Question: is towie and the only way is essex the same thing

Answer: Yes, The Only Way Is Essex (often abbreviated as TOWIE /ˈtaʊi/) is a British reality television series based in Brentwood, England. It shows ``real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way.'' The show is filmed just a few days in advance. It is narrated by Denise van Outen, who is from Basildon, Essex. The show has been described as Britain's answer to The Hills and Jersey Shore.