What’s making people tune into ‘Southern Charm’? – Washington Post

Its hard to imagine a more generic name for a reality show than Southern Charm. Thats the Bravo series that started Season 4 this month and drew a solid 1.25 million viewers in the desirable 18-to-49 age bracket for the premiere.

Whats making people tune in?

The show (9 p.m. Mondays) revolves around characters in their late 20s and early 30s who live in Charleston, S.C. Many of them look so much alike that even they cant tell themselves apart. Is that tousle-haired, grinning party boy Shep or his protege, tousle-haired, grinning party boy Austen? Which slender blonde woman is Naomie and which is Cameran? The beauty of the show is that it really doesnt even matter because they all like a) day-drinking parties, b) complaining about the 150 degree heat and c) wearing pastels.

For comic relief, theres an older socialite, Patricia, and her plump pug, Chauncey. She lolls in bed in her palatial estate, summons her butler and asks why the buzzer to summon him isnt buzzing. He dutifully replies, Im sure the batteries have worn down.

For tragedy, theres the broken couple of Thomas (whos in his 50s and a former treasurer for the state of South Carolina) and 20-something Kathryn. Her use of drugs and alcohol brought their relationship to an end. Wealthy blue blood Thomas has custody of their young offspring. Thomas explains that the two children live in his guesthouse with a nanny because children are messy and hed rather they spit up on a $200 guesthouse rug than a $30,000 main house rug. Hes currently looking for a woman who feels privileged to be with me.

So beneath the shows bland title lie Southern self-indulgence, Southern snootiness and Southern sorrows. Maybe thats why people are watching!

Meanwhile, the unsung star of the series is Charleston, with its enticing palm trees and Spanish moss, refreshing river vistas and inviting front porches. Unlike the shows boorish humans, the Palmetto City oozes Southern charm.

Read more of Marcs TV musings:

Can millennials create a new utopia in Jungletown?

Brockmire turns a crisis into a home run

Yes, Crashing is another sitcom based on a stand-up comic. Yes, you should watch it.

Originally posted here:

What's making people tune into 'Southern Charm'? - Washington Post