Daytime Divasis an Americansatiricalcomedy-dramatelevision series developed byAmy and Wendy EngelbergforVH1.[1]It is based on the 2011 bookSatan's Sistersby former co-host ofThe ViewStar Jones.[2]The show starsVanessa Williams,Chloe Bridges,Camille Guaty,Fiona Gubelmann,and McKinley Freeman.[3]Principal photography began in August 2016 inAtlanta,Georgia.[4]The series premiered on June 5, 2017.[4][5]On November 1, 2017, VH1 cancelled the series after one season.[6]
Daytime Divas | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Based on | Satan's Sisters byStar Jones |
Developed by | Amy and Wendy Engelberg |
Starring |
|
Composer | Scott Starrett |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No.of seasons | 1 |
No.of episodes | 10 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Production locations | Atlanta,Georgia |
Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 40 minutes |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | VH1 |
Release | June 5 July 31, 2017 | –
Premise
editMaxine is the creator and lead host of the popular daytime television talk showThe Lunch Hour,which also includes co-hosts Mo, Kibby, Nina, and Heather. On-air, they are great friends, but behind the scenes, they live in a world of power struggles and super-egos. Meanwhile, Maxine's former assistant, Anna, returns as the hard investigative journalist working for a great magazine, who wants to expose the truth about Maxine.
Cast and characters
editMain
edit- Vanessa Williamsas Maxine Robinson, the creator and lead host of the daytime television showThe Lunch Hour.She is one of the greatest personalities on American television and mother of Shawn[7]
- Chloe Bridgesas Kibby Ainsley, a former child star and recovering addict who is one of the co-hosts[8]
- Camille Guatyas Nina Sandoval, aPulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and one of the co-hosts[8]
- Fiona Gubelmannas Heather Flynn-Kellogg, an outspoken conservative and one of the co-hosts[8]
- McKinley Freemanas Shawn Robinson, the producer ofThe Lunch Hourand Maxine's adopted son[8]
Recurring
edit- Tichina Arnold(credited as a "special guest star" ) as Mo Evans, an eccentric comedienne and one of the show's co-hosts[8]
- Niko Pepaj as Leon, an ambitious head production assistant[9]
- Sarah Mack as Ramona Davies, a production assistant
- Tammy Blanchardas Sheree Ainsley, Kibby's scheming mother[10]
- Ness Bautista as Andrew Weller, Nina's husband and a rising politician[10]
- Rich McDonald as Brad Kellogg, Heather's husband and a race car driver
- Adam J. Harringtonas Jason Abel, a network president
- Norm Lewisas William Tomas, the doorman at Maxine's co-op building, who knows some of her darkest secrets[11]
- Kristen Johnstonas Anna Crouse, Maxine's former assistant and current editor-in-chief of a great magazine, who wants to expose the truth about the behind the scenes ofThe Lunch Hour[12]
- Cassady McClincyas Tandy Ainsley, Kibby's younger sister
- Scott Evansas Julian, a celebritysober coachwho helps Kibby keep her life on track[11]
Guest
edit- Tamera Mowry-Housleyas herself[10]
- Kelly Osbourneas herself[12]
- Tasha Smithas Portia Camden, a popular lifestyle guru and the ladies' counselor who is brought on to guest host[11]
- Debby Ryanas Maddie Finn, Kibby's rival and formerLacey from Outer Spaceyco-star, who wants to ruin Kibby's life[11]
- La La Anthonyas Isabel Carlisle, a crisis management expert hired by Maxine to help handle a situation in behind the scenes[11]
- Joy Beharas herself[10]
- Sunny Hostinas herself[10]
- Jedediah Bilaas herself[10]
- Sara Hainesas herself[10]
- Eveas Cecile James, a bestselling author of books about Alpha women who guest hosts, and who initially wants to become a permanent co-host[11]
- Richard T. Jonesas Ben Branson, a charismatic real estate mogul who is set up on a blind date with Maxine[10]
- Patti LaBelleas Gloria Tomas, the mother of William, who also has secrets[12]
- Janet Mockas herself, who appears as a guest host on the show[11]
- Jillian Rose Reedas Kali Z, a millennialYouTuberbrought on as a guest host[13]
- Rob Estesas Vance Gordon, an actor and Kibby's formerLacey from Outer Spaceyco-star[12]
- Star Jonesas herself[10]
- Ashley Grahamas herself, who appears as a guest host on the show
- Zeeko Zakias Cab Driver
Episodes
editNo. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | US viewers (millions) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Pilot" | J. Miller Tobin | Teleplay by :Amy Engelberg & Wendy Engelberg | June 5, 2017 | 1.28[14] | |
