| The Only Way Is Essex | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality television Drama[1] |
| Created by | Ruth Wringley Tony Wood |
| Directed by | Leo Mccrea Mark Mcqueen |
| Starring | Joey Essex Jessica Wright Lauren Goodger James Argent Lydia Rose Bright Sam Faiers Gemma Collins Chloe Sims Harry Derbidge |
| Opening theme | "The Only Way is Up" by Yazz |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 40 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30–60 mins (Series 1) 45–60 mins (Series 2 – present) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV2 (and ITV2 HD) |
| Original run | 10 October 2010 – Present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
The Only Way Is Essex, (often abbreviated as TOWIE)[2][3] is a BAFTA winning British semi-reality ("dramality") show based in Essex, England. It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way."[4]
The show is filmed just a few days in advance. Series 1 ran initially for four weeks, airing every Wednesday and Sunday. It is narrated by Denise Van Outen, who is from Basildon, Essex. The show has been described by the Daily Mirror as Britain's answer to The Hills and Jersey Shore.[5] Series 2 began on 20 March 2011, once again airing every Wednesday and Sunday, but with longer episodes than Series 1. Series 2 also saw the departure of original cast member Amy Childs. The second series consisted of 14 episodes, ending on 4 May 2011. The series returned for a third series on 25 September 2011 and was the final series to feature two of the original cast members Mark Wright whose departure was seen in the final episode whilst Kirk Norcross departed off screen like Childs. The series ended on 9 November 2011.[6] On 29 November 2011 Mario Falcone explained to RWD Magazine that TOWIE is "...just getting bigger and bigger, you sort of hate it but you love it."[7] The second Christmas Special of The Only Way Is Essex aired on 20 December 2011.
On 2 December 2011 it was revealed that a large amount of the cast would not be returning for the fourth series in 2012 but will feature in the upcoming 2011 Christmas Special.[8] The fourth series will begin In January 2012. Digital Spy is reporting that the series has been renewed for a further four series following the Christmas Special and will air four 10-episode runs in 2012.[9]
Contents |
Series 1 of The Only Way is Essex introduced us to the main characters: club promoter Mark, his best friend club singer James 'Arg' Argent, his sister girl band member Jessica, his on/off love Lauren, club owner Kirk, Kirk's girlfriend beautician Amy, her best friend glamour model Sam and Amy's cousin Harry. The two central relationships between Mark and Lauren and Kirk and Amy were at the heart of this first series. Kirk and Amy's love started off strong but she was jealous of his job and his flirting with other girls and called it off. Kirk later begins a relationship with DJ Lauren Pope, much to Amy's chagrin, and she and Sam try to find love elsewhere. Mark and Lauren have been on/off since they were teenagers and at the start of the programme they are separated with Mark in a relationship with fashion designer Lucy. However, it transpires that Lauren and Mark have secretly been sleeping together behind Lucy's back. When Lauren gets an offer to travel to Dubai on work she is unsure whether to leave Mark or not. It also transpires that Mark and Sam may have had a sexual relationship at some point during Mark's time with Lauren. Elsewhere Arg and his ex-girlfriend Lydia decide to give things another go despite her jealousy of Arg's relationship with Mark. And girl band Lola, which include Mark's sister Jessica, are signed by a record company and start to work on a debut single. Mark opens a club on Halloween. However it burns down soon after and is never talked about again. The climax of the first series is a charity boxing match between Mark and Kirk, which Mark wins. During the match, Lauren and Lucy have a confrontation where Lucy tells Lauren she knows about her and Mark going behind her back and is disgusted by the whole thing. Mark tries to reassure Lucy about their stability of their relationship but when Lauren reveals she is going to Dubai, Mark tries to stop her.
