Faking It (2014 TV series)

This article is about the 2014 MTV television series. For the 2000 British television series, see Faking It.
Faking It
Genre Comedy-Drama
Created by Dana Min Goodman
Julia Wolov
Developed by Carter Covington
Starring
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 18 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Carter Covington
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 22 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel MTV
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
Original run April 22, 2014 – present
External links
Official website

Faking It is an American single-camera romantic comedy[1] series that premiered on MTV on April 22, 2014.[2] The series was created by Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov. Carter Covington developed the series and serves as the executive producer.[3] An eight-episode first season was ordered by MTV in October 2013.[4] MTV announced a ten episode second season set to premiere on September 23, 2014.[5][6] In August 2014, the show won a Teen Choice Award for "Choice TV Breakout Show". In October 2014, MTV ordered 10 more episodes, meaning season 2 will have a total of 20 episodes[7]

On April 21, 2015 it was announced that the second half of season 2 will air from August 31, 2015 as well being renewed for a third season.[8]

Synopsis

At Hester High School in the suburbs of Austin, being different is popular. After many failed attempts to stand out, Karma Ashcroft (Katie Stevens) and her best friend Amy Raudenfeld (Rita Volk) are invited to a house party hosted by popular gay student Shane Harvey (Michael Willett), who is under the impression that the girls are a lesbian couple.

At the party they are subsequently outed as the school's first lesbian couple and unwillingly nominated for homecoming Queens. Continuing the charade as their popularity soars, Karma attracts the attention of the popular and handsome Liam Booker (Gregg Sulkin), while Amy becomes aware of her growing romantic feelings for Karma.

Cast

Main cast in September 2014. L to R: Bailey De Young, Rita Volk, Katie Stevens, Gregg Sulkin and Michael J. Willett

Main cast

Recurring cast

Broadcast

Faking It premiered on April 22, 2014 and ran for eight episodes. On June 9, 2014, the series was picked up for a second season of ten episodes,[5][6] which premiered on September 23, 2014. This was later expanded to a twenty episode season on October 21, 2014.[7]

Episodes

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 8 April 22, 2014 June 10, 2014
2a 10 September 23, 2014 November 25, 2014
2b[11] 10[12] August 31, 2015 TBA
3[13] TBA TBA TBA

Reception

Faking It received generally favorable reviews from critics, receiving a 71 score on Meta Critic as well as a 71% for season 1 on Rotten Tomatoes based on seven reviews.

CinemaBlend.com said "About as relevant to the gay lifestyle as Modern Family, Faking It shoots for the stars, but only hits a bunch of brightly colored rainbows on "Vote for Me" posters."[14] New York Times had this to say about the show: "Faking It isn't anything more than a smarter-than-average high school comedy, but there's a freshness to it, perhaps because so many of the key people involved are relative newcomers."[14] New York Daily News said "The engine driving this show is female friendship, the kind strong enough to get you through even high school. For Amy and Karma, we want that."[14] TV Fanatic said "It could be an interesting twist for Amy to stop pretending to be gay and suddenly be pretending to be straight."[14] Common Sense Media said "The coming-of-age-and-coming-out story is certainly a time-honored one in the LGBT cinematic canon, and having both girls playing gay-for-social-cachet is an interesting farcial spin."[14] Hollywood.com said "Anyone following MTV's Awkward will be sure to love the new series, but even non-fans won't fake their enjoyment of the new show." [14] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said "While the show's premise seems like it could be difficult to maintain, Faking It holds up in two early episodes sent for review."[15] Boston Globe said "Faking It is an odd, interesting, lightly subversive, and potentially offensive concoction from MTV. It’s a twisted comedy that has charm, but also a premise that could be insulting if not handled intelligently." Boston Herald said "There’s something hilarious and twisted about outcasts running a school and turning out to be as much idiots as the typically popular kids. Faking It is the real deal."[15] Entertainment Weekly said "Credit the winning cast, especially Volk, and executive producer Carter Covington's sweet/snarky tone for a half hour viewers won't have to pretend to love."[15]

In an average review to the show, Philadelphia Daily News said "For Stevens' character, Karma, kissing her best friend, Amy (Volk), is a way --admittedly not the most direct way--of getting closer to Liam, a cute guy (Gregg Sulkin) with commitment issues. For Amy, though, it's more complicated, and that's where Faking It begins to seem less like a joke, as the shift in a relationship stirs up feelings that move her into the "questioning" column of LGBTQ."[15]

Awards

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref
Season One
2014
Teen Choice Awards
Breakout Show
Faking It
Won
[16]
Season Two
2014
10th AnnualAfterEllen Visibility Awards
Favorite TV Comedy
Faking It
Won
[17]
Favorite TV Actress
Rita Volk
Won
Favorite Fictional Lesbian Couple
Rita Volk / Yvette Monreal (Amy and Reagan)
Nominated
Favorite Lesbian/Bi Character
Rita Volk (Amy Raudenfeld)
Won
2015
People's Choice Awards
Favorite Cable TV Comedy
Faking It
Nominated
[18]
GLAAD Media Awards
Outstanding Comedy Series
Faking It
Nominated
[19]

Faking It cast member Yvette Monreal also won Editor's Pick for Favorite Tweeter at the 10th Annual AfterEllen Visibility Awards.[20]

References

  1. "Faking It: Official website". MTV. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  2. "MTV Announces Premiere Dates for Returning and New Comedy Series at Winter TCA Presentation". The Futon Critic. January 10, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  3. Hale, Mike (21 April 2014). "Their Surprise Route to Popularity". The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2014. Correction: April 22, 2014 - An earlier version of an information box with this review misidentified the creators of the show “Faking It.” As the review stated, they are Dana Goodman and Julia Lea Wolov; not Carter Covington. (Mr. Covington is the show’s executive producer.)
  4. Andreeva, Nellie (October 18, 2013). "MTV Picks Up Comedy Pilots 'Happyland' & 'Faking It' To Series". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Lesley Goldberg (2014-06-09). "'Faking It' Renewed for Second Season at MTV". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Ossad, Jordana (July 11, 2014). "‘Catfish’ Is Returning For Season Four — Plus More Premiere Dates Announced!". MTV.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "MTV Orders 10 More Episodes of Faking It for Season 2 | Variety". variety.com. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  8. http://deadline.com/2015/04/mtv-scream-shannara-series-faking-it-upfronts-1201413502/
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Goldberg, Lesley (August 23, 2013). "'Wizards' Alum Gregg Sulkin, 'Bunheads' Star Headline MTV's Carter Covington Comedy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  10. AIC plays a role this season in MTV’s new hit show, Faking it! Advocates for Informed Choice, September 12, 2014.
  11. "MTV's 'Faking It' Gets 10-Episode Pickup - Faking It. Facebook". Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  12. "MTV's 'Faking It' Gets 10-Episode Pickup - Hollywood Reporter". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  13. "MTV's 'Faking It' Gets Season 3 - Faking It. Facebook". Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 "Faking It: Season 1 - TV Reviews - Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 "Critic Reviews for Faking It (2014) Season 1 - Metacritic". metacritic.com. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  16. "MTV Teen Choice Awards".
  17. "10th Annual AfterEllen Visibility Awards".
  18. "2015 People's Choice Awards".
  19. "2015 GLAAD Media Awards".
  20. "The 2014 AfterEllen Visibility Award Winners". afterellen.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Faking It.