Has TOWIE lost its mojo?

TOWIE cast double dating (from left to right): Ricky Rayment, Jess Wright, newcomer Danielle Armstrong and James Locke. Image source: dailymail.co.uk

The Only Way Is Essex is back and only a couple of episodes into the new series and rumours of cheating are floating in the Essex air. Did or didn't James Locke cheat on girlfriend and TOWIE newcomer Danielle Armstrong?

Anyway, regardless of this mini scandal I can't help but think that familiar themes are dominating this series of TOWIE. Girlfriend gets tweets that her boyfriend has allegedly cheated, boyfriend denies it, girlfriend doesn't believe it. This is not an original storyline is it? Haven't we seen this before?

Oh yeah, Ricky Rayment cheats on Jess Wright and then gets tweets relating to this. Yep, I think we have seen this before. The show is starting to make it look like cheating is rife in Essex or to be more specific, Brentwood which I have to say, is unfair for the people from Brentwood who have never betrayed their partner.

This storyline is beginning to dominate the new series which will become rather tiresome. I would rather know now whether James Locke cheated than wait until Sunday's episode. In fact, this story is dominating to the point where I can't recall what else is going on in TOWIE.

Yes good old Bobby Norris has decided to go through with his adoption plans, but why can't we see more footage about this? This is more of an interesting and original story than cheating. Bobby making the brave decision to adopt and become a single parent is an intriguing new development and should be followed.

Samantha Faiers has just been diagnosed with Crohn's disease. If the producers focused on this in the coming episodes then the show would help to raise awareness for a disease we hear little about. By talking about Crohn's in detail, Sam will be able to bring comfort to those suffering from the disease that they are not alone.

TOWIE better pick up and drop its repeated cheating scandals or I may tune out. Let's hope that other storylines get a decent amount of coverage in the coming weeks.

What do you think? Are you sick of cheating scandals dominating TOWIE's storylines? 

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...

The Only Way Is Essex cast have just finished filming in Vegas, shooting a one off special where they get up to their normal antics within the background of the famous gambling hole. We have been kept up to date with their activities by pictures showing them strutting through the airports, enjoying girlie meals and sunbathing sessions. However what has actually happened? At this point we have no idea what the storylines will be in the new series, but here's what I predict they got up to in Vegas...

Ferne will backlist Charlie whenever she can

Ferne McCann. Image from the reveal.co.uk

After the last series finished Charlie Sims was papped flirting with a girl in Ibizia who he also romanced when back in the UK. After taking a few weeks to make a decision about the future of her relationship, Ferne chose not to take Charlie back, instead taking to Twitter to voice her emotions. So us viewers are waiting for her to make an announcement about him. In usual TOWIE style this romantic blip will not be left un-spoken about, I predict multiple conversations about Charlie in Vegas and the girls helping Ferne to move on.

Lucy will have washed the man out of her hair

Lucy Mecklenburgh wearing her new hair extensions. Image from dailymail.co.uk

Lucy revealed towards the end of last series that she was dating The Wanted's Max George, however over the summer this dalliance came to abrupt end when it was revealed that he had been seeing model Jasmine Lennard behind Lucy's back. After suffering yet another romantic setback Lucy is probably keen to start afresh. By chance she has just had some long hair extensions put in, perhaps in preparation for the Vegas jaunt. A new hairstyle signals a fresh start, as they say.

Mario will gamble at a casino

Mario Falcone. Image from mirror.co.uk

Mario is not un-known to hang out in casinos, remember that episode when he bumped into Rami (Gemma Collins' ex in a casino in Mayfair)? Mario will literally be in heaven in the heart of casino land. After all what is the point of the cast going to Vegas to film without making use of the infamous gambling capital?

Joey Essex will meet someone new

Joey Essex. Image from mirror.co.uk

Over the summer Joey Essex was photographed flirting with a girl at V Festival who his ex fiance Sam apparently knew when she was younger. Despite Joey and Sam no longer talking to each other, Sam was still upset, giving an exclusive interview to a celeb weekly saying how much those photos disappointed her. Joey's behaviour gives us a clear indication that he is enjoying being single and is certainly ready to mingle. So it's very likely that he will have met someone on this recent trip.

What do you think will happen in Vegas? Are you excited for the new series of TOWIE?

Are some TOWIE stars getting too big for the show?

Lucy Mecklenburgh on October 2013 FHM. Image from mirror.co.uk

Lauren Pope wears a clip-in hair extension from her Hair Rebab London range. Image from reveal.co.uk

Before the likes of Lucy Mecklenburgh and Sam Faiers appeared in The Only Way is Essex, there were no magazine deals or boutiques  No, these were in part the creation of TOWIE, which gave these young Essex girls a platform in which to build a media image. As the long running show has progressed we have seen less scenes of the girls lying on each others beds drinking cups of tea and more scenes of them working in their shops and on photoshoots. It is no longer a show documenting the lives of normal Essex girls, but rather one giving an insight into the life of a celebrities. It is arguable that some of the stars careers have ascended to such a point that their sole claim to fame is no longer just TOWIE.

This happened to Amy Childs who was quick to leave the show, as soon as her boutiques had hit the ground running and clothing and beauty lines was taking off. Similarly Mark Wright left when television presenting deals were on the horizon. You could argue that some of the current cast are too big for the show now. 

Lucy Mecklenburgh's career has escalated in the last year, as she is no longer just a TV personality. She has launched her own fitness website, Results with Lucy, signed a modelling deal with Select model management as a special bookings model and has just recently set her sight on an acting career. It was only a couple of weeks ago that Lucy was prowling the streets of LA dining at The Ivy and meeting Doug Reinhart. Most notably, it would seem that even Lucy herself no longer defines herself by TOWIE as on her bio for her Offical Twitter page, she simply has 'Fitness and Fashion Media Bookings', with no reference to the show.

Lauren Pope's career has also progressed as well, as she has DJ'd for Ministry of Sound and has her own brand of clip-in hair extensions, Hair Rehab London which have been worn by Little Mix members Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson.

Whilst TOWIE has played a huge part in both Lucy and Lauren's lives, they are no longer defined by it. Their outside projects have done much to evolve their careers and develop their celebrity statutes. They are now known as business women with expanding brands, not just a cast member in a reality television show. Perhaps they are too big for the show?

What do you think - are these TOWIE stars too big for the show? Should the programme just document the lives of normal Essex girls?

MOWIE

Imagine a reality show mash-up of The Only Way Is Essex and Made in Chelsea, now that would be interesting. It would be something in between Essex glamour and Chelsea Sloane. Imagining Mark Francis’ face at this idea would just make it even more worth while! So I’ve put my thinking cap on and created some MOWIE couples who I think would be great together!

                             

Joey Essex from TOWIE and Phoebe Lettice from MIC. They both look about 16, have quirky styles, love fashion and are up for having fun. Phoebe could also help Joey out with his Fusey line, maybe a feature in Tatler wouldn't go amiss?

                             

Stevie Johnson from MIC and Lucy Mecklenburgh from TOWIE. After being treated badly by love rat Mario, Lucy deserves an all round nice, sweet and genuine guy and Stevie is certainly that!

                               

James Lock from TOWIE and Lucy Watson from MIC. These too both seem like players, so why not put them together?

                

Spencer Matthews from MIC and Lauren Pope from TOWIE. It's going to take a lot to tame Spencer and an older woman like Lauren might just be the trick. Plus she's blonde, and if there's something we've learnt from Spencer's Caggie obsession and Julianne Hough crush its that he likes blondes.



What do you think of these MOWIE couples? Are they a match made in reality heaven?