The Gilded Age

[Anonymous]

I know this is an old series (2022, although there are unreleased episodes that were scheduled for 2025). I needed something to watch. S1E1--how did it get good reviews? The acting is so stilted (at least most of the white actors) they sound like high school kids performing their lines. Or like Carrie Underwood when they did the live stage performance of the Sound of Music. Does it get better?

Edith Wharton this sure isn't.

[Anonymous]

The stilted sound is 3 things, I think:

1) More formal diction of the time period. When it’s with a British accent (Downton Abbey) we’re used to it, but with an American accent it feels off.

2) Lots of Broadway actors, who have a less naturalistic style.

3) Yes, some script clunkiness.

It’s definitely not Wharton. But I like the outfits and the sets, so I’m still watching.

[Anonymous]

Acting is terrible but the story line keeps going so I watch it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is an old series (2022, although there are unreleased episodes that were scheduled for 2025). I needed something to watch. S1E1--how did it get good reviews? The acting is so stilted (at least most of the white actors) they sound like high school kids performing their lines. Or like Carrie Underwood when they did the live stage performance of the Sound of Music. Does it get better?

Edith Wharton this sure isn't.

It’s like watching a train wreck. It’s is horrible but you can not turn away.

[Anonymous]

I LOVE IT SO MUCH! Counting down the days until the new season.

[Anonymous]

It is deep as a puddle, but somehow I keep watching.

[Anonymous]

I like it. It's not that deep. I like several of the actresses. I find the sets and wardrobe and contrast between the norms of their day and ours to be interesting.

[Anonymous]

OP here, it's not just the American (instead of British) accent or the manner of speaking, but people coming from stage acting might explain it.

Episode 3--everyone at least middle class and above would have known about Clara Barton from her civil war nursing, I remember her from grade school history.

Julian Fellowes definitely transported the Downton Abbey cook character to this one (not the same actor I think but everything else is the same) and I'm looking for shades of other characters in these.

The is no way Bertha's maid in this would have been as forward to George, even so far as telling him the household staff is all supporting him. Even is the US was far less class conscious than England I just can't see it. I'm only 3 episodes in but even even if she snagged him the scandal would have shut her out of wealthy society (new people and old) forever.

I do like the aunts and except for Ada's lost dog complete meltdown I really like Cynthia Nixon in this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, it's not just the American (instead of British) accent or the manner of speaking, but people coming from stage acting might explain it.

Episode 3--everyone at least middle class and above would have known about Clara Barton from her civil war nursing, I remember her from grade school history.

Julian Fellowes definitely transported the Downton Abbey cook character to this one (not the same actor I think but everything else is the same) and I'm looking for shades of other characters in these.

The is no way Bertha's maid in this would have been as forward to George, even so far as telling him the household staff is all supporting him. Even is the US was far less class conscious than England I just can't see it. I'm only 3 episodes in but even even if she snagged him the scandal would have shut her out of wealthy society (new people and old) forever.

I do like the aunts and except for Ada's lost dog complete meltdown I really like Cynthia Nixon in this.

Oh yes a maid would have done that

[Anonymous]

This show is so stupid and so watchable. Can’t wait for the new season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This show is so stupid and so watchable. Can’t wait for the new season.

Perfect description

[Anonymous]

Why did they cast Cynthia Nixon?

[Anonymous]

New season starts tonight!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This show is so stupid and so watchable. Can’t wait for the new season.

Perfect description

+1
There’s a great WSJ review about the new season that I’ll try to link here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This show is so stupid and so watchable. Can’t wait for the new season.

Haha! Same!

The wooden delivery of Meryl Streep’s daughter is so awful but I can’t look away. And the costumes and sets are the gorgeous eye candy I crave.