User reviews

"Summer House" is a reality show featuring about ten professionals in their twenties and thirties who work in Manhattan and spend their summer weekends in the Hamptons. Although the show provides glimpses into their work lives, most of the attention is on their time in the summer house. These are people who are living for the weekend, attempting to avoid reality.

Where "Jersey Shore" had its "GTL" (gym, tanning, laundry), "Summer House" revolves around ABB--alcohol, bikinis, and bars. There is the obligatory hot tub.

The housemates, for the most part, have been friends for years. They include female twins (Lauren and Ashley), one of whom is married and will be going back to California at summer's end. Also included are a couple (Lindsay and Everett), who spend most of their time arguing and making up.

During the first episode, I thought the most relevant adjectives were vapid, irrelevant and unfunny. Once things get rolling, it feels like a real-life soap opera. The issues they deal with, like commitment and over-indulgence and discovering what is most important in their lives, are fairly universal issues, even if they can be seen as spoiled. These are the beautiful people living life in the moderately fast lane, so some viewers may not find them relatable. On the other hand, the television landscape is filled with Kardashians, rich housewives, and celebrities.

All of the housemates are basically good people trying to find enjoyment to balance their otherwise demanding professions. But don't look for any deep meaning. Just imagine what "Big Brother" would be like if there were no rules, no competitions, no eliminations, and the cameras rarely shied away (though pixellation is liberally used). This is a guilty pleasure, for sure.

First of all, I won't spoil anything because in most reality series, the "plot" is not as important as the drama quotient since they're not supposed to be scripted anyway. This one is definitely not and we can totally feel the spontaneity. I wasn't sure I would be into it because I remember thinking it looked lame and boring when they launched this as a sort of spin off from Vanderpump Rules. But in retrospect it was the perfect introduction to this light fare which grew on me to the point where I can admit it has now become one of my favorite reality series.

The stories involve the protagonists hooking up, fighting, boozing it up and basically making fools of themselves but in a way that is rather addictive. This is not on the level of the Real Housewives for sure nor does it pretend to be and the cast is mostly young and not so young New Yorkers spending time in a summer house on the weekends as a group, the title says it all really. Misunderstandings, gossips and arguments ensues which makes the series quite cringe inducing for those who don't like that sort of thing and quite intoxicating to those who do.

I for one will admit that I am quite delighted in spending time with those wacky young adults acting like children most of the time. But to me, the quality of a reality show is how much I enjoy watching the often hilarious shenanigans and the force is strong with this one. If you hate reality shows to be begin with, this one is not for you nor is it even one of the best in this genre.

But my strong rating of 9 stars is mostly because in spite of myself and maybe because I love to watch ridiculous drama unfold, I truly am fascinated with it and so even though I won't pretend this is anything more than light fare, it is still an entertaining piece of fluff and I'm fully there for the ride.

Is there anything more ridiculous than Lauren and Ashley?

Sex scenes with nothing shown. Not scary. Not Witty. Just not fun. Waste of my time. I have to add more characters so here they are. And I have to add more 2/10.

I cannot help but recall how relationship analysis PsycHacks describes such behaviour. The players in this display of mental illness, self-destruction and manipulation are all apparent. Poor Carl, the enabler, needs to grow up and grow a pair. His impending doom due to the abusive, narcissist Lindsay is all too imminent if he doesn't escape. Kyle used to be so happy until he made the mistake of marriage to a petty, abusive, self-centred woman.

In this world of modern independence, where men do not need women, (and women don't need men, except for economic use), displays a last generation of desperados thinking they need a partner. Most lonely men will fold for anyone. Desperation is not sexy.

Friends take note: you can be a happy independent person, alone and sometimes lonely, until the days you grow old and eventually die. Nurture your real family and friendships. Put your energies into better things. Most marriages fail anyways. Everybody take note of this all-too-common reality, Have fun, grow up, live your life and move on from such toxicity.