Before Paris Hilton, there were the Gabor sisters, figures from the 1940s and '50s who were known for being, like the socialite who would appear decades after them, famous for being famous. So it's only fitting that when Hilton opted to explore the small screen after becoming tabloid fodder, she channeled Eva Gabor's Green Acres. The result was The Simple Life, which followed Hilton and Nicole Ritchie from the private jet to rural Arkansas, where viewers could watch, as producers put it, "stilettos in cow shit."
The series is the focus of this week's episode of TV. Watch. Repeat., which is bought to you by ZocDoc and welcomes writer and director Claire Downs, who recalls her fond memories picking up The Simple Life DVDs at Blockbuster. During the episode, Claire, my co-host Allison, and I talk about the series, how it influenced culture, and all the sexist overtones that clouded judgement surrounding its two stars.
Turns out, Paris and Nicole's life was not so simple after all. So sit in front of your Walmart-purchased TV, watch the pilot, and enjoy our latest episode of TV. Watch. Repeat. on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And be sure to check out our daily pop culture podcast, Pop Chaser, for all your entertainment headline needs, y'all.
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