<p>After months of speculation and vocal criticism of the very concept of a reality television show set on Martha’s Vineyard, the ABC Family docu-soap The Vineyard premiered Tuesday night. While several cast members made appearances on national entertainment shows and tweeted live, cast member and Island resident Cat Todd sat at the Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company surrounded by friends.</p>
After months of speculation and vocal criticism of the very concept of a reality television show set on Martha’s Vineyard, the ABC Family docu-soap The Vineyard premiered Tuesday night. While several cast members made appearances on national entertainment shows and tweeted live, cast member and Island resident Cat Todd sat at the Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company surrounded by friends and waited for the show to air.
“It all seemed really surreal until now,” she said. “I feel like it was just a summer activity and now it’s here.”
At 10 p.m. a sweeping aerial shot of the Gay Head lighthouse flashed across television screens as cast member Katie Tardif’s voiceover set the scene: “Martha’s Vineyard. For nine months out of the year it’s a sleepy Island paradise where sand and surf softly collide. But that’s not all that collides, because from June to August the Vineyard comes alive.” Cut to the iconic bridge jumping shot along State Beach.
The Vineyard aims to tell the story of seven women and four men in their late teens to mid-20s who spend a summer on the Island working at the Black Dog and living together in a house on East Chop Drive in Oak Bluffs.
Cat Todd watches the first episode.
Cat Todd watches the first episode.
The majority of the cast members are considered “washashores,” a term that describes those not born and raised on the Island. Ms. Todd is one of two Islanders featured in the primary cast of the show, which was filmed on Martha’s Vineyard in May and June. “Our story is probably the most real,” said Ms. Todd’s mother, Christine Todd, who also appears on the show.
Ben Rossi is the other Vineyard resident featured. “It was cool to have another Islander on the show to lean on,” said Ms. Todd. She and Mr. Rossi knew each other before being cast in the show.
While many cast members were contacted through their agents, former Vineyard residents who now live in Los Angeles found Ms. Todd through Facebook and heavily recruited her. She said she initially had little interest. It wasn’t until she met the producers on the Island in April and subsequently flew to Los Angeles for a screen test that she decided to do the show, she said.
Cast member Jackie Lyons, who has been visiting the Island since she was an infant, watched the broadcast along with other cast members and production staff at a private screening party at creator and executive producer Dave Broome’s house in Los Angeles. She stayed in contact with family and friends via Twitter. “Everyone that I talked to was loving it,” Ms. Lyons said. “I was very proud.”
Because of her history and family ties to the Island, Ms. Lyons said that when she heard about the show she was compelled to be a part of it. “I love the Island and the Vineyard so much. I wanted to make sure that everything was represented the way it really is,” she said. “Everything that happened on the show was just like every other summer on the Vineyard.”
While much of the docu-soap was scripted, some story lines are true to life. In Tuesday night’s premiere episode, Ms. Lyons and her mother, a year-round resident who is battling an illness, sit down for breakfast. “So, Mom, do you want me to pick up any prescriptions or help you with anything?” she asked.
Having the opportunity to share the experience with her mother was especially meaningful for Ms. Lyons. “Throughout the season you’ll get to see that she is my best friend,” she said. “She is an amazing woman.” Ms. Lyons plans to return to the Island to spend more time with her mother, and in the spirit of life imitating art, decide what her next steps are.
The first episode also showed a heated discussion between Ms. Todd and her mother, based on actual events.
“The hardest part of doing the show was filming with my mom,” she said. “Everything that we did together was so emotional.”
“The way we portray ourselves on the show is 100 per cent us,” said Mr. Rossi in an interview Thursday. “I play myself in the whole show, it’s all me.” As an Islander, he said he had the opportunity to give his suggestions and ideas to make it more realistic. “I think it’s going to be a positive thing for the Island,” he said.
Sam Low and Christine Todd at Wednesday's premiere.
Sam Low and Christine Todd at Wednesday's premiere.
Back at the Chowder Company, people sat at the bar and watched the premiere screening. Reaction was similar: most agreed that the cinematography, which featured aerial shots of Vineyard landmarks, was beautiful, while the Black Dog, a major presence in the show, was overexposed. Characterization of Islanders was wildly inaccurate, many viewers said.
