Ranking TV Shows About Rich People
Janhavi Gosavi | She/Her
This honestly isn’t that niche. As penniless students sticking it out until our next Studylink payment, we’ve all indulged in the fantasy of excessive wealth. It’s some Gen-Z bullshit about the law of attraction and manifesting your destiny, right? But not all shows are made equal. Warning: major spoilers ahead.
Dynasty
Peasant tier: 4/10
This same-name reboot of the hit 80s soap opera centers itself around the life, lies and lust of businesswoman Fallon Carrington (played by Liz Gillies). With spicy one-liners and an even spicier closet, she is both the saving grace of the show and the epitome of its two dimensional nature. The Carrington name is so synonymous with riches that money is treated as an accessory to the narrative, despite effectively being a main character. If you ever wanted to see Jade from Victorious blossom into a snobby half-baked heroine, here’s your chance. This guilty pleasure left my broke ass feeling just that—guilty.
Elite
Hustler tier: 7/10
Being rich hits differently when it’s in español. In Season 1, this show is exactly what it claims to be—a private school drama where teens have little homework and lots of sex. All the expected tropes are delivered—rich bitches, wannabes, self-imposed outcasts, and scholarship kids. There are frivolous pool parties and galas galore, but Elite gets its substance from stellar character development.
My favourite (albeit ridiculous) character arc is when Lu’s family financially cuts her off for defending her incestous tendencies and the only reason she’s able to attend university is because foe-turned-friend Nadia offers to halve her scholarship with Lu. If that’s not enough to convince you, several of Money Heist’s cast members starred in Elite first.
Gossip Girl
Sugar daddy tier: 8.5/10
With Gossip Girl, I can't tell if I’m gagging over the characters’ designer clothing or their complete lack of self awareness. Chuck trades his girlfriend Blair for a hotel. Nepotistic Nate takes over The Spectator despite only having three brain cells. Bart fakes his fucking death to escape his competitors.
A Buzzfeed writer found out that the watch 16 year old Serena gifted Dan in Season 1 was $25,000. That’s enough to cover my BA fees + my bubble tea addiction. Yet this form of escapism leaves you—the proletariat with the social conscience—feel pity for the wayward teens who stroll Manhattan sniffing out the nearest Prada store. Even if you’re of the “eat the rich” mindset, there’s no denying this show’s legacy. Gossip Girl made The CW what it is.
Schitt’s Creek
Billionaire tier: 10/10
If there was such a thing as harmless rich people, you’d find them in Schitt’s Creek. This heartfelt comedy tracks the Rose family as they lose their wealth overnight and are forced to move to a small town with an unfortunate name. Out of money and out of touch, their limited life experiences leave them ill equipped for the real world. Moira Rose (played brilliantly by Catherine O’Hara) has roughly 100 wigs that she christens with human names. In episode 10, a Schitt’s Creek townie tries to touch her wig and is firmly told that “Maureen does not like to be man-handled.”
Creator, writer, and actor Dan Levy was forced to be frugal with his budget and had to costume a very rich family on a very small budget. He sourced most of the pieces off of consignments and eBay, which ironically matches the show’s “boujee on a budget” shtick. Schitt’s Creek ended after a phenomenal 6 seasons, because Levy respected his audience and did not want the show to overstay its welcome… which is the most Canadian thing ever. Schitt's Creek is, for all intents and purposes, a perfect show.