Rivals (2024)

The critic calls the series a supremely confident and endlessly enjoyable 1980s time capsule of soapy excess and hedonistic fun. They single out the self-aware tone, lavish production, and strong ensemble cast performances, especially from David Tennant and Aidan Turner.

The critic praises the series as a gloriously fun, glamorous and soapy reminder of how entertaining TV can be, embracing its raucous roots while touching on themes like power and misogyny. They single out the strong ensemble of complex female characters and David Tennant's villainous performance.

The critic recommends the show as a fun, horny '80s romp full of sex and pleasure, praising its earnest embrace of campy entertainment and 1980s aesthetics.

The series struggles to settle on a consistent tone, blending soap opera elements with TV production drama and steamy escapades but not fully committing to any. It is redeemed somewhat by strong performances and handsome production values from the British cast and crew.

The critic views it as a campy bonk-fest that's pure panto with fun performances, but criticizes the tonal inconsistency due to Disney's influence, overcrowded plot, and lack of focus, suggesting it should have been more trashy.

The critic praises the Disney+ adaptation for preserving the sex, excess and rambunctious joy of Jilly Cooper’s 1980s bonkbuster without sanitising it. They single out that even the naked tennis scene works perfectly.

The critic calls the series a daft but highly entertaining watch that does everything to excess in the spirit of the 1980s book. They highlight the kitsch, vivacious tone and the immediate plunge into bonking and naked tennis.

The critic praises Rivals as a fun, scandalous throwback to primetime soaps, full of excess, sex, and entertainment, succeeding as an unabashedly enjoyable guilty pleasure. They single out the strong ensemble cast and the show's confident embrace of its soapy identity for praise.

The review calls it a vibrant, stylish showcase of 1980s lust and ambition driven by charismatic performances, especially from David Tennant and Alex Hassell, making for a fun, thrilling watch despite a slow start. It highlights the excess and ensemble as strengths.

The critic praises the show's witty take on Jilly Cooper's bonkbuster, highlighting its unapologetic adult content and fun. They single out the ensemble cast and the balance of sex, power, and nostalgia for praise.

The series delivers campy, tongue-in-cheek soapy fun as a bawdy shagathon adapted from the bonkbuster novel, with strong ensemble performances. It singles out the sex, money, and chicanery as the highlights when the show stays focused on them rather than straying into other plot elements.