Total Divas
Total Divas is an American reality television series that premiered on July 28, 2013, on E!.[1][2] The series gives viewers an inside look into the lives of female WWE wrestlers from their work within WWE to their personal lives with the inclusion of behind the scenes footage.[3][4][5][6] Seasons one through nine are available on WWE's on-demand streaming service, WWE Network,[7] and Hulu.[8]
Total Divas | |
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The title card of the show (season 6–present) | |
Genre | Reality television |
Starring | |
Opening theme | "Top of the World" by CFO$ |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 9 |
No. of episodes | 120 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
|
Camera setup | Multiple |
Running time | 39–44 minutes |
Production company(s) | |
Distributor | NBCUniversal Television Distribution |
Release | |
Original network | E! |
Picture format | 480i 1080i (HDTV) |
Original release | July 28, 2013 – present |
Chronology | |
Related shows | |
External links | |
Website |
Production and casting
Total Divas was revealed in May 2013, as a part of a partnership with E!.[9] The cast for the newly-announced series comprised Brie and Nikki Bella, Naomi, Cameron, Natalya, Eva Marie, and JoJo.[10] It was announced on August 14, 2013, that E! had ordered an additional six episodes to the already eight episode first season, bringing the total episode number up to fourteen episodes.[11] The mid-season finale aired on September 15, 2013, with the season continuing on November 10, 2013.[12] WWE commentator Josh Mathews revealed on November 20, 2013, that Total Divas had been renewed for a second season.[13][14] The second season premiered on March 16, 2014, with Summer Rae joining the cast, replacing JoJo as she decided to focus more on wrestling.[15]
On May 19, 2014, E! announced that the third season of Total Divas would premiere on September 7, 2014, with Rosa Mendes joining the cast.[16] On February 24, 2015, Paige announced Total Divas was renewed for a fourth season, with filming commencing at the end of the month.[17] It was then announced at the end of season three, that the fourth season would premiere on July 7, 2015, moving from Sunday to Tuesday nights.[18] On April 1, 2015, E! announced the show had been renewed for a fourth season via a press release. In the press release, it was confirmed that Naomi would return as a series regular with Cameron and Rosa Mendes being removed from the main cast. All of the other Divas would return as series regulars.[19] After the September 22 episode of Total Divas aired, it was announced that the following week's episode would serve as the season finale, rather than a mid-season finale.[20]
Season 5 was announced on October 6, 2015 and premiered on January 19, 2016 with the fourth season's main cast with the exception of Naomi returning.[21] It was subsequently announced that WWE Tough Enough runner-up Mandy Rose would be joining the show as a series regular and that Rosa Mendes would be rejoining the main cast.[22] Season 6 was officially confirmed on April 18, 2016, by the E! Network with a fall premiere date and the majority of last season's cast returning, along with Naomi rejoining the show as a series regular, and Lana, Maryse and Renee Young replacing Alicia Fox, Mandy Rose and Rosa Mendes. Additionally, the E! Network announced that Brie and Nikki would be getting their own spin-off also with a fall premiere date, titled Total Bellas.[23][24]
On January 28, 2017, it was announced that Nikki Bella will serve as an executive producer of the show when the series returns in April 2017.[25] In May 2017, it was announced that Eva Marie would not be returning as a series regular.[26] On June 9, 2017, it was reported that Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax would be joining the upcoming season of Total Divas.[27][28] On June 10, 2017, Renee Young confirmed via Twitter that she will not be returning for the seventh season.[29] Lana confirmed in an interview that she was returning to the show for its seventh season along with her storyline of becoming a singles competitor.[30] On June 29, 2017, it was reported that Carmella would be joining the cast and that Paige wouldn't be returning for the upcoming season.[31] On September 20, 2017, E! revealed that the seventh season will premiere on November 1, 2017.[32]
On May 7, 2018, E! and WWE announced that Total Divas had been renewed for seasons 8 and 9. Season 8 is expected to air in fall 2018.[33][34] On May 15, 2018, it was announced that Carmella would not be returning for the show's eighth season.[35] On July 26, 2018, it was announced that season 8 would premiere on September 19, 2018, and the cast was to comprise Brie and Nikki Bella, Naomi, Natalya, Lana, Nia Jax and Paige.[36]
In April 2019, Brie and Nikki Bella announced that they would not be returning for the ninth season of Total Divas, stating that they wanted to focus solely on Total Bellas.[37] On August 26, 2019, it was revealed that Naomi, Natalya, and Nia Jax were set to return for season nine alongside Carmella, who was announced to be returning as a series regular, and new cast members Ronda Rousey and Sonya Deville.[38] Additionally, Brie and Nikki Bella were reported to continue making guest appearances throughout the season.[39] The ninth season premiered on October 1, 2019.[40]
Timeline
- Cast notes
Episodes
As of December 10, 2019, 120 episodes of Total Divas have aired.
