At first it wasn't so bad. As the seasons continue Abby's neurotic, self centered, center of attention persona really becomes annoying. If I have to watch her cut one more person off while they speak or cry about how her problem is bigger than everyone else's band use that as an excuse for her crazy behavior I will scream. I've had to turn it off multiple times or skip past her scenes. Not the actress's fault, it's all in the writing.
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williscroftjoanne19 November 2015Finally a show which speaks to an older demographic. Similar in genre to "Sex in the City". The dialogue was fresh and funny.The show started well, full of humour, sex and a good story line. But it's as if someone changed writers half way through and the tone changed to confusion anger and a very depressing tone. Abby's character as wishy washy, as she changes her mind about what she wants every few seconds. Lyla was a much better character than the neurotic Jo. Even happy Phoebe's funny character changes drastically. I was hoping for a comedic relief to escape to, but got irritated and depressed instead.The show has potential but needs to lighten up.
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lotusunion9 February 2015this show is delightful. witty, contemporary and wholesome. yes wholesome. suck on that. it is more wholesome to be free and a good person than a judgmental closet case. this show is an accurate portrayal of Angelinos into today's climate. thank you. finally.
Not only is it nice to see Los Angeles is an affectionate light (watch Los Angeles Plays Itself), but the acting is understated and pleasant. I'm reminded of the early days of Sex in the City, when people would host Manhattan drink parties and wait to see what Carrie would wear. Albeit, we've grown up. Sequin hot pants aren't going to cut it. The reality of home ownership, child rearing, wacky sometimes awesome friendships (old and new), and the demise, rebirth and creation of ideals, leaves a modern woman striped of certainty, often depressed, and in need of affirmation. This show is that and the top shelf bottle, without the fatty liver. Again thank you.
Remember Padawan, adaption is one of the seven traits that define life. -
This Is THE most unrealistic show about women and divorce I have ever seen. There is not a character on there that is likable, including the kids. They're all contemptible! The adults, especially the narcissistic women, are all quite irritating/obnoxious, acting like slutty, temper-tantrum-throwing 13 year old girls.
Abby dancing around in her bra and panties in a house that is pretty much made of glass? Ridiculous.. She has a nice enough body, especially for a fifty year old, but it is not that nice. Watching her, I was reminded of Elaine's dancing on the Jerry Seinfield show ... only ... Abby is worse.
The male characters are OK, but the stereotypes are a bit old already.
Also everyone is decadently rich and hyper privileged. The kids are the parents and the parents are the kids. Their kids all go to a super privileged school for rich people, complete with a guarded, gated entrance.
Who lives like this? The ONLY believable character is Abby's editor, who explains to Abby what a "real" divorced woman is like, and she hits it dead on.
This show is designed to sell a lifestyle to a certain demographic. To think someone would relate or identify with these horrible characters, or worse yet, find themselves frustrated or feeling inferior because they can't meet the superficial standards portrayed by these creepy people, or even begin to think that they should, REALLY scares me.
The character of Abby is the worst, and the director shoves her down our throats. Are they married or something?
"Abby" is always posing and walking around with clothes best suited for her grandchildren. She is a beautiful women, but what is the costume designer thinking? Her character dresses like a 15 year old high school girl. She screws her boyfriend, (at the very beginning of their date) against a restaurant wall, her back end up, in an alley. Her lover is twenty years younger than her and can't keep his hands off her. OMG I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. Lisa E. is a beautiful "older" woman. However, as beautiful as she is, she needs to find a role more appropriate for her age, sorry.
The writing and dialogue is awful. Stop it or please get some new writers and a new costume designer.
No surprise that Janeane Garafalo quit. Talk about poor casting. She looks positively hospital-ready anorexic in a few of the first episodes
This show made me nauseous. I cannot believe there was or is a third season ... Continued dumb-ing down of mentalities here for sure. As a divorced woman in the same age range as these creepy people, I am offended and flabbergasted. No thank you. -
marissalopes1 August 2018I'm surprised by some reviews I've seen on this series. This title made me laugh, cry, and even made me mad. Yes, the characters didn't have it together at all times of the day. Yes, Abbey danced in her underwear. Is this really how life is in the real life? Probably not, I'm only in my mid-twenties, but sometimes I wish it was like this which makes the series so fun. Were Abbey's dramatic outbreaks absolutely neurotic? Yes, but I am just as dramatic when things fall a part in my life! I found this show somewhat relatable in how it's hard to let go of things, to grow, find love and doubt it, creating and keeping friendships, but I also loved watching the show just for my own pleasure of all the drama, laughs, and cries. I'm truly sad to see this show go, and I've never written a review before but felt this deserved one.
