In Peter Pan, it was the title character himself who never wanted to grow up and kept trying to inspire the exact same attitude in members of the Darling family. In critically acclaimed playwright-turned-television producer, scribe, and creator Craig Wright’s sinfully sudsy and satirically salacious new dramedy, Dirty Sexy Money, it’s the other way around.
Starring Six Feet Under’s Peter Krause as the straight-laced and serious lawyer Nick George, the pilot introduces us to another privileged family, given the tongue-in-cheek name of “The Darlings,” who have never seemed to grow up either. This time around, it’s not the outside agitator “Peter” (or in this case Nick) leading the call for the temptation for childish behavior and petty, reckless deeds but the entire Darling clan themselves as Nick is lured into their world of astronomical billionaire wealth and ridiculous privilege when he’s talked into becoming the family attorney.
Original Promo:
The viewer quickly learns that Nick spent his entire childhood suffering because of the family’s grasp on his father, the beloved Dutch George. In fact, Dutch's devotion to the Darlings drove Nick’s perpetually ignored mother to abandon them and caused undeniable strain in his relationship with his father. And although he had to share his dad with every member of the Darlings and their capricious whims, Nick is drawn into the same arrangement for two irresistible reasons. The first consists of the fact that with all of their wealth, he’ll finally be able to make a positive change in his community, doing the type of pro bono and philanthropic work of which he’d always dreamed. But the second is far less saintly and much more sinister as after his father died in a plane crash under mysterious circumstances, Nick has decided to find out what happened to his father along with which (if any) Darling is responsible and make them pay
The Family Discusses Nick’s Employment:
Unfortunately, soon Nick’s art dealer wife Lisa (Zoe McLellan) and daughter Kiki (Chloe Moretz) are relegated to the sidelines as he follows in his father’s footsteps. And unfortunately he begins to spend far too much time away from home while negotiating everything from the prenuptial agreement for his old flame Karen Darling (the hilarious, scene-stealing Natalie Zea) as she ponders walking down the plank with her less-than-stellar fourth husband to be, Freddy Mason (Daniel Cosgrove). When he's not busy with Karen, there's always getting Jeremy Darling (the show’s first officially confirmed cast member, the talented Seth Gabel) out of whatever bout of trouble he’s gotten himself into whether it’s erroneously being picked up for international human smuggling or closing the Brooklyn Bridge for a birthday party.
Article comments
1 - JimmyJames
I actually just started getting into Dirty Sexy Money and i thought it was good silly fun. I checked out this and got myself all caught up for the new season. I wonder if my parents felt the same way about Dynasty or Dallas.
2 - Jen
Hey There,
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
First off-- great handle (News Radio fan?). Secondly, excellent call and I think you're right. I'm too young to recall Dallas but I do vaguely remember some of the "catfights" between Crystal and Alexis on Dynasty and it definitely had the same vibe but this seems much funnier. I know, I love those ABC episode players-- thanks for adding in the link there so others can get caught up too.
- Jen
3 - LucyLu
OMG... was walking to work today and passed this construction site for Darling Tower! Can they really be building this in NYC???
4 - Jen
Too funny-- ABC's pulling out all the stops! :)
5 - JimmyJames
Love my News Radio. During my recent unemployment stint, I caught some old Dallas reruns, and they seemed a little more serious than things like DSM. I am not sure if DSM is purposely winking its eye at us, saying "hey we remember the old shows and this is done with tongue firmly planted in cheek" or ... do are they oblivious and really putting out a serious show. I think the former, but you never know.
6 - Jen
I agree-- think the former as well but a good friend told me to add Dallas to my Netflix queue a.s.a.p. so if I get a chance to start watching, I'll be sure to review here.
P.S. I STILL miss Phil Hartman. News Radio ruled and I own every season he was on! Great taste again there, Jimmy James. :)
7 - Greg-eddie
For my Dirty Sexy Money the main difference between this show and the old school shows--Dallas, Dynasty--might be the attitude of the viewers towards the show. We live in a more ironic time, perhaps, than when Dallas was on TV. I can remember people seriously needing to know who shot JR. The wealth in that show was entirely something to aspire to. DSM seems to acknowledge the deprivation of the wealthy, maybe? It's a fun ride however you slice it. Love these inside with the stars interviews. A great cast, with some exciting additions for season two.
8 - Jen
Very well put, Greg-eddie, and I think you're so right! Thanks for the great comment and I loved that clip you provided. I'm going to be adding that one actually to my review of DSM on my own site Film Intuition. For more great "inside" views, the DVD set was packed with cool extras that I'm sure you'd enjoy if you haven't checked it out already.