So far, RedTV has released three episodes of its latest web series, “Assistant Madams.” The web series has introduced the audience to the three female leads; Chioma (Osas Ighodaro), Tamara (Sophie Alakija) and Lara (Tana Adelana). The women are all connected by two men, billionaire John Egirigi (Kalu Ikeagwu) and banker, Jola (Yemi Blaq) but they have not met.
“Assistant Madams” is simply a story about the shenanigans of Lagos girls who date rich, older men also known as aristos. Some are good girls turned bad because they’ve been heartbroken. Some just want fame and others do it because they are spoilt rich kids with a daddy issues.
The three female leads are pretty but the storytelling is sloppy. Except for the scenes which depict Nollywood – the struggle to keep up with the Joneses – the story is unrelatable. It is just too far from reality. Some actors give a decent performance, others are not compelling.
The producers make the same mistake with “The Men’s Club” in season 1. The props and locations do not match characters. Once again, Lara’s father’s office does not befit the owner of a private jet. Chioma gets $25,000 for shopping and she buys Mac lipstick and Victoria’s Secret lingerie. Really? The characters throw figures around with reckless abandon. John’s watch is supposedly worth £404,000. Actions are also questionable. John buys a 2020 Range Rover for a girl he just met. Chief is interrupted in the middle of a chess game and gambles with $100,000 with a stranger? Really? Even “The Men’s Club” was not so excessive and the blunders were forgiven overtime because there was a story. Call it early days but so far, RedTV’s “Assistant Madams” is boring.
Speaking of “The Men’s Club,” Aminu, Lanre and Hadiza crossover. They do not add much to the story and because of the poor writing, the portrayal of Lanre is out of character. From “The Men’s Club” we know him to be caring and considerate not one to leave a woman at the altar and laugh it off so casually when confronted.
Our guess is that all three ladies’ paths will eventually cross and that’s when the excitement will probably begin. But the writer Sylvya Olucy has a lot of work to do.
