Aahana Swrup
In the world of ‘Palm Royale,’ where the titular club operates in wealth, influence, and social standing, Shiny Sheet, the local newspaper publication, emerges as the most highly coveted feather in anyone’s cap. Consequently, as the narrative, set in 1960s Palm Beach, follows the underdog story of Maxine Simmons, who chases after a sense of belonging in high society, the newspaper holds crucial significance to the plot’s development.
From Maxine’s initial struggle to get a foot in the door into the exclusive club, where all the affluent women enjoy memberships, to her actively trying to fit in, The Shiny Sheet presents a track of her social currency. However, given the newspaper’s noteworthy appearance in the period setting, viewers must wonder if The Shiny Sheet and its editor, Ann Holiday, have a basis in real life.
The Shiny Sheet, a.k.a., Palm Beach Daily News
As it would turn out, despite ‘Palm Royale’s’ largely fictitious roots, the focal newspaper publication featured within the show, “The Shiny Sheet,” is actually a real-life newspaper local to the Palm Beach area. The Palm Beach Daily News is a local news publication that updates the town residents about the news cycle, including social affairs, within Palm Beach.
Founded in 1897 under a different name (Lake Worth Daily News), the publication established its nickname, “The Shiny Sheet,” due to the cost-efficient newspaper stock quality, heavier and distinct compared to regular paper. In fact, the nickname has become such a staple for the publication that their social media account on X (formerly Twitter) employs the same for their username.
Consequently, ‘Palm Royale’s’ equipment of the same newspaper within its Palm Beach setting leaves the in-universe newspaper as an easily recognizable reference to the real-life publication— whether with intention or not. On the other hand, it remains evident that the exact Shiny Sheet copies— and their editor, Ann Holiday— portrayed in the show’s narrative don’t exist since they’re penned after fictional characters.
In the show, The Shiny Sheet carries an immense social value, determining the characters’ hierarchical dynamics within the club through their appearance in the publication. For the same reason, Ann Holiday, the new editor, constantly vultures around Evelyn Collins, the town’s queen bee, and her close circle to sniff out news for the latest runs. Likewise, since Maxine’s focus remains on making a splash arrival into the Palm Beach social environment and maintaining it well above all, Ann becomes a frequent presence in her storyline as well.
Consequently, as the series revolves around the status-hungry lives of wealthy individuals in Palm Beach, the Shiny Sheet presents the perfect tool to measure the same. Furthermore, due to its highly sought-after nature, the newspaper also plays into the motivation of several characters while also delivering them the consequences of their actions.
Additionally, in many ways, the Shiny Sheet emulates a 1960s version of contemporary social media— an idea that executive producers Laura Dern and Jayme Lemons reportedly discussed during the show’s making, comparing it to Instagram’s social platform. A staple plot device throughout the film, The Shiny Sheet consistently informs the characters’ perceptions and actions, setting them up for their counter-moves. Therefore, the emotions and philosophies surrounding the newspaper— specifically in terms of social competition— remain eerily reminiscent of the modern social media phenomenon.
Thus, The Shiny Sheet newspaper contains firm relations to reality through the Palm Beach Daily News, which continues to be a vital source of information in Palm Beach through its online publication. On the other hand, Ann Holiday ceases to share a real-life counterpart, rendered a fictional addition to maintain a connection to the show’s narrative.
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