Friday , March 29 2024

Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber

Stand aside, Bridget Jones. Look lively, Carrie Bradshaw. And look out, Adrian Mole: if you see this woman, run.

A sharp-witted British social satire fresh from the New York Times bestseller list, Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber hits the idiot box on March 12 courtesy of Oxygen Media. The movie stars former ingenue Jennifer Love Hewitt, Colin Ferguson, and the artist formerly known as Joey Lawrence (he goes by “Joseph” now, but you’re in a no-spin zone), and it looks to be good trashy fun. (Also, you could win a designer T-shirt just for reading this article. So do keep reading.)

Probably because of their ancient, indigenous class system, the British seem exceptionally good at creating memorable social-climber characters. But the popularity in America of books like Confessions … and TV shows like Keeping Up Appearances and Absolutely Fabulous demonstrates the broad comic appeal of the type. They’re funny even though – or because – they’re a little bit sad.

One wonders how Ms. Hewitt, whom one has to admire for having tried to portray Audrey Hepburn (could you have done it better? How about you? I thought not), will embody the ruthless Katya Livingston. Will it be a breakout role for an actress now in her mid-twenties but still known mostly from teen dramas and horror movies? Will she put on a British accent, or has the story been transplanted to the U.S.? So many questions, so few weeks in which to ponder them.

But wait, there’s more: proceeds from sales of the movie tie-in T-shirt – designed by famous (even I’ve heard of her!) designer Charlotte Ronson and featuring the “Sociopathic Social Climber” gold-chain logo – go to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We don’t know how good the movie is yet, because we haven’t seen it, but one thing’s for sure: this is one fashionable T-shirt.

And you can believe that, because you read it on Blogcritics. In addition to online at Bluefly.com, the tee can be purchased at specialty boutiques such as C. Ronson, Miele, and Shop in New York City. So, while you’re sitting around not portraying Audrey Hepburn, why not get yourself a cool T-shirt and help out kids with cancer?

Now, about that free one. The first person to e-mail me with the correct answers to both of the following trivia questions will win the shirt. (No, Blogcritics writers are NOT eligible. Shame on you.)

1. The Phrase “Keeping Up With The Joneses” was originated by:
a) A British satirical novelist
b) A U.S. cartoonist
c) A South African playwright
d) Eric Olsen

2. Jennifer Love Hewitt has released how many music CDs?
a) None, she’s an actress, not a singer
b) One
c) Three
d) Hundreds and hundreds

You can also get free movie tie-in lip gloss just in time for Valentine’s Day. Don’t ever say I never got you anything.

Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber starring Jennifer Love Hewitt premieres March 12 on Oxygen.

About Jon Sobel

Jon Sobel is Publisher and Executive Editor of Blogcritics as well as lead editor of the Culture & Society section. As a writer he contributes most often to Music, where he covers classical music (old and new) and other genres, and Culture, where he reviews NYC theater. Through Oren Hope Marketing and Copywriting at http://www.orenhope.com/ you can hire him to write or edit whatever marketing or journalistic materials your heart desires. Jon also writes the blog Park Odyssey at http://parkodyssey.blogspot.com/ where he is on a mission to visit every park in New York City. He has also been a part-time working musician, including as lead singer, songwriter, and bass player for Whisperado.

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