The producers of NYC Prep face a difficult dilemma. The lives of the young Upper East Siders must be ordinary enough so we’re convinced that they are actually in high school, and also glitzy enough so it’s not just another teen reality show. If they reach either extreme, the show will be one either about mundane adolescents, or immature and amateur socialites. This week, Bravo erred on the latter side, with a disappointing result. As the camera panned wide at sophisticated fashion shows and after parties of Fashion Week, the NYC Prep kids seemed little more than fledging society queens and desperate interns, manipulated by their older peers, some of whom were obviously trying to gain their own exposure and free press.
Perhaps the most pathetic of the Reality Show Wannabees was hopeless socialite Devorah Rose, parading in front of Bravo’s camera every chance she could get and ingratiating herself to the much-younger PC. We let out a simultaneous cheer when an angry Jessie told the camera, “You can tell when someone is not from New York, and is not a real person.” Yes, we can tell, and we know exactly to whom you’re referring. Actually, rumor has it that Devorah, or Debbie (what this faux Manhattanite was named at birth) is actually, gasp, from Massachusetts. And has anyone ever actually read, or for that matter, seen a copy of Social Life Magazine? Do yourself a favor Debbie (or would it be Devvie?) and stay away from the NYC Prep cameras. Your much younger co-stars just make you look old and ridiculous!
That’s not to say we’re disappointed that PC has been running wild of late—we wish we could learn more about his partying into the wee-hours of the A.M. with his model and photographer friends. His forays into the adult New York social scene are enticing, and racy enough that Jessie is genuinely concerned about her best friend’s behavior. As if we weren’t reeled in enough, we had confirmation for the first time by a cast member that PC is bisexual. Though there have been teasers about this nearly every episode, next week apparently will include a serious chat with Jessie on the topic.
But not all of PC this week included adult, mysterious partying; many of his antics seemed more middle school than post graduate. After one of the many fashion shows he was treated to—we’re sure Bravo had nothing to do with securing all these tickets for teenagers—PC gave a pathetically fake apology to Kelli for his rudeness at the dinner party two weeks earlier. At a later fashion show, PC flipped out at Kelli and Kat for swiping his front row seats, pushing him—“oh no she didant”—to the second row. Unfortunately, none of this was especially entertaining or funny, and PC’s name calling of his best friend (a “fat ass”) was just mean.
And last but not least, well maybe least, there is Camille. Um, could you be a little more obvious that you are totally jealous of Kelli’s new singing career? Camille grilled Kelli about the necessity and benefits of having a stylist, while at the same time making herself look petty and insecure. Sorry you are not as talented or cute as Kelli, Camille, but maybe if you would run a brush through your hair once in a while (or stop telling us, ad nauseam, that you are going to Harvard – can’t wait to see how that works out for you) the viewers would respond more positively.
Until next week…
Allie and Josh (not their real names) are recent graduates of two selective New York City prep schools and now attend different Ivy League Universities. As once active participants in the NYC Prep scene, Allie and Josh will share their insights about each new episode of NYC Prep for Woman Around Town.