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | ||||
1 | 14 | July 28, 2013 | December 15, 2013 | ||
2 | 11 | March 16, 2014 | June 1, 2014 | ||
3 | 20 | September 7, 2014 | March 8, 2015 | ||
4 | 13 | July 7, 2015 | September 29, 2015 | ||
5 | 14 | January 19, 2016 | April 19, 2016 | ||
6 | 16 | November 16, 2016 | May 10, 2017 | ||
7 | 12 | November 1, 2017 | January 31, 2018 | ||
8 | 10 | September 19, 2018 | November 28, 2018 | ||
9 | 10 | October 1, 2019 | December 10, 2019 |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Reality Show | Total Divas | Nominated | [43] |
2014 | PopSugar Best of 2014 Awards | Best Reality Show | Total Divas | Won | [44] |
2016 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Female Athlete | The Bella Twins | Won | [45] |
2016 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Reality Show | Total Divas | Nominated | [46] |
2017 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Female Athlete | The Bella Twins | Nominated | [47] |
Reception
Ratings
The series premiered on July 28, 2013, drawing 1.34 million viewers, as well as becoming the series' highest rated premiere to date.[48] The highest rated episode is "Planet Funk is Funked Up" garnering 1.67 million viewers.[49] The lowest rated episode of season one is "Seeing Red" garnering 0.92 million viewers.[50] The season two premiere episode "New Diva On The Block" received 1.07 million viewers.[51] The following episode "The Braniel Bus" had a strong rise in viewers garnering 1.28 million viewers.[52] The lowest rated episode of season two is "Red and Gold" garnering 0.75 million viewers.[53] The season three premiere attracted over 1.2 million viewers and 821K Adults 18-49, the series was up +15% and +17% respectively versus the season 2 premiere, as well as garnered 26,000 tweets and ranked as the #1 ad-supported cable program of the night. The third-season premiere of Total Divas did not post spectacular ratings. It did, however, outdraw last season's opener.[54][55]
Critical response
Melissa Camacho of Common Sense Media gave the show 2 stars out of 5.[56] Tom Conroy of Media Life Magazine said the show is uninteresting.[57] Tom Conroy of Media Life Magazine said of the show, "Total Divas feels real-ish. If the stars are doing any damage to their reputations, it's that they appear to be too nice. That might make their fans happy, but viewers expecting a smackdown can and will go elsewhere."[58] Diva-Dirt.com stated "Meet Your New Guilty Pleasure!".[59] Eric Gargiulo of Camel Clutch Blog said "I tuned in to WWE Total Divas expecting to see a scripted reality show in the vein of Hogan Knows Best. Instead I got an interesting look behind the scenes of the WWE and its superstars more in the same vein as Beyond the Mat."[60]
References
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- Kristin Dos Santos; Alexis L. Loinaz (April 22, 2013). "WWE Divas, Nick Cannon, Jack Osbourne, Ashley Tisdale, Josh Schwartz and More Bring New Series to E!". E!. Los Angeles: NBCUniversal Cable. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
- Kondolojy, Amanda (April 22, 2013). "E! Announces New Series Revealing the Real Women Behind the WWE Divas". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
- Strauss, Gerry (June 27, 2013). "Total Divas on E! features sexy women of WWE". Channel Guide Magazine. United States. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
- Neuenschwander, Andy (June 28, 2013). "WWE Superstars Nikki Bella and Tyson Kidd Married, Daniel Bryan and Others in Attendance—Get the Exclusive Wedding Details!". E!. Los Angeles: NBCUniversal Cable. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
- "New 'Total Divas' cast members revealed!". WWE.com. Stamford, Connecticut: WWE. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- "Total Divas". WWE Network.
- "Total Divas Episodes - Hulu". Hulu.
- Konuwa, Alfred (May 5, 2013). "WWE Content on Yahoo! and E! What Does This Mean for WWE Network?". Bleacher Report. United States: Turner Broadcasting System (Time Warner). Retrieved July 15, 2013.
