Denise Richards: It's Complicated
Encyclopedia
Denise Richards: It's Complicated is an American
reality-based television series that debuted on E!
on May 26, 2008. This is the second series to be produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions
, following Keeping Up with the Kardashians
. The program details the daily lives of actress Denise Richards
, her daughters Sam and Lola, and her family (her married younger sister Michelle and father Irv), as she deals with her career and the publicity she had received since her divorce from actor Charlie Sheen
.
In January 2008 Richards decided to include her two daughters with Charlie Sheen
in the show, but Sheen deemed her plans "greedy, vain and exploitative". On January 25, 2008, Richards won a court case against Sheen so that she can include her daughters in the show.
When a judge rejected Sheen's request to block it, the latter urged fans to boycott it.
An agreement was reached between Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards regarding the custody of the children.
, Denise Richards: It's Complicated has also received negative reviews.
In one review, "Variety" summed it up this way: "She's traded on her sexuality to become one of those public figures who cavorts with other public figures, and we (or, at least, those of us inclined to watch and read about such fluff) are voyeurs."
The series has also generated mixed comments from Entertainment Weekly
, which gave the series a D. In its review, Gilliam Flynn notes, "It's Complicated is one of those celebs, they're just like us! shows in which we're expected to enjoy watching a famous pampered person doing things we don't want to do either.
The series also got a D from the Boston Herald
, who summed it up after critic Mark A. Perigard watched the first episode: "Denise Richards’ life is one steaming pile of pig poop...Literally."
The Palm Beach Post's review of the series turned off the reviewer after critic Kevin Thompson saw the first episode: "E! is calling the new show Denise Richards: It's Complicated. I'd suggest a name change: Denise Richards: It's Boring."
In a review from Slate, they thought that first episode hit their stride too fast: "The most significant problem with the premiere episode...is that it hits its peak too early."
The Los Angeles Times
compared both Richards and Lohan's shows and came to the conclusion that both shows had some flaws: "When we tune into shows like "Living Lohan" and "It's Complicated," we come because we're curious, eager to admire, perhaps to envy, certainly to judge. Those manor houses were lovely, but they were often cold and impersonal, the furnishings too fussy to be of use, and who would want the burden of maintaining such a life? Dina Lohan may be able to get her daughter a recording session in Las Vegas, Denise Richards can afford a $9,000 grill or whistle up an instant-tan house call, but would we really want to be either of them? Lord, let's hope not."
denied that the show was canceled and said decisions about a second season were still being made, "The show has not been canceled--The series has performed well for the network and decisions are still being made regarding a second season." Richards confirmed to usmagazine.com September 17, 2008 that the show was renewed for another season and starts filming "in a few months." Filming of the second season began in January 2009. Air date will be Sunday, June 7 at 10:30/9:30c. Promos for the second season can be seen on E! and feature "Rock What You Got" from Rock What You Got
. The Second Season premiere was the highest ratings for "Denise Richards: It's Complicated" with 1.5 million viewers. The same episode also features Swedish fashion model Eric Ahlqvist Scott, that is seen several times on the dance floor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reality-based television series that debuted on E!
E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
on May 26, 2008. This is the second series to be produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions
Ryan Seacrest
Ryan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
, following Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Keeping Up with the Kardashians is an American reality television series that airs on E!. The series premiered in October 2007. It focuses on the personal and professional lives of the members of the Kardashian and Jenner family. There will be a 7th Season to premiere in 2012.As of September 2011,...
. The program details the daily lives of actress Denise Richards
Denise Richards
Denise Lee Richards is an American actress and former fashion model of Croatian and Welsh descent. She has appeared in films including Starship Troopers, Wild Things, and The World Is Not Enough...
, her daughters Sam and Lola, and her family (her married younger sister Michelle and father Irv), as she deals with her career and the publicity she had received since her divorce from actor Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
.
