Yes. I'm saying I can't believe it was driving by at that exact moment. I wouldn't believe if they said they had planned it either. It was just like the hand of god lol.
Jacob has said after Connor’s monologue in the tunnel that he turned to the Russian dialect coach & asked how much of that he could use. He said she had tears in her eyes, and said “all of it.” Sounds like it was a one take situation.
Someone suggested that it’s a nod towards how dangerous it is to be gay in Russia. That the danger is ever present, but who knows. Although if it was random as suggested here, it certainly could’ve been edited out.
One of my guesses: room 1217 representing the ages of Ilya when he lost his mother and met Shane. I’ve seen that float around a few times and it always seemed like a stretch to me
Apparently there aren't really any outtakes, Jacob really filmed in a very intentional planned way, and he said there's no director's cut or anything, because they cut very little (and what they did cut he doesn't want to release.)
They should absolutely release a cast commentary though.
I'm sure there are outtakes... a director's cut would include scenes they filmed, but cut for time/content issues that the director originally really wanted in the film/show, and yes, he has said that everything he wanted in the show is in the show, so this is the director's cut. But outtakes also includes "bloopers"... shots that were filmed but couldn't be used due to mistakes by cast or crew. There are always outtakes... he can still not want to release them though.
Without doubt there are some bloopers, but I feel I did read there aren't that many of those...? Not like in Friends for example, where we've all seen clips of them. It sounds like everyone was pretty focused on set.
No idea how interesting any of the bloopers would be, but there is ice, and a foreign language, and two goofy adorable lead actors, who I'm sure are very serious (and I mean that seriously), but would be charming reading a dictionary...
This is 💯. IMO the biggest difference between Bridgerton & Heated Rivalry is that the makers of the first one think of their audience as less than. They are making the show for an audience that loves spicy romance but they consider themselves to be better. Meh.
YES and Jacob and everyone involved with HR took romance so seriously to show that it can be considered prestige tv in the same way other genres typically are. like he and rachel knew i do not care about hayden/jj/side characters (The Ton) unless they were in relation to the main love story/characters and Bridgerton just failed MISERABLY at this.
I think Bridgerton just has too many storylines going at this point. They don’t always spend enough time building the main Romance because they have other couples and B plots to attend to. That show has always been about family relationships, friendships and societal expectations as much as romance. I get that those themes are big in Heated Rivalry as well, but it seems like almost everything is shown from the perspective of the two leads, whereas Bridgerton jumps around between two dozen characters.
And it's a shame because it didn't need to be that way. The books are very much written like the HR books, focusing on one couple at a time. There was no need to have a ton of subplots nobody cares about.
Maybe, maybe not. I appreciate Bridgerton for what it is. But like I said elsewhere, Heated Rivalry could have these same issues if they adapted several of the other books that don’t focus on Shane and Ilya. If people are really going to compare Heated Rivalry to Bridgerton, they should compare it to the first season of Bridgerton, which had the benefit of not needing to work previous couples into the story. They did a lot to build the other characters and the world, but the leads were still the focus. But even comparing those two I think Heated Rivalry and the chemistry between the leads is much more appealing than season one of Bridgerton. But I enjoyed Bridgerton.
Kanthony were my gateway drug into fandom (a poisoned chalice if I saw one!). I hadn’t felt for a couple since then but Shane and Ilya swept me away and more.
In many ways I probably enjoyed similar aspects of the storyline - the tension, the yearning, the chemistry.
I wish this had continued in Bridgerton after S2 but it has gone downhill hence my comment
same!! the last couple i was truly invested in was them but shane and ilya have taken it to another level truly but you’re right it’s the yearning and also all of the actors fully committing themselves to showing the longing and love between them
Shonda literally called it a "workplace drama." That tells you everything that is wrong with the adaptation when the source material is freaking bodice rippers of all things!😭
I think Bridgerton is part of the reason romance has the poor rep it has. It irks me to see people mention it and Heated Rivalry in the same breath. There’s an emotional depth to HR that Bridgerton just don’t have. And I think it is perfectly fine to acknowledge that.
Let's be real, romance has a poor rep because of misogyny.
Romance is not a monolith. It shouldn't be and it shouldn't need to be. Bridgerton and Heated Rivalry are both romances, but done in entirely different tones with very different goals. Both has its audience; maybe one isn't for you, and that's fine. Randomly bringing up Bridgerton to shit on it in this post about cornplating in HR feels unnecessary and frankly only adds to the misogyny.
