Southern Charm

Southern Charm offers a unique look into the world of a handful of Charleston's elite, many of whom are descendants of old and aristocratic Southern families. But much of the show centers on the female cast members' struggle with the men's ungentlemanly behavior, thanks to their endless drinking, womanizing, and refusal to settle down. Meanwhile, some of their efforts to build (or rebuild) their careers are overshadowed by their constant conversations about women as exchangeable goods and, in some cases, not-so-subtle reminders of their independent wealth thanks to old family money.

Some viewers may enjoy this sort of voyeurism. However, the behavior exhibited here goes beyond that of charming cads and scoundrels and instead presents a group of people who put cash, status, and self-indulgence ahead of anything else. Worse are statements made by Thomas Ravenel, who claims to want to continue his political career while openly dismissing concerns about his over-the-top behavior. In the end, it's a show that may be entertaining to some, but the messages are rather disheartening.