Season 1
| Episode | Original airdate | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|
| Denise Dating | 5/26/2008 | Denise goes to the DMV to change her last name from Sheen back to Richards; Denise arranges to find a stud pig to breed her female; Denise agrees to go on a blind date with a normal guy. |
| Denise vs. Tabloids | 6/1/2008 | Denise has a face-to-face interview with a tabloid journalist to tell why she's doing a reality show; Denise decides to stop swearing for her kids, and if she does swear, she's going to donate shoes to charity; and Denise sits down for an interview with Redbook Redbook Redbook is an American women's magazine published by the Hearst Corporation. It is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines.-History:... . Beginning with this episode, the series moved to its normal Sunday night timeslot. |
| No Jackets Required | 6/8/2008 | Denise considers posing for Playboy, while everybody tries to talk her out of it; Denise prepares for her meeting with Joel Silver; Denise gets her father a makeover, before they attend a red carpet event. |
| Desperate House Mom | 6/15/2008 | Denise looks to find some equal time to have some fun and taking care of her children; Denise also handles a conflict between Sho and Sabrina. |
| Saying Goodbye | 6/22/2008 | Denise tries to come to terms with the death of her mother; Denise tries to conquer her insomnia. |
| A Weekend in the Country | 6/29/2008 | Denise visits her family; Denise babysits her nephew and his teenage friends. |
| Bikini Shape | 7/13/2008 | Denise tries to lose weight before her vacation to Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of... . She also deals with her father not liking all of the pets she has, while he threatens to send them to a kennel Kennel A kennel is the name given to any structure or shelter for dogs. A kennel is a doghouse, run, or other small structure in which a dog is kept... while she is on vacation. |
| Hawaii: Searching for Youth | 7/20/2008 | Denise vacations in Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of... with her sister and friends. She gets angry, however, when paparazzi Paparazzi Paparazzi is an Italian term used to refer to photojournalists who specialize in candid photography of celebrities, politicians, and other prominent people... follow their every move. |
| Denise Strikes Back! | 7/27/2008 | In the season finale, Denise travels to New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... to promote her show. She ends up disappointed with how the promotion goes as everyone asks about her personal life and putting her children on TV. In the end, she fights back and appreciates her family even more. |
Season 2
| Episode | Original airdate | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|
| Vegas, Baby | 6/7/2009 | Denise must overcome her fear of drunk, unruly crowds, plus deal with a last minute fashion emergency, and a father ready to party - all before she can ring in the new year. |
| Denise Does Slamdance | 6/14/2009 | When Denise's film, "Finding Bliss," is accepted into the prestigious Slamdance Film Festival, she heads to Park City, Utah, with her best friend Kim, and assistant, Chrissy. |
| Dating-ish | 6/21/2009 | What starts out as a casual Valentine's Day group dinner gets surprisingly dramatic for Denise and her family. |
| Labor of Love | 6/28/2009 | When her friend Trish gives birth, Denise can't make it to the hospital in time because she's acting in a Broken Lizard comedy. |
| Funbags or Die | 7/5/2009 | When Will Ferrell's website Funny or Die asks Denise to star in a comedy video about her "fun bags," she's excited to make fun of her assets. |
| Dancing with Denise | 7/12/2009 | This episode takes us inside the emotional and physical rollercoaster of "Dancing With The Stars." |
| Picture Imperfect | 7/19/2009 | Denise volunteers to be in a new print campaign for Kim's cosmetic line, Primp. |
| Root for the Home Team | 7/26/2009 | In memory of her mom, Denise hosts a fundraiser for the Kidney Cancer Foundation at Wrigley Field in Chicago. |
Behind the scenes
When Richards announced her plans to do a reality show in 2007, she received a lot of negative press coverage, mostly due to objections over the use of her children in the series and overhyped publicity she has done in promoting the show prior to its debut. Richards was hoping that by doing the series that she would be able to show her side of the story.In January 2008 Richards decided to include her two daughters with Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
in the show, but Sheen deemed her plans "greedy, vain and exploitative". On January 25, 2008, Richards won a court case against Sheen so that she can include her daughters in the show.
When a judge rejected Sheen's request to block it, the latter urged fans to boycott it.
An agreement was reached between Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards regarding the custody of the children.
Critical reception
Along with another E! reality-based series that debuted the same day as this one, Living LohanLiving Lohan
Living Lohan is an American reality television series that debuted on E! on May 26, 2008. The series aired for a total of nine episodes, ending its run on July 27, 2008.-Synopsis:...
, Denise Richards: It's Complicated has also received negative reviews.
In one review, "Variety" summed it up this way: "She's traded on her sexuality to become one of those public figures who cavorts with other public figures, and we (or, at least, those of us inclined to watch and read about such fluff) are voyeurs."
The series has also generated mixed comments from Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, which gave the series a D. In its review, Gilliam Flynn notes, "It's Complicated is one of those celebs, they're just like us! shows in which we're expected to enjoy watching a famous pampered person doing things we don't want to do either.
The series also got a D from the Boston Herald
Boston Herald
The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...
, who summed it up after critic Mark A. Perigard watched the first episode: "Denise Richards’ life is one steaming pile of pig poop...Literally."
The Palm Beach Post's review of the series turned off the reviewer after critic Kevin Thompson saw the first episode: "E! is calling the new show Denise Richards: It's Complicated. I'd suggest a name change: Denise Richards: It's Boring."
In a review from Slate, they thought that first episode hit their stride too fast: "The most significant problem with the premiere episode...is that it hits its peak too early."
The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
compared both Richards and Lohan's shows and came to the conclusion that both shows had some flaws: "When we tune into shows like "Living Lohan" and "It's Complicated," we come because we're curious, eager to admire, perhaps to envy, certainly to judge. Those manor houses were lovely, but they were often cold and impersonal, the furnishings too fussy to be of use, and who would want the burden of maintaining such a life? Dina Lohan may be able to get her daughter a recording session in Las Vegas, Denise Richards can afford a $9,000 grill or whistle up an instant-tan house call, but would we really want to be either of them? Lord, let's hope not."
Second season
Rumors spread in late August 2008 that the show was canceled due to declining ratings throughout the season. However, a rep for E!E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
denied that the show was canceled and said decisions about a second season were still being made, "The show has not been canceled--The series has performed well for the network and decisions are still being made regarding a second season." Richards confirmed to usmagazine.com September 17, 2008 that the show was renewed for another season and starts filming "in a few months." Filming of the second season began in January 2009. Air date will be Sunday, June 7 at 10:30/9:30c. Promos for the second season can be seen on E! and feature "Rock What You Got" from Rock What You Got
Rock What You Got
Rock What You Got is the fifth album from the band Superchick. It was released on June 24, 2008. The album debuted at #65 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling nearly 10,000 copies its first week. The band has described the album as more progressive, in-your-face sound and has dubbed it...
. The Second Season premiere was the highest ratings for "Denise Richards: It's Complicated" with 1.5 million viewers. The same episode also features Swedish fashion model Eric Ahlqvist Scott, that is seen several times on the dance floor.