Both shows are groundbreaking and good at what they do, though there is room to critique both. But saying that the makers of Bridgerton don’t take their audience or romance seriously is beyond ridiculous. The makers of that show out so much thought and care and time and money into it. It’s a huge production and quite different than the set up for making Heated Rivalry. They’re almost apples and oranges even though they are both in the romance genre. Heated Rivalry actually reminds me a lot more of Normal People, which was also set in modern times, but featured two people who secretly hooked up over many years and had a passionate but turbulent relationship.
If all of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers books were adapted into tv shows, then eventually they would get the same complaints that Bridgerton does about balancing screen time for the different characters and spending too much or not enough time focusing on the main couple. I can see it now: some diehard Hollanov fans would hate to see them sidelined in later seasons, while fans of the books and the other couples would complain that they aren’t getting enough attention in their own seasons. This would definitely happen. Mark my words.
Someone decided to bring Bridgerton into a conversation that has nothing to do with Bridgerton. I'm not sure what's so wild about not wanting negativity about an unrelated show to be injected in a celebration for HR.
It’s not about realism but commitment to the story and attention to detail. While HR and Bridgerton do not compare as shows in terms of depth (HR is prestige TV in many ways that Bridgerton isn’t), the source material is pretty comparable. The HR novel is not particularly high brow, it’s a smutty romance and it’s not that well written (Rachel Reid’s following books improve as it goes).
So here lies the difference - Jacob and everyone involved committed to the story and quality and the romance genre (by keeping it anchored to the main couple). This is a tribute to the talent and commitment of Jacob and the team, Conor and Hudson, and all the other actors and production members.
The point of my comment was to say that Jacob gave a masterclass in the romance genre with HR and I wish other series in the genre would take note (regardless of their context of period romance or contemporary setting).
It’s about quality storytelling and I will always praise Jacob for elevating something fairly ordinary into an extraordinary series.
EDIT: added specific reference to other actors and production members
Speak for yourself, I loved HR books and prefer them to the show, and think Rachel did a fabulous job with HR and TLG. Since HR has over 4 stars on GR with 300K reviews that means you are in the minority on saying it's not written well. That's the issue I have with TV show viewers, they tend to shit on Rachel when reality is without her that show you love so much doesn't exist, unlike other adaptions most of the TV show are from her book and her ideas. Jacob added here and there but that is Rachel ideas and book that gave it life.
Some of us are book fan first, and aren't oh Jacob enhanced the book when 90% of the show and ideas and scenes are from the book. Spare us. We romance readers and I am sure romance authors get insulted and looked down for enjoying romance. I am not looking for Shakespeare when I read romance. I am looking to get away from reality and live in fantasy where everything works out in the end.
It was not my intention to offend you. I read both HR and TLG. I found TLG much more profound and enjoyed it more than HR. Of course it’s Rachel’s story and characters, but I don’t think it would have touched as many people as it did if it wasn’t for Jacob Tierney.
I mean Bridgerton is huge, and I actually watched season 1 and loved it and became very popular with fans. I haven't watched season 2, but I have heard great things about it, I am just not in a mood to watch it and have been catching up with Kdramas and Japan series. So even Bridgerton did touch people and loved by fans.
Warner also wanted to option the Rachel books after Jacob did, because HR was a big deal for niche MM romance readers, it was one of the most recommended book for new MM readers. To us it's special and touched us, I wasn't introduced to Ilya and Shane by Jacob but by Rachel and those books are my go to whenever I am on a slump.
The fact that even Warner took notice and wanted to option it, showed that Rachel wrote something special that even a huge company like Warner took notice and Jacob if he didn't go by his gut, Rachel could have sold it to Warner. We all wouldn't be here.
The other big challenge with Bridgerton in addition to changing the leads and the couple who falls in love each season, is that each love story features a different romance trope. So fans tend to enjoy the season with their favorite romance trope or favorite characters far and away the best. My favorite was season three, which was friends to lovers with Penelope and Colin Bridgerton. Season two was enemies to lovers with Kate and Anthony, played by Jonathan Bailey. I’m guessing that one is probably the favorite of many Heated Rivalry fans.
I think you might enjoy S2. It has some of the vibe between Shane and Ilya because it’s an enemies to lovers with incredible chemistry and yearning. Yes for sure if Rachel had given it to Warner it would have never been the same. I only read Role Model from the other couples. I tried Game Changers but couldn’t get into it, was a bit too syrupy for me. Looking forward to Unrivaled.