Kibby is introduced as the newest co-host onThe Lunch Hour.Mo goes viral after joking about Maxine's vagina on air, angering Maxine. Nina is having trouble getting pregnant due to Andrew's infertility, while having an affair with Shawn. Heather and Brad clash over how to raise their transgender child. When a routine facelift sends Maxine into a coma, her co-hosts start vying for her coveted left chair. Leon blackmails Mo with a sex video of them after she breaks up with him. Following an encounter with her scheming mother, Kibby relapses and is nearly arrested. After three days in a coma, Maxine awakens to discover that her co-hosts—with the exception of Kibby—have been attempting to steal her chair. | ||||||
2 | "Coma Bump" | Michael Grossman | Chris Alberghini | June 12, 2017 | 1.02[15] | |
Maxine makes a surprise comeback onThe Lunch Hour.Kibby confronts her mother to be a better parent to Tandy. Shawn insists that Nina leaves Andrew so they can be together, and she reveals that she is pregnant. Mo threatens to expose the real reason behind Maxine's coma, but her plan backfires when Maxine confesses on the show that she was about to undergo cosmetic surgery before her body rejected the anesthesia. | ||||||
3 | "Blind Items" | Tamra Davis | Mike Chessler | June 19, 2017 | 1.11[16] | |
Maxine worries when she learns that her former assistant Anna Crouse is writing atell-all bookabout her. To make matters worse, Nina and Shawn's affair makes it onto "Page Six"as ablind item.Andrew tells Nina he knows she is already pregnant by another man, threatening to ruin her career if she does not stay with him until after his run forCongress.Maxine hires celebrity sober coach Julian to help Kibby keep her life on track. After finding footage of Mo and Leon having sex on Maxine's chair, Maxine fires Mo from the show. | ||||||
4 | "Shut It Down" | Michael Lange | Jon Kinnally&Tracy Poust | June 26, 2017 | 0.92[17] | |
Heather is intimidated by the show's new guest co-host, lifestyle expert Portia Camden, before realizing she might be attracted to her. Kibby is tasked with making amends with her formerLacey from Outer Spaceyco-star Maddie Finn on air, after previously assaulting her during filming. Since Anna refuses to stop writing her tell-all book, Maxine sabotages Anna's interview withSiatwice, getting Anna fired from her current job. Anna ultimately agrees to drop the book, on the condition that Maxine hires her as a co-host onThe Lunch Hour.After learning that Andrew already knows that Shawn is the father of Nina's baby, Shawn punches Andrew at Heather's listening party and reveals to everyone that Nina is actually pregnant with his baby. | ||||||
5 | "Baby Daddy Drama" | Michael Grossman | Davah Avena | July 3, 2017 | 0.80[18] | |
The news of Nina and Shawn's affair causes a media feeding frenzy, prompting Maxine to hire a crisis manager to do damage control. Anna, on her first day as a guest co-host, ridicules Nina's marital problems, angering Andrew and causing Nina to storm off the show. Julian encourages Kibby to take a college class, but she is eventually expelled for making a scene in class. Maxine convinces Nina to return to the show, offering to help her deal with Andrew. In return, Nina helps Maxine take down Anna by exposing her police report for stalking her former co-worker and attacking his wife. Maxine fires Anna, who vows to resume work on her tell-all book. Nina reveals to Shawn that she took the article that won her aPulitzerfrom a missing reporter and published it under her name. | ||||||
6 | "We Are Family" | Bille Woodruff | Ryan O'Connell | July 10, 2017 | 1.13[19] | |
Julian convinces Kibby to throw a party to celebrate one year of sobriety. Tension increases between Nina and Shawn after she revealed the truth about her Pulitzer. Heather discovers online that Brad is cheating on her with a younger model. Detective Stagliano questions William about Maxine's deceased husband, Ted. Things go awry at Kibby's sobriety party when she walks in on an intoxicated Heather trying to fellate Julian. Kibby admits to Maxine that she relapsed while Maxine was in a coma. When Kibby and Julian confess their feelings for each other, he feels it is inappropriate and decides to resign. Shawn breaks up with Nina after she implies he might tell other people about her secret. | ||||||
7 | "Truth's a Mutha" | Dwight Little | Thembi Banks & Rochee Jeffrey Story byBryce Dallas Howard | July 17, 2017 | 1.08[20] | |
Heather befriends the new transgender guest co-host,Janet Mock,pestering her with transgender-related questions. A visit by William's overbearing mother threatens to expose his relationship with Maxine. Nina and Shawn argue over custody of their unborn child. Kibby panics when she learns that a formerLacey from Outer Spaceyco-star, Vance Gordon, is booked to appear on the show. Detective Stagliano furthers his investigation into Ted's death. Heather reveals to her co-hosts that she has a transgender daughter, while Maxine decides to make her relationship with William public on the show. After Nina is held hostage in an elevator by a crazed fan, she and Shawn reconcile. | ||||||