“Nationally they’re going to love it,” said Warren Gosson of Oak Bluffs. “Locally, no.”
Word began to spread in February that a reality show would be filmed here, and Vineyarders were immediately concerned about how the Island would be portrayed. Negative comments flooded a Facebook page for the show, as well as a story published on the Vineyard Gazette website.
Producers assured residents that they planned to respect and honor the Island.
Cast and crew were seen filming at locations across the Island for more than six weeks from late May into July.
“We try to be as small a footprint as possible. You maybe saw two or three vans and realized we were a TV show filming there, but only because of the cameras,” Mr. Broome told the Gazette earlier this month.
And while some opposed the filming of the show, others supported it for its potential economic impact.
“If it brings people to the Black Dog, brings people to my place, brings people to the Vineyard, it’s good for everybody,” said Troy Neuenberg, general manager of the Sand Bar and Grille in Oak Bluffs. “It’s a good brochure for the Island.”
The day after the show aired, Ms. Todd said she had been hearing a lot of criticism from Islanders.
“All I’ve been hearing is that it’s a misrepresentation of the Island,” she said. “But there’s no changing their minds and you just have to go with it. It’s just a TV show, it’s for teenagers.”
Viewing party at the Sand Bar.
Viewing party at the Sand Bar.
Viewer critiques flooded social media following the broadcast and reviews that appeared in entertainment media on Wednesday were largely negative. But Ms. Lyons was unruffled by it all.
“A lot of the issues people are commenting on are going to change — you just have to stick with it,” she said. “Everyone has a different experience on the Island. Islanders may not see it as their experience on the Island, but it was mine to a T.”
Ms. Todd agreed. “It’s the first episode, you’ve got to hang in there. After you see the whole thing, if you want to hate on it, that’s okay.”
Mr. Rossi said he didn’t read the reviews. “I choose to stay away from reading all the comments,” he said. “I don’t believe anyone gets portrayed badly . . . just not how they would want to be portrayed.”
The night of the screening some found positive reaction.
“It’s very nice other than that it’s not life on the Vineyard,” said Oak Bluffs resident Tilma Zyla, who was having sushi while watching the premiere at the Sand Bar and Grille. “Other than that, it’s nicely plotted.”
According to Nielsen ratings, Tuesday night viewers of the premiere were mostly female. Numbers reported to the Gazette on Thursday showed that the 10 p.m. premiere averaged 735,000 viewers: 624,000 female and 111,000 male. While nearly a quarter of a million viewers sounds like a lot for an Island of about 16,000 year round residents, by television standards the number is low.
That said, Mr. Rossi remained optimistic. “I’m hoping for season two,” he said. “The way things are going now, it seems right on track.”
Concluded Mr. Broome in the July interview: “We wanted to really be respectful, make friends and leave there on great terms and hopefully be welcomed back. Now it’s up to us to have a hit show.”
The Vineyard airs every Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ABC Family.
Go behind the scenes with full coverage of The Vineyard, including galleries and interviews.
Comments
Loved seeing the Vineyard
Sue Cimmino Palm Harbor, FlLoved seeing the Vineyard scenes during the opening show, and I hope that continues. I think my biggest problem with the show is that they portray the Black Dog Summer staff as mindless kids there for nothing but fun, hooking up with a great looking girl/guy and self absorption in their own lives. The staff at Black Dog are hard working, busy, pleasant young people who make the Black Dog experience as great as it is year after year. Kudos to Cat and Ben for being who they are and doing a great job.
So glad to see a show with a
E.C. ConnecticutSo glad to see a show with a clean cut cast! No swearing and cussing and no sex visible. At least not yet. I enjoy watching it with my teen daughters. I looking forward to a next season!
Great photography but that is
Karen Berwick Orange, CTGreat photography but that is all. Story lines are fragmented and it looks like a bunch of guys just out to sew their wild oats and mindless girls. Disappointed.
Karen - it's sow, not sew....
Ernie Larsen Meriden, CTKaren - it's sow, not sew.....
Ernie, button it.
LizErnie, button it.
Who gets kicked out of the
mike chappyWho gets kicked out of the military for underage drinking? There would be no military at all if that were the case. Whats rhe real story behind that punk?
