Bravo's NYC Prep

[papa_levante]

BravoTV

I really got excited about about this show only because I dreamed of growing up in NYC and going to a nice school.

So far, IMO, these teens are pretty grounded:

• Camille knows she has to study hard to be successful, but she doesn't yet realize that she can't set in stone everything just yet. She's only 17!
• PC knows that so many kids get into drugs and have sex and that gossip is worse than a wildfire. At least he's not blinded.
• Taylor is enjoyable because she knows that money doesn't make the person. I like people who think that way because once the money is gone, what do you have left?
• Kelli doesn't let being a popstar go to her head. So far. (I have to watch more episodes.) She's adorable.
• Sebastian: typical high school boy, trying to get with all the ladies.
• Jessie is so stressed about boys. What else is new for girls her age? I think I might hate her the most. Drama drama drama in the sunglass shop, if you saw it the sneak preview.

 

[papa_levante]

About:
BravoTV

NYC Prep chronicles the lives of a group of privileged teenagers who are key players in Manhattan's elite high school scene. Students who travel in packs – whether it's on sophisticated vacations or to a townhouse for an exclusive midnight party, their lives intertwine as they network, shop, party, study, date and write college applications. Everyone's beautiful and everyone's connected.


On the surface, it seems that these teens live an enviable life. They have access and privilege to spare, and can't imagine that anything or anyone, will get in their way. Over the course of the series, we'll see them on the benefit circuit, viewers will get to know their families, their entourage (trainers, college application advisors, stylists) and their guys/girls of the moment. But privilege has its price. Despite their carefree lives, the pressure of lofty expectations can sometimes be too much for even the most confident teenagers.

 

[papa_levante]

Bios:
BravoTV

Taylor is a 15-year-old sophomore who bounces between her public school entourage and the fast-paced, wealthy Upper East Siders whose parties she has no qualms crashing. She openly jokes about her hopes to score a rich husband someday. As it is for most New York City kids, the academic bar is set extraordinarily high for Taylor. Her magnet public school is an intense academic pressure cooker, yet she finds time to be an active member of her school's gymnastics and roller hockey teams. The rigorous pre-professional dance program she's enrolled in at the prestigious STEPS keeps her sane with dance lessons up to six days a week. Taylor has an active interest in politics and has been known to frequent a student demonstration or two in Union Square. She loves to say that she's "horrible at relationships," which may explain why she continually leaves a flock of boys dangling in limbo, despite advice from her closest friends to "date the nice guy."

Sebastian is known among his circle of friends as the guy who constantly hooks up with the hottest girls – either in the City or at his place in the Hamptons. As a native French speaker, girls swoon at his surfer good looks and impeccable accent. Sebastian regularly hits up the town with wingman and best bud Gabe. Sebastian's hobbies, aside from girls, are soccer, tennis and debate tournaments. He's a member of the school newspaper and a certified ocean lifeguard. He is actively involved in charitable causes connected to his school, and has participated in several HMUN (Harvard Model United Nations) events across the east coast. Whether it's "le football" in the Pyrenees or a debate team dais on the Upper East Side, 16-year-old Sebastian is sure to be surrounded by a sea of admirers.

PC is one of the most popular kids in the Upper East Side prep school scene. Attractive and wealthy, PC is interested in photography – both fine art photography and fashion photography – and is a music aficionado. He loves sports and plays ice hockey, tennis, golf and soccer. Like many New York kids, this jaded 18-year-old grew up fast, surrounded by rock stars, artists, and the city's literati. For PC, money, women and life's spoils are all he's ever known, and as such, he can't wait to get out of the "sandbox" of high school. A workout fiend, PC realizes that college is right around the corner and he needs to make an impactful change to his partying lifestyle. His first step is to reconnect with his old friend Jessie. They have a long history – they've dated, been best friends and lost touch – and as they pick up where they left off, the drama unfolds.

 

[papa_levante]

(cont.)

While her parents spend much of their time in the Hamptons, Kelli recently moved to the Upper East Side for high school. A 17-year-old junior and the most recent import to the Manhattan social scene, Kelli's apartment, which she shares with her older brother, often becomes a crash pad for friends – leaving one to wonder if the big city pressures will get to her. She loves exploring the city's various high-end restaurants with her friends and also manages her brother's basketball team. Instead of following the party-hunting majority, Kelli chooses to focus on jumpstarting a singing career for herself, working with a team of voice coaches, producers, image consultants, stylists and a dash from her own Mom. Kelli is passionate about setting up a benefit to raise money for cerebral palsy, which afflicts her older sister.