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biba_yu29 March 2018Well, I really did not expect to like this series, judging by reviews and description. But oddly enough, I did. Now, don't expect realistic drama or characters with who you can really identify yourself. There are some though, I really like Barbara, she is badass and you can relate to her, if you are divorced over the 40 woman who works for living. Other women are far too privileged to relate but I have to say IMO they are fun to watch. I don't hate Abby, like most critics here stated. She really tries to be positive in any situation, I like that attitude. She smiles even if she is really down and she tries, God she tries to be fun and perky. You can't hate her for that. Delia is amazing, and even thou she seems perfect at first glance, you can see she makes some mistakes as everyone else. I even like Jo and Phoebe though they strike me like a bit of stereotypes. All in all, it's really fun to watch. I am hooked!
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heather-210-34755912 January 2015I love this show!! As a single divorced mom in an area very close to LA- type, this show is AWESOME. I pay the bills, organize the nanny (but do my own cooking) and asked for NOTHING from my ex. The fixing the window scene I can totally relate to--been there done that--just bought a drill (LOL), AND went to vegas. In addition the "fluffy" stay at home moms in my area go to the gym and have coffee just like the moms in this show! For me, it is close to reality--one mom actually said she didn't believe in divorce-- really??? Walk in my shoes sista and you would be there! The only thing that isn't is the young men in the show and sleeping with the ex--that seems to be my friends who remain married to be taken care of and play on the side. I work, come home and sleep--who has time for men!! Bravo for putting a show on that actually gives the good, the bad and the ugly of divorce. I laughed harder at this show than a lot of others...all because i have been there, done that with a lot of these situations :)
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bohemedude30 December 2014I started watching Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce because of the comparisons some were making to Sex and the City (which I loved). I'm also a huge fan of Janeane Garofalo.
To be honest, the show is not at all what I expected, but I do like it quite a lot. The premise is clever, with each episode being named for one of the "rules" from Abby McCarthy's book. The relationships between the three women are different than those of the SATC girls, but they are at a different stage of life -raising families and navigating divorce. Much of the writing and characterization reminds me of Thirtysomething.
Is the show going to last beyond the first season? I'm not sure... I can see why the show wouldn't appeal to the younger, target audience of SATC, but more sophisticated viewers might find it entertaining. I am writing this after seeing episode #5. I'm starting to know the characters and really investing in their stories. I am hooked! -
atutera22 February 2015My attraction to this series was solely Lisa Edelstein. I am a House fan and loved her in it. Then upon watching 2 episodes of this series I started to really love it. It's funny, clever and most importantly, very true to life. It covers just about all the problems women and men have on the road of divorce. The characters are interestingly diversified. Yes, some of it is a little off, but in a series like this, it is to be expected. The "off" stuff is, never the less, still funny. The children are great and very modern as is the adults who are so attached to their devices. The sex scenes are a bit over the top, but not too sophisticated. Sure hope you give it another season just to see where it goes.
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alistonz9 January 2016I feel like it is divorced Sex in the City rich LA women. What bothers me is the stereo type of the Puerto Rican from the Bronx and the fact that these women are so self centered. How does a rich lawyer become friends with an uneducated model? Are there that many rich people in LA? I am not a rich woman from LA but I'd like to know if this is true to life?If it is then I'm glad I am a middle class teacher from NY. On a positive note, at least they are showing how messed up all the kids of these selfish divorced moms are. I do watch it though because for whatever reason my husband likes it. It gives us something brainless to watch and make fun of.
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gprusakowski5 June 2016Season one was promising and a good set up but season 2was very self indulgent and became a perpetual girls night out. People this insane couldn't possibly exist anywhere but in LA! It becomes a gong show of dysfunctional narcissistic women living their second childhood. Adult women acting like 15 yo girls. I barely made it to the end of the second season and won't watch anymore. Gag me! Life is one long party for these poorly written shallow characters. If these characters weren't so childish all the time it might be a show worth watching. However the situations are superficial and repetitive full of immature bad decisions. I found it painful to watch and inane much of the time. I really don't know how many times I have to repeat myself to get the minimum of 10 lines. People need to be warned how much of a waste of time this show became so quickly. That this show has gone 5 seasons shows how shallow and intellectually numb most viewers are.
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aduranisc24 February 2018Some reviews on here seem to be taking the divorce within the show, VERY personal. I'm 26, never married, and I was brought up by a divorced mother in a middle-class home. My mom and I LOVE this show although we obviously cannot relate to the materialism and privilege and a lot of other things.
