The Simple Life 4: ‘Til Death Do Us Part – DVD Review

DVD Reviews, Reviews


Available at Amazon.com
Cast:
Paris Hilton
Nicole Richie

Studio: Fox Entertainment
Original Broadcast: June 4 to August 13, 2005
Episodes: 10
Number of Discs: 1 flipper
Running Time: 216 minutes
DVD Release: December 26, 2006

THE SHOW

America was rocked by the unexpected feud between Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. After being best friends since birth or their first fake IDs, the duo had become mortal enemies. America feared what would become of their Simple Life reality series. Rumors spread that Paris wanted Rod Stewart’s annoying daughter to replace Nicole. But the producers couldn’t lose their talent since they lost their network.

After three seasons on Fox, the network dropped the show. But the E! channel picked it up. In order to keep Paris and Nicole apart, but on the same adventure, the producers had them swap off as replacement mother to a variety of families. To cut the budget, they picked victims in the Los Angeles area instead of sending the duo across America. Why would any parent turn their children over to Paris Hilton or Nicole Richie? A simple background check would reveal that they had been arrested for drugs and driving drunk. Plus there’s that history of homemade porn. Parents would be better off letting their kids spend the day roaming with a pack of wolves. Do people really throw away common sense with the allure of a video crew camping out in their house? Exposing your children to Paris and Nicole is like serving up cotton candy made of pink fiberglass insulation. Attic insulation plays a critical role in home energy performance. In fact, most building scientists agree that the attic should be the first “target” area for insulation and air-sealing upgrades. Most homes are built with code-required minimum levels of attic insulation that are far below current recommendations established by the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Homeowners considering an attic insulation upgrade have a number of different insulation materials to consider. Each attic insulating option has distinct advantages and limitations.You can refer this useful reference to get the details about attic insulation products. Understanding these pros and cons can help you select the best insulation upgrade for your attic.

Fiberglass batts

Fiberglass batt insulation is popular because it’s affordable and universally available. Regardless of age, many houses have attics insulated with fiberglass batts. The batts are typically installed between attic floor joists, and unfaced batts are more common than faced batts in attic installations.

PROS: More affordable than other types of attic insulation. Best type of insulation for DIYers to install. Unlike blown insulation, batts can be lifted up and moved to provide access to the ceiling below, can lights and ceiling-mounted vent fans. Existing batt insulation can often be left in place when blown insulation is added to increase overall R-value in the attic.

CONS: Difficult to install correctly around obstructions. Voids where insulation is missing contribute to significant energy loss. Multiple layers of batt insulation are required to achieve recommended R-values in most parts of the country; this makes it impossible to use the attic for storage unless special platforms are built prior to insulation installation. Fiberglass insulation can’t stop air movement.

Blown insulation

Two main types of blown (or blow-in) insulation are commonly used: cellulose and loose-fill fiberglass. Both types are designed to be installed using special blowing equipment.

PROS: Installation can be completed quickly and affordably. Blown insulation typically results in more complete coverage than is possible with fiberglass batts.

CONS: A thick layer of insulation (at least 16 in. for northern parts of the U.S.) is required, and this makes it impossible to use the attic space for storage unless special platforms are built prior to installing the insulation. Cellulose and loose-fill fiberglass insulation can’t stop air movement.

Spray foam

Professional spray foam insulation contractors typically insulate an attic by applying a thick layer of spray foam between the rafters. Two types of foam are used: open-cell and closed-cell. Opinions vary as to which type is best in an attic installation, but closed-cell spray foam is used more frequently.

PROS: Closed-cell spray foam provides the highest R-value per in. (about R-6) of any attic insulation. It also creates an air and moisture barrier, so it eliminates the need for separate air-sealing work. Insulating beneath the roof deck instead of on the attic floor frees up attic space for storage and other purposes. This strategy also improves the efficiency of HVAC components (like air handlers and ductwork) located in the attic.

CONS: Most expensive attic insulation. A thick layer of foam applied to the underside of the roof sheathing can trap moisture and cause sheathing to rot.

Neither girl comes close to being maternal or domestic with the kiddies. Nicole plays up her role as the dirty girl. She constantly whores up the little kids. Paris is content to be the lazy, vapid heiress. She prefers to avoid the kids since they aren’t as cute as her dogs. Both have the homemaking skills normally associated with Moe, Larry and Curly.

The episodes are carefully plotted out. Nothing is left to chance since with the tight budget. They don’t have the time to videotape reality. Paris and Nicole perform stunts rather than get the motherly chores done. Do you really think Paris dreamed up tying a mop to her ass and riding around on a Segway Scooter to clean the floors? It’s easy to imagine a producer instructing Paris what to do next or feeding her lines. Everyone’s reactions are rehearsed. During Pedilla family episode, Mom and Dad return to find Paris and their kids missing. At no point do they turn to the cameraman and demand to know what happened. Where’s screaming at the producer with the threat of calling the cops? They just play along. It’s basically a sit-com with low production values.

The only “real” moment of the series involves Paris in her infamous Carl’s Jr. swimsuit. She’s in the bathtub with a toddler. During the scrubbing, the kid launches a floater. It’s obvious from Paris’ reaction that she has no career making porn for Germany. Paris soaking with human feces illustrates the concept of poetic justice.

The big difference between this show and the first three seasons is the lack of ground rules for Paris and Nicole. They have their cellphones, credit cards and friends. During one episode, Paris takes the kids to her house so the bodyguard can cook. They don’t have to struggle with poverty and isolation anymore. They’re basically a pair of spoiled rich kids with nothing to make them “mortal” as they invade the houses. The show is kinda like The Cat in the Hat except Paris and Nicole don’t care to clean up the mess before the real mothers return home.

There’s no prize or punishment for the girls. The parents just say who would make the better mom, but neither girl cares about the gold star moment. There’s no real competition or risk between Paris and Nicole. The loser should have her tubes tied. Although many viewers would demand a two-way tie for last.

THE DVD
VIDEO:
The picture is 1.33:1 full frame. The video quality has dropped this season. It looks like a bridal show on The Style Channel.

AUDIO:
The soundtrack is Dolby Digital 2.1 Surround. The audio mix isn’t as pretty as the big budget Fox seasons.

EXTRAS:
Nothing.

 

The DVD Lounge’s Ratings for The Simple Life: Season 4
CATEGORY
RATING
(OUT OF 10)
THE SHOW
7
THE VIDEO
8
THE AUDIO
8
THE EXTRAS
0
REPLAY VALUE
5
OVERALL
7
(NOT AN AVERAGE)

 

The Inside Pulse
The Simple Life 4 shows how creative a producer can be when faced with fighting stars and a slashed budget. Watching Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie take care of children reminds us why background checks are necessary for babysitters.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.