Entertainment NOW

Entertainment Now | July 17 - 23, 2021 By Rachel Jones TV Media O ver the top in life, fash- ion and love, TLC's fa- vorite twins are back and ready to share more of their ludicrous lives in a second season. The network's hit reality TV show "Darcey & Stacey" kicks off once again on Monday, July 19, to continue the saga of the sisters' lives near their family home in Middle - town, Connecticut. Filled with all the twists and turns that accompany a set of attractive middle-age twins liv- ing life to the fullest, the 90 Day franchise spinoff brings more to viewers than initially meets the eye. After appearing in "90 Day Fi- ancé: Before the 90 Days,"a show that follows long-distance couples in the months after meeting online, sisters Darcey and Stacey Silva instantly be - came fan favorites. While "90 Days" didn't work out so well for Darcey, she found some suc- cess in Season 1 of "Darcey & Stacey." Last season, Darcey's new flame, Bulgarian beau Georgi Rusev, swept her off her feet in Manhattan's Washington Square Park. Despite learning he was still married, Darcey wanted to make things work with Geor- gi — whatever the cost. Shortly after moving in together near Darcey's home in Connecticut, however, the cost appeared to increase astronomically as the pair navigated a flurry of exes, divorce meetings and quaran- tine meet-ups. While all the marriage drama was brewing around her sister, Stacey spent the majority of Season 1 navigating her own complicated relationship with Florian Sukaj, whom she did meet on "90 Days." And while the scandal enshrouding that relationship could spark a spi- noff of its own, Season 1 saw the loving pair get hitched. More than that, the couple is still married! Not bad for a reali- ty-TV relationship. It isn't all sunshine and roses, however. The Season 2 trailer teases plenty more moments that encompass all manner of wacky antics, from the twins saging their hair extensions to rid them of any negative energy to a laundry list of plastic sur- gery that includes a "breast re- duction, a 'Barbie nose,' a lip lift and new veneers." (Those curi- ous even get a sneak peek at what those teeth actually look like underneath the existing ve- neers.) Now that the heaviest pan- demic-based regulations have relaxed, the "twin queens" make their way to Turkey to take part in the spa day of their dreams; no doubt a welcome re- laxation break for Stacey, who is concerned that hubby Florian might leave her if she is unable to conceive — a likely possibili- ty, she reminds viewers, as she is currently 46 years old. This con- cern is at the heart of the un- scripted series' second season, often leading Stacey (and her sister) to tears. And although TLC is remain- ing fairly tight-lipped about the extent to which viewers will be a part of Stacey and Florian's fer- tility struggles, if the network stays true to its mission and precedent, audiences are sure to learn more about the nightmare that plagues nearly one-third of American couples annually as they try to conceive a child to- gether. While this may seem like rela- tively heavy fodder for an un- scripted reality show centering on two fashion-obsessed busi- ness owners in their mid-40s (Darcey and Stacey co-own House of Eleven, a trendy cloth- ing brand based in Los Angeles), this show, like its "90 Day" pre- decessor, is no stranger to con- fronting the harder aspects of life. In fact, one of "Darcey & Stac- ey's" most admirable qualities is that the twins don't always show the best side of their lives (or, indeed, themselves), even though they very well could. Their lives aren't perfect. Their husbands aren't perfect. They slip up as parents, as sisters and in their relationships, consistent- ly showing their following that money truly doesn't buy happi- ness — though it certainly can make the journey a little bit pret- tier. TLC has a history of present- ing audiences with stories of real people. Often shining the spot- light on people living with men- tal illness, battling eating disor- ders or struggling with the ten- dency to hoard, the network bridges the gap between the things we see every day and the unbelievable. Between the love drama, sis- terly squabbles and money spent on cosmetic enhancements, "Darcey & Stacey" has found its home on TLC, a channel founded in the 1970s and branded as "The Learning Channel." So, in keeping with the brand, what's the lesson in "Darcey & Stacey"? Family first. Always. Darcey and Stacey live for their family and each other. With four kids between them — Darc- ey has two daughters, Aniko and Aspen, with her first husband, and Stacey has two sons, Parker and Mateo, with hers — the twins stand up for one another (as is evidenced in Season 2 when Stacey confronts Georgi about his gold-digging) and sup - port each other throughout all aspects of their joint life, busi- ness and motherhood. Don't miss a second of "Darc- ey & Stacey" when Season 2 pre- mieres Monday, July 19, on TLC. Stacey Silva and Florian Sukaj from Season 1 of "Darcey & Stacey" Sisters before misters: TLC twins return for more 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charlie's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" Moore's Home Health 5 x 2"

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