Those who are hating on the show, have probably been divorced before, or maybe they're married, Or they are comparing it WAY too much to Sex and The City. Look, It's a fun and entertaining show about a writer who made all of her money and her career out of books that gave advice to women on how to live their lives. Which is ironic because she end up having an emotional affair, she gets a divorce, and her life becomes out-of-control. I obviously can't relate to living in $1 million home, Receiving $40,000 dollars a month for alimony alone, or having the privileges and opportunities and time and wealth that these women have. Yes they are incredibly materialistic, and rich, but it's just a television show that's there for entertainment. I've read some these reviews, And some divorced women are getting angry because they probably feel that it's glamorizing divorce and making it look like a lot more fun than it actually is. But FYI, It is a fictional scripted show!!!! It is there to make us laugh and cry and enjoy ourselves.
1. Abby, The main character, Is a neurotic control freak, which gets incredibly annoying at times but I know people just like her. And it makes for some interesting drama. 2. Jo, Is her Puerto Rican friend that came from the Bronx and she is a little stereotypical, I will admit. But I am Puerto Rican and my family is just like her so I don't know. She's loud and rambunctious and bold. 3. Delia, Is an Indian law partner. She's afraid of commitment but she's strong and intelligent and the most stylish, And the most beautiful one, in my opinion. 4. Phoebe, She's been divorced 3 times and she's a hippie who makes her money from alimony as she looks for her passion. Out of all of them this is the only character that I don't like. Her problems stem From her desire to be surrounded by materials and wealth as She Looks for her passion. She pays no attention to her children and she constantly needs a man by her side. She is the most unlikable in my opinion.
BTW: There is a lot of comparison to Sex in the City. Carrie, was an immature spoiled, selfish, narcissist who thought she was 15 and spent $1000 on shoes when she only wrote one column a week which was obviously unbelievable. The women did not seem as materialistic or privileged on that show up because they had average sized apartments and had their breakfast at some rinky diner but come on. They drank cosmopolitans and went to fashion shows and parties thrown by celebrities. And Carrie was absolutely unsympathetic, while the main character of this show, Abby, is a little more sympathetic and relatable at times.
Some reviewers are complaining that the characters of this show are acting like teenagers because they're partying and drinking but they did the same exact thing Sex and the City and nobody said anything.
Sex and the city was about finding love and everything that happens before, Girlfriends guide is about getting over it, And everything that happens after. I hope they don't cancel the show!! -
renea1309922 January 2015I find the show quite entertaining! As a divorced mom, I can relate somewhat with Lisa Edelstein's character, Abby. Of course I'm not wealthy or perfectly beautiful like these women but I do love the situations Abby gets herself into. I do think they could get rid of the Phoebe character and no one would care, they've tried way too hard to add a Samantha Jones character and the actress/character comes across as sluty and desperate not sexy. I also believe the show would benefit with a little more Lyla (Janeane Garofalo) as she seems to be the most real person in the group. It's a very funny and somewhat relatable escape from reality.
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jtomgough16 November 2015We viewed two or three episodes of this show, just to give it a chance, but it was too hard to watch. Do we really need, yet another, series about how terribly wrenching it is to be a rich, spoiled, self-centered denizen of Hollywood? Entitled children, people with housekeepers and nannies, folks who have to make the harrowing choice between some personal yoga retreat in Nepal and a new Porsche? I'm sure that Hollywood actors, writers, producers, or whatever, find themselves endlessly fascinating, but all the little ironic jabs at Gwyneth Paltrow aside, this is a showcase of elitist, pretentious, drivel. The writing is just lazy and trite, the unemployed husband trope doesn't make it edgy, feminist, or hip, and really Genine Garofalo as one of the mean girls? I can't believe there's a second season, but then, I still can't believe that George Bush was president.
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markaaron-9797416 June 2018"Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce" has been something of a guilty pleasure for me. I see its flaws, I get its limitations, I sometimes find its characters just too trying, and sometimes I'm just plain bored. But just like the characters who find Abby, the lead, lovable despite her all too apparent flaws, I've stuck with it and mostly enjoyed it. It's just "off" enough to be interesting.
The opening episode of season 5, the final one, has rewarded my dogged fealty with one of the best written season openers I've ever seen. It does everything you would want an opener to do--deal with the exposition in an interesting and innovative way, remind you of why you've been watching by reestablishing the characters and their storylines, but most importantly, setting up new directions for the show to go in order to justify yet another season. There's so much packed into this episode, so much is thrown at the characters (and us)--major life changes occur and major new conflicts are set up--and it pulls it all off with aplomb.
