The Simple Life - Series 2 - Complete (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Satisfactory

Advantages:	Nice people in their own sarcastic way
Disadvantages:	Family values out the window

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

* THAT'S HOT

Perhaps a forgotten memory to many of you now, or just something you never wanted to associate yourself with, Paris Hilton used to be big news when she first hit on to the scene as the female Callum Best with her partying hard although ever since her stint in jail the most we have really heard about her is her relationship with Britney's ex, K-Fed. Partnered up with Nicole Richie, daughter of famous musician Lionel Richie, the two heiresses to a whole load of cash are the stars of reality television show, 'The Simple Life'.

This surprise 2003 hit drew a staggering 13 million viewers upon its premiere for the FOX network in America, and showed a 79% increase in adults 18-49 watching at that timeslot. Whilst the second season, 'Road Trip', saw a drop in ratings the premiere still drew 9.8 million showing people were still interested in Hilton and Richie. The concept behind the show was to introduce the pair to the simple life that many people have to lead, without all the money, and took away all the luxuries they were used to. Of course, there is clearly a smoke shield put up so we don't want to see them clearly enjoying all this stuff, but the idea of them being 'broke as a joke' for the 20 minute episodes is surprisingly enjoyable to watch.

* NO CELLPHONES, NO CREDIT CARDS, NO 'CELEBRITY STATUS'

Adding a twist to the formula of the show from the first season, 'Road Trip' sees Paris and Nicole driving across America in a pink pickup truck draggingtheir airstream trailer. The introduction to the season shows the pair coming across a toll booth, and whilst holding up all the traffic Nicole goes around begging for money. She ends up returning with more than the 75 cents that she required, but it's all in a days work for her. Screaming, "Bye gorgeous," Paris then continues the drive down the motorway.. or probably just turns off and lets someone drive her to the next set. Just don't think about the possibility (probability) of it all being fake.

This show is all old news now, so some people may wonder why I have choosen to review it, because I sure haven't picked up the DVD. My reasons behind reviewing it were in a late night channel sweep last night I discovered that they were showing a double bill, starting from the first episode of the season, clearly E4 have decided to use The Simple Life as a filled for their Big Brother live coverage that is now over. The Simple Life is where I also saw other episodes of the show a couple of years back, but had completely forgotten the show existed since I hadn't seen it in any television guides.

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are the ultimate in spoilt brats, and you might think you don't need to watch their reality television show to realise that, but the way they act is entertaining in my point of view. I can see a completely different audiance hating it and finding their insulting remarks not entertaining but crude and unfounded. I guess it just depends which way you want to look at them. This is probably a good time to reference to a South Park epsiode spoofy Paris Hilton, entitled 'Stupid Spoiled Whore'. If you do not want to laugh at the way the pair act, in the first episode of the season you can laugh at Paris falling off a horse, and being worth $350 million of course she ends up being airlifted to hospital to check for internal bleeding. This story actually made the news in America, and I'm sure that worked out as a good commercial for the new seasons opening episode.

With all the commotion, the father of the family that they were staying on the ranch with ended up spending money to try and make it up to Paris rather than the way it was supposed to go down - them doing work on the ranch. I was actually quite surprised to see the way his opinion turned around, because after his speech on how he wears the biggest hat in the ranch and is the one in charge, he was reduced to a completely different person. Maybe the comical remarks from Nicole like she is going to get a bigger hat eventually wore him down. Other jobs the pair come up against as the season progresses is training to be mermaids, working in a nudist resort and practicing their sausage making skills.

* THAT'S COLD

The show is obviously intended for a female audiance, with make-up and catch phrases that make the pair even richer. And you may think I'm crazy, but there is without a doubt room for a male audiance with the appearance of the two stars of the show. I do remember about three years back this show was a big deal, but since the break down in friendship between Paris and Nicole I guess there can be no plans to continue the show and bring it up to date in 2008. Maybe Paris will suggest bringing the show back with Britney in replacement for Nicole, I'm sure I'd watch it then with the millions. So whilst you may think the comments the pair make about fat people and the way people in the show try to help them only to have it thrown back in their face is cold, I honestly believe this is one of the best filler programmes on television. Or maybe that's exactly what is wrong with society today.