In 2010, a new form of reality television show hit British TV screens. A ‘constructed reality’ soap opera of sorts, it took the real lives and tribulations of actual Essex citizens and turned them up to 100. With its focus on the glamorous and ambitious, it played on stereotypes of the region. This meant that although it was a huge hit, for others, it was seen to somewhat damage the reputation of this part of the country.
Behind the Towie Concept
At the heart of The Only Way is Essex (Towie) was a strange concept. The people in this were real, with filmed lives and relationships. Yet producers would suggest scenes and conversations for the characters to enact. This gave it a strange blend, hard to pin down as fact or fiction.
This blend between more fly-on-the-wall reality TV shows like Big Brother and a fully scripted soap opera was a new invention and one that was set to last in the entertainment landscape. It is officially known as a ‘dramality’, a mix between drama and reality, as the name suggests.
One thing’s for sure, the show helped to solidify Essex as an iconic part of British culture, with many of the Essex stereotypes, phrases and fashion we know stemming from the show.
The Great Pretenders
Towie had, in fact, taken its concept from a show called ‘The Hills’, based in Los Angeles. This ended in 2010, the year Towie began broadcasting. Yet after it did, it soon opened the door to a slew of copycats. These included the northern version of the show Geordie Shore and the high-class Made in Chelsea.
The show has also been at the forefront of many cultural changes in other entertainment forms. At one point, it even had its own slot game title as the boom in online casino gaming occurred more or less at the same time as reality television’s explosive popularity. Video slot games such as this often use licenses from existing properties. These currently include offerings from Wheel of Fortune but also from classic movies such as The Goonies.
The Transformation of Essex
Brentwood, where most of the action took place, was once voted England’s most boring town. When the show arrived, it was considered anything but. Tourists soon began to arrive, at first from the UK, then from places as far-flung as Australia and Canada. The Sugar Hut, a nightclub made famous by the show, was packed to capacity with queues for entry snaking down the high street. Most of the show’s stars began to open up stores. Boutique clothing outlets that would sell items worn on the show, and this boosted the local economy hugely.
It is now in its 37th season. Cast members have changed, but many of the original stars have gone on to other escapades in broadcasting and entertainment. While there may be those who disliked the attention it brought and some of its negative stereotypes, it cannot be denied that it put Essex on the global map.
