Selfie

Selfie from ABC was a unique and entertaining take on the contemporary culture of self-obsession and social media influence, coupled with romantic comedy. It aired on ABC for one season in 2014 and was written by Emily Kapnek.

The story is an adaption of the classic My Fair Lady just as the name Selfie subtly suggests. However, the setting is brilliantly transported to the 21st century, reflecting the obsession with social media, digital phenomenon, and the chronic need to stay connected and updated.

At the heart of the story is Eliza Dooley, played by Karen Gillan. Eliza is a sales representative for KinderKare Pharmaceuticals. She appears to have it all - beauty, popularity, and arguably the most friends on her social media platforms. But despite having hundreds of virtual connections, she soon realizes she has no actual friends, people who could care for her beyond the digital platforms.

This realization dawns upon her after facing an embarrassing situation on an airplane that ends up becoming viral, tarnishing her much-coveted popularity. The event proves to be a tool of retrospection for Eliza, making her realize the hollow nature of her virtual popularity. So, to fix her damaged reputation and help her connect with people in a real sense, she turns to her company's marketing guru, Henry Higgs.

The character of Henry Higgs, played by John Cho, makes for an interesting contrast. He is a workaholic and a private person who is not interested in the world of social media. He prefers face-to-face interactions and looks down upon the digital obsession consuming everyone around him. Henry Higgs is in many ways a modern representation of Professor Henry Higgins from My Fair Lady. Funnily enough, it is this old-school approach of Henry that attracts the digital influencer, Eliza.

Henry takes up the task of rebranding Eliza, teaching her the essence of personal connection and real-life communication. He takes it upon himself to transform her from self-obsessed and shallow to kind and considerate. The show textured with biting sarcasm and humor powerfully registers a critique on society's obsession with online fandom and immediate gratification.

Interestingly, while Henry aims at transforming Eliza's lifestyle, Eliza's efforts to get Henry to relax, enjoy life, and not work incessantly contribute to the subtle humor of the series.

The dynamics between Eliza and Henry form the crux of the show as it oscillates between hilarious and thought-provoking moments. The romantic undercurrent between these two diverse personalities is developed beautifully, as Henry's cynicism is complemented with Eliza's energy.

The series was a fresh and modern take on personal behavior in the age of social media, urging its audience to look beyond the obsession with digital followers and instant text messages. It brilliantly blends entertainment with a message, making viewers reflect on their social habits and digital lifestyle in a humorous and soft-handed manner.

Selfie was appreciated for unique dialogues, comedic timings, and the undeniable chemistry between the leads. Although it only lasted for one season, it managed to leave a long-lasting impression by presenting a mute critique of the contemporary culture of narcissism, celebrity-hood, and digital dependency.

The show was critically lauded for its innovative premise, witty dialogues, and charismatic performances. It perfectly resonated with the zeitgeist of the era by satirizing the digital culture and the selfie-obsessed society where people, like Eliza, are more interested in being virtually popular than having meaningful real-life relationships.

Selfie was a humorous critique on a society steeped in social media obsession, promoting a return to authentic human connections. Perfect for lovers of romantic satire, it tells a story that is timely, relatable, and profound in its depiction of the balance between personal relations and social media influence.