Actually, that's actually a
LauraActually, that's actually a possibility. A friend of mine had her son kicked out of the Navy because there were photos on his Facebook page of him and other Naval Academy students drinking underage. Never say never. They're really strict on some things.
I’m so proud of everyone from
Christine Todd Oak Bluffs, MAI’m so proud of everyone from our Island community that had
the courage and chance to participate in this rare opportunity! Regardless of
the perception of the show before filming even began, these individuals had the
guts to try something new, to challenge themselves and to risk facing the “not
so nice to listen to” music that seems to be playing on a continuous loop. I’m going to focus my energy on the possibility that this could be a good turning point for those individuals involved and that the incredible cinematography will boost the very tourism we rely so heavily on. Isn't it also great that in May and June we were hosting the cast and crews that visited our shops, ate in our restaurants, rode our busses, rented our bikes, rented our hotel rooms and will most likely come back because they found this place to be so beautiful? Perhaps this show will even inspire someone to create a
film about our wonderfully diverse Island that everyone is talking about…the
“true reality” of the Vineyard. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Well said. I'm enjoying the
Gabrielle Littlestown,PAWell said. I'm enjoying the show. I visited Cape Cod for the first time this summer. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to visit Martha's Vineyard. I really wanted to, but time was not permitting. I think the show portays it in a beautiful light.
Love the show/cast, Cat and
Bob Philadelphia / EdgartownLove the show/cast, Cat and Ben are my favs. ....
If the people watching it do not like it they can always turn the channel. Give the actors a chance to grow and I think they will be fine!! As for me I'm enjoying my time on island now.... Love this place!!
Are the cast members still on
Christine WalthamAre the cast members still on the Island, working for the Black Dog and living in that impossibly beautiful house? Did they receive wages or a stipend for their work on the show?
While I don't know the whole
Steve McQuiggan ChilmarkWhile I don't know the whole story behind Ben Rossi's exit from the CG, I can say without question that he is far from a "punk". Quite the opposite, in fact.
(I love internet tough guys who don't have the spine to use their full name.)
It was stupifyingly boring...
C Lou Seal BeachIt was stupifyingly boring... Don't know how they can fix that...
I waited all summer to see
Sandra VanOrman Washington stateI waited all summer to see this show because I am unable to go to Martha's Vineyard. What a disappointment.
Does Bob Douglas really need
julie de wolff presently Portugal otherwise PennsylvaniaDoes Bob Douglas really need more publicity for the Black Dog? I and my children have been summer residents and worked on the Vineyard and it was never like this. Why do all the girls have such long hair? They obviously don't sail, play tennis, fish for crabs or beat waves on south beach. Also why is the whole African-American population ignored?
Why would you assume the
Meg BostonWhy would you assume the girls cannot sail or play tennis or swim at south beach? Just by their looks? Seems like an ignorant assumption to make.
I spent a little time reading
C. Tiraz CaliforniaI spent a little time reading reviews just to see if people feel the way I do. While most people seem to agree that the show is a big failure, I am amazed that no one bothered to point out that not a one of those people can act. I am shocked ABC Family would actually put something that poor on the air. The story is what it is (not for me) but I bet there are plenty of hot twenty something actors that can actually act looking for work. Wow.
What I see/hear come up over
Pam CTWhat I see/hear come up over and over again in discussions about this show is the confusion over whether it is supposed to be a reality show (Ala The Real World) or a completely scripted teen drama (Beverly Hills 90210). Unfortunately, it is not clear, there was confusing marketing and advertising, and so it fails in both genres.
To those questioning the long hair - well, that's the style! But why all the focus n the 3 blondes who I can hardly tell apart. (Hell, I think they have all 3 wanting Lou!)
I'll keep watching for now, if only to spot any MV incongruities (um, like swimming in May?!)
I agree. It's somewhere
BethI agree. It's somewhere between The Real World, circa 1998 and Beverly Hills, 90210, and it's hard to tell which way ABC Family is even trying to take it. The guys are buff and the girls are tiny, but the story lines are awful. I was hoping to see more of what actual life on Martha's Vineyard is like. :(
Both the African-American and
Mari OBBoth the African-American and Native American population totally ignored on the show. What a true misrepresentation of the VY!! Not only disappointing, but embarrassingly stupid, empty lines.
