Almost Almost Famous
The Daisy Jones and the Six TV adaptation isn't quite giving what the book did—at least not yet
The first three episodes of the 10-episode season of Daisy Jones and the Six came to Amazon earlier this month, and I’m pretty sure I hadn’t looked forward to a show like this in years.
The series is based on a book by Taylor Jenkins Reid, a buzzy author who’s been blowing up over the past few years (she also wrote The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Malibu Rising, which was my gateway book; they’re also being adapted).
Daisy Jones appealed to me because I’d heard it was loosely based on Fleetwood Mac, my mom’s and one of my favorite bands (by virtue of her serving it into my ears my entire childhood). The book, if you haven’t read it, is set up like a documentary series (VH1’s Behind the Music, if you're nasty1). It’s instantly cinematic, so clearly written for a screen you almost wonder why Reid wasted her time novelizing it. Of course, it’s not a waste of time for anyone; it’s great—fast, juicy, and richly descriptive of late ‘60s and ‘70s LA.
So far, the first third or so batch of episodes isn’t quite giving fast and juicy. (The production design is excellent, though, and brings to life the glory days of the Sunset Strip.) I’m not saying I don’t like it; let me do my best Decisive Girlie with a pros and cons list.
Pros:
Karen2! In the book, she’s not British, but Suki Waterhouse is, and whatever magic she worked to make producers let her use her real accent was worth it. FYI: the actors who play Billy and Eddie are Brits, too. Of course, it wouldn’t make sense for two dudes from Pittsburgh, but in Karen’s case, it adds to her mystique, and all in all, she’s a welcome contrast to the Band of Dudes, who have few discernible qualities (tell me you really know who The Brother is). Who knew I liked Suki Waterhouse? Who knew she was so charming (Robert Pattinson, I guess). Best band member by far, in the pre-Daisy days, anyway.
The marketing: I know you’re not getting this from the show, but the marketing is really leaning in to the conceit that this is a real band. The show’s IG account pretends like it’s an IG account for the real band; there’s an Aurora album available, and shit, they even got Pitchfork to review it. (In Pitchfork fashion, they have no sense of humor so they don’t pretend it’s a real band, and also in Pitchfork fashion, they skewer it).
And that’s my list of Pros. Honestly the rest aren’t necessarily hard Cons, but I already committed to the bit so let’s proceed.
Cons
The reimagining of Daisy’s backstory: Maybe my brain is broken and I don’t remember everything from the book, but I do not remember Daisy’s name being Margaret and her working as a waitress. She is the glam progeny of people who don’t have time for her; that is portrayed in the first episode, but after that, the Daisy I know and the Daisy of the show do not seem to be the same.
Suddenly her backstory is one of desperation and poverty, which makes sense for the stakes for the character, but in the book, her privilege shapes her; she doesn’t need the band because she needs a job, she does it because she loves it and she has a burning ambition. I think I’m most bummed by the difference in her rise as an LA rock groupie in possession of herself, sly and resourceful; however, one of the few scenes showing that part of her life reduces her to a victim. In the book, she doesn’t just have agency, she grabs agency by the nuts. This is not to say that I’m not enjoying Riley Keough’s performance; although man, I guess I’d never heard her real speaking voice. It’s so normal. I miss her shifty drawl!
Oh, Billy: Billy… kind of sucks. He’s even a buzzkill while he is literally on drugs. I’ve generally always enjoyed Sam Claflin as an actor (Finnick Odair was IT), but Billy’s just a drag. His romance with Camila and its subversive stability (for a famous rock star) is a sweet part of the book, and he also just seemed… cooler, I don’t know. He’s just having zero fun. Russell Hammond you are not, sir! And can we get this man some facial hair? He’s too smooth.
Billy’s POV: Again, from what I remember, the POV was mostly split between Daisy and Billy, and in the series so far, it’s been mostly Billy and the band (again, could you even tell me who’s Eddie and who’s Warren and what even is the other guy’s name.) Maybe it’s a deliberate slow burn and once Daisy is fully in the band it’ll be more equal.
I have a lot of hopeful maybes for the next set of episodes. Maybe Keough and Claflin’s chemistry will start crackling. Maybe the soundtrack will produce an earworm (no “Fever Dogs” detected so far). I shall be a TV optimist, keep watching, and hope for the best.
In other pop culture news:
The Oscars are this weekend but it is me who will deserve a reward for figuring out how and where to stream it at 4:59 p.m.!
Ted Lasso starts next week! Are we all still watching? I am, because what else am I gonna do. WAIT WERE THEY FILMING THIS SEASON DURING THE SALAD DRESSING AFFAIR?! OH I’m def in.
Old
The first Karen we can celebrate in a long time! Sorry about your name, other OK Karens.
So, as contained in this review, does this make me "nasty"?
Great review. I am still on the fence as to “if” I like it. Thanks for the little mention on my favorite band.