The archetypal preppy jerk has returned to take his place of privilege in the pop culture pantheon. Netflix has a new show out called “The Politician” which features twin brothers and a Southern California setting whose style is inspired by Slim Aarons, Wes Anderson, JFK, and ’80s Ralph Lauren ads. The brothers are played by real-life acting twins Trey and Trevor Eason.
To capture the Ivy League preppy style sported by [lead character] Payton’s narcissistic Ken doll-like twin brothers, [costume designer Claire] Parkinson looked at Ralph Lauren campaigns from the 1980s. The intention was for their outfits to evoke wealth and power, but also to add to their overly groomed appearance, she explains. So the Hobart twins hurl abuse at their younger brother and plot patricide in tight-fitting polo shirts with collegiate sweatshirts hanging around their shoulders. The juxtaposition of their American dream look with their vile dispositions is intoxicating.
The article includes the following interesting line about how sartorial choices are no longer driven by culture or class, but merely “financial background”:
“Each character’s financial background story helped us decipher what their style would be and where their priorities were.”
Then again, this is Southern California we’re talking about. — CC
I watched the trailer. I won’t watch the show. Ironically enough, millennial deadpan irony has become as shallow, obvious, and dumb as the people they mock.
Should be “it mocks.”
Ken doll with a little late 70s Hardy Boys (Parker Stevenson and Shaun Cassidy) thrown in. Tiresome fish in a barrel though. Can you imagine the righteous indignation, uproar, and unfettered rage if a charicatured (Sp?) version of the working class actually made it onto cable or network TV or online?
Best Regards,
Heinz-Ulrich
Big Pony…..dreadfully non-U. That tells me everything about Claire Parkinson that I need to know.
Heinz-Ulrich
More than a few British shows have lampooned the working class as well. It’s not who gets lampooned that matters to me, but whether it’s done well. For me, that trailer provided a clear answer: hell no.
I saw about 10 minutes of the show. Obvious and ham-handed. Will not watch again. Was so unimpressed I did not even notice the styling.
Millennial humor is the definition of trite. Infantile satire from the folks who brought us Antifa and socialized healthcare. With notable exceptions, a criminally stupid generation.