Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Étoile’ On Prime Video, An Amy Sherman-Palladino Comedy About Ballet Companies In New York And Paris That Switch Stars

New York Post - Apr 24th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, renowned for shows like Gilmore Girls and Bunheads, are making their return to the world of dance with their new series, Étoile. The show delves into the professional ballet scenes of New York and Paris, exploring the financial struggles of prestigious ballet companies. The storyline kicks off with a proposal for an exchange of star dancers between the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre and Le Ballet National, aiming to revitalize interest and financial stability in the arts. Despite resistance from some quarters, the show navigates through the complexities of funding, artistic integrity, and the personal ambitions of its characters.

Set against a backdrop of beautifully choreographed dance sequences, Étoile is infused with the Palladinos' signature witty dialogue and quirky characters. While reminiscent of their previous dance-focused series Bunheads, Étoile steps into a more intense exploration of the high-stakes world of professional ballet. The series holds promise with its rich character development, particularly through the dynamic Cheyenne Toussaint, and aims to balance its 'inside baseball' nature with engaging personal stories. As the series unfolds, it strives to capture both the intricate artistry of dance and the complex narratives of those who live by it.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the new series "Étoile" by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, highlighting its connection to their previous work and the unique focus on the ballet world. It effectively captures the show's style and potential appeal, although it could benefit from more diverse perspectives and direct source citations. The narrative is clear and engaging, making it accessible to a general audience, but its niche focus may limit its broader impact. Overall, the article serves as an informative introduction to the series, with a balanced view of its strengths and potential challenges.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately captures the essence of the new series "Étoile" by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, including the cancellation of "Bunheads" after a single season. It correctly identifies the creators' background and the show's focus on professional ballet, as corroborated by multiple sources. However, specific plot details and character interactions, such as the dialogue about Tchaikovsky and the character dynamics, require verification through direct viewing of the series. The article's claims about the show's style and tone align with the creators' known storytelling approach, which is consistent with their previous work. The factual basis is strong, but some narrative elements would benefit from further source support.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the series by discussing both its strengths and potential shortcomings. It highlights the creators' reputation and the show's signature style while acknowledging that the focus on the ballet world might be too niche for some audiences. However, it could benefit from including more perspectives, such as viewer reactions or critiques from dance professionals, which would provide a fuller picture of the show's reception. The piece leans slightly towards a positive outlook, given the creators' past successes, but maintains a critical view of its potential limitations.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and presents information in a clear, logical manner. It effectively communicates the show's premise, style, and potential appeal to different audiences. The language is accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative and understand the context. However, some sections could be streamlined to avoid redundancy, particularly in the discussion of the show's creators and their previous work.

6
Source quality

The article primarily draws on the reputation of the creators and the general premise of the show, which are well-documented. However, it lacks direct citations from interviews or statements from the creators, cast, or network representatives. The reliance on the author's interpretation of the first episode limits the depth of source quality. Including insights from other entertainment critics or industry insiders would enhance the credibility and richness of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the methodology behind its analysis of the show. It does not clarify whether the author viewed the entire first episode or relied on secondary sources for some insights. Additionally, there is no mention of potential conflicts of interest, such as affiliations with the creators or network. Greater transparency about the basis for opinions and evaluations would strengthen the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27613329/
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CNVhn5wA0Y
  3. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a64298604/etoile-season-1-release-date-news-cast-details/
  4. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/gilmore-girls-creators-revisit-world-ballet-new-series/story?id=121099096
  5. https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/video/amy-sherman-palladino-discuss-new-series-toile-121134533