As series two kicks off Mark is still in a casual relationship with Sam, who opens a boutique with her sister Billie in the first episode, however he decides to give things with Lauren another go. When he finds out that Lauren is having her tattoo with his name on it removed he proposes and she accepts. The two spend most of the rest of the series planning their wedding and moving in together despite Lauren's clashes with Jessica, Mark's mother Carol and his grandmother Nanny Pat. Mark also considers several career paths during the series, including opening a glamour model agency but eventually decides return to promoting. Kirk and Lauren Pope briefly split up but while on a date with Lucy he realises how much he misses her and they get back together. Problems in their relationship arise when Kirk clashes with Lauren's best friend Maria and the two end up arguing. Kirk presents Lauren with a key to his place and plans for her to move in but gives her the impression that he doesn't want Maria to visit. Arg and Lydia initially seem to have a strong relationship with plans to move in together which are halted when Arg reveals the he wishes to move into the flat below Mark. Arg also has problems passing his driving test and losing weight and clashes with Lydia's mum Debbie. Cracks start to appear in Lydia and Arg's relationship when Lucy, Billie and Sam reveal that Arg has possibly cheated on her and revelations that Arg had been bragging about a relationship between he and Amy. New characters in series two include Joey Essex a club promoter who aspires to be the new Mark Wright and uses the word 'reem' to describe things that look good. Joey initially pursues Lucy but when she tells him that she doesn't want to date another Mark Wright he goes after Sam instead. The two share a kiss in a swimming pool during Harry's birthday and later start dating although Joey's dating style does leave a little to be desired. Joey also starts promoting a night at Kirk's Sugar Hut which goes down a storm but makes Mark jealous as he feels like he is losing his touch. Joey's model cousin Chloe is also introduced and it seems that Kirk's dad Mick wants to start dating her despite their obvious age gap. Another new character, car saleswoman Gemma, also actively goes after Mick using several tactics to try and ensnare him all of which fail. The series ends with a pool party, organised by Mark, in which all the characters with the exception of Lauren are present. Mick teases Kirk that he is going to present a bottle of champagne to a girl that he is after which Gemma believes to be her but instead turns out to be Lauren's sister Nicola a moment that leaves Gemma in floods of tears. Amy confronts Arg about his lies to Lydia about their supposed relationship and later Arg tries to get Lydia back when he sees her with another man. Lauren arrives at the party to confront Mark about not inviting her and he tells her off for embarrassing him so she pushes him in the pool.
Series three kicks off with the revelations that both Mark and Lauren and Kirk and Lauren Pope have split up with both Laurens now living together. Mark vows to a life of celibacy but soon finds himself tempted when he finds Lucy in her underwear in Jessica's flat. Meanwhile Lucy is now seeing Mario who tells her not to see Mark but after Mark finds out Mario has been badmouthing he tells him that he can get Lucy any time he wants. Arg and Lydia are back together but Lydia's fractured relationship with his best friend Mark is still causing problems for Arg especially when he forced to spend time with Lucy and Mario. When Mark reveals that he spent the night with Lucy while Mario was away, Lydia and Arg side with their two friends and when Lydia confronts Mark, Arg accuses her of being a bully. Eventually Mark and Lydia make up but Arg still feels self-concious about his weight and also decides to take a new job as a hospital radio DJ as Lydia opens a new vintage store he feels that he is not good enough for her. While trying to lose weight together at Boot Camp Gemma confesses to Arg that if he and Lydia weren't together she may consider seeing him but she tells Lydia not to worry about anything.
During Karoake Night at the Sugar Hut, Mark is seen texting someone with various characters checking their phones it eventually turns out to be Sam. Sam and Mark then embark on a casual relationship which includes dates to a cooking lesson and skiing after Sam and sister Billie are attacked her and Mark begin dating properly and Mark's family invite Sam round to eat with them. This annoys Lauren as she feels Mark's family never accepted her and that Sam has betrayed her. During Chloe's birthday party Mark tries to settle things with Lauren but she angers Sam so much the two get into a fight.
The newly single Kirk and Joey begin a bromance calling themselves Team Jerk? Kirk teaches Joey how to be more domestic after he moves into a new flat and soon the two meet two girls named Cara and Billi. While Joey seems quite taken by Cara, Kirk struggles to get on with Billi and launches into a tirade at both of them when they come to his house to confront them. When Sam is attacked Joey goes to visit her and confesses that he still loves her but she is by this point back with Mark. Kirk also encounters problems at home after his dad Mick starts dating Maria as he never got on with her and he feels that Maria is after her dad's money. After a couple of dates it is revealed that Maria previously worked as an escort and when Mick sees her coming out of a club with another man he ends the relationship and she leaves to go back home to Derby for a while.
