Miami Social - Love Us or Hate Us, We're Not Going Anywhere Soon
Let me get something out of the way. The critics are right about one thing. And it isn't the surprising 1.5 stars (out of 4) that we received across the board from the weekly magazines whose pages filled with celebrity gossip and dysfunctional relationships parallel the cast of Miami Social. It's that Ariel is an insipid, tedious douchebag.
That's on a bad day. On a good day he's just a twat, and that I can live with. Even though he comes across like a shallow fool who hates fat people and pities girls that were born ugly, I know that beneath it all, it's really empathy, because he grew up a fat Jewish boy in Miami Beach. I know this because we are friends.
So behaviors are his old insecurity popping up in what could arguably be one of the best looking Bravo casts ever assembled. Or as the Los Angeles Times says, "the most vapid, foul, self serving group of people ever assembled in the entire world;" or as Entertainment Weekly calls us, "The Real Horrors of Miami."
Within the first 15 minutes of Miami Social I was hooked. Not necessarily because I am "one of seven friends that make the city spin," but, after all those estrogen filled Real Housewives of New York City (some husbands included) and New Jersey, last night's Miami Social opened with a whole new vibe and what I considered a breath of fresh air: two straight dudes talking about chicks and beer.
Those dudes are my friends Hardy and George. And it was a good first scene. There is Hardy, our very own James Dean, driving in his restored roadster talking with George, who is looking for a beer (surprise) and obsessing over his girlfriend Lina (again, surprise). Together, George and Lina steal the first episode because they are both hot messes, she more than he.
In what is the episode's cornerstone drama, Lina tells George she has to go to New York City for work. Being the doting boyfriend, George calls the hotel where she is supposedly staying, and, guess what? yup, there's no one there under her name. Scooby Do. Clue one.
Clue two happens when the her phone goes straight to voicemail and clue three that something is really shady is when a French operator picks up Lina's U.S. phone. Yes, George, she is in the French Antilles on a 164 foot yacht "entertaining clients."
Okay, so work plans can change, and in any normal relationship you would call home and let your significant other know. Not Lina. She just decides to ignore George for a few days and then like a genie lands back in Miami. "I'm at the airport," she spurts out. "You coming to get me?"
As far as I am concerned it could have been Delta calling that they found his lost baggage. I'm really still not that sure of her job, and I worry for my friend George. I ask myself, what woman keeps cheerleading get-ups around the house and entertains her boyfriend in them after they get in fights? My thought is, girls with questionable day jobs.
Of the women on the show, both Maria and Sorah seem well balanced because they are mothers. Well, sort of. Maria actually has a 13-year-old daughter, Angelika, and Sorah is George's mom, something that seemingly her new man, Gonzalo (a debonair looking Macho) is cool with. At least in episode one...
Sorah constantly worries for George. During a champagne filled gab fest on the ocean, Sorah tells Maria and Katrina that Lina has been hurling her stilettos at George during some recent fights; the front door to their chic condo is indented with heel marks.
There wasn't a care in the world that if one shoe hits George it will crack his head open. Instead, Maria ponders if it was a Louboutin or Prada, and Katrina, well she wouldn't waste her shoes on a man. No way.
Katrina also didn't waste time announcing her separation from Ben in a manner I thought was a little strange; she did it so callously. But maybe that's what it comes down to when the final arrangement leaves you business partners and "the best of friends."
But don't feel sorry for "Kat" -- she has things under control. Feel sorry for me because my poor mother had to watch a litany of jokes littered with sexual references about me being on my knees and on my back. She has had to watch me struggle through a crush on my trainer, fret about my aging looks, and now she's worried that because I have declared "I'm pathetically single," every lunatic in the world is going to come up to me with a marriage proposal.
Now, if my Mom feels like this, I can only imagine how Ariel's mom feels, especially if she's read some of the reviews. Katrina's mom worries she will never find a man like Ben, and, as you will come to find out, George's mom has plenty of concern over Lina. All our parents are involved with our lives, something the critics didn't seem to pick up on -- maybe because it didn't fit in neatly in their generalizations about us.
"The Socials," have no choice but to be amused by the media attention, myself included. Of course, it has made me think. I didn't realize that talking about Botox delves into my deepest, darkest insecurities and warrants me a callous, vacuous, self-indulgent homosexual.
