Holiday Treats: MTV’s ‘The City’ and Other Goodies (Update)
I resisted as long as I could. I didn’t travel to Laguna Beach nor did I scale the comparatively low level mountain of mess known as The Hills. I was proud to say that I did not know who the hell Spencer, Heidi, Lauren, Audrina or Whitney were. But all that has changed. In a vulnerable moment, my defenses down and jonesing for a bite of reality television, a couple of weeks ago I tuned into MTV’s Whitney: From The Hills to The City which chronicled Whitney Port’s journey from awkward intern to soon-to-be fashion powerhouse (not quite, but I am all about the drama).
Although the show was light on drama and heavy on excellent production values, I did find myself sticking it out for the entire hour and a half. In the process, I got to find out who Lauren Conrad was (After all of the hype, I was too unimpressed.) and about the world of fashion through the eyes of our low energy heroine, Whitney. Listen, don’t think my assessment of dear Whitney as a slight; I call them as I see them. For a woman who gets her daily reality nourishment from the like of Jeff Conaway from Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, NeNe from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and all things Diddy, poor Whitney seems like a tasty morsel rather than a four course meal.
Whitney Port from MTV's "The City"
With that said, I will be watching Whitney in MTV’s The City when it premieres back-to-back episodes on Monday, December 29 (10 p.m. ET). She has moved from the comfort of Cali to pursue “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work at global design house Diane von Furstenberg…as an image coordinator.” I love reality shows that give us a behind-the-scenes look at an industry. I was down with Bravo’s Blow Out, Work Out and Flipping Out. Loved Project Runway and Top Chef. And although I never want to work for Diddy, watching him put people through their paces as they vie for the grand prize of being his slave…I mean assistant or an artist signed to his record label, was a cheap and painless thrill.
Sigh…With the exception of The City, I will have to wait until after the New Year for a fresh infusion of reality TV. Like a devoted fan (or crazed fool), I have made my short list of must sees for the beginning of 2009.
Sober House (January 15 10 p.m. VH1) – Holy ish! If the previews are any indication, it doesn’t get any better than this. Some of the folks from the second season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew are going to be living in a house ala Real World-style — minus the sex, booze (and in their cases, drugs). This doesn’t mean that they don’t get into any hot wild messes because temptation lurks literally right around the corner in Hollywood. God is so good. (You don’t have to say it. I have a standing appointment with the king of the underworld. But as you know, the devil is busy.)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (February 2, 10 p.m., LOGO) – I miss RuPaul, the cross-dressing fashionista. Who can forget his famous admonition, “You betta work.” In RuPaul’s Drag Race “contestants compete for the title of America’s next top drag queen. The host will play dual roles: RuPaul, in glamazon drag, judging the participants’ efforts; and the debonair Mr. RuPaul, offering helpful advice for each challenge. “(source) Five snaps and a drop-it-like-it’s-hot for this concept. I give it a 10 on the Maury scale. Let the wig snatching and the stiletto throwing begin.
And because I like to plan my year as far in advance as I can, I have open appointments with Bravo’s The Rachel Zoe Project, Flipping Out and Tabitha’s Salon Takeover – all renewed for another season.)
Who knew that Santa would be so good when I have been so very bad? Not me.
Happy Holidays.
UPDATE
Looks like a lot of people aren’t so into our dear Whitney, myself included. I did watch the show…or at least I tried to. Unfortunately, I kept falling asleep. Of course, everyone looked good as is required for a Hills spinoff but they seemed so very vapid. Way too much “boyfriend” talk and not enough “fashion biz” talk. And I have to say this: I know it’s supposed to take place but I didn’t recognize a damn thing and I live in the beyotch. (Love the not-so-sneaky plugs for the featured restaurants and clubs.)
Wondering how it did in the ratings? It “averaged 1.6 million viewers at 10 p.m. — down 38% from last week’s “Hills” finale” (source) which had its own ratings troubles. (source)
UPDATE 2
File this under, “What the hell do I know?” MTV announced that The City (along with the show Daddy’s Girls) has been renewed for a second season. (source)
UPDATE 3
Because I am a kind and generous soul (stop laughing), I have a treat for lovers of The City. Here’s a preview of Monday’s (March 9) episode. It seems that our dear Whitney and her beau Jay are breaking up. Don’t believe me? Take a look
