While the show certainly will certainly hook you, it would probably be just as compelling if it were around four or five episodes. However, “Welcome to Chippendales” stretches across ten, and it’s frankly hard to justify that length. Even though the rise, fall, and rebranding of Chippendales is an interesting idea for a limited series, it’s not interesting enough to be told over ten 45-minute episodes. This has become a pretty major issue with true crime and other biographical miniseries released over the past few years, making them seem far too repetitive for their own good, and it’s disappointing to see this series fall into the same trap.
There is also something to be said about how the show looks on a visual level. The lighting of each scene lacks depth, making its subjects flat at best and completely shadowed at worst. Sure, you can make the excuse of the actual Chippendales clubs being purposefully dark, but this carries into other sets as well. It just isn’t interesting to look at, and when you consider that the overarching subject of this limited series are the Chippendales, that seems like a wasted opportunity.
Despite all of this, “Welcome to Chippendales” might be worth the journey if you’re willing to allow it. The cast and its strong usage of dread are strong enough to keep viewers intrigued for the next episode, even if the show is lacking in the visual department. So, are you all ready to have a good time?
“Welcome to Chippendales” premieres on Hulu on November 22.
