By Barb Oates
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Move over, New Jersey — Texas is making a run for the reality-series spotlight. Of course, Texans would be aghast at any comparison to Jersey’s reality ruckus. After all, they’re far more genteel than those spray-tanned nitwits, right? Well, maybe the moms, but not necessarily the daughters. Viewers will meet a group of Dallas socialites in Style Network’s new Big Rich Texas, debuting Sunday, July 17.
Fans of any of the Real Housewives variations will enjoy this insider’s look at the richest of the rich and their offspring in this hourlong docu-soap that follows a group of mothers and their daughters who are all members of the affluent Woodhaven Country Club located in Fort Worth. These women have taught their daughters what they need to know — from putting together head-turning outfits to attracting the right man to edging out the competition.
Although cast members are not as closely connected as some of the Housewives are, the Big Rich ladies were aware of each other.
“We weren’t all best friends because each lady has their own group of buddies they run around with, but we knew of each other,” says Pamela Martin, one of the cast members. “We all have very different dynamics, parenting styles, clothing styles, just the way we operate out there in the business world. Everybody has a different professional background but we are all extremely different.
“The interesting part is the different dynamics between the mothers and the daughters – the show is about mothers and their lifestyles but it also goes back to the mothers and their relationships with their daughters,” Martin says. “There are very different parenting styles, different philosophies on relationships one would have with their children. I think that’s what is going to be very interesting. Most women with daughters and children are going to be able to identify with that.”
As we’ve learned from other shows that combine lots of hormones, wealth and ego, drama comes along with that package.
“There’s one daughter on the show where the mother apparently has allowed her to tattoo the C-word on the top of her foot,” Martin shares. “I’ve personally had an issue with that because I think it’s the must vulgar, insulting word that any woman could hear or say. … So I’ve asked the mother to take her to the laser surgeon to have this taken off, or make her wear a sock or do something about it. The mother’s basically, ‘Oh well, you know, let’s have another cocktail and talk about it.’ That’s not my style or parenting philosophy, so I kind of have a problem with that.”
As for Martin’s college-sophomore daughter, Hannah, she tries to stay clear of the drama. “There’s definitely drama between the girls. I’m so anti-drama it’s not even funny,” Hannah says. “I kind of try to stay out of it, but if someone personally attacks me or is rude to me, I’m not going to lie down and cry. I stand up for myself.”
Wherever that drama takes us this season, Martin promises, “We won’t go New Jersey Housewives on people — that whole table-throwing thing and physical violence. And, Hannah’s resolved to not go Jersey Shore.”
What the show does focus a lot on is the life at the country club. Martin also shares that cameras go outside the club walls too, including when “Hannah hosted a party at our house for our friends, while I was in Spain, we had my birthday party at the mansion at Turtle Creek a few weeks back so they’ve been out and about town filming some nice events we’ve all been involved with. Lot of great views of Dallas.”
So what inspires women of wealth and prestige to open their lives up for the whole world to critique?
“Everybody judges you whether your life is on TV or whether it’s your neighbor across the street. I think the whole world lives vicariously through Gladys Kravitz, if you know what I mean. They’ve all got a little bit of that in them and everybody wants to see the Charlie Sheen in everyone, here and there. For us, were just kind of like whatever. I work in marketing [for a U.K. company], I do sports marketing. I have a fiction novel [Hard Whispers] that’s [now released], were kind of out there anyway in the public eye. When you live well and have a lot of really good things people want to know who you are and what you’re doing. You don’t have to be on a TV show for people to pry. There’s always going to be haters and people judging so why not have fun with it.”
And that we will!
After watching the vicious antics of Pammy the Tranny, I don’t care whether Leslie is legitimately wealthy or not. The sickening jealousy that Pam shows towards Leslie is pathetic. Pam is an aging Butch from hell who is raising her average-looking daughters to be the same kind of petty, jealous woman that she is. There’s not an ounce of grace or kindness in Pam’s soul and SHE’S the one who should have c__t tattooed on her body, except it should be stamped across her forehead as a warning. After this show, I think the “c” word is permanently stamped on not only Pam, but every bitch on the show who sides with her. Even if Leslie ends up being “sans funds”, she’s still worth more as a human being than Any of the broads from the Bitch Patrol. And Pam’s hobby, the poor man’s Ricky Ricardo, seems to be the fem part of that marriage. Speaking of phonies:Pam the Sham can’t even write her own book; she drags her ghost writer around with her, but she’s calling herself a writer. Does she need an assistant to wipe her overly-tight ass, too?
