‘On a List’: You need to watch this compelling web series
Everyone’s mother has some sort of cutesy analogy that basically says “Love is hard but if you put in the work it’s worth it.” Love shows up in nearly every form of media we consume in one capacity. But very few try to show a realistic approach to love. Sure, you have the Marriage Storys and the Blue Valentines, but what about love stories that have a happy ending after the hard work?
Enter the web series On a List. Created by Nicole Simone, On a List follows Olivia (Simone) and Harry (James Darch) as they try to navigate each other’s crazy worlds to find love. Of course, Olivia decides the easiest way to see how you can handle love is doing so in the most difficult scenarios possible.
Before you roll your eyes and write off On a List, let us explain how the show manages to transform the realistic portrayal of love into something compelling, funny, and heartwarming.
Three-dimensional characters
Part of the thrill of On a List is the crazy situations we find Olivia & Harry in. They always say the most stressful times will bring out the best and worst in someone, so what better way to truly get to know a future romantic partner? Through these moments, not only does the couple get to know each other better, but the audience gets to know the characters better.
We see through the false confidence of Olivia and find her vulnerabilities. We see Harry being open to trying something new even if he comes across as skittish. The characters of On a List aren’t the stereotypes they portray themselves to be. Because of that, you find yourself enthralled in the story, and hope the two can find a way to stay together in the end.
More than just cheesy dates
The titular list Olivia is using does have your fill of dinner dates, apple picking, and other overdone romcom date ideas. But each of these events has some sort of twist so you can laugh instead of cringe. Something like play dodgeball with apples at the orchid, or go out in public with face paint done by the other.
On a List’s comedic moments come from turning romcom tropes on their head in a new way. You don’t expect Olivia & Harry’s date to involve the list, until Olivia starts acting out and being a fool because that’s one of the things on the list
Those moments help On a List stand out in comparison to other romcom web series. Rather than rely on outdated tropes people are sick of, it takes them and reinvents them, so you stay interested while finding the moment familiar.
Triple threat Nicole Simone
We cannot understate Nicole Simone’s influence on the success of On a List. This web series is her baby, and it is a glorious one. Not only acting as a triple threat on the web series, Nicole Simone is a triple threat in real life with her singing, acting, and songwriting abilities.
Acting as On a List’s writer, director, producer, and lead actress, half the reason Nicole Simone chose to step up and do so much in the show is because she wanted her full vision to be recognized. On a List is in its truest form because of how involved Nicole Simone was, and that’s what makes the show feel so honest.
More to come?
If you’ve fallen in love with the story of Olivia & Harry, so has Nicole Simone. In an interview with Naluda Magazine, Simone said she is currently in pre-production on season 2 of On a List, so fans of the web series can breathe easy knowing more is coming soon.
Plus, Simone also teased some scripts she’s working on for a full-length film, meaning On a List is just the beginning of her career. If it’s even half as a good as On a List was, we can’t wait for the next project from her.
