As an avid fan and religious Monday night watcher of “Gossip Girl” on the CW, I was excited to see Bravo come out with “NYC Prep”, their reality T.V. show answer to the “Gossip Girl” audience. The show has become my new guilty pleasure, and a favorite to watch with my friends. NYC Prep has an interesting group of cast members that allow a glimpse into the world of the Upper East Side.

Leading the pack are two high school seniors, Jessie and P.C., while I do find them greatly entertaining, they act like they own New York City and constantly flash their wealth. Jessie would not even talk to younger girls at fashion event on the first episode, and on the third episode P.C. refused to dance with girls because “They are from Texas, that’s all I have to say”. P.C. sees a therapist for “relationship problems” (at 18?) and Jessie spends thousands of dollars on clothes a month. While their lives seem very glamorous, they also seem superficial and in some way, sad. They do not really learn the many values that other teens do from a more modest upbringing and they are forced to grow up at a young age. While watching the show I sometimes forget I am watching teenagers, and think I am watching adults.

However, Jessie who is Jewish practices the act of giving Tzedakah (giving to others) and Tikkum Olam (repairing the world) through her yearly work on a benefit for Operation Smile. I truly admire her for that because it takes a lot of work and time to successfully accomplish a benefit, plus it is a mitzvah (good deed) . The cast continues with four other members all who are sophomores or juniors. Camille, the real-life answer to Blair Waldorf, Kelli, who is the show’s other Jewish cast member, Sebastian, the French speaking, surfer hair flipping player and Taylor, the only public school attendee who desperately wants to break into the NYC prep school scene.

Nevertheless, Kelli does exhibit the Jewish value of love, through showing tears and grief when her dog passes away. Although, she engages in some excessive L’shon horah (the act of gossiping) with Camille on the subject of Sebastian and Taylor going on a date. I have to say though from watching three episodes thus far, my favorite line is when the two sophomores (both fifteen) Sebastian and Taylor are on a date, and Sebastian asks “So what books are you reading?” I simply had to crack up at the fact a fifteen year old player asked that question. It seems as though Taylor is the only one who has experienced a “normal” upbringing in New York City, yet she is dieing to become apart of the prep school scene. Taylor weighs that option when considering dating Cole (her ex from public school) or Sebastian, the gateway to the Upper East Side. As a true lover of New York City, fashion, people-watching and of course scandalous gossip on T.V., I cannot resist the show. However, in some ways it makes me thankful for my upbringing and the fact that I enjoyed my time as a child, and never became quick to grow up. All in all, if you want a guilty pleasure for summer give NYC Prep a shot. It is on every Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. on Bravo. Tune in and share your thoughts!