All in all, though, I'm not worried. That's because we have Miami, our eighth friend, akin to the NBA 6th player. So no matter whom you want to hate on the show or whether you like us or not, Miami Social will be around for a long time. Because Miami isn't going anywhere, and neither are we (well, maybe a few are going straight to hell...)
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I know everyone has the right to their opinion, but why would anyone put this show down? I think it's refreshing, very cool, and I think shooting a reality show in Miami, especially South Beach is a much needed change than always seeing shows from L.A. or New York. Miami Beach is a fantastic city, and all the characters bring a fresh approach of seeing what gorgeous 30 something successfull people do, not only in their business lives but in their private lives as well. I love how all the characters congragate at the Gansavoort for drinks and chat it up to talk about the latest...even if that is all arranged for the show. All the characters are interesting, and I just want to yell at George from my living room as I'm watching for holding on to that nut job of a girlfriend of his, and I love when you call the girls, Katrina and Maria when you need advice on whatever. Michael, your one of my favorites, and I hope you keep writing about South Beach for a very long time.
Take care,
Sandra Conti
George is another insecure one..hence the reason why he is going out with a different girl every time him and Lina get into an argument. I think he will constantly kick his own ass for losing Sorah, but I don't think he's an awful guy. Sorah is very sweet & I hope she and Gonzalo live happily ever after. (CONT'D) Katrina is a very strong, and independent woman, but I believe she needs to relax once in awhile and enjoy her youth rather than working 24/7. Maria is awesome & I believe she is a great mother and is trying to do the best for her daughter's sake. Hardy is very nice and respectable, but he really needs to overcome his fear of marriage because his girlfriend seems like she would make a great mother and wife. And as for you Michael, you are my favorite cast member. You live your life with a smile on your face and you don't sweat the small stuff. You make the best out of all situations, your real, you tell it how it is, and best of all you put Ari in his place! I love you & the show..and ef all these haters with their negative comments! Who cares about rich or poor what matters is friends, family, and health! I hope the show is not going anywhere! P.s: Diego was cute, but what a weirdo with those pictures! You deserve better! (a sexy doctor!)
Michael,
I NEVER have time to get hooked on a show due to nursing school, and work. HOWEVER I watched Miami Social re-run (the 1st episode) & have been hooked ever since. I love the show. Miami Social is hilarious and reminds me of how fun my life used to be before I decided to eat, sleep, and breathe nursing school (minus the luxurious spa days, shopping, & awesome bachelor pads). I love the entire cast..well I love the entire cast with the exception of Lina & Ariel. Lina needs a serious Xanax & Ari needs to figure out who he is..he is so all over the place trying to manage his multiple personalities..gay/straight/model/art director/designer/ etc. I am sure you are correct about him only being the way he is due to his childhood but c'mon with those awful comments he makes about ugly & fat people..he's really just showing his own insecurities.
The show deals with issues that real people deal with, regardless of who they are. I think you are brave for putting it all out there, I wouldn't do it. Miami, is no cakewalk.Like Los Angeles, there is sooo much pressure to look and be a certain way. You are lucky to have good friends, forget what everybody else has to say. BTW: Does George have Tourette's Syndrome or anxiety? He constantly twitches and blinks.
I absolutely love your show and even have managed to get my husband hooked (despite his sincere dislike for reality shows).
As a wife and mother of 4 who never really had a single adult life, I live vicariously through your show. Thank you for the mini-vacations each week.
While the relationships are pretty messed up, I’d say they are pretty typical. You just have the balls to allow us into your world and see it from another point of view.
I just googled Miami Social as I just watched it and I am SHOCKED at how some men like to be treated!!! I mean I have heard of women who get addicted to mistreatment but George needs to start to uncover his inner self-love!!---Wow!!! George and that woman have suuuuuuuuuuch a dysfunctional relationship!!! A case for therapy--no space here for psychoanalysis but he should figure out why he "enjoys' being treated like crap... also how he disowned his own inner craziness so he can get out of all that DRAMA which is being attracted to it. oy vey! The sad thing is I know men --and women---who keep saying they want a healthy relationship but they are so incongruent with their actions!! They havent dealt with their 'stuff" so in their actions they keep choosing dysfunction and drama over and over....what we all need to break thru.
peace be all, HTS
Michael, you are definitely my favorite one! Sometimes you defend Maria little too much though... I think, Maria and Sorah are noisy, and they should be first solving their problems in stead focusing on George's.