I am wondering if this
Other VHI am wondering if this stereotypical show left out the " -" community and made them appear far above the level that this "reality" show left us with the impression that it did. Vineyard Reality ---------------- No Frankie way ---------. Hollywood dismal ratings? Ask not what reality show you has to offer you, ask what Black dog has sold you recently!
The previews for this show
Allison MiamiThe previews for this show didn't really interest me but I thought I would give it a chance. I really wish I wouldn't of. I couldn't tell if this show was reality or acting. It was just horrible. I see this show getting canceled very soon.
This show is another Laguna
Jackie KupperThis show is another Laguna Beach or The Hills!!
Boring...boring...boring. If
Bridget ColoradoBoring...boring...boring. If your gonna do a reality show let it actually be reality...DONT SCRIPT IT!! People that can't act shouldn't be doing it....it would be much more interesting without the scripting.
This show is extremely boring
Vivica Amarillo, TexasThis show is extremely boring, and within the first 20 minutes I couldn't take anymore. worst acting I've seen in ages and plus its like a remake of The Hills. not impressed. at all
I personally love the show. I
Stacey v. PhiladelphiaI personally love the show. I've never been to Martha's Vineyard but after watching it seems like a great place to visit. I understand how natives are having a negative reaction much as I did to the Jersey Shore cast misrepresenting a place where i grew up. I think that Cat is the best cast member and represents the natives in a very respectable manner! Can't wait for next weeks episode! !!
This show is a load of crap!
Jessica New YorkThis show is a load of crap! If I have to listen to Cat say "she's just a summer girl" one more time I'm going hunt her down and rip out her tongue haha. You can completely tell it's scripted and the drama in it is just annoying. I tried watching the second episode before fully forming my opinion on it and it just heightened my ideals that this is a poorly done attempt at making The Hills but on Martha's Vineyard.
Thanks but no thanks!
I personally enjoyed the show
Taylor OhioI personally enjoyed the show vet much & I hope there will be much more drama & excitement
How are the ones that are
Pamela BostonHow are the ones that are under 21 allowed in clubs/bars to drink?
I've read every one of the
Rita Dayton OhioI've read every one of the above comments and cannot understand why so many seem to trash this show. It's entertainment weather it's reality or not.If you don't like it, don't watch it.
Cancel an intelligently
kay maCancel an intelligently written, brilliantly acted, humorous show like Bunheads and bring out this garbage? Of whom should I be more ashamed, viewers or ABC Family?
You are so right! I lived
Katie NjYou are so right! I lived bunheads it was the one abc show I really looked forward to... This doesn't even qualify as a replacement. Bring back bunheads!
MV will always be one of my
Jessica CTMV will always be one of my favorite places on the planet. I found this show by accident, but really love seeing the Island and recognizing most of the shots. I am a little disappointed that it seems more scripted than I would like, but I plan to keep watching.
Why are people so judgemental
AmandaWhy are people so judgemental and critical? Yes I understand disappointment for any misrepresentation of Marthas Vineyard. It seems to be scripted and reality and it may not be the best show in the world but it's also an escape from our own chaotic reality. I was a big fan of the hills so that's probably why I enjoy it, but for an hour on Tuesday nights I can forget the world around me and be entertained. There are likeable people like Cat and Ben on the show, they seem real... and call me a hopeless romantic but I want to know what's going to happen between Lou and Katie.
Why are people so judgemental
Amanda TorontoWhy are people so judgemental and critical? Yes I understand disappointment for any misrepresentation of Marthas Vineyard. It seems to be scripted and reality and it may not be the best show in the world but it's also an escape from our own chaotic reality. I was a big fan of Laguna Beach so that's probably why I enjoy it, but for an hour on Tuesday nights I can forget the world around me and be entertained. There are likeable people like Cat and Ben on the show, they seem real... and call me a hopeless romantic but I want to know what's going to happen between Lou and Katie.
Would of been a good show if
cassieWould of been a good show if they had really good actors the girls are horrible they sound mindless..Lou is the only one that can act.
I thought the show was really
Keith Wind PointI thought the show was really good, you people have to understand the way things have to be choreographed to make a show. You could really develop and interest and even caring for many of the charecters. I hope there is a season 2 and more. Good job, cast and crew.
I love this show
mlemos cape codI love this show
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