GLOW (TV series)

Did You Know?

• A four-issue comic book series based on the show was released in March 2019 by IDW Publishing, written by Tini Howard and illustrated by Hannah Templer.
• A second four-issue series, GLOW vs. The Babyface, co-written by former professional wrestler AJ Mendez and actress Aimee Garcia, was published from November 2019 through February 2020.

Premise

Set in Los Angeles in 1985, the series follows Ruth Wilder, a struggling actress who auditions for a fledgling professional wrestling promotion called the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). She clashes with director Sam Sylvia and discovers he has hired her former best friend, retired soap opera actress Debbie Eagan, after Ruth had an affair with Debbie's husband. The tension between the two women threatens or strengthens the developing show as the cast and crew navigate the 1980s in Southern California and Nevada.

Production

Flahive and Mensch conceived the series after discovering the 2012 documentary GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. They aimed to explore the aftermath of the 1970s Women's Liberation Movement, maintaining a tension between exploitation and empowerment. Ursula Hayden, owner of the GLOW company and original wrestler Babe the Farmer's Daughter, served as a consultant. Chavo Guerrero Jr. of the Guerrero wrestling family also consulted and trained the actresses, appearing in two second-season episodes.

Filming took place in Los Angeles locations including the San Fernando Valley, Chavo's Boxing Gym (a combination of a studio set and the San Fernando Masonic Lodge), the Pink Motel in Sun Valley (standing in for The Dusty Spur Motel), the Mayan Theater, and the Hollywood Palladium. Principal production on the second season began in October 2017. Netflix España released promo videos featuring Marta Sánchez and Vicky Larraz, and Netflix Brasil released a promo with Gretchen and Rita Cadillac. Funko released Pop! Vinyl figures of Ruth and Debbie in mid-2018.

Soundtrack

The series features songs from the 1980s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The opening theme for the full-length titles in episode 1 of each season is "The Warrior" by Scandal. Season 1 includes tracks such as "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" by Sylvester, "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" by Journey, "Stir It Up" by Patti LaBelle, "The Look" by Roxette, "We Don't Get Along" by The Go-Go's, "4-3-1" by The Jetzons, "Every Little Bit" by Jackie James, "Life in a Northern Town" by The Dream Academy, "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" by Billy Joel, "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears, "Make That Money (Scrooge's Song)" by Alice Cooper, "Rock You Like a Hurricane (2011 Re-recording)" by Scorpions, "Ready Steady Go" by Generation X, "Dare" by Stan Bush, "Theme of Exodus" by Ernest Gold, "Angel" by The Jetzons, "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie, "Car Wash" by Rose Royce, "Magic Moments" by Perry Como, "Things Can Only Get Better" by Howard Jones, and "Invincible" by Pat Benatar.

Season 2 includes "You May Be Right" by Billy Joel, "Just Like Honey" by The Jesus and Mary Chain, "It's Like That" by Run-DMC, "Sweat" by The System, "Situation" by Yazoo, "Baby You Got It" by Brenton Wood, "You're All I Need to Get By" by Aretha Franklin, "Smalltown Boy" by Bronski Beat, "I Know What Boys Like" by The Waitresses, "Far From Over" by Frank Stallone, "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates, "Destination Unknown" by Missing Persons, "Makeover" and "Don't Kidnap" by the GLOW Girls, "Kyrie" by Mr. Mister, "Cross My Heart" by Richard Myhill, "Can't You See the World Through My Eyes?" by Donnie Barren, "Don't You Want Me" by The Human League, "Crazy for You" by Madonna, "Man on the Corner" by Genesis, "Chapel of Love" by The Dixie Cups, and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship.

Season 3 includes "Quando quando quando" by Engelbert Humperdinck, "Baby Let Me Kiss You" by Fern Kinney, "Disorder" by Joy Division, "Big Mess" by Devo, "Gypsy" by Fleetwood Mac, "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" by Dolly Parton, "When the Chips Are Down" by Ricky Nelson, "Cities in Dust" by Siouxsie and the Banshees, "Barracuda" by Heart, and "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush. Trailers used Quiet Riot's cover of "Cum On Feel the Noize" for season 1, "Maniac" by Michael Sembello for season 2, and "Listen to Your Heart" by Roxette for season 3.

Reception

GLOW received critical praise. On Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 has a 94% approval rating (average 7.7/10, 108 reviews), with the critical consensus: "With spot-on 1980s period detail, knockout writing, and a killer cast, GLOW shines brightly." Metacritic gave season 1 a score of 81 out of 100 (37 critics), indicating "universal acclaim". Season 2 received a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (average 8.8/10, 86 reviews), with the consensus: "Fearlessly led by its excellent ensemble, GLOWs second season adds a new layer of drama without sacrificing its self-effacing, delightfully silly humor."

Metacritic gave season 2 a score of 85 out of 100 (20 critics), indicating "universal acclaim". Season 3 has an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (average 8/10, 68 reviews), with the consensus: "GLOW dives even deeper into the lives of its divas to deliver a knock-out third season that solidifies its place as one of TV's most compelling—and hilarious—character studies." Metacritic gave season 3 a score of 80 out of 100 (17 critics), indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Some original GLOW wrestlers gave mixed reactions: Jeanne Basone noted some training and outfits were correct; Patricia Summerland saw Marc Maron's character as a contrast to original director Matt Cimber; Eileen O'Hara felt the series did not acknowledge their groundbreaking nature; Lisa Moretti was relieved it was not a documentary, finding the mix of fact and fiction more entertaining.