Sold On SLC is that high school relationship before you grow a firm identity and everyone ends up confused about what they want and where it’s going.

Real estate and religion reality shows are extremely popular right now. Mixing the two seems like a slam dunk in theory but I don’t love the result.

Right now there’s 4 episodes of Season 1 available on Peacock. The first 2 episodes I spent scribbling notes, the 3rd struggled to hold my attention and the 4th was uncomfortable to watch (see the note at the bottom if you want my opinion on the drama).

*SPOILERS*

THE CAST:

Tyna Carries The Cast:

Tyna Edwards is my favourite cast member, she is a natural on camera and I love that she displays a large scar on her chest in her confessionals without feeling the need to explain it.

Delayed Lines:

Where Tyna excels her boss, Jennifer Yeo, struggles. Reality Tv is acting. As much as we’d love to pretend it’s real we all know there’s scripted storylines, reshot scenes and dramatisations.

I don’t think it’s fair to criticise anyone doing something that I’m not willing to do (put myself on TV) however Jen’s line delivery is distractingly awkward. Her inflections and pauses are in odd places and overall she doesn’t sound conversational.

I applaud anyone for putting themselves out there but a crew member needs to step in and help her feel more comfortable.

Jen’s Followers:

The other cast members are either unlikeable or unmemorable.

Sarah Martindale and Malaysia Fua’s history with the agency doesn’t make sense to me so I suspect they’re made up reasons to cover the fact they’re there for the cameras.

They both give half-baked stories about leaving their other excellent opportunities purely for Jennifer because #girlboss I guess.

STORYLINE:

Muddled Storyline:

The filming locations are confusing me because they all look the same.

I know that’s a stereotypical Utah joke but in this case it is true. The formula of agents pretending to show a listing and then sitting and chatting about their personal lives works on other shows like Selling The City because those homes all look different.

So far all I’ve seen on Sold On SLC is the same white exterior, black trim new build with no landscaping. And despite the lower thirds stating the homes address the flashback scenes are sending me into a spiral.

The first two episodes could have benefitted from some more grounding scenes in the agency office or something. There was too many location jumps on top of trying to learn who everyone is.

I need the visual storytelling to hold my hand because I’m getting lost in a show that’s meant to be casual viewing.

Most people remember the Fiesta party in Episode 4 for the drama but I remember it for the messy editing.

Someone (I cannot tell you who) is telling another person (again I don’t know who) the Matt Jones rumour.

The reason I have no idea who is conversing is because the voices are muffled and all of the shots are just B roll of the party group in general. This goes on for several minutes.

How am I meant to remain engaged when it feels like I’m watching drunk uncle Jim’s home video of a wedding reception for people I don’t know.

Keyword Stuffing:

For the love of God please stop using religion to try and be funny.

Even Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which literally references Mormonism in the title, doesn’t talk about religion as much as these agents.

The constant mention of religion feels forced into the conversation.

It sounds like a middle schooler trying to swear for the first time.

Show Me The Moneyless Matt’s:

When Sold On SLC first mentioned Matt’s money problems I got excited about the attempt at transparency.

Luxury real estate shows have skewed society’s perception of the industry. Most agents don’t make millions of dollars a year, they make an acceptable living and sometimes experience periods of drought.

I would have really liked to see that tension between expectation and reality play out. Unfortunately that has been derailed for Matt’s infidelity storyline.

Homes vs. Mansions:

Million dollar homes aren’t cheap. I cannot afford one at this stage in my life. The problem is we’ve become desensitised to million dollar homes in media.

The homes Sold on SLC are showing us are just average looking comparably. They’re new builds with no distinguishing characteristics. No spectacular views. They’re in ordinary looking neighbourhoods.

If Sold on SLC wants to be known as a luxury real estate style show then the homes need to be mind-blowing to hold my attention.

IF I WAS A PRODUCER I’D…

Increase The Tension:

Every story you’ve ever loved is successful because it has adequate stakes.

I would have casted a pair that could have flirting potential. They don’t even have to get together in the end. If a love angle isn’t an option then add spice with a rivalry.

There’s some competition between Jen and another agency (I think her name was Paige?) but it’s not compelling enough.

This can be accomplished without it becoming vicious or damaging anyones reputation. Million Dollar Listing does this perfectly, Josh Altman and Josh Flagg have an entertaining rivalry that doesn’t become too nasty to watch.

Stretch The Tension:

Sold On SLC is being too tentative, they introduce dramatic storylines which are then resolved almost immediately.

You’ve got to drag that shit out insanely long time like Selling Sunset does. They rehash the same conversations with every person in the office.

The biggest missed opportunity was the storyline between Jen, Sarah and Sarah’s husband Chris. Jen goes to Sarah’s house to confront the couple about allegedly poaching her agents to Chris’s brokerage in episode 1. This had finale potential.

The tension and suspicions could have easily played out the entire season through gossiping and passive aggressive comments. Agents leaving could have been played up as a threat to the agency, to Jen’s livelihood.

Instead we had a stilted conversation about a whole lot of nothing. They talked about people we don’t know and couldn’t care less about. Not only that but there were no stakes and whether the conversation happened or not changed nothing for us viewers.

At the very least have Jen reenact her learning about the possible deception. If you don’t want to show agents faces then have her fake a phone call or something. We weren’t taken along on the story to experience the emotion behind the events.

Sold On SLC is evidence that religion doesn’t work in the office. It’s not in my top 5 of real estate reality shows but it has potential…

[Episode 4 Extra Thoughts]

Episode 4 was uncomfortable to watch.

I’m shocked anyone would agree to a reality show with a secret they don’t want anyone to know.

It’s possibly all fake or possibly Nicole knew previously that Matt was being unfaithful and agreed to the television show regardless.

There’s many theories and we will never know the truth because it is a produced show. Whether Nicole knew or not I don’t think it’s fair for children to have one of the worst moment of their life blasted on TV.

Jen’s behaviour this entire episode was embarrassing and unprofessional. Even if we give her the benefit of the doubt and assume the reaction is scripted for views, this hurts her reputation.

And as we all know a real estate agents reputation is everything.

Want more of the drama? Read the Episode 5 recap here.