The glamour of Sydney’s beach life is presented to viewers in a mixed bag of feminine bodies and buffed-up men in Made in Bondi. The show aired immediately after The Voice on Channel Seven this week, so I watched the first episode and then binge-watched the next four on catch-up TV. I’m a glutton for punishment and an Aussie reality TV junkie, and I make no apologies. The show looks terrific. I grew up in Sydney, and the series made me want to move back home and eat smashed avocado in the sun with the cast. The show, like Sydney, has allure…and areas where it needs to improve.
Made in Bondi is based on the British show Made in Chelsea and follows a group of young adults living in Bondi Beach, each with ruinous love lives, dreams, and struggles. However, money does not seem to be one of their issues, as this bunch enjoys spending up big in trendy bars and posh restaurants all over the city. The characters are models, social media influencers, and would-be socialites, mostly from the eastern suburbs of Sydney. The two most relatable characters are Isabella Ciero and Lachlan McLean, who know they’re on the show to produce drama and do so with a knowing smile. Lachlan’s role is that of the likeable gossip while Isabella is the good girl in love with her two timing ex-partner.
Another model on display is Lawson Mahoney, who, for want of a better expression, plays a bad boy. Lawson and Isabella’s romance gets a little too much screen time. Lawson is attractive to look at but delivers his lines (if it’s not scripted, it should be) in a ham-fisted way. At first, I found his mannerisms irritating. Then I was glued to the television hanging off every drawn out word he said. Well done, Lawson, you got my attention. The producers are hoping for a hit show both here and in the UK, I suspect, and to make sure it happens as planned, they’ve flown in a couple of guest stars, Tristan Phipps and Miles Nazaire, from the original British show Made in Chelsea, to shake things up. The British boys look good, they don’t disappoint, hitting on several girls and ticking off headstrong Lawson on their arrival. Characters change lovers often in reality shows.
The production values of Made in Bondi are high, and the cinematography captures Bondi Beach beautifully, from its golden sands to its enticing nightlife. The visuals (including the good-looking cast) are complemented by a music soundtrack that enhances the drama. However, the show’s high production values can’t entirely mask its shortcomings. The narrative feels disjointed, and the pacing can be uneven, while the characters do and say things that appear to have little logic. A secondary character, Charlie Moore’s crush on Pippa Hanan, came out of the blue, and they make an unlikely couple. Made in Bondi has two openly queer characters, Billy Daniels and Paul Versace; their interactions add some light comic relief, as Billy goes about setting up an online dating profile for Paul, hoping to find him a man. This involves Paul posing unnaturally for a photo in shorts and holding a tennis racket, ready to play ball.
Made in Bondi is a visually stunning show that follows the lives of Sydney influencers who claim to reside in Bondi. While it has its moments of authenticity, it often falls back on TV clichés. Still, if you’re looking for late-night entertainment light on drama, with beautiful scenery and attractive people, this is definitely the show for you. But if you want something more substantial, this reality show might be best viewed while devouring a Bondi bowl.
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