Sweet Fever is a web series about candy, pillow fighting, and violence. Sweet Fever (the character) needs to save her candy store so she decides to join the Pillow Fighting Federation (which actually exists, although it’s actually the Pillow Fight League. Seriously. Also, it’s for sale. No, really! I couldn’t make that up if I tried!). Unfortunately for her, Crunchy Luke, the PFF commissioner, doesn’t have room for newbies. But if Fever will do him a series of favors, he might be able to squeeze her in to the amateur night. And thus begins the web series. It’s not really a “genre” show, per se, but it certainly has a cult movie feel to it.
I’ll admit, however, that it took me a couple of times watching the series to fully appreciate it. The first couple of episodes intrigued me, but it wasn’t until the third that I began to understand the tone. It seems obvious from the premise that the series would be campy, but somehow I didn’t realize that until the third episode. Then, rewatching the series, I was surprised at how I’d missed it. The sound effect of Sweet Fever’s ringtone alone should have been enough to tip me off. So that’s no criticism of the show itself, just my own viewing of it.
Speaking of that third episode, I have to say it’s pretty definitely my favorite. It reminded me of a Scooby Doo episode crossed with Rocky Horror. I half expected there to be singing. Cartoons and camp aren’t the only influences on the series; according to the screenwriter, Oliver Brackenbury, the series also owes a huge debt to Russ Meyer, the King of the Nudies. Not having seen any Russ Meyer movies, I can’t speak from any authority, but reading about his movies, I can see that the influence is there (the most obvious difference being that the characters in Sweet Fever remain clothed for the entire series).
As for the characters, I actually like some of the side characters better than Sweet Fever and her boyfriend-not-boyfriend Chet (but that doesn’t mean I dislike them). Fever’s best friend, Sam, for example, steals the scenes that she’s in, including her entrance in episode one. So much attitude and snark. Love it! I also love the owner of the bar where the pillow fighting is supposed to occur, Kurt. It isn’t until Fever realizes that his name also describes his personality that she is able to get him to agree to allow Crunchy Luke to rent his bar. And of course there’s Sandy Sinclair (who may or may not sell seashells by the sea shore). Seemingly a minor character in the first four episodes, she suddenly comes into her own in episode five.
Currently there are five episodes of the series posted, with a sixth to follow. The sixth, however, is suffering from financial difficulties because it will likely cost as much as the first five episodes combined. In fact, you can help out financially on the web page with a donation. I’m sure the final episode will be pretty epic; I’m hoping for plenty of pillow fighting!
If you’re a fan of Rocky Horror, Russ Meyer, any sort of campy / cult movie, or even Scooby Doo, you really owe it to yourself to check out Sweet Fever. You won’t regret it!
