Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Étoile" Episode Summary

Release Date: April 28, 2025

1. Introduction to "Étoile"

In this episode of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, host Glen Weldon and co-hosts Candice Lim and Cory Antonio Rose delve into the latest television series, Étoile. Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino (ASP), renowned for Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Étoile marks her second foray into the world of ballet-centric storytelling. The show, which airs on Prime Video, navigates the tumultuous dynamics between two prestigious yet struggling ballet companies—one based in New York and the other in Paris.

Glen Weldon introduces the show at [00:55]:

“Étoile is the latest series from the creator of Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It's about the wacky goings on between two prestigious but struggling ballet companies, one in New York and one in Paris.”

2. Hosts' Initial Impressions

Upon its release, Étoile garnered mixed reviews, particularly regarding its ability to blend the refined world of professional ballet with ASP’s signature rapid-fire dialogue and comedic style.

Cory Antonio Rose shares her thoughts at [05:02]:

“Oh, wow, what a watch. I don't think it is, you know, in the land of theater procedurals. I don't think it lives up to maybe the legacy of a Smash or a Glee.”

Candice Lim adds her perspective at [05:34]:

“I’ve never had better posture in my life. The show is very inspiring, but it's tough. I like this show because I will watch anything ASP makes.”

3. Character and Writing Analysis

The hosts dissect the character dynamics and narrative style of Étoile, highlighting both strengths and areas where the show may falter.

Glen Weldon critiques ASP’s distinctive style at [07:20]:

“Amy Sherman-Palladino has a style, she has a vibe, she has a series of very specific tics... In the beginning, you can feel trying to get into this very complicated and syncopated rhythm of dialogue.”

Candice Lim comments on character eccentricities at [08:48]:

“All of these people who are eccentric... They are quirky the way people are on an Amy Sherman-Palladino show, it's meta from the jump.”

Cory Antonio Rose reflects on character depth at [15:56]:

“The actress who played Michi... did a wonderful job of... confronting a lot of things that happened as a child...but the entire company... have conspired to kick this lady out of her job.”

4. Themes and Industry Commentary

Étoile serves as a platform for ASP to explore broader themes within the ballet and theater industries, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by art forms struggling to maintain relevance and financial stability.

Glen Weldon discusses the show's setting and thematic focus at [10:02]:

“This isn't the world of ballet. It's the world of Amy Sherman-Palladino's head... all filtered through this very singular, very recognizable sensibility.”

Cory Antonio Rose observes the show's industry critique at [10:09]:

“She's in conversation with industry a lot... but if you're not in theater, you're like, okay, I wouldn't last two seconds in this rehearsal room.”

5. Diversity and Representation

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the show's handling of diversity, particularly the portrayal of Michi, the only Black character with substantial screen time.

Cory Antonio Rose highlights representation issues at [16:14]:

“This entire company... have conspired to kick this lady out of her job... that's something an American audience is gonna see as an obvious undertone of something like that.”

Glen Weldon acknowledges the oversight at [18:54]:

“That's true. That's true.”

The hosts express disappointment over the superficial handling of racial dynamics, noting that while the show gestures toward inclusion, it fails to fully engage with the complexities involved.

6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Despite its shortcomings, the hosts agree that Étoile is a worthwhile watch, especially for fans of ASP’s distinctive storytelling approach. They encourage listeners to give the show a chance, particularly by tuning into subsequent episodes to fully grasp its narrative and character development.

Cory Antonio Rose concludes at [19:11]:

“I think to various degrees, we're all kind of still grappling with this series. I think we all agree it's worth checking out though.”

Glen Weldon wraps up the discussion at [19:24]:

“Yes, definitely get to the second episode at least. We want to know what you think about Étoile.”

The episode serves as a critical examination of ASP's latest work, balancing appreciation for her creative vision with constructive critiques on execution and representation.

Notable Quotes:

• Glen Weldon [07:20]: “ASP is just a couple years older than me, so it's not ageist when I say that is not how you write about young people.”

• Candice Lim [08:48]: “ASP is in the lane of Mindy Kaling and Shonda Rhimes. She just doesn't get thrown into that conversation a lot.”

• Cory Antonio Rose [17:54]: “I'd say this show is something like Willy Wonka meets Smash.”

For more insights and discussions on the latest in pop culture, stay tuned to NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour.