Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Underappreciated Genius
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The Underappreciated Genius of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Early Work
Phoebe Waller-Bridge has become a household name, but her path to success was marked by several years of underwhelming attention for one of her earliest and most ingenious projects: Crashing. This 2016 comedy often gets overlooked in favor of her more critically acclaimed shows like Fleabag and Killing Eve.
Waller-Bridge’s early work wasn’t always met with widespread acclaim, even after the debut of Fleabag. Crashing premiered on Sky Atlantic around the same time as its sister series, but it flew under the radar for many viewers and critics. The show’s tone is lighter than Fleabag’s, which might explain why it didn’t receive the same level of attention.
Crashing takes place in a disused hospital, where six young adults live as property guardians – temporary residents who pay minimal rent to keep out squatters. The setting itself becomes a character, reflecting the chaos and unpredictability of its inhabitants’ lives. This is no tidy sitcom; Waller-Bridge’s writing gets messy, exploring themes of relationships, sex, and identity in an authentic and unapologetic way.
The show boasts a talented cast, including Waller-Bridge as Lulu – an ukulele-wielding free spirit – alongside pre-Bridgerton Jonathan Bailey as a wild and inveterate womanizer. The dynamic between these characters is electric; their performances are key to making Crashing enjoyable.
Crashing also contains elements of social commentary, poking fun at the gentrification of urban spaces through its focus on property guardianship. This aspect might seem minor but serves as a sharp critique of the changing London landscape.
Waller-Bridge’s unique voice and style were not yet fully understood by audiences in 2016. Her earlier work was still finding its footing, and it would take a few more years for her to refine her tone and themes in shows like Killing Eve. This raises questions about our industry: do we often overlook creators until they’ve honed their craft and found the right formula for success? Or do we simply lack an appetite for innovation and experimentation in television?
Waller-Bridge has spoken publicly about the impact of social media on her career, arguing that it can be both a blessing and a curse. As our industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other creators navigate this complex landscape – and whether shows like Crashing are given a second chance.
The re-emergence of Crashing serves as a reminder that there’s more to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s body of work than just Fleabag. It highlights the importance of digging deeper into our cultural output, rather than relying on surface-level popularity and critical acclaim. There are stories like Crashing waiting to be rediscovered – ones that offer new perspectives, fresh insights, and a glimpse into what television can truly achieve.
The future of television will undoubtedly involve more experiments like Crashing – shows that challenge our expectations and push the boundaries of storytelling.
Reader Views
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
While Phoebe Waller-Bridge's genius is undoubtedly celebrated in Fleabag and Killing Eve, Crashing's true brilliance lies in its understated, absurdist humor. The show's portrayal of property guardianship serves as a clever satire, but one wonders if its themes of gentrification were lost on viewers unfamiliar with London's changing urban landscape. Perhaps the key to appreciating Crashing lies not only in its witty dialogue and offbeat characters but also in recognizing Waller-Bridge's ability to craft authentic, relatable narratives about people who exist at the fringes of society – a talent that would become even more pronounced in her subsequent work.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
While Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Crashing deserves more attention for its ahead-of-its-time social commentary and authentic portrayal of millennial relationships, one aspect that warrants closer examination is its influence on the broader television landscape. As a harbinger of the "absurd realism" that would later come to define shows like Fleabag, Crashing laid some groundwork for the tone-deaf satire seen in recent series, where characters often find themselves trapped in absurd situations rather than genuinely grappling with complex issues.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
While Phoebe Waller-Bridge's early work is finally getting its due, it's worth noting that Crashing's exploration of gentrification in London was also a reflection of Waller-Bridge's own experiences growing up in the city. Her background and observations are what lend an authenticity to this often-overlooked show. Moreover, I believe one aspect deserving more attention is how Crashing tackles the tension between creativity and financial security among young adults – a theme that's eerily relevant today, especially with the rise of precarious living arrangements.