8 | "And the Loser Is..." | J. Miller Tobin | Jon Kinnally & Tracy Poust | July 24, 2017 | 1.01[21] | |
Mo appears as a guest onThe Lunch Hour's rival show,Morning Talk,prompting rumors that she is in talks to become a permanent co-host on that show. Jason tries to convince Maxine to rehire Mo, following unsuccessful attempts to find a replacement for her. William struggles with the media scrutiny over his relationship with Maxine. Kibby has an uncomfortable run-in with Vance at the Daytime Television Awards, which causes her to relapse. Meanwhile, Heather rekindles her relationship with Brad. AfterThe Lunch Hoursurprisingly beatsMorning Talkat the Daytime Television Awards, Maxine invites Mo back to the show, only to discover that Mo lied about the offer fromMorning Talk.Shawn suspects that Maxine is hiding something about the night Ted died. | ||||||
9 | "Whose Show Is It Anyway?" | Lev L. Spiro | Mike Chessler & Chris Alberghini | July 31, 2017 | 1.00[22] | |
Kibby descends further into drug abuse after learning that her mother landed Tandy an audition for Vance's new sitcom. When Mo auditions for a role on Vance's sitcom, Maxine sees this as an opportunity to keep her away fromThe Lunch Hour.Maxine and Shawn both receivesubpoenasrequesting their phone records. Heather reveals she carries a gun in her purse, shocking her co-hosts. Vance agrees to not to hire Tandy after Kibby threatens to expose him. After Maxine gets rid of the subpoenas, Nina seeks Anna, who claims to have evidence that Maxine murdered Ted. Nina uses that information to confront Maxine, demanding that she tell Shawn the truth. Kibby behaves erratically during Vance's guest appearance onThe Lunch Hour.To make matters worse, Tandy appears as a surprise guest to announce she will be playing Vance's daughter on his sitcom. Backstage, Kibby takes Heather's gun and aims it at Vance. Ramona manages to tackle Kibby to the ground, but the gun accidentally discharges. | ||||||
10 | "Lunch Is on Us" | Peter Lauer | Amy Engelberg & Wendy Engelberg | July 31, 2017 | 0.65[22] | |
Kibby reveals to Maxine that Vance abused her and led her into drugs when she was younger. Although no one was critically injured after Heather's gun discharged, Jason forces Maxine to fire Kibby temporarily. Anna plays Nina a tape of Maxine and Ted arguing the night he died, but the low quality makes it difficult to identify Ted's killer. During a live stream, Kibby denounces Vance as a predator—with the help of another one of his victims, Maddie—and later rejoinsThe Lunch Hour.After Nina steals Anna's tape and has it restored, Nina discovers that Shawn killed Ted. Maxine explains to Nina that after Ted became violent, Shawn attacked him in a drunken rage, and she asked William to help her make it look like an accident. Shawn, however, has little recollection of the incident. Anna blackmails Maxine upon discovering the truth about Ted's death. In order to protect Shawn, Maxine claims on air that she killed Ted in self-defense and gets arrested. Nina reveals to Anna that she stole her Pulitzer; in exchange, Shawn must never know he was the one who killed Ted. Nevertheless, Shawn listens to the tape and learns the truth. |
Production
editOn February 18, 2016,VH1announced a television adaptation ofStar Jones' best-selling bookSatan's Sistersfor 2017.[2]The series is based on real behind-the-scenes events ofThe View,which Jones appeared on between 1997 and 2006.[23]Vanessa Williamswas announced as lead role on March 1.[7]The show's head writers areAmy and Wendy Engelberg;it is directed byJ. Miller Tobin.[24]Production began in August 2016,[4]and the series was retitledDaytime Divas.[25]Tichina Arnold,Chloe Bridges,Camille GuatyandFiona Gubelmannwere announced as the other co-lead roles on August 22.[8]
Reception
editOn the review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,the series holds an approval rating of 60% based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 6.45/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "TheseDivastry a little too hard achieve genuine camp, but fans of prima donnas will find a catty enough array here. "[26]OnMetacritic,the show has a score of 53 out of 100 based on four reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[27]
References
edit- ^Pedersen, Erik (February 18, 2016)."VH1 Assembles 'Satan's Sisters', Scripted Drama Based On Star Jones' 'View'-Esque Novel".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedFebruary 18,2016.