With Chloe approaching 30 she feels inadequate that she is without a man and wants to better her body by getting bum implants but decides against it and for her birthday she has her own wedding where her cousin Joey becomes Prince Charming. Gemma decides to teach Harry to drive and also learns that he is has started dating the half-German Kurt, Gemma is also pursued this series by Greek twins Georgio and Dino who she adores but who are far too small for her.
With Debbie and Lydia warming to Mario it seems that he can't put a foot wrong but then it is revealled that his former girlfriend, card-shop owner Perri, was told by him that he never fancied Lucy and is just dating her for a more prominent role on the show. Lucy gets increasinly paranoid about Mario's activities and tells him that he can have a night off from their relationship he goes off to a club where he gets very pally with the two Laurens. Mario eventually sees the text that Lucy sent to Jessica proving that something happened between her and Mark when Lucy tells Mario she can't remember what happened he leaves her and they break up.
After the fight between Lauren and Sam, Mark decides its not fair to the women in his life that he stays around Essex and tells his parents that he is going to move on. In an emotional scene with Arg, Mark says he will miss his best friend but it seems that Arg and Lydia are back on track claiming they will never break-up. Mark makes his final Essex appearance at a Fireworks Night Party in which he tells Lauren that he will always love her but he's not in love with her any more. At the same party Joey and Jessica surprise everyone by kissing on the dancefloor. Lucy gets up to speak in front of everyone and addresses Mario telling him she knows she did wrong but she wants a second chance he tells her that he still loves her and they can work through things. Mark asks Sam if they can have a proper relationship if she leaves with him but she can't see them being anything more than close friends and tells him she doesn't want any more. The series ends with Mark looking around the club at all his friends, foes and family before giving Arg a hug and walking off into the night.
The Only Way Is Essex will return in 2012 for a fourth series.[10] Gemma Collins and Chloe Sims where introduced as main cast members from the 2011 christmas special replacing Mark Wright and Kirk Norcross from the opening titles.
| Cast member[11] | Age | Years credited | Job/Role | Series(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Wright | 26 | 2010 – present | Lingerie store owner, promoter | 1 – present |
| Lauren Goodger | 25 | 2010 – present | Socialite, was engaged to Mark Wright | 1 – present |
| Sam Faiers | 20 | 2010 – present | Glamour model, fashion store owner | 1 – present |
| James "Arg" Argent | 22 | 2010 – present | Radio DJ | 1 – present |
| Lydia Rose Bright[12] | 20 | 2010 – present | Fashion worker, bakery owner | 1 – present |
| Harry Derbidge | 17 | 2010 – present | Student, cousin of Amy Childs | 1 – present |
| Joey Essex | 21 | 2011 – present | Night club Promoter, cousin of Chloe Sims | 2 – present |
| Chloe Sims | 30 | 2011–present | Model, cousin of Joey Essex, has a 6 year old daughter | 2 - present |
| Gemma Collins | 30 | 2011–present | Car sales assistant, desperately seeking a man | 2 - present |
| Cast Member | Age | Years credited | Role | Series(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patricia 'Nanny Pat' Brooker | 73 | 2010 – present | Mark and Jessica's maternal grandmother [13][14] | 1 – present |
| Lucy Mecklenburgh | 20 | 2010 – Present | Fashion worker, ex girlfriend of Mark Wright | 1 – Present |
| Lauren Pope | 28 | 2010 – Present | Model, entrepreneur, DJ, dated Kirk Norcross twice, moved in with Lauren Goodger [15] | 1 – Present |
