Menaces to High Society or ‘demented cuckoos?’
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
The CW is under no delusions about its new docu-soap debuting tonight. High Society is “enjoyably ridiculous,” writes People. “Demented,” chides New York Magazine. And the network’s own tongue-in-cheek promos are titled “Cuckoo’s Nest.” In short, a campy hit in the making. While west coast tabloid families have set the bar oh-so-low, viewers will be tickled—if not mortified—at the inane antics of real-life socialites on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Reigning Park Avenue princess Tinsley Mortimer, aka The Tinz, is ringleader in this circus, which features her family, flaky friends and a divalicious foe, Social Life editor Devorah Rose. Seems the Gotham elite are peeved with Tinz and her posse’s public trainwreck. “If she’s appearing in US Weekly, she’s a (mere) celebrity,” sniffed one blue blood to the NY Post. “She’s simply not a socialite anymore.” Oh, please. A fixture on the gossip circuit, Tinsley’s in the midst of a high-profile divorce from her prep school sweetheart, Topper, heir to an oil dynasty. The cameras capture that drama, as well as scandal with Tinz’s rebound beaus: a German prince who Ms. Rose labels “a pauper, despite his royal name” and eerie Idol alum Constantine Maroulis. Side-cliques Paul and Jules, meanwhile, have their own issues. Caught breaking sconces at a friend’s loft, he told Page Six: “It’s not like rock stars don’t vandalize hotel rooms and such all the time. I seriously don’t understand the huge deal.” Jules is famous for tossing the bubbly and hobnobbing with Prince Harry. “I hate her,” Devorah clucks. “She’s a mess, and not a hot one.” Highbrow hijinks. It may not be pretty…but it sure is fun to watch.

