We’ve all heard that everything is bigger in Texas. But is it necessarily better? Current television soaps “GCB” and “Big Rich Texas” put this question to the test. While the shows are certainly jammed packed with drama reminiscent to the E! channel’s Real Housewives series, they are not necessarily pleasing their audiences in the suburbs of Texas. “GCB” takes place in Highland Park and “Big Rich Texas” in the DFW metroplex. But residents of those areas aren’t necessarily seeing the appeal of the hyped-up shows.
‘GCB’
With “GCB” publicized that the show would be sharing Darren Star, the creator of the addictive “Sex and the City” series of the early 2000s, “GCB” initially seemed like it was sure to entertain audiences.
However, three episodes into the ABC primetime show’s first season, the Texas-based soap opera has not received positive reviews.
Some of the show’s exterior shots were filmed on SMU’s campus.
The show has had viewers, some of which are SMU students, up in arms since its premiere on March 4.
“As a native Texan, I am offended. It doesn’t accurately display Dallas,” SMU junior Sam Zivin said.
The show’s former title was “Good Christian Bitches,” but the primetime show was forced to change the title to “Good Christian Belles.”
This was due to ABC logistics even though it disregards the accuracy of the “bitchy” title.
Also, the show is set in Highland Park, Texas, which is the ultimate location for a wealthy Texan socialite.
The soap is based off the book “Good Christian Bitches” by Kim Gatlin. Gatlin knows the ins and outs of Highland Park by also being a resident of the enclave.
The lead character and “Queen Bitch” of the television series is Carlene Cockburn, played by former Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth.
Chenoweth has the credentials and vocals for the show, however, she does not satisfy viewers while in front of the camera.
Even though the soap takes place in SMU students’ college town, many students do not find the plot of the show amusing.
“As another native Texan I don’t think the plot is funny, the only reason it is funny is because the characters and their hair are outlandish and ridiculous,” SMU senior Kari Rood said.
Dallas-based Pegasus News reports similar findings that Dallas locales find the show’s premise and plot to be too extreme to be entertaining.
‘Big Rich Texas’
The Style Network’s primetime show “Big Rich Texas” has reached its second season full of dramatic and dolled-up Texans.
Based out of the Dallas/ Fort Worth region, five well-to-do women and their daughters provide pitiful yet hilarious entertainment as they are followed at their elitist summer country club.
Since the reality show’s second season debut on Feb. 19, there have been five episodes portraying the Dallas social scene in a uninspiring and insulting manner.
The show is filmed around the Highland Park area. Many of the television show’s scenes occur at the Woodhaven Country Club.
“(The show is) not very engaging. I don’t watch TV very often and it wasn’t really worth my time,” SMU sophomore Kelly Mathison said.
It was a lot of spoiled girls not really doing anything interesting.”
With “Big Rich Texas'” having characters that promote dating men only for their money, the reality show’s support is ought to be limited.
Other characters include mothers Leslie and Bon, along with Bon’s daughter Whitney.
Leslie is a irrational mother and causes controversy at the country club, while Bon is a Dallas Belle who uses far too much hairspray.
Whitney is a rebellious 22-year-old and totally tatted-up.
She supposedly aspires to be a plastic surgeon, but her career doesn’t look promising.
Whether Texans approve of the reality show or not, the state is unfortunately getting publicity in a stereotypical and negative light.