Jessie always gets what she wants – in the case of her final year of high school, this means she's anxious to get accepted by FIT, a top-tier college program to pursue her passion for all things fashion. To bolster her college application, she interviews for cutthroat fashion internships with top designers in New York. Always a leader among her friends, Jessie likes to throw parties for fun, as well as for good causes. As one of the student chairs of the "Operation Smile" junior committee, Jessie showcases her public relations abilities as she works all angles of their big event to raise money, find the perfect glam venue and solicit charitable donations from the city's top haute couture designers. In her limited free time, Jessie enjoys spinning, exploring vintage stores, and vacations with her family.

A junior in high school, 17-year-old Camille takes her studies seriously, balancing rigorous exams, lacrosse practice, studying for her SATS, the debate team and the college application process with aplomb. She's constantly on the lookout for a boyfriend, but no one seems to meet her impossibly high standards, despite the bevy of suitors knocking on her door. Camille thrives on high school drama and can often be found playing peacemaker, brokering a classic junior vs. sophomore high school feud, or saving a naïve freshman from social suicide. Always armed with acid-tongued opinions and witty retorts, the refined Camille loves to blow off steam by going out on the town at hot clubs around the city.

 

[papa_levante]

Yet, no reality show comes without criticism.
wikipedia / blogs.wsj.com / nymag / cityfile

There has been some criticism among those who attend other NYC prep schools that the schools attended by the cast are in no way elite. Many other members of the New York City private school community have stated that the experiences shown on the show are not similar to how life actually is for most Upper East Siders. Filming was not allowed during school, nor were any school names specifically mentioned on the show, as the schools desired to distance themselves from the show. Dorothy Hutcheson, head of Nightingale-Bamford school, sent a letter home to all Nightingale parents, warning them about the show and the potentially negative portrayal of the school on the show.


Criticism has also arisen based off the reality of the show. While the cast members do not seem to have a problem talking about their money, many old money New Yorkers feel that talking about money is off limits. This has led to allegations that the students on the show are not authentic New York City prep school students, but rather just are just teenagers seeking fame.


Furthermore, one of the NYC prep characters attends a public school which, while very rigorous, is not a prep school. Additionally, Sebastian does not live in the Upper East side but on Long Island, where he attends the Ross School in East Hampton.

 

[designerleather]

I saw the preview about 2 - 3 weeks ago, and grounded was not the word I would you for these kids.

Some discussion of the show has been going on in the Gossip Girl thread

 

[MissMagAddict]

I watched the preview & these people disgust me I'll probably watch it anyway

 

[lmelanie]

the first three episodes are up on bravotv.com

 

[papa_levante]

FULL episodes? Sadly, my connection isn't as fast as I would like it, so I'll have to settle for waiting til the 23rd.

Personally, kids are just being kids. Hormonal teenagers going through pubescence... they will make drama drama draaaaaamaaaaaa. But, the sneak preview actually made me really impressed. Of course, that might change as the show continues but PC and Camille seem to have their head secured on their shoulders better than the others. At least they have some sort of goals outside of living off of their wealthy parents.

 

[Susanna-Cole]

Edit: Yikes. This is a monster of a post. Sorry. I'll try to give myself a word limit next time, so as to control my tongue, or er, fingers.

I always have strong opinions about shows like this. I guess I have a different view point than many, considering I've not only lived in near-poverty, but also lived among the extremely wealthy. I've seen both sides, and having seen both sides, I must say, I'll take poverty over wealth any day.

The lives of, almost all, the wealthy kids I know, revolve around money, clothes, parties, social status, gossip, petty dramas, having their way with everything, etc. As far as their lifestyles go, they're in a minority. A large sum of the world's population hardly scrapes by, goes without...without enough food, without clothes or shoes that fit, without privilege.

Funny thing is, when I whittle it down to what truly matters in life, most often, the poor are rich, and the rich are poor. Poverty makes you tune into what really matters, there is no shield to blind you from the truths of this world. Trials, and struggles make you stronger in heart, and in character. Not having what you need or want, fuels innovation and creativity; makes you grateful, prevents you from taking things for granted. There are no maids or privileges, if you want to survive, you'll work hard, you'll get your hands dirty. You'll value relationships all the more, for there's no money, no frivolous goods, to substitute for the value of genuine companionship.

Perhaps, the greatest thing poverty has every taught me, is all you really need is love, and all the material wealth and money in the world, can't buy you true love. That money, materialism, worldly success, sleek cars and sprawling mansions, will never truly fulfill you. They seemingly make you "happy" for a time, but I believe that life comes down to moments, not money.

