| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this reality series, which features a posh Beverly Hills bridal salon that mostly caters to a wealthy clientele, focuses heavily on spending lots of money on expensive designer dresses. While there are some mild disagreements about dresses, the behavior is pretty mild. Occasional episodes feature some discussions about sex or women's body parts; another features pictures of porn star client (with nudity blurred). Every dress purchase is celebrated with a champagne toast. The series is a promotional vehicle for the business owners, as well as the designers of many of the dresses featured here.
The reality show BRIDES OF BEVERLY HILLS stars Renee Strauss, owner of Renee Strauss for the Bride, whose 30 years in the biz and knack for choosing the right dress has made her salon one of the most popular bridal salons among the Beverly Hills elite. Along with a team of bridal experts Strauss does what she can to appeal to an array of clients that include well-known Hollywood celebs, adult entertainers, and rich people looking to make a statement. Joining the fun is event planner and florist Kevin Lee, whose unique personality (which was the inspiration for Martin Short's wedding planner role in the movie Father of the Bride) makes everything just a little more fabulous.
The series is as much about trying on wedding dresses as it is the eclectic assortment of clients they serve, many who appear more interested in showing off their wealth than finding something that is special to them. The only real spark of the show is Lee, whose flamboyant personality makes otherwise mundane events just a little bit more interesting.
Folks who like watching wedding-themed TV will enjoy the parade of designer dresses being featured here. But the cost of most of these dresses, and the obnoxious attitudes of some of the clients, might take some of the fun out of it.
Families can talk about weddings. Why are weddings so important to people? Do you think spending a lot of money on the dress or reception will make it a great event? How does the media contribute to people's ideas about what makes a wedding classy and/or fun?
Why are wedding-themed reality shows so popular? Do you think these shows are offering real experiences, or are they staged to create entertainment?
Kevin Lee is known for his flamboyant personality both in the bridal industry and in Hollywood. Why do some people consider his behavior to be stereotypical? Do you this is an appropriate assessment, given that this is his own personal style?
| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | TLC |
| Cast: | Kevin Lee, Renée Strauss |
| Genre: | Reality TV |