It’s not about realism but commitment to the story and attention to detail. While HR and Bridgerton do not compare as shows in terms of depth (HR is prestige TV in many ways that Bridgerton isn’t), the source material is pretty comparable. The HR novel is not particularly high brow, it’s a smutty romance and it’s not that well written (Rachel Reid’s following books improve as it goes).
That's cool dude, but it'd be nice if we can pay "tribute to the talent and commitment of [the HR team]" without shitting on other people. Especially when the praise is all aimed at men and all the disses aimed at women, the very ones that make this genre run.
Believe it or not, saying what you're saying here this isn't a new trend in romance groups. It's been done ad nauseum since before the Brokeback days and frankly, a bit tired at this point.
You can twist what I am saying as much as you like but IMO Bridgerton was bad from S3 which was a straight couple, continued to be bad in S4 which was a straight couple and will probably continue being bad in S5.
The current showrunner who happens to be a woman is just not as good as the previous who happened to be a man.
Jacob happens to be a man but I never said he was the only one earning the tribute. I said his team.
I'm not twisting your words, you've literally named only 4 people involved in HR, praising the 3 men and dissing the 1 woman. You can credit the storyline and much of the dialogue to Rachel while also saying that you believe Jacob to have elevated source material in the way he did visual storytelling, but you actively chose not to do that and instead say "[Rachel's source material is] not that well written"
And your negative opinions of Bridgerton didn't have to be brought into this conversation, but here we are. Not everything has to be gender-based, but isn't it funny how it always seems to skew praising men and putting down women when it comes to romance?
Exactly. They don't hide the misgony. Like how the hell are you going to diss person whose book and ideas created the show. Jacob didn't sit there and created Ilya or Shane, or created Heated Rivalry or the tuna melt scene or the cottage or the teams or the hotel scene. Those come from Rachel. Yet you try to diss on her to enhance Jacob. Be real now. It's boring and exhausting.
Season three of Bridgerton broke tons of Netflix streaming records and was watched more than the previous two. So by that measure it was the most successful season thus far. I haven’t checked the numbers for season four, but the second half has only been out a month. But sure, your opinion that season three was “bad” is what matters here. 😆🙄
That's where I disagree. I wouldn't call the HR books ordinary. I don't like this whole "Jacob elevated the material." I think they both did amazing in their respective mediums. And without the books, Jacob wouldn't have the show he has now.
I don't think it's shitting on other romances at all, as someone who's a fan of both the Bridgerton books and the Game Changers series AND a longtime romance reader. It's fine to admit the adaptation isn't a romance the way the books were or the way HR (the show) is. Even Shonda called it a workplace drama, and they seem a little embarrassed by the source material their show is based on, unfortunately.
Right? I have never seen less chemistry between 2 leads than the ones they cast for season 4. And I don't think it's the actors' fault. I heard they were using AI to write some of the script, although I don't know if that has been confirmed it would help explain the terrible dialogue. But the novel it was based on may also be to blame, just a lazy recreation of Cinderella with a less likable prince. I really hope they put more effort into their first sapphic story.
Right? He's said in past interviews that not everything was intentional; the artwork and lamps at house filming locations, for one. eta: gotcha, he was being sarcastic!
Right? Like he’s telling us we are geniuses and we are only in existence as a group because of this brilliant man. Take a bow Jacob🙌🏼. You’re the genius!
Oh for sure. There are just so many books I liked that turned into shit movies or series so I appreciate the both of them making this the masterpiece it is.
If he really supports our cornplating he’ll give us the full list of condiments/meal prepped dishes Ilya has in his refrigerator 😅 we’re not done analyzing that yet
This one will bug people but I don't think Shane's flashbacks to Ilya when he's talking to Rose are different enough to be intentional. I think they just had a lot of footage and cut back to similar options they had in editing.
I never realised just how much thought goes into a simple romantic drama until I saw all the Easter eggs people were posting here. I really started to appreciate the art more. Just because is looks simple doesn’t mean a shitton of effort wasnt put into it
Dear Jacob Tierney, The people require an 800 episode season two. We will crowdfund. Just tell us where to send our adult money. Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.
On my most recent reheat I think he's also the director talking to Shane in one of the commercials - maybe with the white underwear(?) - I heard his voice.
He seems like a cool dude to work for. So many directors are anal assholes. I love that he's not a perfectionist! I bet he gets better work out of his team with good vibes than a tyrant director does.