I see comments about rich people, poor people... All I have to say is that, this show is not about rich or poor people from Miami. It's just social life of Michael, Ariel, Maria, Sorah, George and Kat's . They do not have to be super rich or super good-looking in order to live in Miami or represent Miami.
Yup, I'm also from Miami, maybe a little more than a stone's throw away from the empty condos on Brickell.
At least now, I know who lives there. They probably aren't much different than those in Sobe or Aventura. Not the kind of people you would want for neighbors, no? Like Mr. Cohen says, who would want to see a show about real people, real communities and real families. Apparently not Cohen and company!
Really, who puts their 13 year old daughter on a D-list reality show, before shipping her off to a boarding school in Switzerland? Gstaad, is it? Congratulations to Dad for resisting the temptation of being filmed! However, it's not exactly the kind of heroics that's going to get the country on its feet again.
The show's only salvation? For a moment, the show makes you forget the trash at Hobie Beach. The folks at the Miami Convention + Visitors Bureau must be loving it!
Hey Michael,
Listen - people say this time and again, but it's true - be yourself, your genuine self and stay positive and you will find love. Remember that what you focus on comes true for you, so don't focus on what you don't have. Focus on what you already have in your life and that you enjoy. Katrina seems pretty cool. Your lives in general seem quite blessed.
Ariel on the other hand is a good example of insecure self-hatred. I find it amusing that someone who expects to be treated respectfully in terms of his sexual preferences and personal needs/desires is simultaneously so intolerant of body types he finds unacceptable. PS: Polish jokes may center on stupidity, but not all Slavs are attractive. Believe me I know.
Botox may work for your self-confidence, not to catch a man. If someone is looking for plastic, what do you think they'll bring to the table? Embrace your experience, after all, wouldn't you prefer to find someone who can understand your references and appreciate life at the stage you are at?
What a gorgeous place to live! Too bad only physically attractive people are welcome. God forbid that anyone who hasn't won the genetic lottery might enjoy some salsa and sailing...
The show may seem shallow, but then, so is America. And I must say this: Those people over at Bravo know what they're doing. Their reality shows really grab our attention. Pretention is fascinating...
I have to say ... I see better looking people on West Ave all the time. I mean, I see better people on court street, downtown brooklyn, to be quite honest.
That show is a nice example of everything that is wrong with this vapid little area of wannabe broke fools called SoBe.
Lincoln road sure is nice, though.
"Wannabe broke fools?"
Bravo would never actually scout out real Miamians. We're not interesting enough. We're not self-absorbed and in serious need of some counseling. We are people that work day after day to pay our bills and raise our children to not become people like those on this show.
Michael, I sure hope that Ariel is not your friend and only trust into the mix because the powers that be made it that way. If you associate yourself with such vapid morons that refer to others as "that fat girl at my table", then you're guilty by association. In fact, all of you are. When you see other adults that are supposed friends act like that, you immediately call them out on it, and, if they don't change, you get them out of your life because they are not worth the time or effort.
As to whether or not this show is here to stay, only time will tell. But make no mistake, Miami Social is absolutely NOT a valid representation of the real Miami. Perhaps it represents South Beach, but not Miami.
So long and good luck, Michael. With friends like yours, you're going to need it.
I liked your response but I need to ask you, would you really want to watch a show about people working day after day, paying bills and raising children? Wouldn't you rather watch some dysfunction to make yourself feel better?
Funny thing is, these people on the show have no money. None. They aren't rich--not by any stretch of the imagination.
Hey Elizabeth,
We are not rich. I am assuming you are with the tone of your blog. With that said, i am launching an on line venture, you want to invest ??? I mean, you must be rich, right?
Best,
Mc
Actually, you will be going away soon... apparently there are only a handful of episodes. What strikes me as the worst part about this whole show is that THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT RICH!!! They don't make any money! They are all mooches, freeloaders.... they're the people you see at the free parties. It's not a show about the rich of Miami. It's a show about the club promoter, real estate agent, media people, etc. I know these folks don't have more than a couple dimes to their names! Maybe Katrina makes about $150K a year when you average it all out and considering the market, but she's got to be the only one making any cash. They're poor!
HATER!! hahah
so few comments...that kind of says it all
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