- ^ab"VH1 Announces New Scripted SeriesSatan's SistersInspired by Star Jones' Book ".VH1.February 18, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on February 19, 2016.RetrievedDecember 4,2016.
- ^Agard, Chancellor (November 3, 2016)."Daytime Divas: Meet the women in Star Jones' View-inspired series".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedAugust 1,2017.
- ^abcPetski, Denise (August 22, 2016)."VH1's Star Jones Drama Series Sets Cast; Chris Alberghini & Mike Chessler To Showrun".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMay 23,2017.
- ^Serrao, Nivea (April 17, 2017)."Watch VH1'sDaytime Divasput on a 'sh-- show' in exclusive trailer ".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedMay 23,2017.
- ^Swift, Andy (November 1, 2017)."Daytime DivasCancelled at VH1 ".TVLine.RetrievedNovember 1,2017.
- ^abPetski, Denise (March 1, 2016)."Vanessa Williams To Star In 'Satan's Sisters' Drama Series At VH1".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMarch 1,2016.
- ^abcdefAusiello, Michael(August 22, 2016)."VH1's View-Skewering Drama SeriesDaytime DivasAdds Tichina Arnold, Chloe Bridges, Camille Guaty ".TVLine.RetrievedAugust 1,2017.
- ^Petski, Denise (August 31, 2016)."'Daytime Divas' Casts Niko Pepaj; 'MadTV' Adds Anjelah Johnson ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedDecember 4,2016.
- ^abcdefghiLincoln, Ross A. (January 13, 2017)."Star Jones, Tamera Mowry-Housley, & 'The View' Co-Hosts To Guest On VH1's 'Daytime Divas'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMay 23,2017.
- ^abcdefgPetski, Denise (November 3, 2016)."'Daytime Divas': Kelly Osbourne, La La Anthony, Six More Join Cast ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedDecember 4,2016.
- ^abcdSwift, Andy (November 3, 2016)."VH1'sDaytime Divas:Kristen Johnston, Patti LaBelle Among Latest Castings ".TVline. Archived fromthe originalon December 9, 2016.RetrievedDecember 4,2016.
- ^Nededog, Jethro (November 21, 2016)."An MTV star is going to shake up VH1's upcoming scripted drama inspired by 'The View'".Business Insider.RetrievedJuly 29,2017.
- ^Welch, Alex (June 6, 2017)."Monday cable ratings: 'Love & Hip Hop' wins the night, 'Better Call Saul' dips".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon June 7, 2017.RetrievedJune 6,2017.
- ^Welch, Alex (June 13, 2017)."Monday cable ratings: 'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta' leads, 'WWE Raw' dips".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon June 14, 2017.RetrievedJune 13,2017.
- ^Welch, Alex (June 20, 2017)."Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' season finale ticks up".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon June 21, 2017.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
- ^Welch, Alex (June 27, 2017)."Monday cable ratings: 'WWE Raw' holds steady, 'Preacher' dips".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon June 28, 2017.RetrievedJune 27,2017.
- ^Porter, Rick (July 6, 2017)."Monday cable ratings: 'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta' dips but stays on top".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon July 6, 2017.RetrievedJuly 6,2017.
- ^Welch, Alex (July 11, 2017)."Monday cable ratings: Home Run Derby leads the night, 'Preacher' holds steady".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon July 12, 2017.RetrievedJuly 11,2017.
- ^Welch, Alex (July 18, 2017)."Monday cable ratings: 'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta' and 'WWE Raw' tick up".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2017.RetrievedJuly 18,2017.
- ^Welch, Alex (July 25, 2017)."Monday cable ratings: 'Preacher' holds steady, 'Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood' premieres".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon July 28, 2017.RetrievedJuly 25,2017.
- ^abWelch, Alex (August 1, 2017)."Monday cable ratings: 'Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood' leads, 'WWE Raw' holds steady".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon August 2, 2017.RetrievedAugust 1,2017.
- ^de Moraes, Lisa (January 13, 2017)."'Daytime Divas': No Closed-Door Secrets, But Two Sh*ts, Four D*mns, One F-Bomb And Occasional "C," Star Jones Promises – TCA ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJune 2,2023.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (May 20, 2016)."Upfronts 2016: The Overachievers".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMay 20,2016.
- ^"Star Jones' VH1 Series Gets a New Title, 'Daytime Divas'".Essence.August 23, 2016.RetrievedDecember 4,2016.
- ^"Daytime Divas".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedFebruary 24,2022.
- ^"Daytime Divas".Metacritic.RetrievedJune 9,2017.