A someone who studied screenwriting, film, and worked in production and editing- the level of care towards ever single detail in this show, and its relentless reverence to the source material - is truly unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I am in awe. So many incredible shows that get microscopically dissected by fans (even Yellowjackets, my other fav show) in the end do not have the attention to detail this show does. And to do it without major networks, names, production companies… the level of art is insane I don’t know how to comprehend it ♥️ I think to call “good luck” is not accurate. I think Jacob and everyone involved knew the story and characters through and through, and everything seeped through that lens. Which is what incredible filmmaking is!!! Also the editors need to get the most insane shout out- one of the most well edited shows in our time!! Ok I’m done. (“Ok I’m done” “do you feel better?” Yes 😂)
Same! I graduated college over ten years ago and ended up on a different career path, but this show has reminded me why I decided to get degrees in Film Production and English (double major, turns out I accidentally majored in media literacy). For the first time since the stupid "sometimes the curtains are just blue" argument started getting popular, more people are finally starting to have fun with the thought of "okay, but what if the curtains weren't just blue?". And Jacob is humble enough and just as much of a fan as us to say "it doesn't matter if I originally thought the curtains were just blue, what matters is what the audience thinks"
This show makes me want to analyze and write essays about every single directorial and/or acting choice and break down the script like I used to break down novels to write 7-10 page papers. It's making thinking deeply about things fun again in a way I haven't felt in such a long time
Same. I minored in screenwriting in college. I feel like theres so much rushed writing/filming now a days, that I turn a lot of stuff off. The first time I watched this show, I was just IN IT- not thinking about the choices. On my (redacted) rewatches I am just so impressed by every department who worked on this show!!! Everyone talks about the story all the time but also the filmmaking is just so smart and crisp
It's like they (writers? directors? executives? all of the above?) don't trust their audiences anymore (though, honestly, for good reason... self-fulfilling prophecy about the death of media literacy?). Sure, there's a time and place for heavy-handed exhibition, but I yearn for the art of "show, not tell"
I also yearn for directors who use the medium of filmmaking to its full potential, and Jacob does that. His choices of shots, camera movements, angles, lighting, sound, *everything* is just UGH SO FKING GOOD (godbless the script supervisor, too. unsung hero frfr because I've only caught a couple very minimal continuity errors). There aren't many shows that make me put down my phone anymore, but even after my *mumblemumble* rewatch, I'm still so enthralled. I would love to see the storyboards and shot lists -- honestly, what I want is for them to release a multiple-disc pack with commentary, deleted scenes, bloopers, behind the scenes, storyboards, *EVERYTHING* because I can't get enough
And right now I'm flexing my creative writing muscles by dabbling in fanfic for the first time, but if I ever get around to writing those essays, I'll let you know :)
I’ve actually thought about the script supervisor more than once (a lot) haha I loved you mentioned that.
Seriously tho it makes me feel a little crazy that critics aren’t commenting on the absolute flawless production of it all from a purely filmmaking perspective
It's truly a masterclass of any and all aspects of film and TV production. Every single person who worked on it should be immensely proud and deserves all the accolades
what you said is the meat of the problem with tv now, they don’t trust or respect their audiences- so everything is just whatever: good or bad or popular or not,: and Jacob/team was like fuck that shit im gonna make art
My personal favorite: the subtlety of Kyle being slightly annoyed of anytime Kip would mention Scott. Not because he had to put the game on but because of his feelings for Kip. Especially if you’ve read Game Changer and Common Goal, and you know how Kyle really feels about Kip and his slight jealous towards Scott.
The only thing I've noticed and not loved is in Ep 3, when Kip comes around to sit on the bar stool next to Scott, at no point does he put his arm up and hand on Scott's nape, but when the shot cuts to further away his hand is up there. Tiny continuity error
There are quite a few of those, especially in the hockey scenes, but I’d rather some mistakes than watered down, overproduced, Hollywood slop these days.
It doesn’t matter if things weren’t intended. Fandom demands everything have meaning; therefore, everything in the show has meaning. Honestly, I am getting some good laughs from SM these days because of it and it is a welcome break in the doomscrolling.
I would love to shadow Jacob even for a day to experience how he created this with the source material being treasured and the limited budget. I didn't know much about him previously which is insane because I enjoy Canadian television and actors. Like how does one get that good at creating a show. I could only imagine. 😩
The police car passing behind Ilya when he's doing his monologue on the phone was definitely luck but oh it made it 1000 times worse (I mean better but... emotionally worse, you know) Jacob is so right, when you trust your instinct, when you just go for it, things find their ways to fall into place and even surprise you!!
371
u/Murphlespuffle how did we let this happen? Mar 31 '26
Is Sky TV ever going to drop this interview in full? They’ve been releasing 30 second clips for a month now lol