Truly, though, I feel for the kids on shows like NYC Prep. They've been brought up in a world of privileges and misconceptions. Kids often grow up to be products of their environment. If they are raised in a house, cushioned with privileges, and with parents who are occupied with and driven by money and worldly success, they're then given an unspoken message of "money and status is what really matters". They have a sense of entitlement, life to them is a given, not a gift.

What if this were your last day on earth? I think we'd all want to spend our last day with the people we truly love and that love us, and we'd all most likely, take a step back and assess what really matters. Somehow I doubt it would be find it to be money, parties, appearance, gossip, social status, clothing, fame, etc. Why do so many waste their lives coveting, chasing after, or worrying about these things? Life is a gift, not a given, any day you awake, could be very well be your last, live like you are dying, because we all are, we all will.

Alright, sorry. I could go on, but I don't won't to leave all you dear tFSers asleep on your keyboards...you know, if I haven't already bored you to sleep.

I saw the preview about 2 - 3 weeks ago, and grounded was not the word I would you for these kids.

Agreed. I think a better word to describe them would be something like "spoiled".

I watched the preview & these people disgust me I'll probably watch it anyway

Yeah, I thought the same. I saw the first episode (I was desperately bored ), I don't plan on watching anymore, but gosh, I can't figure out why I even sat through the entire episode, when they all made me do this:

 

[Jacque Marcel]

I'm sorry but is this the best Bravo can come up with? These prepsters look so inbred. They should have just casted gorgeous models so at least this "reality" show would be easier to stomach.

 

[tuttyfruit]

that girl who wants to go to harvard... hmmm if it were me i wouldn't do a reality show and let cameras watch what i do for 'extra-curricular' activities. i would be smarter than that.

they should have chosen better looking kids to portray the NYC prep scene. i doubt real prep kids would allow cameras to follow their lives.

 

[it-boy's nature]

^^ Agreed. I can't help but to think that those who are really "about it" don't talk about it. Being exclusive doesn't mean opening up your life to the world in some "reality" show.

And as for the Harvard applicant, I don't think it's that good an idea to do the show. Administration might see more than they wanted to see. When I'm applying to Ivy League schools in the fall you better believe I'll limit my impression to a great essay

 

[eternitygoddess]

Where the heck are these kids parents?

Has America's entertainment tastes sunk so low that they'll spend minutes of their lives watching a show about spoiled brats spending money and talking about spending money?

many old money New Yorkers feel that talking about money is off limits

This quote is very true. I have doubts about how "old money" the kids are, or if they attend elite prep schools, seeing how they agreed to exploit themselves on national t.v.

 

[designerleather]

Then again... This is Bravo TV who highlights Kathy Griffin, as well as the "Real Housewives".

Sorry. My mom was a real housewife, who left her career as a biologist to raise a family of three kids. It would be nice to be wealthy, to walk into a store and spend $120K to furnish a couple of rooms at the drop of a dime, given that the house my mom grew up in sold for half of that

To me, Susanna-Cole hit it right on the head... The most important thing in this world is love, and there is no greater wealth than finding someone you absolutely adore and whom absolutely adores you in return.

 

[JunyaSchick]

where can I watch it? I can't tune bravo website cause I'm not in the States area... is it available on another site such as yidio....?

 

[rangerrick14]

Wow, this show is funny. I love how they act as if they are more mature than most teenagers. They act like normal teenagers. They only thing is that they have more money and privilege than the average teenager. I will say though that I'm sorta falling in love with Jesse.

 

[helloearth]

i think this show has to be one of the dumbest picked up by bravo.
these kids are minors and they're blantantly saying that they have fake ID's and they underage drink. c'mon..how incredibly stupid can u be. plus this show has no interesting storyline..it's just a bunch of silly kids parading around like they are hot **** while they mooch off their parents. also i was shocked when i saw that in the preview for next week..they discussed who is still a virgin and like people were admitting that they weren't. WTF! it's so embrassing watching this mess.

 

[papa_levante]

I love how they act as if they are more mature than most teenagers. They act like normal teenagers.

True true. They act like they know the world already which is just typical teen behavior.

I will say though that I'm sorta falling in love with Jesse.

I hate her THE MOST.

This show is pretty useless like helloearth is saying above. Fake IDs, having sex, hooking up, talking about virginity, being wealthy (which is just lucky). And they aren't even 18, so what parents in their right mind would allow their kids to be on TV represented in this way?

 

[Jacque Marcel]

at the girl saying she hates Gossip Girl.
Doesn't she like know like if Gossip Girl was not like popular she wouldn't be like on a reality like show like that like mimics Gossip Girl like... You know she's thinks she the real life Serena.