Why did Netflix release a new video of Fergie’s ‘London Bridge’?
Why did Netflix release a new video of Fergie’s ‘London Bridge’?
The new music video is in fact an advertisement for Netflix’s new rom-com series ‘Too Much.’
Never let it be said that Netflix won’t pull out all the stops to advertise a new show. On Tuesday, the world’s largest streamer partnered with pop icon Fergie to premiere a newly reimagined, remix music video of one of her most iconic hits, “London Bridge.” While the former Black Eyed Peas singer is back in Londontown for the video, she is not alone, as she is joined by the always hilarious Megan Stalter, of “Hacks” fame. As great as the video is, its release has many people on the internet asking one simple question… “Why?”
Key Details:
- Falling down?: Netflix has released a remix of Fergie’s “London Bridge” to advertise “Too Much.”
- Heading across the pond: The show will follow a young woman who moves to London to put her romantic misadventures behind her.
- Impressive cast: “Too Much” stars Meg Statler, Richard E. Grant, Rita Wilson, Naomi Watts, and Rhea Perlman.
It will likely surprise no one that this out-of-the-box pairing is part of the promotional push for an upcoming Netflix series. The streamer has a new romantic comedy debuting on Thursday, July 10, and they are pulling out the stops to generate as much hype for the show as possible. The show, “Too Much,” was created and directed by Lena Dunham and stars Statler as a woman who moves to London following a bad breakup in New York City.
While the video is fairly reminiscent of the original, it leans into Statler’s specific comedic charms to give a sillier, more playful vibe than the 2006 version. Despite the song being called “London Bridge,” Fergie confesses to Statler that they didn’t actually film the original video on the titular bridge due to a rather disturbing and pungent smell that remains in the area today. There are numerous callbacks to both the original video (including the handwritten note that opens the video) and the license plate of the car that Stalter steps out of before meeting Fergie (“2 Much”).
In the video, Statler gets a literal helping hand from Fergie as she aids her in getting her groove back while dancing down the actual London Bridge. While no members of the Black Eyed Peas pop up in this version, as they did in the original, Statler steps in throughout the video to add her own flamboyant and energetic (if not especially impressive) choreography. There is one particular moment where Statler is “recreating” the choreo from the original video and dancing in front of some very unamused palace guards.
“That’s my favorite part, because I couldn’t wait to see what she was going to do,” Fergie said. “She nailed it and took it to the next level. I love that I’m at the point in my life where I’m sipping tea, and it’s now her turn to go dance on the guards.”
Check out the remix of “London Bridge” featuring Fergie and Statler:
Warning, the remix is a bit more explicit than the original version.
Despite Fergie being on a “hiatus” from performing, she jumped at the chance to reimagine the video when she was approached by Netflix.
“It was so ridiculous that, of course, I was attracted to it,” the pop star said. “And Meg being involved — that was a no-brainer for me because she’s just so talented, and it just felt like this creative kismet moment.”
In addition to Netflix releasing a non-radio-friendly version of the song (the original video below has far more PG lyrics), the new version features a re-imagined rom-com feel that leans into the characters and narrative of “Too Much.” The series follows Statler’s character Jessica, a workaholic from New York who is reeling after her latest broken relationship. She decides the only way to move on from her romantic misadventures in the Big Apple is to move clear across the ocean to London, but when she meets Felix, her plan to cloister herself takes a sharp left turn.
And just in case you wanted to step back into history, here’s the official music video of the original version:
In addition to Statler, “Too Much” boasts quite the impressive cast, including Will Sharpe, Michael Zegan, Janicza Bravo, Richard E. Grant, Rita Wilson, Naomi Watts, Andrew Rannells, Rhea Perlman, Emily Ratajkowski, and Adwoa Aboah.
What do you think about this collaboration between Fergie and Netflix to promote “Too Much”? Was it a great way for the streamer to advertise its newest comedy series, or was it ironically a bit too much? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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