I'm in a Girl Group! - TV review

I'm in a Girl Group! (Not me personally, and after watching this I'm quite glad) was a formulaic documentary charting the rise and fall of girl groups in the twentieth century.

But it seems it's not all about looking good and singing songs about love and friendship. It's about girl power, glamour, feistiness and being a role model to your legion of fans. And having to work hard to get noticed and be respected in a male dominated world.

It certainly packed in a lot of faces from over the decades, making it a nostalgic trip down memory lane. But this was not a glossy, shiny story full of dreams coming true. This was the real bare-all story from the formation of the groups, the support and friendships, to the fall-outs and break-ups.

The hour-long show featured all the big name girl groups, The Supremes, The Ronettes, The Nolans, The Bangles, Bananarama, The Spice Girls, Atomic Kitten, Sugababes, The Pussycat Dolls, Girls Aloud, the list is endless.

Record companies and music producers are predominantly male and girl groups had to impress to get a foot in the door. So when female dreams and togetherness collide with male logic and a need for control, not everyone is going to be happy.

Take The Supremes, true talent who failed their initial audition at Motown Records. They refused to give up and their determination paid off and eventually they got their big break. When they did make it, it wasn't easy being under the rule of men, being told what to do and the threat of being replaced if they don't.

And The Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs was actually naked when she recorded Eternal Flame. She was convinced by producer Davitt Sigerson that Olivia Newton-John got her amazing performances by recording everything while naked. Gullible yes but also keen to make it big with the band.

But in the 80s when Bananarama came along they didn't take kindly to conforming to music producer Pete Waterman's every wish.

They went against a sleek girl group mould and did their own thing. It paid off. Cue girl power and The Spice Girls who, in the late 90s, stole the limelight from boy bands.

What could be better? All the glitz and glamour, the fun of practically living 24/7 with your mates on tour like an eternal sleepover, trendy clothes, cool hair and make-up and being in the spotlight.

Despite this dreams are not always what they are cracked up to be.

The cracks start to show especially if one of the pop princesses gets noticed more. Let's face it, girls can be bitchy. And if one girl quits, can the rest of the group carry on?

It seems some can as groups like the Sugababes prove. The band has had six members in total and none of the original group's members are in today's line-up. Both The Nolans and The Spice Girls have enjoyed profitable and successful reunions.

Although interesting and telling a different story about girl groups, it only seemed to scratch the surface of some bands and didn't delve deep enough and dish all the real dirt, drama and juicy gossip.

Lisa Broom