Summer Love

This series had all the hallmarks of something to really look forward to but it has been such a mixed bag.

The idea of various guests at a fabulous holiday home had huge scope for comedic human interest stories and given that it is on the ABC and the track record of Grist Mill, we were expecting something like Upper Middle Bogan - such a fabulous series.

However: Episode 1 was so promising - good acting, funny and relatable to most people.

Episode 2 was so bad - like a Year 7 play, we turned off mid-way through.

Episode 3 about the cultural clash was funny and entertaining, as was episode 4 with Robyn and Wayne.

Episode 5 was soft porn in disguise, catering to a very niche audience. Again we turned off mid-way and as a result, I await the rest of the series with nervous trepidation.

...but I don't. I'm trying to tell myself that it has all the elements that should make it a success, but somehow, it just feels off. I loved Wayne Hope and Robyn Butler's Upper Middle Bogan, so I thought I'd probably love this. But despite the big name actors, the amazing location, and some other decent elements, it just feels overdone, too tense, and like it's trying to be a comedy but isn't. It's such a pity, because I'm a huge fan of the actors' other work, but placing them in this series doesn't make it any good, despite their skill as individuals. It's actually really uncomfortable to watch (which I'm not sure I've ever experienced before to this extent), and I need a glass of wine to chill out afterwards! Disappointed not to be giving a better review. I know 1 out of 10 is extreme, but in my opinion the series just really doesn't work.

Summer Love is a warm and charming TV show that captures the essence of fleeting romance and the nostalgia of summer days. Each episode offers a unique story, with different characters experiencing love and connection in their own ways. The show's strength lies in its ability to evoke a sense of place and time, making you feel like you're right there with the characters in their sun-soaked moments. While some stories resonate more than others, the overall tone is light, heartfelt, and easy to enjoy. It's a series that's perfect for a relaxed viewing experience, bringing a bit of summer warmth to your screen no matter the season.

Firstly it is interesting armchair travelling to locations on Victoria's Great Ocean Road. I really enjoyed episode one. It was funny and engaging. It highlighted and interesting modern dilemma and was acted well. Episode two was also an interesting topic that could have been so well done but the acting and dialogue were excruciatingly bad. It was so over the top it was embarrassing. There was zero chemistry between the leading actors. It was like watching an amateur theatre production. You can be subtle and nuanced, I like to think the audience will still get the point. I will try episode three and see if it redeems itself and alter my review accordingly.

The idea to have one house, a fantastic house in a magical beach location is wonderful !

The problems are the script and also casting; both disappointing as don't match the hype.

Except for the first episode, the storylines in the other episodes are lacking in twists and not meeting the "comedy" expectations.

Using too many clichés, actors and actresses are left with not much genuine comedy material to make it a good comedy.

Despite all this, the filming locations are really spectacular and would attract people to visit this stunning part of Victoria!

Another positive: introducing actors and actresses that I hadn't seen before.