Parents' Guide to

The Real Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

True crime series lacks depth, has cursing, drug use.

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The Real Bling Ring TV show: Poster

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What's the Story?

THE REAL BLING RING: HOLLYWOOD HEIST is a true crime limited documentary series about the notorious gang of teens responsible for burgling Hollywood stars' homes in 2008 and 2009. With the help archive footage, one-on-one interviews, and actor reenactments, it offers details about how the group used social media to pick their celebrity victims (including Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, and Lindsay Lohan) and break into their homes to steal cash, jewelry, designer items, and in some cases, drugs. Conversations with two members of the infamous group, Nick Prugo and former reality starlet Alexis Neiers, discuss their involvement in the crimes. Lawyers and law enforcement officials involved in the case, including now-retired LAPD detective Greg Kading and Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys Sarika Kim and Christine Kee, discuss the investigation and what led to their arrest and ultimate convictions. Reality celeb Audrina Patridge, whose house was robbed by Prugo and group ringleader Rachel Lee, shares her thoughts about what it was like to be targeted. Meanwhile, industry insiders like blogger Perez Hilton offer their insights about what drove them to do it.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The limited docuseries combines superficial facts with sensational elements to create a series that seeks to entertain rather than inform. Nick Prugo and Alexis Neiers sometimes contradict each other (and others) as they offer their points of view about their friendship and their criminal behavior. Meanwhile, conversations with folks like Alexis' mom Andrea Arlington and appearances by a flashy realtor identified as "Josh," remind us of the material wealth, the desire for fame, and self-created celebrity that has become synonymous with contemporary Hollywood. All of this is offered in the context of illustrating how the rise of social media and the popularity of celebrity-themed reality shows served as a major motivator for the teens' activities before and after they were caught. It also underscores how easily and readily investigators, lawyers, and others sought their 15 minutes of fame during the process. As a result, the severity of teenagers' crimes never really comes through. Furthermore, neither Prugo or Neiers appear truly remorseful about the harm they caused their victims, choosing instead to focus on more self-regarding details. If you like tabloid TV you might find The Real Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist amusing. But if you're looking for new discoveries or fresh details about the crimes that were committed, you won't find it here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the consequences of making bad decisions. Why did the teens who committed these robberies feel that their actions were not causing harm?

  • What messages does The Real Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist offer about celebrity worship and social media? Are they meant to be taken seriously? Or is this simply a way of excusing bad behavior?

TV Details

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