The cast of Southern Charm
Source: http://www.bravotv.com/southern-charm/photos/southern-charm-season-4-reunion/item/10889926
Princess Daughter Sallie who lives in the suburbs of Houston was mortified to learn that I have been watching a reality TV show. But I maintain that the writer of a Southern blog should watch Southern Charm, the Bravo reality show based in the holy city, Charleston, SC. I binge watched the first four seasons and loved it.
I have no knowledge of other reality shows but what is so interesting about this one is the power of a sense of place. The city of Charleston, its history, charm, architecture, food, and traditions all create a character unto itself. If you know and love the city, you will love this show.
Charleston is very much about old families who live South of Broad or in nearby plantations. So of course a main character is the Rhett Butler-like Thomas Ravenel from a very old political family who was elected State Treasurer in South Carolina only to be sent away six months later to prison on a cocaine conviction. But he returns and is accepted back into society and begins a liaison with the much younger Kathryn Rembert Dennis from another old political family. They have two children out of wedlock and launch a dramatic custody battle. The rest of the cast include the young and a little older beautiful people of the city who engage in their own drama.
I recommend reading a book by one of the cast members, Patricia Altshul, The Art of Southern Charm. This work is an entertaining Southern lifestyle guide by a Southern Grand Dame. Bless her heart.
The holy city
Source: http://www.liveabberlywestashley.com/images/blogs/chareston-2.JPG
