Forget The New Melrose Place
There’s a new melodrama in town and it’s not set in an iconic LA apartment complex. Instead, it takes place in an iconic LA store. Yes, you read that right.
Ikea Heights is a web series that a reader just turned us on to (thanks Shanee!). The acting is less than award-worthy, the plots are campy and it stars absolutely zero famous people… unless you count the location: a real Ikea store located in Burbank, California. Each episode is shot inside Ikea without the knowledge of the staff and during normal store hours (i.e. shoppers = extras). So the fun part is watching familiar bedroom displays, mock offices and “The Marketplace” become backdrops for cheating lovers, mysterious murders and amnesic brothers back from the dead. Again, you read that right.
Here’s the “dramatic” first episode:
You can watch the rest on Vimeo, YouTube or their web site. There are only four episodes (although Ikea staff nearly puts the kabosh on filming in episode 3) so it’s a pretty quick series to watch. And considering the press they’re getting, maybe we can cross our fingers for a season 2. Or even a spin-off. West Elm: 90210 anyone?
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Comments
OMG, this is hilarious!! Just looking at the prices on the wall while they talk about really deep stuff is hysterical! Thanks for posting!
Oh my gosh that is HI-LARIOUS!!! I just spit my sweet tea all over the keyboard when he picked up the phone with the base attached. Thanks a bunch! :)
HAHAHA!!! I love the part about the water not working and the price tags dangling… this is so creative and I don’t know how they manage to finish scenes without cracking up. I’d love to be shopping at IKEA and accidentally walk in on an episode. Thanks for sharing!
Jeffrey: “Candace! What are you doing here? Are you, are you pregnant?”
Candy: “No”
Jeffrey: <>
Candy: “Maybe”
LMAO!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOW! That is too funny! My friends and I used to “pretend” in the displays when IKEA first opened in Pittsburgh. I can’t believe they actually went this far, though! That really brings me back!
This is a brilliant idea! What makes it great are the quizzical looks of the shoppers in the background, you can’t help but laugh. Though I’ve certainly seen my share of real life dramas at ikea (guess the stress of decorating really can get to be too much)!
I have not been that entertained since I saw Rob Corddy’s picture on twitter (http://imgur.com/fy5q8.jpg).
Thanks for the laugh!
Paula Grace ~
http://www.paulagracedesigns.blogspot.com
HOLY CRAP!!!
One of my friends from highschool (in Chicago ‘burbs) works at that Ikea! I wonder if he knows, surely…
Thank you SO much for sharing!
I’m so glad I found this after work…this would have surely distracted me and kept me gleefully off task.
So funny, I love it! I wouldn’t be surprised if ikea was sponsoring it, but either way it’s hilarious.
LOL! This is the first time I heard about this series! I go to that Ikea all the time -I’m gonna watch all four episodes to see if I turn up as an extra!
That’s pretty funny! I live walking distance from this Ikea. Everytime I go to this Ikea, I’m going to be looking out for these guys :)
Sooo funny – love the hysterical laughing at the pillow display! The look from the other shoppers is just way too funny!!!
Jenny, we wondered the same thing! Based on their comment in the LA Times article though, it seems like they only became aware of it after the fact. They’re supposedly “smiling through gritted teeth.” We, on the other hand, are laughing either way.
-John
OMG!! I can’t believe they were actually under the covers in 2 of the scenes!! HYSTERICAL!!
LOVE IT!!!!! Can only repeat everyone else: hysterical. Thank you for sharing it!!! Definitely plan on watching the others . . .
That’s my Ikea! Seriously. First Ikea I ever went to (had no clue what the h**l an Ikea was before that) and its was only 5 minutes from my apartment. Sigh. Sometimes I really miss North Hollywood.
You don’t have to cross your fingers for the next season….or even the next episode. I know the guys that make this. Look for episode 5 on Sept. 28th, and trust me, it’s going to be good.
Oooh, thanks for the scoop stylefyles. How awesome to know someone on the “inside.” Let us know if they’re ever shooting in the Virginia Ikea. We’d be happy to play couple-smothered-by-pillow.
Can’t wait ’til September 28th!
-John
I love it! When Ikea opened in Atlanta, my hubby and I would go thru the store and “act” like we lived in the mini homes too. We even have our favorite ones. People thought we were nuts! I have to watch the other episodes now. Thanks for sharing!
IKEA is a funny, funny place to start with! I’ve heard of people showing up there with all the makings of a party, completely unannounced to management and just throwing a party in the restaurant or a roomsetting! There is a real IKEA-reality show on TV in Canada…which I have yet to look into. My friend was visiting there, saw it in her hotel, and said it was pretty cool. I can’t wait to watch the rest of these episodes! Thanks so much for sharing this :)
This is hilarious! Thanks for posting it!
I was somewhat obsessed with Ikea in my student days but moved away from it as I got older. After reading your blog, it has made me reconsider, and I think I’m falling in love with Ikea all over again.
OMG – this is the funniest & most creative thing I have seen in a very long time. The episodes just get better and funnier as they go along.Thanks for the morning laugh. I will definitely be tuning in for the next episodes.
That was great! I even shared it with the Washington Post chat today. I thought they would know what home blog I was referring to since I sent them directly to you but hey at least they used the link!
YHL is great- I really enjoy it!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/09/09/DI2009090902195.html
Hey Hillarie,
Thanks so much for the Wash Post shout out! We’re honored!
xo,
s (& j)
That is classic! I might just have to venture over the youtube to watch the one episodes!
In the movie 500 days of Summer, there is a concept similar to this. The main characters go to the Ikea store on “dates” and act as if the room set-ups are their house. It’s a short part of the movie, but same concept and really funny. the movie itself is great too! Esp if you’re a Zooey Deschanel fan.
Omg! That is hilarious. I can’t believe that the workers didn’t know though.