| Maria Fowler | 25 | 2010 – Present | Model | 1 – Present |
| Billie Faiers | 21 | 2010 – Present | Fashion store owner, sister of Sam Faiers | 1 – Present |
| Debbie Douglas | 50 | 2011–Present | Mother of Lydia Bright | 2 - Present |
| Peri Sinclair | 19 | 2011 – Present | Shop Owner, ex-girlfriend of Mario Falcone | 3 – Present |
| Billi Mucklow | 24 | 2011–Present | Salon owner | 3 - Present |
| Cara Kilbey | 24 | 2011–Present | Joey's love interest | 3 - present |
| Mario Falcone [16] | 23 | 2011 – Present | Bespoke tailor, current boyfriend of Lucy Mecklenburgh | 3 – Present |
| Frankie Essex | 24 | 2011–Present | Model, sister of Joey Essex | 3 – Present |
| Dino Georgiades | 24 | 2011–Present | Model, personal trainer | 3 – Present |
| Georgio Georgiades | 24 | 2011–Present | Model, personal trainer | 3 – Present |
| Cast member[11] | Age | Years credited | Job | Series(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Norcross | 23 | 2010–2011 | Nightclub owner | 1 – 3 |
| Mark Wright | 24 | 2010–2011 | Nightclub promoter, ex semi-pro footballer | 1 – 3 |
| Amy Childs | 21 | 2010–2011 | Beautician, model | 1 – 2 |
| Carol Wright | 51 | 2011 | Exhibitions organiser,[14] mother of Mark and Jessica Wright | 2 – 3 |
| Nicola Goodger | 26 | 2011 | Lauren Goodger's sister | 2 – 3 |
| Mick Norcross | 48 | 2011 | Nightclub owner, Kirk's Father | 2 – 3 |
| Michael Woods | 27 | 2010 | Bar worker[17] | 1 |
| Candy Jacobs | 27 | 2010 | Bar worker[18] | 1 |
| Series | Episodes | Discs | DVD release date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 2 | |||||||
| 1 | 11 | 2 | 28 March 2011 | ||||
| All episodes from the first series including the 2010 Christmas special.[19] | |||||||
| 2 | 14 | 3 | 26 September 2011 | ||||
| All episodes from the second series | |||||||
| Ghosthunting with... The Only Way Is Essex | 1 | 1 | 12 December 2011 | ||||
| Features the 90 Minute special. | |||||||
| 3 | 15 | 3 | 9 January 2012 | ||||
| All episodes from the third series including the 2011 Christmas special. | |||||||
| 1 - 3 | 40 | 8 | 9 January 2012 | ||||
| Includes all three series including the 2010 and 2011 Christmas specials. | |||||||
On 21 November 2011 it was revealed that the series is set to be turned into a movie spin off whilst the series is still at its height of fame.[20]
In August 2011 Joey Essex released a single "Reem" that became a popular catchphrase during the second series after Essex constantly used the word. It was announced in November that the current cast of the show would release a cover of the Wham! classic Last Christmas to be released on 18 December. Cast members have also recorded their own unique version of the show's theme song 'The Only Way Is Up', which will serve as the single's B-side. The original, by Yazz, spent five weeks at number one in 1988. All profits from the single will go to Text SANTA, a major new charity initiative set up by ITV, which aims to raise money and awareness for a group of well deserving charities, including Crisis, Samaritans and Great Ormond Street Hospital.[21] The official video for the single premiered on 1 December at 11pm on ITV2 and featured Jessica Wright taking lead vocals alongside Lauren and Gemma. The video shows the current cast from series 3 singing in the studio with clips of the Lauren, Mark and Lucy love triangle from series 1. Half of the current cast including main singers on the single Jessica Wright and James Argent peformed the single on the final episode of TEXT Santa.
| Single | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK |
IRE |
NLD |
|||
| "Reem" (featuring Joey Essex) |
2011 | — | — | — | non-album single |
| "Last Christmas" (featuring Cast of TOWIE) |
33 | — | — | ||
James Argent is Writing music for Marcus Collins who came second on the x factor 2011.
