The Real Housewives of Dallas

This reality series relies on big egos, gossip, and mean exchanges as viewers watch a group of Dallas women challenge each other's social statuses in an elitist world. As expected, there are lots of booze-fueled events (where wine is sometimes referred to as "Jesus juice"), arguing, and other less-than-classy behavior. Despite attempts to dispel common stereotypes about Texan women (like having big hair and lacking style), it feeds into other cringeworthy stereotypes about women being ditzy, trophy wives, and, in some cases, completely dependent on their husbands.

While some of these women are clearly educated, it's very hard to take them seriously. Even though a few of them aren't millionaires (or particularly sophisticated), they are all presented as members of a privileged circle that lacks diversity and awareness -- let alone anything substantial to talk about. The charity events they raise money for also feel false and fail to tap into local social issues. Ultimately, none of these details add up to anything fresh or new, which results in a show that tries to do it bigger but doesn't manage to do it better.