Support for LAist comes from
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Stay Connected
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts and Entertainment

Ain't No Party Like an OC Party

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today. 

()

During the go-go, greed is good ‘80s, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and host Robin Leach became the symbol of American opulence. It was hard not to aspire for 'champagne wishes and caviar dreams.' Of course these days, there are countless shows featuring the upper crust flaunting their wealth. And like a car wreck, we wretch at the sight of such blatant materialism while secretly keeping our eyes glued to the TV set.

So given our fascination with the uber-rich and our voyeuristic tendencies, it’s no surprise that Lifetime is now jumping on the bandwagon and launching another reality show celebrating such extravagance. Top This Party: Orange County, premiering on January 4, follows in the footsteps of Laguna Beach and Newport Harbor recognizing our fine neighbors to the south (or at least that upper 1%). Part Desperate Housewives of Orange County, part My Super Sweet 16, it will follow party planner Brian Dobbin around as he puts together over-the-top fiestas for local residents ranging in cost from $100,000-$250,000.

According to the hostess featured in the pilot episode, “the show's premise essentially boils down to showing "how we're just so rich we can spend huge amounts of money.”

Support for LAist comes from

Um, right.

No word on whether residents in Santa Ana, Garden Grove, or any other place in OC not named Newport Beach will be featured on the show.

And yes, I will be watching Lifetime on January 4.

Flickr photo by sml!

At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.

But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.

We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.

Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist