Savannah Black / 23 December 2024 / Categories: Movie and TV Shows, TV Show

Palm Royale Apple TV

Recommended by Louis Staples culture and entertainment Harpers Bazaar

I have recently subscribed to Apple TV but I am struggling to find the shows I want to watch. So many I’ve never heard of to pick from. I’ve started looking for reviews and reviewers. So far my advice, Don’t believe everything you read when it comes to what to watch.

“Not every TV series needs to radically change our lives” read the by line of Louis Staples piece in Harpers Bazaar about the latest project executive produced by American actress and Bridesmaid star Kristen Wiig on Apple TV, an Apple Original series.

We’ve not heard much of Kristen Wiig since the massive success 2011 when she was catapulted to household name cult comedy actress success as Annie. Palm Royale came in March 2024 with a bang although this time the bonfire may have failed to ignite.

The Harpers Bazaar headline read “In defence of a pretty good show”

_

After watching 5 episodes of this mediocre production I am in two minds whether to invest anymore time in what should have been absolutely fantastic TV.

Directed by Tate Taylor with a whole host of stars led by Wiig, guest starring the legendary Carol Burnett, the west wing’s Alison Janney, Oscar winner Laura Dern and for the younger audience acting debut from Cindy Crawford’s daughter Kai’s Gerber not to mention Latin sex symbol all singing all dancing sensation Ricky Martin.

It sort of reminded me of that dinner when you bought all the right ingredients but the recipe just didn’t come together.

Adapted from the best selling book by Juliet Macdonald, Mr and Mrs American Pie by Abe Sylvia the script didn’t land as well as I’d hoped and I found myself seeing Annie keep emerging from Bridemaids, (even though Wiig looks and sounds completely different, playing a bottle blonde from Atlanta, Georgia with an exaggerated southern drawl.

The first three episodes aired in March and a second series followed. I am not sure how far into the second season I got before switching off mid episode.

For me, I agree with the Harpers writer, a TV series doesn’t need to change my life, but with everything thrown at it except the kitchen sink talent, money, Hollywood, Apple TV marketing and audience, it does need to offer more than camp and colourful.

I don’t really have much to compare it to, the idea is portrayed in a “Dr. Pseus” or “Big Fish” or “Miss Periguim” kinda way. Colourful, mystical, a big weird. I stuck with it, it had all the makings of a marvellous memorable “Ally McBeal” “Sex and The City” impact.

I loved Bridesmaids so much and admired Wiigs talent so much I wanted to love it like “Madmen” be addicted like “Sugar”

The Harpers Bazaar article did its job and hooked me in.

Even the credits, the artwork, the music paved the way for something special that for me just never quite got there.

What’s it about well, the Palm Royale is a private members club in 1960’s Palm Beach frequented by only the most affluent and well connected in society and one women’s quest, a former beauty pageant winner, Maxine “Delacourt” Simmons to find her rightful place in society.

I think it shows me how when I read a review in a magazine I have to make a “marketing” allowance. I.E. How much the show needed a push and how much or how a journalist can spin their real opinion to make us click, buy in, watch.