A few weeks ago, I remember distinctly saying that watching Paris Hilton’s My New BFF is a guilty pleasure of sorts.  I’m not really into reality shows, mostly because it’s descended towards the consistently trashy kind, but for some reason I am drawn into this show.  I’m not even a fan of Paris, at that!

Last week, however, was a totally different case.  Sure, it was (if you look at it one way) the usual challenges, with the intention of seeing how the remaining BFF wannabees adapt to Paris’ wham-bam life as a celebrity heiress, and also to see what they are really in the competition for.  The photo shoot was a given—it was almost a toss-up between Vanessa and Shelley, with the former eventually winning.  The interview with Ryan Seacrest was, in the tradition of people trying to impress other people, a little too revealing; you might actually agree when they say Vanessa looks very, very freaky.

But everything changed when the final test began.  Paris asked Vanessa for a one-on-one, and decided to get it over with quickly.  “I don’t see us being BFFs,” she said, before quickly TTYN-ing her.  And, later, Corrie.  And Shelley.  And Brittany.  What was she up to?

“I know it seems harsh,” Paris claimed, “but it’s the only way I can find out how they really feel.”  Aha, so now we’re going sneaky by pretending to eliminate everyone and watching their exit interviews to see their reactions.  Shelley was nonchalant about it.  Corrie was a little bit on the “oh well” side.  Brittany was, well, being Brittany.  And Vanessa, of course, what do you expect her to do apart from crying?

But here’s a reality show, especially something like My New BFF, finally recognizing that not everybody is in it genuinely.  Last week, each wannabe’s intention was a hot topic (especially Brittany’s), and I’m sure there’s a fair share of viewers who think the entire thing’s a fake-a-thon.  Suddenly, the show rose among the ranks from being just like everybody else, to an all-out social experiment.  I may sound smarty-pantsy, but I’ve always wanted my television to mean something apart from entertaining me.  And, well, the show isn’t much of a guilty pleasure anymore.

The gamble did pay off.  Vanessa, however freaky she may be, felt “blindsided” and was really saddened by the air-quoted elimination.  Corrie was the usual, but she expressed her intention of going home to a place where she’ll be loved.  Shelley was upset, or so she claimed, but felt like she didn’t care at all.  Brittany was bent on moving on, while looking visibly shaken.  In the end, both Corrie and Shelley got the TTYN—well, Shelley got a TTYS because Paris really, really liked her. She felt Shelley’s better off at home.  And Corrie, well, seems everybody was right, after all.

Last week’s episode was a pretty fascinating one, and suddenly My New BFF has become interesting beyond fluff.  Too bad the season finale is tonight—Brittany and Vanessa each get one day with Paris, which will finally determine who becomes her new BFF.  Oh well.  Better late than never.


-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: MTV
(Image courtesy of MTV)