The show has been criticised for its negative representation of Essex, and there have been a number of complaints to ITV2.[22] Some Essex residents felt it was not a true representation of the area and the people that live there.[22][23][24][25][26][27] Kirk Norcross responded to this criticism by saying, "We are all from Essex, so this is Essex. It's not acting. It's not like they've got people from America and said 'Right, act like you think Essex is.' We are Essex people so what you're watching is Essex".[28]
In April 2011, it was reported that Big Brother 2007 winner Brian Belo plans on suing the makers of The Only Way Is Essex – claiming they "stole his idea".[29] Belo was in the original pilot of the show – provisionally titled Totally Essex[30] – alongside current stars Mark Wright, Sam Faiers, Kirk Norcross and Amy Childs.[29] Belo plans on suing his former manager and Lime Productions, which makes the show, for lost earnings of up to £100,000 a series.[29] The Sun reported that Belo had spent the previous two years working on an idea for a United Kingdom version of The Hills, with his manager successfully pitching the pilot to Lime Productions.[29] After not making the cast list, Belo believed he might be involved in producing the show, but was "cut" from the production entirely.[29]
On 24 October 2011 it was reported that sisters Sam and Billie Faiers had been attacked by a group of girls on a night out. "The sisters were first targeted inside the club when the girls made off with Billie's handbag... When they left, the gang followed them back to Essex." An insider also commented saying "Both Sam and Billie later went to A&E to get checked out. They are fine now, just a bit shocked, although Sam has been left with two black eyes." A video of the attack leaked online a day later.[31]
Amy Childs left the show after the second series so that she could enter the Celebrity Big Brother house where she came fourth and starred in her own reality show It's All About Amy on Channel 5. On 24 September 2011 it was rumoured that Harry Derbidge would announce plans to quit the show due to lack of air time and wanting to branch out on his own, although no official statement has been released. Mark Wright announced that he would be leaving the show to enter the jungle to take part in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! which he was runner-up in. Wright's final episode was in the series finale of series 3 on 9 November 2011.
On 12 November another original cast member, James 'Arg' Argent, revealed that he may quit the show. "Everyone on TOWIE wants their own show and I'd love to do one," he confessed to The Sun. "I can't say too much at the moment, but let's just say I'm in talks". He added: "My lips are sealed but I promise you're going to see a lot more of Arg, don't you worry. I'm not going anywhere fast."
On 2 December it was reported that five members of the cast have been axed including Samantha Faiers, Kirk Norcross, Harry Derbidge, Maria Fowler and Lauren Pope. Explaining the TOWIE http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Only_Way_Is_Essex&action=edit§ion=15cull, the insider continued: "This is basically due to their storylines coming to a natural end and the fact that some of them are just not that popular with viewers. "Producers are keen to make series four as exciting as possible. Series three was the highest-rated so far and they're keen to build on that."[8] However, Maria, Lauren and Sam have since denied this on their Twitter accounts.
on 13 December 2011 Kirk Norcross confirmed he would not be returning to the show saying: "I reached my peak. I also felt I was becoming known as the fiery guy who would flare up, which isn't me. It's just weird how it got, with so many characters fighting for storylines. TOWIE is a great show, but I couldn't see what storyline I was going to end up with - I think I've quit while I was ahead".[32]
Series 1 and 2 have currently been shown in Australia on Lifestyle you. The show has also picked up interest in the United States.
The Only Way Is Essex won the YouTube Audience Award (against Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, Downton Abbey, Miranda, Sherlock and The Killing) which was presented at the British Academy Television Awards on 22 April 2011. It was widely reported that the programme had won a BAFTA, but although presented at the BAFTA ceremony, this award is voted for by the public rather than members of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.[33]
| Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
YouTube Audience Award[34] | The Only Way Is Essex (cast and production team)[33] | Won |
In 2011 Marcus Collins Came Second on The X Factor, it has since been reported that James 'Arg' Argent will be continuing his music career writing songs for Marcus. Marcus is happy.
December 29th rumors were going round that James 'Arg' Argent was writing songs for runner up x factor contestant Marcus Collins. Rumors have now been confirmed and James Argent is in the process of writing the 1st of 5 songs for Marcus Collins first album. The album is due to be out in the summer time around beginning of August, one of the songs will have a duet with TOWIE star James Argent. As well as working on the album together James and Marcus are also starring in a Movie together about two singers that learn there is more to life than singing. The film is too be filmed at the end of 2012 and should be out in the middle of 2013.
Marcus Collins recently tweeted thanking James Argent for getting him off to a start to his singing and acting career, James tweeted back saying no problem lets hope the tour will go through. Reading between the lines it seems James 'Arg' Argent and Marcus Collins will hopefully be touring together in the near future. The film they are both staring in is going to be called London,New York, Paris, Milan and is going to be executive produced by Gemma Collins from The Only Way Is Essex, who has always dreamed of being an executive producer. As she is a close friend of James Argent she was asked if she wanted the job for a one off film.