- Graser, Marc (July 26, 2013). "WWE's Divas Ready to Face Reality". Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- Bibel, Sara (August 14, 2013). "E! Orders Six Additional Episodes of 'Total Divas'". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Kondolojy, Amanda (October 24, 2013). "E! Sets Premiere Dates for the Return of 'Total Divas' on Sunday November 10 and 'The Drama Queen' on November 17". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Caldwell, James (November 20, 2013). "WWE NEWS: "Total Divas" renewed for Season 2". Pro Wrestling Torch. United States. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- Bibel, Sara (November 25, 2013). "'Total Divas', 'Hello Ross' & 'Eric & Jessie: Game On' Renewed for Season 2 by E!". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures.
- Kondolojy, Amanda (January 29, 2014). "'Total Divas' Season Two Premiere Set for March 16". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- Kondolojy, Amanda (May 19, 2014). "E! Returns With Season Three of 'Total Divas' Sunday September 7th at 9PM". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
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- WWE Staff (April 18, 2016). "'Total Bellas' coming to E!, new 'Total Divas' cast announced". WWE.com. Stamford, Connecticut: WWE. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- Petski, Denise (April 18, 2016). "'Total Divas' Spinoff Starring The Bella Twins Set At E!". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- "Nikki Bella Is Honored to Be an Executive Producer on Total Divas When the Show Returns in April: See What's Ahead! on Total Divas". E! Online. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- "Eva Marie Not Returning to Total Divas Next Season, Producers Interviewing Potential Replacements". May 16, 2017.
- "Two Raw stars reportedly joining Total Divas next season". June 9, 2017.
- "Two Raw Stars Reportedly Joining Total Divas Cast, Update on Ric Flair ESPN Special, Backstage News on David Otunga's WWE Raw Status". June 9, 2017.
- Young, Renee (June 10, 2017). "Nope I am not, but the new cast will crush it!!https://twitter.com/itsgracelynnb/status/873686574151553026 …". Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- "Lana 'excited about showing my in-ring journey' on Total Divas, SmackDown". June 17, 2017.
- "Carmella in, Paige Out of Total Divas". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
- "Total Divas Returns November 1! See the First Season 7 Cast Photo & Promo on Total Divas". September 19, 2017.
- Malec, Brett (May 7, 2018). "Total Divas Renewed for Two More Seasons!". E! Online. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- "Total Divas to return for Seasons 8 & 9". WWE.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- "Top WWE Superstar Not Returning for Total Divas". Ringside News | Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers. May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- "Season 8 of E!'s Total Divas premieres Sept. 19". WWE. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- "Nikki & Brie Bella Will Not Be on the New Season of 'Total Divas'". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
- "Ronda Rousey, Sonya Deville and Carmella Tag in for Total Divas Season 9". E!. August 26, 2019.
- "WWE confirms Total Divas season nine premiere date and cast". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. August 26, 2019.
- "TOTAL DIVAS SEASON PREMIERE HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS | PWInsider.com". pwinsider.com.
- Walker, Jodi. "Why Did Naomi Leave 'Total Divas' this Season?". Bustle. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
- "WWE diva Alicia Fox joins 'Total Divas' cast on Jan. 4 on E!". miamiherald. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
- Nordyke, Kimberly (August 10, 2014). "Teen Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- "'Total Divas' named 'Best Reality Show'". PopSugar.
- "The Bella Twins win Choice Female Athlete at Teen Choice 2016". WWE.
- Goodman, Jessica (July 31, 2016). "Teen Choice Awards 2016: See the full list of winners". Entertainment Weekly. United States: Time Inc. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- Swift, Andy (June 19, 2017). "Teen Choice Awards: Pretty Little Liars, The Flash Lead 2017 Nominations". Retrieved July 30, 2017.
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- Bibel, Sara (August 13, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Breaking Bad' Wins Night, 'True Blood', 'Low Winter Sun', 'Devious Maids', 'Dexter', 'The Newsroom' & More". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures.
- Bibel, Sara (November 26, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Homeland', 'Boardwalk Empire', 'Witches of East End' & More". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures.
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- "Ratings: 'Total Divas' Improves Over Season 2 Premiere". Headline Planet. September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
- Kondolojy, Amanda. "E!'s 'Total Divas' Season Three Premiere Delivers Over 1.2 Million Total Viewers". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
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- "'Total Divas,' totally not very interesting". Media Life Magazine. United States. July 26, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
- Conroy, Tom (July 26, 2013). "'Total Divas,' totally not very interesting". Media Life Magazine. United States. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
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