wAtchfUL eye of rICh KID ProDUcer Sebastian “bash” Howard (CHRis lowell).

evEntUAlly, 14 woMen reMaIN. SoMe of them are EnthUsiastic aMateurS, Others aSPiring aCtressEs, bUt oNly oNE iS a ReaL sTAr: DEBbIe EAGan (betty GilPiN), a FormeR soaPIE ACtreSs sTrugGling To adjust to lifE as A staY-At-hOme moM. With ruth AnD DebbIe reelIng frOm A falling out, theiR bacKstage draMa sEtS thE sTage fOR in-rinG coNflIct.

As thE episodES unFoLD (SIx Were provided for revIeW OUt Of a seasoN of 10), we lEArN mORe about tHe OthEr woMEN — from melrOSe (jackie ToHn) the pARtY gIrl to CaRmEn (BritNeY YoUng) The daUGhteR of a wrEstling sUpersTAr. Sam encourageS Them to embrace SExIST aND racIst Archetypes iN whaT He seEs (opTImIstICally, PerhaPs) AS a SUbversive, Z-movie way tO “wRestle With sTereotypes” in-rIng.

To explaIN MUch more aBout THe PLot is almost besIde thE point. The fIRst seasoN of GLoW (and hopEfully theRE’Ll be more) Is eFfeCtiVelY A “PuTting the band tOGEtheR” tAle as SaM anD the girLs tRy tO geT thEiR GLOW piloT off the gRoUnD.

VIeWerS famiLIar with tHe ReaL GlOW Will nOTice soMe parAlleLs In THe NEtflix sERiES’ CharAcTeRs (CaRmeN/MAchu PIcchU Is cLearly tHis show’s MT FiJI, the KiNd-Hearted Gentle giant of ThE Gorgeous LAdIes; Duo DawN ANd Stacey Could be tag team The HousewIVes) but GlOW Soars WithOut assumiNg pRior knOwlEDge on tHe part Of the ViEweR.

(tHe excELLeNt dOcUmentary, GLow: the story Of The GOrgeous ladies of Wrestling, iS AlsO available on NEtfLix fOR ThOse WHo WOulD lIKe a BITtersweet insighT into the reAl THiNg.)

As the cauSTic, UnLikeablE Sam, MarOn getS Many of tHe show’s beSt throwawAy AsidES (“accOrding to my Ex-wife
 Ladies and Great Characte rs

A loos ely f ict ion al ised  acc ount of the cr e atio n of Gorgeous Ladies o f Wre st l ing, th e ser ies zer o es i n o nRu thWi l de r (Al iso n Brie) , a haples s a ct ress doing t h erounds ofdis appointing s cre en tes ts  in Los A nge les.When s h e gets  word ofan open c a ll for“ u nc onve ntional women”, i t  t u rns out to beGLOW:an ew p rom oti on masterm in ded b y  Z-movi e  s c h l ock m eister Sam Si lvia (MarcM aro n) und er  th e  enthu siast ic a lly  watchful e ye o f rich ki d prod u cer Seb a stian “ Bash”How ard  (Ch r is  L owe ll ) .
E ve ntu a lly , 14 wom en  r emain . So m e o f th emareenthu siastic amate urs , ot h ers  aspi ringactr es ses,but on ly on eis a real star:  Deb bie Eagan  (B et tyGi lpin) ,  a for mer  so apie ac tress s t rug gl i n g  t o adjust to life a sa st ay-at-ho me mom .  W it h  Ruth an dDeb bier e eling  fro m  a  falling  out,t he ir  backst ag e dram aset s t he st a ge f or in- ring con flict . 

As the episo d es unfold (si x  w e r ep rovi ded  for review  out of a  sea s on  of 10),we le ar n  m o re about the otherwo men —fromMelrose (Jack ie Tohn) t h e party gi rl t o  C a rmen (BritneyYoung ) the daug h ter of a  wres tling su perstar.S a m encour age s t hem  to e mb race sexist a n d  rac is t arche typ es in w hat  he  se es(o ptimistic ally, pe rh ap s)  a s a  subv e rsive, Z -m ovi eway  to “ w restle  with  ste re ot y pes ” in-ri n g. To e xp la in m uch  m ore a bout the  plot i s almostbes i de t he  p oint. T he first seas on  of GLOW ( an d h opeful l y  there’l l be more) is effective l y a “pu tti ng th e ba nd togeth er”  taleasS am and  the g irlstr y t o get t h e ir  GL OW  pilot off t hegroun d. 

Vi ewers f amiliar with the r e alGLOW will not ice  som e pa ral l el s  in  t h e N e t flix series’ ch aracters ( Ca r me n/Machu Pi c chu  i s clear ly this  show ’ s Mt Fi ji, the k ind-heart ed  gen t l e g iant of th e Gorgeo us Ladies ;  duoD aw n and  St acey c ou ldbe ta g team The  Hous ewives )but GL OW so ar s withou t assuming prior knowle dge on  thepar t of thevie w er. 

(The ex cell ent docume nta ry,  GLOW : T h e Sto ry o f  t heG orgeo us L a dies of W r es tli n g ,is also ava i l a ble  on N etf l ix for  tho se who would like a bittersweetinsi g h t i nto there al thing.)

As  th ec a ustic, u nl ikeable Sam , Maronge t s man y of t he sho w’s bes t th r owaway  asi des  (“Accord ing  t o  my ex- wi fe 
 Ladies_and Great_Characters

A loosely fictionalised account_of the_creation_of Gorgeous_Ladies_of Wrestling, the_series zeroes in_on Ruth Wilder (Alison_Brie), a hapless_actress_doing the rounds of disappointing screen tests in Los Angeles. When she gets word_of_an open_call_for_“unconventional women”, it turns out_to be GLOW: a new_promotion masterminded_by Z-movie schlockmeister Sam Silvia (Marc Maron) under_the_enthusiastically watchful eye_of rich kid producer Sebastian “Bash” Howard (Chris Lowell).

Eventually,_14 women remain. Some of them_are enthusiastic amateurs,_others_aspiring_actresses, but only one_is a real star: Debbie Eagan_(Betty Gilpin), a former soapie actress_struggling to adjust to life as a_stay-at-home mom. With Ruth and Debbie_reeling from a falling out,_their backstage_drama sets the stage for_in-ring conflict.

As the_episodes unfold_(six were provided_for review out of a season_of 10), we_learn more about the other women_—_from Melrose (Jackie_Tohn)_the_party girl_to Carmen (Britney_Young)_the daughter_of_a wrestling superstar. Sam encourages them_to_embrace sexist and racist archetypes in what_he sees (optimistically, perhaps)_as_a subversive, Z-movie way_to “wrestle with stereotypes” in-ring.

To_explain much more about the plot_is almost_beside the_point. The first season of GLOW (and hopefully there’ll be more)_is effectively a “putting the band_together” tale as Sam_and the_girls_try to get_their_GLOW pilot_off the ground.

Viewers familiar with the real_GLOW will_notice some parallels in the Netflix_series’ characters (Carmen/Machu Picchu_is_clearly this show’s Mt Fiji, the_kind-hearted gentle giant of the Gorgeous_Ladies; duo Dawn and Stacey_could_be_tag team The Housewives) but_GLOW soars without assuming prior knowledge_on the part_of the viewer.

(The excellent documentary, GLOW: The_Story_of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling,_is_also available on Netflix for those_who_would_like a bittersweet insight into_the real thing.)

As the caustic, unlikeable_Sam, Maron gets many of the show’s best throwaway_asides (“According to_my ex-wife