I like the show cuz I like reality shows but I must admit this show is a stretch as far as any reality of Dallas goes. The show probably would have fit in better and been much less controversial if they had just named it something different. It does not represent Dallas women and is a bit embarrassing as people will surely think it does. I was born and raised in Dallas and if u can make it here, u can make it anywhere. The show does fall short on class, interesting subjects, and even just the bare minimum that most of the successful reality shows posses. And if the station cares about all the negative feedback…probably wont last long. I just kinda hate its at the expense of Dallas ‘s reputation. Dang they haven’t “done it right ” since the J.R.days. They need to come over here on Skillman St in Dallas and do a real reality show! Call it “Bringing It…Broke! ” lol.
Ok, please all who watch be aware….these are NOT Dallas socialites. If you don’t live in a zip code located in Dallas, you can’t say you live in Dallas!!! Drives me crazy. Tacky people from tacky McMansion suburbs. Now, the series Most Eligible Dallas on Bravo….that is Dallas young and hip. My biggest pet peeve, people who say they live in Dallas but when you say where they come back with “oh well, I live in Plano, McKinney, or some other suburb”. Give me a break…you either live in Dallas or you don’t!!!!
was also expecting alot but i must say was disappointed. have observed some rich people in other socities but they donot behave that way, especially like pam. despite being “rich”, she is local.
as some one commented earlier, the Ewings portrayed real class of DALLAS
I can’t believe we have another boring reality show. I was channel surfing and came across this show I was embarrassed to be from Texas It was the most idiotic show I believe I’ve ever seen. If that’s what having money makes you act like than I think I’ll just stay middle class. It’s better than having no class like those woman. Why anybody would want to be a part of that crowd must be desperate for friends.
You’ve got to remember too, they cast these people purposely so personalities collide. Viewers would find it boring if everyone got along. People don’t think that everyone in Jersey drinks and parties like the “Jersey Shore” cast, so I don’t think you need to worry about them ruining people’s view of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. JR and Bobby Ewing gave Dallas a much more realistic feel.
Pam is a big bully and shows how classless she is. She is married to a Spaniard and cannot even pronounce his name properly! Pam cannot even write her own book she needs a ghost writer who has to sit there and act like Pam contributed something to the book. She is rude, classless and very tranny looking.
As previoulsy noted the show is an absolute farce. Woodhaven CC is an old school club but it’s smack dab in the middle of low income apartments and townhouses (virtually in the ghetto). I wouldn’t drive near there at night! The club itself is very dated…by no means exclusive (there are several clubs in FW that are much more exclusive…even more in Dallas). What the rest of the country doesn’t understand is the rivalry and vast differences between Ft Worth and Dallas (I’m a FW guy for sure). FW has a more relaxed culture whereas Dallas is basically an East Coast city marooned in Texas. Socialites from the two towns RARELY mix.
The whole thing is silly. Woodhaven’s management should be ashamed to allow their club to pose as basically nothing more than a back drop for a bunch of whanabes. The cast is doing for Texas exactly what those goof balls in Jersey are doing for their state.
If you’re going to watch this trainwreck, please understand you’re not seeing anything resembling realty!
OMG this show is so dumb Pam is such a a
Snob I’m not a “millionaire” like she claims to be but she should.t pick on Leslie or no where she gets her money and her Hoover French husband she’s an idiot and I can’t stand people who down others I’m done watching this TEAM BONNIE AND WHITNEY ANYWAYS Between this and Jerseylicious I think I could produce a show in Mississippi
These are Texas Socialites? Call it Good Midwestern Values but we do not invite people to our homes and insult, interrogate or try to embarrass our guests. I particularly liked the complete moron who stated you could not have 3 homes and some apartment buildings scattered around the west coast without having a 100 million dollar portfolio. None of the homes were over the top and none of the women were that attractive. However, they were all consistently classless with an accent. I am embarrassed for you, your families, friends and the State of Texas.
