Tinsel Town (2000–2001) User Reviews

Top quality British drama

[bluesandwhites · 8/10 · 29 June 2002]

I have read many ravaging reviews (unfairly I must add) of "Tinsel Town" but must admit it is not to everyone's taste. My main criticism is the massive amount of drug taking which seemed to be evident in every scene. During my club life neither me nor my friends ever felt the need to use them and this part of the programme is so alien to me as someone who never partook. It almost put me off watching altogether.

Like others the thing that drew me to the series was the passionate relationship between Ryan and Lewis. Gay love stories on television are so far and few between that we need to revel in them when we can. Ryan's candour when dealing with his parents along with their humanity and humility make this so special. And how refreshing to have a gay person playing the part! I must admit that I watched the second series mainly to see if they got back together.

I found the female characters hard to like at first but having watched the first series the second time I found them somewhat more palatable. I began to understand their personalities and what made them tick and perhaps they weren't as self-centred and simple as I first thought.

If they ever decide to make a third series I will be there again and I doubt I would be disappointed.

Great but some of the characters aren't that interesting...

[york.pete · 8/10 · 19 September 2000]

Fantastic soundtrack, eighties clubby bits and lots of drugs and related violence. Bet the Glasgow tourist board love it. If the club isn't entirely convincing (we're supposed to believe there's gay friendly drug dealers? In Glasgow?) most of the characters are, although some of them are a bit one dimensional (it's not enough to create characters who spend all their time complaining about how they need a s**g anymore - not even at the beeb).

The strongest characters seem to rotate around Ryan (David Paisley), the good looking new talent who postponed his university entrance to take up the part. His parents and Lewis, the 30 odd year old copper boyfriend are definitely the most convincing characters, along with Ryan himself.

He also happens to be gorgeous, which is the main reason I watched it, but it does grow on you.

Highly enjoyable drama

[Aidan McGuinness · 21 February 2001]

Admittedly I first began to watch this because I had heard of David Paisley, who plays Ryan, being the gorgeous gay guy in it..And it's true, he is even if his storyline initially reminds one of "Queer as Folk".

Nevertheless the show now maintains my interest for all the characters. Lex and her lovely past is great. I enjoy Sandra more as we get to see how she does actually care about people besides herself..The various other stories all maintain interst to me to some degree or another (none bore me) and there's actually quite a few amusing moments to be had. In addition there's a great soundtrack, allowing you to play "name that tune" as the show goes along. All in all it is, so far, turning out to be a very enjoyable show, well worth catching if you can.

Twenty-somethings never had it so good.

[Davy-10 · 10/10 · 19 September 2000]

If the BBC are not doing so well anywhere else in their programming, they seem to know how to pick great drama's. After the success of such programmes as "This Life", they have done it again by commissing a drama about the live's of a group of twenty-somethings. Set in Glasgow, the pace is quick & relentless keeping the story flowing, never letting you catch your breath for a second. The characters are well laid out & rich in detail, with new revelations in each episode. Well played by the cast with great honesty & commitment to their roles. The direction is slick, however the director can sometimes get over enthusiastic, with the use of effects. All in all a gritty slice of life, taking in the drug culture of today & the lives it effects. Without the hang up's of a moral or social view, just down to earth how it is.

Mariano Martinez from Buenos Aires, Argentina

[marianomartinez_85 · 1 February 2006]

BBC is a genius, the producers and the writers were very smart when they invented this amazing series. Tinsel Town is transmitted in Argentina (for the second time)on Fridays after the midnight, and it's very successful. The most wonderful thing is the quality of the performances, the music, the stories, sex, Glasgow, everything. I like the love story between Ryan (the teenager in love)and Lewis (a gay policeman very cute), i identify myself with that kind of love because the same thing is happening to me. The past of Lex, her bisexuality, her fight with that man who torments her; Stella with his make up and the problem with the drugs; Sandra and Jack always drunk in the dancing. Every story had something special. Maybe i don't like that it's short, two seasons were not enough, the Tinsel Town story had to go on. Anyway, generally the series is very interesting to watch, wonderful.

excellent

[yesroi · 16 September 2004]

"Tinsel Town" is one of the best series from BBC. I even could not believe that producers have dared to make such a controversial movie. The characters were portrayed so real that I wanted to kill Teresa for her attitude towards Paul. Of course, there are many invectives used and too many drugs exhibited but we must admit that this kind of people co-exist in our community. Moreover I do not feel embarrassed or humiliated watching them because of the admiration I can't help hiding. They are very strong people surviving lots of hazards and threats (like Lex or Ryan and Sweeney)and at the same time contriving to have fun. In spite of the dancy and light surface of the series as it may seem at the first sight the movie unfolds deep problems concerning human relationships, behavioral and psychological aspects of the new generation. As the main events take place at night the sensations that one may feel are attracting as well as risky as the night itself. The real spiritual thoughts and acts of human beings are dark, gloomy and if looking above at them are incomprehensible and noisy like some kind of tinsel. If you 15-30 we must appreciate it and feel compassion to Sandra, Jack, their parents and numerous friends.

Turgid Town

[jayhoolihan · 23 February 2002]

Tinsel Town is a menagarie of ripped off seen it all before plot-lines (trainspotting/irvine welsh, queer as folk, pulp fiction, blah blah). Tinsel Town is, bar none, the worst written TV i've had the misfortune to encounter. The characters are about as well drawn as a helen keller landscape, the plot-lines are so mind-numbingly dull i thought i would pass out. I was astonished just how technically poor the quality of the script was. It is a textbook example of how to make a really, really bad TV series. If this was handed in a first year film student it would be a poor effort.

I was so embarresed watching thinking a) that someone had read the script and thought 'yeah, this'll be quite good' and b)that people outside scotland would see this and think this is the best we can come up with.

People deal drugs in Glasgow (gasp), gay people taking drugs (god golly miss molly), people in nightclubs taking drugs (sensation) - big deal. If there is follow up what might it be - people drink alcohol in bar? Goal scored at football match?

If there is anyone with any sense at the BBC the negative will burned and the ashes buried at a secret location!

Phewwwwwwwwwwww, this one is a stinker!!