How do the writers pull this off? By using a formally innovative approach. Form is the way a story is told--the way it's structured, the way it's approached, in effect, the way it's composed.
This episode jumps around in time (something that's become very trendy and gimmicky these days and often doesn't really work) but in a very precise way and it also shifts the point of view among the main characters (This, in the writing biz, is called polyphony). So we have time-shifting and polyphony. (Only gifted writers need apply).
It opens at a glamorous media event complete with a red carpet and the whole gang's there. But then we see Delia in distress and Abby, Jo , and Phoebe drop everything to come to her aid.
Then, immediately we jump back to six months earlier. And Abby's in bed with--oops, no spoilers here, you'll have to watch to find out. We then go through the highlights of the previous six months of her life leading up to the glamorous media event. Step and repeat with each of the other main characters in turn. There are even a few of the very same scenes (where all the main characters are present) in each of the character's 6 month highlight reel so we eventually see that scene through each character's POV, and each time we learn something new.
Finally we circle back to the beginning and we're at the media event and now understand what's going on for each of the characters and why Delia is in crises mode.
But before this is fully resolved we jump to the next day (the present) and major life changes occur, new conflicts occur, new storylines develop and a new season is set up. And we've hit the ground running.
In one episode we see all this and somehow it all makes sense. This is great writing. Clearly, Girlfriend's Guide is going out in style. -
This is not a deep, thought provoking, realistic, thoroughly relatable series. But I like it! Before I go into the positives and why I continued watching it after r adding the horrible reviews, and why most people watch it as well, let me touch base on what u don't need to watch it for- reality! What u do need to watch it for-escapism entertainment! In all honesty the plot lacks depth and the characters are so unaware of a world outside of themselves, middle class-can't even touch lower class, America. I could go on and on about the fact that these women are mostly these independent, sexy, older, life after divorce, social conscious, business savvy women, when in reality they only excel at one of those descriptors-sexy. They get close on business savvy, but once u are aware of their job titles, there isn't any real working going on for the most part. Example, a partner in a law firm that gets billionaires wouldn't have that much time and energy to have such an engaging social life.. at least not without some type of speed addiction. But, I didn't watch this for anything but entertainment and escape. And if that's what ur looking for, if accomplishes that in spades!!!the eye candy offered for all specificities is covered!!! It's got color, beauty, hot men and women, etc! The storylines are relatable on the surface and then when u realize that they have kids and yet manage to never be home, jobs but never work, wardrobes that know no budget, u realize, it's not real for most of us. But I who wants that always??? The characters are likable and u do cheer for them when they win and hope for them when they fail! The acting is good and the actors sale every scene! So figure out what kind of show u want and if u are looking for a sexy life beyond the life we all live everyday, this is a great show! And fun! It's really fun to watch!!! Enjoy a summer binge!!!
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emokiller-2582328 June 2017I actually really loved it. It's a great TV series to watch when there's nothing else there, their journey is great, of course with a lot of drama, but that's just what I need sometimes. I think it's really funny too when it needs to be and yes, they are loaded, but in the same time you can see that they are normal people too, they have problems and the best thing is that they actually seem real, they have flip outs and normal reactions to difficult situations, rich or not they handle it like normal people do. And in the same time is actually shows you that you can succeed at something even if you never thought you would be good at that something, in my opinion it's a good series for women that feel the need for a little drama, comedy and some sexy stuff. The beginning is a little slow, but it evolves into a great story and journey so have patience and enjoy :).
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annette-875369 January 2021For the most part I enjoyed the show because it's entertainment but, wow, annoying characters! If I never have to see the character Phoebe it will be too soon. Self righteous, attention grabbing, and just looking for status and hob-nobbing with famous people. And Abby is a know-it-all, meddlesome, narcissistic person who is too busy telling everyone her opinion and apparently only her opinion matters. Jo has issues but at least she's real. Delia also has no concept of loyalty or a grasp on reality..... I think the only characters that I liked were the men. Maybe create a show around them :)
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nedzet19 December 2015This show is better than it let's on. S1 Ep10 "Don't Stand in the Doorway" is so good, the conversations between people, how the development is shown -- so many layers! I love the actors, and I only fear it won't be kept getting made. Why did they get rid of JG ? Truthfully her character was annoying me. I love Jo, I love all the women, so good. I could do with a bit more pot-smoking, I'm sure that crowd smokes a lot. All the themes I have seen covered so far are relevant to me, a 30 year old single woman in Los Angeles, working on the outskirts of the industry. Thank you, producers + team, please keep it coming !
