In today’s crowded TV landscape with hits like Prime Video’s Reacher or under-the-radar gems like Netflix’s Leanne, it doesn’t take much for a show to end up on the chopping block before it gets the chance to really grow into itself.
One of the shows that met this fate was The Girls on the Bus, a clever and funny dramedy series about a group of political reporters on the campaign trail during a presidential election.
If you’re looking for a fun show that makes some interesting points about politics and features a cast of engaging stars, Watch With Us recommends you give this underrated series a try on HBO Max.
It’s A Girl’s Window Into A Boy’s Club
The title of The Girls on the Bus is a reference to The Boys on the Bus, Timothy Crouse’s famous nonfiction book detailing life on the road for reporters covering the 1972 United States presidential election. Journalism has become less gender-divided since then — but not by a whole lot. The Girls on the Bus gives a woman’s perspective into the male-dominated world of political journalism through the stories of four female journalists on the campaign trail.
We follow gonzo journalism and Hunter S. Thompson devotee Sadie McCarthy (Melissa Benoist), experienced and respected political reporter Grace Gordon Greene (Carla Gugino), conservative pundit Kimberlyn Kendrick (Christina Elmore) and Gen Z influencer activist Lola Rahaii (Natasha Behnam). While the characters are original, the series is based on the memoir of journalist Amy Chozick, who followed Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail in 2016.
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Life on the campaign trail is tough for anyone, but for women, there are extra hurdles. The expectations on wives and mothers are very different from the ones around husbands and fathers, for example. One particular storyline that we won’t spoil involves the impact that traveling across the country can have on a woman’s healthcare needs, and it’s wonderfully specific and poignant. The Girls on the Bus explores the very specific sacrifices women must make in order to follow their passions — especially if those passions involve politics.
‘The Girls on the Bus’ Is Aspirational, Which Is Rare Nowadays
The main characters in The Girls on the Bus come from across the political divide — left-wing activist Lola seems to have little in common with conservative Kimberlyn. But the women bond through their experiences, and they’re able to ignore their political differences in order to have each other’s backs.
In an age where politics feel increasingly tribal, it’s pleasantly surprising to see such an overtly political show depicting friends who disagree on big issues. The Girls on the Bus doesn’t minimize the cultural divide, but instead shows how each woman’s perspective influences those around her.
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‘The Girls on the Bus’ Understands the Changing Media Landscape
In addition to different levels of experience and different political POVs, the characters in The Girls on the Bus represent the different ways people get their news — and how increasingly siloed those sources have become. Traditional newspapers, moderate TV networks, right-wing entertainment news channels and social media — like it or not, people are getting their information from all of these sources.
The Girls on the Bus depicts the many pros and cons of all these forms of media these days. They’re all extremely flawed — but at the same time, the show never fails to emphasize the importance of journalism in all of its forms. The women in The Girls on the Bus are devoted to truth, whatever their own political viewpoints may be — and in an era where truth feels less valued every day, isn’t that worth championing?
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‘The Girls on the Bus’ Is Just Good TV
Putting aside all those lofty ideals about journalism, truth and politics, The Girls on the Bus has great performances from its lead actors, compelling interpersonal drama and smart, clever dialogue. It ends on a cliffhanger that, sadly, it seems we’ll never get a follow-up to, but it’s still a fun ride that we highly recommend.
If you’re looking for a unique show that has something to say, check out The Girls on the Bus on HBO Max.
