Tampa Baes follows the lives of a group of lesbians in Tampa Bay, Florida. It has all the petty drama and trashiness that you can expect from any other reality TV show, but this time, lesbians are at the forefront. I’d say “yay” for representation, but the average dyke probably can’t relate to these people and their ridiculous problems.
Seriously. 80% of the conflict in the first episode boils down to the fact that Hayley and Brianna–the self-proclaimed “queen bees of the Tampa lesbian scene”–are throwing a party at their cool house (which they’re low-key always bragging about), and another couple, Summer and Marissa (but mostly Summer) are salty about it. So they convince all the party-goers to dip out of Hayley and Brianna’s function early and head to a bar. Which is like totes rude, okay?
We’re just here to start shit
The rest of the conflict in the episode comes from the messy dynamic between Cuppie and Shiva. Cuppie, who sounds exactly like Lola from Big Mouth, is a nurse AND strip club bartender who has recently moved back to Tampa to reunite with her friends. Shiva is basically obsessed with her. Cuppie occasionally makes out with Shiva when she’s bored, but has made it clear that she doesn’t want to date her. Shiva, a glutton for punishment, keeps going back for more.
There were a plethora of other cast members in the pilot, but I can’t remember most of their names because if they weren’t standing around listening to Hayley and Brianna talk about how much they love throwing crazy parties, they were standing around listening to Shiva whine about her unrequited love for Cuppie.
Mack gets an honorable mention, because she’s cute.
@Mack__ddy on Instagram
I hope we get to see more of Mack in future episodes of Tampa Baes, because you guessed it, I will in fact be watching the rest of this steaming pile of garbage for shits and giggles. If you’d like to join me in this fruitless endeavor, season 1 is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
December 1, 2021 at 11:51 am
firstly let me say that i am sooo stoked that you’ve finally reviewed this show omfg. and second, i wholeheartedly second and agree with your review. like, i am absolutely glad that lesbians are afforded the same shitty reality tv opportunity as others, but beyond that i was not moved.
watching hayley and brianna’s relationship dynamics stressed me out and at times was triggering, but i truly hope they worked that out behind the scenes. i do hope for a second season and hope to see more dyke rep, (more butches/masc/studs please!!)
have you watched brat loves judy? i really hope for a second season for them! thank you for posting this x
December 1, 2021 at 12:25 pm
Let’s do a LOE retreat in Tampa with the baes #pride2022
December 3, 2021 at 7:14 am
Actualize 2022 in Tampa with the Baes
December 3, 2021 at 7:14 am
I’m glad you’re reviewing this. I had an unexpected good time with this show as the season progressed
December 8, 2021 at 9:47 am
One thing that put a sour taste in my mouth was the lack of Black lesbians. In Florida of all places…