Why does IMDb require 10 lines?! That's so much. -
Listen up! I'm divorced, and like Phoebe in this show, I'm a 3x'er. Don't pay attention to the negative comments. This is Sex in The City for older and divorced rich gals set in Cali. It's eye candy... The ladies are gorgeous, with amazing clothes, earrings to die for, and homes that are all decorated like an an Architectural Digest cover photo. They don't have the one liner quo-tables like SITC but it's a lighthearted show, and there are some relatable moments. Totally!
If you're looking for depth and thought provoking moments, I guess you wouldn't like it. It is, what it is... an escape and a feel good show. -
jmcgil223 January 2016Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce is Hollywood misogyny at its finest. I am embarrassed for everyone who is involved with this show. The show follows a group of obnoxious, narcissistic selfish, neurotic, and spiteful women who cannot keep it together on any level. None of the characters are likable at all, especially the lead character Abbey. And they all have disastrous personal and professional lives despite their endless supply of life coaches, gurus, shamans, housekeepers and nannies. They are also terrible parents with zero emotional connection to their annoying children. The story lines on the show range from highly implausible to simply ridiculous with cringe-worthy dialog, while the characters' personalities seem to change from one episode to the next. The token gay and minority characters have small roles that do not fit well into the show. Worse, they are sadly stereotypical and completely mundane. I am not sure why Hollywood finds it so difficult to create strong and interesting female characters who actually have it together; characters that would be more representative of the female adult population. Instead they continue to push the same tiring, nagging, hypocritical, intrusive, bitchy, crazy, promiscuous trainwrecks ad nauseam. Come on, Hollywood, try harder!
UPDATE: I just read that Janeane Garofalo left the show in the middle of the first season because of "creative differences". I have a lot of respect for someone who has enough integrity to walk away from this embarrassment, instead of showing up for a paycheck. -
dnoble-045013 May 2020I started watching this because of Lisa Edelstein, who I liked in House. I binge watched this on Netflix over two weekends and by the last season I couldn't believe that her character, Abby, was still as immature and selfish as the first season. Presumably the whole series took place over 4 years or so, and I was annoyed that the last episode skipped 4 more years, and Abby didn't seem to grow up at all but all her friends did. Maybe. I thought the series was fun to watch but the last season and especially the last episode was a big let down.
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lswansonsb13 November 2015The first few episodes were pretty bad. mediocre acting, poor chemistry, very contrived interactions. Even though I like Janine Garofalo,she just didn't work here. Her character was like a cartoon character, and her storyline had no where to go so I am glad they wrote her off. Her replacement character Jo, was annoying at first, but managed to develop some depth at the last second (just before I was about to give up on the show). Not that she saved the show, but it was a good move. If the show continues to a second season, I think Jo could be a character worth developing further.
What made the show interesting was the development of Abby's and Jake's relationship. At first he seemed like a typical mid life crisis kind of guy dating a younger girl, however as the show went on he developed more dimensions particularly as a parent and he and Abby developed pretty strong chemistry. Abby seemed angry and bitter victim viewpoint. I liked the character better when she became more accountable and adult like.
I think Delia is interesting, however they don't seem to know what to do with her, and she is somewhat flat. I think Phoebe is just there to be the wild one, however who cares. Her antics don't seem so much as wild than predictably and silly. They could have done more with her character but chose not to.
The kids are OK, no show stoppers though. Max and Ford are well.....predictable. but nice.
In the end I think the strongest acting comes from Paul Adelstein and Lisa Edelstein. Though at first they were very cliché, and still are to some extent however along the way their characters became believable and one could feel sympathetic toward both of them. -
cyclebabs792 January 2015I really don't like to be the bearer of bad reviews but this show made my OMG list of worst actors and bad plot lines. I am sorry to say but the things that this woman (lead actress) does is quite ridiculous. The problems with this are endless. The show makes women look like desperate sex addicts. I am offended by all of it. I love Jean Garafalo but the plot line is all wrong. I don't like how divorced women are portrayed. It won't make it. Sorry Bravo but this is a miss! Stay with reality TV. The scene where the lead actress is drinking alone and dancing and swaying in her underwear is silly and so boring. The father is set up after he drinks alcohol with the ex after sex and gets arrested (by suggestion) for DWI-so stupid. No one normal here. I will watch Sex and the city reruns thank you very much.
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jacobleeg-4939813 July 2019I'm reading the reviews about unrealistic this show is and I feel like it's how some women actually are, they're a clique of girls who do stuff they regret and make you hate them but that's real life. Who cares if it portrays rich women in LA I'd rather watch this than something that is predictable every episode.