Binge-Worthy Bulletin: 11 Reasons We’re Obsessed With ‘GLOW’

Welcome to Brit + Co's Binge-Worthy Bulletin, a new series where, every week, we choose one show we're obsessed with and tell you all the reasons why. This week's pick is GLOW, which debuts its second season on Netflix on Friday, June 29. Inspired by the real-life Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, the series has all the camp and kitsch you'd expect from a show about women wrestlers in the 1980s, but also a surprising amount of heart and introspection. Click through to see all the reasons you should watch the show, and then binge seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix. (Photos via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The real-world inspiration for the show: Originally created by David McLane in 1985, the IRL Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling recruited actresses, models, dancers, and stunt performers to participate in a women's professional wrestling promotion. The cast included Eileen O'Hara as Melody Trouble Vixen MTV, Deanna Booher as Matilda the Hun, Patricia Summerland as Sunny the California Girl, and Emily Dole as Mountain Fiji. (Photo via Laura Luongo/Liaison)

The style: With its colorful, over-the-top '80s aesthetic, GLOW is like all of your favorite Cyndi Lauper and early Madonna music videos in the form of a 30-minute show. Think: teased hair, blue eyeshadow, glittery leotards, and leg-warmers. (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The fierce female friendships: The ladies of GLOW may fight each other in the ring, but they're incredibly supportive of one another outside of it. That's not to say they always get along, though. One of the most relatable parts of the show is the relationship between former BFFs Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie) and Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin), who are trying to navigate working together after Ruth's betrayal. It's not always easy to watch, but we appreciate that the show acknowledges and explores how complicated friendship can be. (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The diversity:GLOW's stellar ensemble includes women of many different backgrounds and body types. And although the show, like its real-life counterpart, exaggerates those differences and plays into problematic stereotypes, it does so with a level of self-awareness that the original series lacked. A lot of the wrestling personas are offensive and uncomfortable to watch, and GLOW recognizes that and gives both its cast and its audience the space to feel that discomfort. (More on that in a minute.) (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The issues:GLOW doesn't shy away from tackling touchy topics. As noted in the previous slide, racism has been a major factor since the very beginning, when the women of color on the show within the show were asked to create stereotypical wrestling personas such as The Welfare Queen and Beirut the Mad Bomber. The series also deals with issues including sexism, sexual harassment, abortion, drugs, infidelity, divorce, and the struggle to balance a personal life with a public one. In one memorable scene from the season 2 trailer, Tammé Dawson (Kia Stevens) has to explain her Welfare Queen alter ego to her son, who's (rightfully) horrified by the racist implications. (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The performances: Alison Brie was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics' Choice Television Award for her performance in season 1. Betty Gilpin and Marc Maron (who plays GLOW manager Sam Sylvia) also earned nominations for their work. And the entire cast was up for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series at the 2018 SAG Awards earlier this year. (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The music:GLOW features hit songs not just from the '80s but also from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Season 1 featured "Invincible" by Pat Benatar, "We Don't Get Along" by The Go-Go's, "The Look" by Roxette, and "Stir It Up" by Patti LaBelle. The soundtrack also includes "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" by Billy Joel, "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears, "Ready Steady Go" by Generation X, and "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie. Which brings us to the next reason to watch… (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The nostalgia factor: In addition to the '80s fashion and music we love, GLOW showcases several staples and highlights from the era, including roller-skating, Jazzercise, and even a (now-retro) house robot. (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The wrestling (duh):GLOW has all of the over-the-top personalities, intense (fake) rivalries, and hardcore moves you'd want to see from a wrestling show. And even if you're not really into the sport, you'll love watching these ladies do their thing in the ring. (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The drama: Although there are plenty of body-slams and piledrivers (see the previous slide), there's more to GLOW than what happens in the ring. Each character is dealing with their own personal struggles, and they all bring different baggage to the group. (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)

The motivational message: These are women who pursue their dreams, ignore those who try to keep them down, take care of themselves (and each other), and make their own decisions (no matter how difficult those decisions may be). Each episode is another dose of badass motivation, and we could all use a little more of that in life. (Photo via Erica Parise/Netflix)