Entertainment Extra

2 ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA By Rachel Jones TV Media O ver the top in life, fashion and love, TLC's favorite 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 Middletown, Connecticut. Filled with all the twists and turns that accompany a set of attractive middle-age twins living life to the fullest, the 90 Day franchise spinoff brings more to viewers than initially meets the eye. After appearing in "90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days,"a show that follows long-distance couples in the months after meeting online, sisters Darcey and Stacey Silva instantly became fan favorites. While "90 Days" didn't work out so well for Darcey, she found some success 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 Georgi — whatever the cost. Shortly after moving in together near Darcey's home in Connecticut, however, the cost appeared to increase astronomically as the pair navi- gated a flurry of exes, divorce meetings and quarantine 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 spinoff of its own, Season 1 saw the lov- ing pair get hitched. More than that, the couple is still married! Not bad for a reality-TV relation- ship. 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 laun- dry list of plastic surgery that includes a "breast reduction, a 'Barbie nose,' a lip lift and new veneers." (Those curious even get a sneak peek at what those teeth actually look like underneath the existing veneers.) 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 relaxation break for Stacey, who is con- cerned that hubby Florian might leave her if she is unable to con- ceive — a likely possibility, she reminds viewers, as she is cur- rently 46 years old. This concern is at the heart of the unscripted series' second season, often lead- ing Stacey (and her sister) to tears. And although TLC is remaining fairly tight-lipped about the extent to which viewers will be a part of Stacey and Florian's fertil- ity 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 together. While this may seem like rela- tively heavy fodder for an unscripted 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 & Stacey's" most admirable quali- ties is that the twins don't always show the best side of their lives (or, indeed, them- selves), even though they very well could. Their lives aren't per- fect. Their husbands aren't per- fect. They slip up as parents, as sisters and in their relationships, consistently showing their fol- lowing that money truly doesn't buy happiness — though it cer- tainly can make the journey a lit- tle bit prettier. TLC has a history of presenting 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. YMCA 2 x 2" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" On the Cover Stacey Silva and Florian Sukaj from Season 1 of "Darcey & Stacey" TLC twins return for more Chase Center 3 x 2" American Legion Post 60 2 x 3" Thrifty Muffler 2 x 2.5" 230 Burlington Avenue Logansport 574-992-8038 Tired of Shopping Around for THE Right Mechanic? BRAKE SPECIAL $89.95 PER AXLE. FOR MOST CARS AND TRUCKS Give us an opportunity to earn your business! "We do it Better for Less!"

• Cover