That’s just what modern television needs, more well-to-do idiots showing off their wealth and proving that there is no fairness in existence. So shame on Channel 4 for continuing Mark Dolan’s largely bizarre series by allowing him to interview a sub-section of society that’s far more sickening than rich middle-aged egotists flashing their cash: rich teens. The World’s Richest Teenager and Me was shown on April 26.
Due to his style of documentary Dolan has been compared, unfavourably on his part, to broadcasting heavyweight Louis Theroux, he of Weird Weekends and When Louis Met… fame. The link is somewhat farfetched considering that Dolan isn’t even close to Theroux’s natural charm or journalistic ability. He’s a little too smarmy and self-assured, a bit like TV’s Piers Morgan except Dolan didn’t feel the need to skulk around Dubai wearing the most ridiculous pair of sunglasses ever created.
Mark Dolan meets Rich Teens
It starts with American Lacey’s extremely pampered lifestyle with her own Olympian athlete personal trainer and TV actor teaching her the ropes of being on the small screen. Although don’t expect the latter path to lead anywhere. Perhaps most alarming is not the excessive spending but her misguided opinion on how the poor basically only have themselves to blame for not being insanely loaded like her.
Thankfully Dolan is also critical of how her upbringing has distorted her view on the world. However, it’s all well and good voicing concerns in a voice-over but it only works to question or confront the subject.
Then again his anxiety is somewhat justified after his run in with Kira Plastinina, daughter of a Russian oligarch and owner of her own design label (courtesy of daddy no less). The family felt uncomfortable talking about money so Dolan was reined in by a couple of vile PR women hushing him when he built up the courage to ask any serious questions about that dreaded M-word. Under these circumstances it’s no wonder this section grinds to a halt in dull tedium. Upset the interviewee and no TV programme. The moral of the story is that celebrity PR is evil.
The Kids on The World’s Richest Teenager and Me
The kids, because despite their entourage and many millions that's what they are, at the hub of The World’s Richest Teenager and Me aren’t hateful they are just used to a life of having everything done for them and in some way are trapped in a world where their parents seem to everything planned for them.
A massive curve ball comes in the shape of hotelier's daughter Pear Chirathivat. Unlike the Thai equivalent of Paris Hilton that she could very easily have become she’s a nice and modest girl who goes to state school, has a tiny allowance and would rather go to Top Shop than the likes of Dolce & Gabbana. But even she is caught in a routine existence that is seemingly chosen by her father.
In Dubai 17-year-old Elian says he gets bored of rich people...he isn’t the only one. For some having an insight into how the other half live (so to speak) is fascinating but there’s a limit on how many mansions and expensive cars you see before it slumps into tedium. The World’s Richest Teenager and Me did well to portray the youngsters as human beings but you will care less about their plight when the next phone bill crashes through the letter box.
Steven Cookson - Steven Cookson is a writer and attempted journalist based in Howden. Originally from Chester, that Hollyoaks place in North-West of ...
