# Give me current examples of "wealth porn" TV shows **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019 "2012-02-06T22:24:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/1 "2012-02-06T22:24:20Z")
When I was younger, there was a show called “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” that was pretty much straight-up wealth porn. Nothing but leering coverage of what it’s like to live the life of … well … the rich and famous. In a screenplay I wrote nearly twenty years ago, a character references “Lifestyles…” in a throwaway line of dialogue. I have just started revamping this script from the ground up, fixing my youthful mistakes, tightening the bolts on the plot, etc. One of the fixes I’m implementing is to remove dated references (fax instead of e-mail, phone booths instead of cell phones, etc.), and “Lifestyles…” is one of those references. I know there are wealth-porn shows on TV now, but I have no idea what they’re called or what channel(s) they’re on. Can you folks give me some suggestions? Especially, if there’s a particular cable channel or something that’s known for airing this kind of stuff, I’d love to know its name. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/2 "2012-02-06T22:32:39Z")
Hmm… _Cribs_ is probably dated by now, huh? Any of the various Kardashian-style shows have a lot of this, although the personal angst tends to be overweening. Some of the DIY channels have shows about million dollar kitchens and stuff like that. House Hunters International often tends towards the really rich. Hell, my TV provider has a channel called _Wealth TV_ that probably has some shows in that vein. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/3 "2012-02-06T22:33:58Z")
Keeping Up With The Kardashians and any of Paris Hiltons various shows would probably qualify. Trump’s The Apprentice is largely an hour long weekly commercial on Donald Trump’s “add glass and gild it” crasser-than-Crassus lifestyle. Some (not all) episodes of Househunters/Househunters International are wealth porn. “I can’t decide if I should go with the one that has the indoor pool but no formal dining room or the one with the marble terrace but no waterfall wall… I’m going to be spending two weeks a year here so it has to be nice!” Ditto a lot of redecorating shows. ---
**Author:** ![NGC2024](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f475e1/32.png) [@NGC2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NGC2024)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/4 "2012-02-06T22:38:07Z")
The Real Housewives series of shows on Bravo includes more references to wealth and glamorous lifestyles than one really needs. This show might not fit as well as some of the others suggested, but it’s the first example that came to mind due to the ostentatiousness of the participants in the show. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/5 "2012-02-06T22:39:04Z")
Having never seen any of them, I’m under the impression that all of the “Real Housewives” shows have an element of that, but it’s less “wealthy” and more “rich.” ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/6 "2012-02-06T22:41:24Z")
The various Real Housewives series, the already mentioned Kardashian shows and a couple other reality shows would be good examples. MTVs Super Sweet Sixteen series where some spoiled rich brat gets a pony and a Jay Z concert for her sixteenth birthday also counts. HGTV has some shows about Manhattan real estate as well. In fact most of the Bravo network consists of shows about rich idiots or people competing for glamor jobs in order to become rich idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/7 "2012-02-06T22:44:43Z")
Okay, let me clarify what I’m looking for. (thanks for the suggestions, everyone!) The character mentions having seen a segment about a legendary collection of diamonds on (insert name of show), formerly belonging to a movie queen and in the form of a necklace, now removed from their settings and sold by the movie queen’s heirs to a financier. So this means a show focused on a particular celeb like a Kardashian wouldn’t work, and one that focuses only on (say) real estate won’t work either. I can make up a fake show – in fact I probably should – but knowing what channels are infamous for this kind of programming would be a big help. ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/8 "2012-02-06T23:03:38Z")
[MTV Cribs](http://www.mtv.com/shows/cribs/series.jhtml)would be a good bet. They tour through celebrities houses. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/9 "2012-02-06T23:11:00Z")
Joan Rivers had (is it still on?) a show called something like _How’d You Get So Rich?_ where she visited ridiculously wealthy people and oohed appropriately over their stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/10 "2012-02-07T00:16:26Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > The character mentions having seen a segment about a legendary collection of diamonds on (insert name of show), formerly belonging to a movie queen and in the form of a necklace, now removed from their settings and sold by the movie queen’s heirs to a financier. That sounds more as though it could be part of a Biography special about said movie queen or a History special, (“Secrets of the Gemstones”, “Modern Marvels: Gemstones”, “Lost Mysteries of Druidic Alien Chupacabra Gemstones”, “Pawn Stars” [I have a buddy who’s an _expert_ in movie queen diamonds…] whatever) ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/11 "2012-02-07T00:26:45Z")
