The trailer for a new woman-centered show produced by former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea Clinton looked promising. In a time when audiences crave female role models and perspectives, it feels as though Gutsy is just what some audiences ordered and could’ve been one of the best docuseries of 2022. The guest stars, two of which are comedians Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer, are interesting, the topics (climate change, feminism, relationships, culture) are intriguing, and the trailer suggests we might even get a glimpse into Hilary’s personal life (specifically a very public affair.) But does Gutsy live up to its own expectations?
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According to Lucy Mangan of The Guardian, overall the series works and the producers “have managed to assemble a collection of impressive and formidable activists, community leaders, and others who have used their experiences or rage and channeled it into change.” Similarly, Caroline Framke of Variety comments that Gutsy seemingly has good bones, “tapping everyone from Gloria Steinem to Megan Thee Stallion to explore what it means to be a ‘gutsy’ woman.”
However, although this well-intentioned show has some decent moments, the series just doesn’t seem to live up to its potential. In fact, Gutsy is one of the series sparking negative reactions this year alongside other docuseries facing backlash like Peacock’s Casey Anthony series, Where the Truth Lies. Here’s why Gutsy, the Hillary Clinton docuseries on Apple TV+, is the most cringe-worthy series of 2022.
Gutsy Doesn’t Ask “The Hard Questions”
Apple TV+
Usually, when we watch docuseries we expect to see a new perspective or an additional piece to the collective conversation about any given subject. For example, Gutsy briefly touches on testimony from previously incarcerated women speaking about the problematic penal system. Although the show touches on this subject, like the other topics explored in each episode, it is only briefly considered. The focus quickly shifts to another segment rather than spending time on the issue or discussing possible solutions.
It appears that the series cannot decide whether it is a light-hearted, goofy show about women awkwardly hanging out together or a project asking and answering challenging questions that women face. Caroline Framke of Variety comments that Hillary and Chelsea are “determined to find the silver lining in every cloud” and are “seeking out people who feel [the same] as them rather than challenging their or their viewers’ worldviews.” What is supposed to inspire and encourage their audience to gain a new perspective doesn’t give enough time for the viewer to meaningfully absorb each topic or even decide which subject it’s talking about.
Hillary and Chelsea: Mother and Daughter or… Acquaintances?
One of the more cringe elements of Gutsy is that it is quite restrained but tries hard to be unrestrained. It is noticeable in several instances that Hillary and Chelsea behave distantly toward one another; even when making jewelry or taking clown classes they seem glaringly disconnected. It appears that, just like their show, they will not cross certain challenging or vulnerable lines with each other. According to Variety, Gutsy “reverts to a safer model that highlights and flatters the Clintons, not least by stopping short of rustling up any real discomfort between them and the subjects at hand.”
This is exactly the attitude that makes the show feel a bit dishonest and shallow. The most genuine moment is one where we see Hillary sit down with a pastor and talk about her previous marital problems. The pastor thoughtfully asks whether Bill would’ve admitted to having an affair if the Clintons were not in the public eye and Hillary admits that he wouldn’t have. Like other moments in the series, we are left looking for elaboration and disappointingly receive none. Perhaps Gutsy is a real-life example of the Clintons (at least, Hillary and Chelsea) considering growth but always falling back into the habit of upholding their image.
Sometimes Cringey, Sometimes Successful
The two most awkward things about Gutsy are one, the regularly forced laughter which make the Clintons seem like malfunctioning robots, and two, the Clintons’ genuine disconnect and sometimes patronizing attitude towards their guests. Case in point, when the Clintons sit down with the rapper Megan Thee Stallion, it’s obviously a pandering, bizarre pairing (where they sit by a pool and paint), and Hillary literally tells her, “I kind of came to awareness of you through the Cardi B WAP.” Watching her try to make small talk and be culturally relevant is physically painful for viewers.
Despite that Clinton cringe, the series’ guests are often phenomenal, educated, and inspiring. Some of the best appearances are made by Law and Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay and the ever-inspiring anthropologist Jane Goodall. Hargitay shares her real-life experience with sexual assault, and Goodall speaks on the future of the Earth as well as her career with animals.
Despite both Hillary and Chelsea’s sometimes questionable reactions, Gutsy is worth the watch for just how unintentionally funny it is in the realm of cringe comedy, but also for the genuine and strong group of female guests in the series that share their important life stories. The guests on this show are honest about themselves and their passions and for eight episodes we’re allowed a peak into their lives. We barely get a taste of who the Clintons are, though, or maybe there really isn’t anything beneath the surface.
If the show is renewed for another season, and it might not be due to mixed reviews, the hope is that Hillary and Chelsea commit to real rather than scripted, cringe-worthy conversations with their guests. The audience of this kind of content wants to feel a connection with actual gutsy women, and that won’t happen if certain somebodies are afraid to open up.
