The Real Housewives of New York City (2008– )

This show is easy to hate. A bit too easy. I think there's more to it than meets the eye.

RHONY is obviously about trashy people keeping up appearances. They are boring people with few talents other than getting money from God knows what. They clearly wouldn't talk to each other if the show didn't require it, and conflicts arise constantly.

It's good entertainment to a catastrophe in the making. You know something bad is going to happen, but not exactly what. Many comedies build on that. And RHONY does a good job setting up dinners and spa weekends that you know are going to hell, and it delivers. The petty fighting in the decadent surroundings adds to the comedy. And even in the worst fights, a witty remark always finds its way. Frankel is especially witty.

Despite everything, I think the show offers a lot of relational cases to engage in and learn from. Social codes get violated and the violations have to be negotiated and solved. All the drama is actually intricate showcase of differing values and expectations.

But I still wouldn't recomend the show to anyone.