[Platinum Weddings](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platinum_Weddings). > [@](#): > > Jaclyn and Marchelino plan to marry at Le Chateau Rose, a $25 million private estate in Bel-Air. During the couple’s “enchanted forest” reception—inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream—little people will greet guests and serve appetizers. The magical event will include elaborate floral centerpieces by LA Premier, Nobu’s signature black miso cod, and performances by Cirque du Soleil acrobats! > [@](#): > > What does it take to pull off a four-day traditional Indian wedding with fireworks, cannons, a helicopter and a horse and carriage? Oh, just a little over a million dollars! This Platinum Wedding day starts with the groom arriving by helicopter, then paraded on a white horse escorted by 200 of his closes relatives! He joins his bride as she takes to the aisle adorned with $100,000 in dress and jewelry. To highlight the couple’s winter theme, their first dance will feature a snowstorm to the delight of their 500 guests! ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/12 "2012-02-07T00:42:10Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > any of Paris Hiltons various shows would probably qualify. But would “Simple Life” really qualify? I don’t remember it all that well, but wasn’t it more of a fish out of water thing. Did they show off her wealth in between her shoveling manure or whatever? ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/13 "2012-02-07T01:01:29Z")
MTV’s Cribs is probably the closest thing to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous that you’re going to get. in the vein of shows that have mind-numbing opulence in the background, Entourage tops the kardashians and housewives easily. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/14 "2012-02-07T02:13:34Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > When I was younger, there was a show called “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” that was pretty much straight-up wealth porn. Nothing but leering coverage of what it’s like to live the life of … well … the rich and famous. Wealth TV is a channel that is non-stop show me the money. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/15 "2012-02-07T02:17:18Z")
It’s not what the OP is looking for, but, ever since the recession, I’ve always thought that HGTV itself was all wealth porn. These people not only have houses, but have either money to burn or equity to do something else with it. And a lot of people I know live vicariously through it since they are having problems. ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/16 "2012-02-07T02:32:51Z")
Actually, I like the idea of a Biography special about the actress very much. That could work. _muses_ ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/17 "2012-02-09T02:59:34Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > Actually, I like the idea of a Biography special about the actress very much. That could work. > > _muses_ Hmmm…how about a Biography special about Evalyn Walsh McLean? Look up the Hope Diamond and her little subsection on Wikipedia. –G! Diamond Ring Wear it on your hand Gonna tell the world I’m your only man Diamond ring Diamond ring! . --Jon Bon Jovi (Bon Jovi) . _Diamond Ring_ . These Days ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/18 "2012-02-09T03:11:17Z")
> [@NGC2024](#): > > The Real Housewives series of shows on Bravo includes more references to wealth and glamorous lifestyles than one really needs. This show might not fit as well as some of the others suggested, but it’s the first example that came to mind due to the ostentatiousness of the participants in the show. That was my first thought as well. I’ve never watched them, but both my sisters are Real Housewives junkies so I hear about it quite often. Last time they had it on and I was over at my parent’s house one of my sisters pointed out that the sunglasses one of the housewives was wearing cost $10,000. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Sin\_Serially](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Sin\_Serially](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sin_Serially)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/19 "2012-02-09T03:23:54Z")
“My super sweet 16” or somesuch on MTV. All about how much money you can pay for a teenager’s party. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019/20 "2012-02-09T03:40:04Z")
There are two shows on HGTV, “Selling New York” and it’s offshoot “Selling L.A.” that are all about several real estate agents who sell jaw-droppingly expensive ($10 million and up) condos and estates. I drool over the remodelling and staging that goes on to get rich people to buy these places. Also, check out “Million Dollar Contractor” on the DIY channel. He does some beautiful work. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-me-current-examples-of-wealth-porn-tv-shows/612019.md?page=2)