The TV adaptation of Rivals, Jilly Cooper’s racy 1988 novel, delivers a delightful mix of scandal, humor, and over-the-top drama, all set against the backdrop of 1980s upper-middle-class Britain.
Known for her “bonkbusters,” Cooper’s novels have long offered escapism for readers, and Disney+/Hulu’s eight-part series stays true to the spirit of the original while adding a modern twist.
The show kicks off with a cheeky mile-high club scene, setting the tone for a series filled with nudity, inappropriate jokes, and outrageous antics.
The plot revolves around the rivalry between Rupert Campbell-Black, a handsome and morally dubious sportsman-turned-politician (played by Alex Hassell), and Lord Tony Baddingham, a ruthless TV network controller (played by David Tennant).
Alongside them are equally flawed characters, including Declan O’Hara, a journalist-turned-talk show host, and his family, who move to the fictional Rutshire, the novel’s quintessentially British setting.
Rivals shines in its unapologetic embrace of Cooper’s world of glamorous excess, blending racy escapades with campy humor.
The show doesn’t shy away from showing the debauchery and moral failings of its characters, whose antics are as entertaining as they are terrible.
Despite the chaos and impropriety, it is undeniably fun to watch, with frequent parties, sexual innuendoes, and a vivid depiction of 1980s fashion, music, and societal norms.
Though the series attempts to touch on more serious themes like the Aids crisis and the controversial Section 28 legislation, these moments can feel out of place amidst the rampant smut and silliness.
Yet, the show remains most enjoyable when it fully embraces its camp nature, reveling in the absurdity of its plotlines.
With a stellar cast and an energetic nostalgia for the 1980s, Rivals is not here to change the world but promises to be one of the most entertaining watches of the year.
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