I’ve been to Woodhaven CC and it’s in a crappy, low income part of town.
I was a former Membership Director and we had a “Buy-One-Get-One 1/2 Price” Membership Special. Here’s a real scoop on the club, pretty funny.
http://www.clubandresortbusiness.com/2010/12/09/woodhaven-cc-sold-renovations-planned/
No real club would allow cameras or have an owner. The media always wants to portray the rich as spoiled brats, but the reason good clubs are so difficult to join is because the members ( who own the club) want to make sure they admit those who will behave themselves and treat others in a pleasant and genteel way. It’s about who you are as a person, not how much you’re willing to leverage yourself up! These gals would never stand a chance a real equity club!
I think this show is funny!!! I like it but I have family from Dallas and woodhaven cc is not as fancy as it seems. People on Dallas have better pools and tennis courts in their backyards. And another thing, I’m not trying to be negative but a red corvette?? That’s a 1980s/1990s rich man car.
I think they may be showing the residential area around TCU in Ft Worth. It has some very nice older homes that rival Highland Park etc.$1/2 Mil on up to $3 Mil.
As for these ladies belonging to a “prestigious” country club…that’s debatable. I also agree that good clubs are owned by the members and they “buy in” AFTER they are nominated for membership , voted on and approved by the board. It is VERY difficult for single women to get memberships for a variety of reasons the least of which is married women generally don’t want single ladies bouncing around UNLESS they are daughters and granddaughters of members. In fact when divorces occur the man generally retains the membership and the ex goes elsewhere.
So far the show just seems trashy…almost like they think they are supposed to be “acting” which makes me think it’s contrived.
Re JOKE: Absolutely, no one in Dallas would go all the way to Woodhaven CC, which is only 5-7 miles from downtown Ft. Worth. And what club would be so “exclusive” as to have a reality show filmed at it? This is all just as preposterous as the “Dr. T and the Women” movie where the “shoppers” at NorthPark Mall were decked out in their finest, when in reality half the people there are dressed as slobs on any given day. (But I guess Farrah Fawcett naked in the fountain would have been OK!).
Such a farce, this program. Having recently left a long career in the private club industry in Dallas, I doubt seriously if there was a country club IN Dallas that would allow such trash within their walls. And as far as requiring two sponsors for membership, that, too, is a farce. With the economy like it’s been for the past years, most clubs are not only waiving required sponsorship but their initiation deposits as well.
And the residential areas they briefly showed appeared to be the Park Cities. That’s a long way from Fort Worth.
Just more trash on television, and to Texas women, offensive trash. Hopefully it won’t last more than a season.
Now you all know how us Jersey people/girls feel. They are all North Jersey people or New Yorkers….South Jersey is a whole different state!!!!
I agree with the comment that this show is a JOKE. Although Woodhaven seems like a lovely facility, per its website “Woodhaven Country Club is proud to offer an affordable way for the entire family to experience “five star” service in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Come visit the only Country Club in Louisville that DOES NOT CHARGE MINIMUMS OR ANNUALLY ASSESS ITS MEMBERS.” Again, a lovely idea, but hardly exlusive. In fact, real country clubs (unless you are speaking about Augusta which is owned by a trust from Bobby Jones) are owned by the members, not an owner.
As far as Texas Rich or even Dallas Rich–do you really expect us to believe that the women in the show are representative of the real thing? PLEAAASE!
As a Dallasite, I’m offended to be portrayed in that manner. Dallas is full of graceful beautiful women–shame on Style for not showcasing a real representation of a wonderful city.
That is the Woodhaven Country Club in Kentucky, hence the name of the city “Louisville”
This one is still not upscale but it is in Ft Worth
What’s funny is Woodhaven Country Club is 30 miles west of Dallas. So saying that it is the most exclusive Country Club in Dallas is just false. It’s not even the most prestigious club in Ft Worth let alone Dallas! I really find it hard to believe that Mellisa and Maddie live at the W Hotel residences and drive 30 miles to Ft Worth to hang out at the pool.