New reality show pits poor against rich

While some only dream of tiaras, Prada, mansions and fancy cars, others can’t imagine living without such luxuries. But is that what life’s really about?

It’s a question that seven rich kids are getting the chance to explore in the WB’s newest reality series “Survival of the Richest.”

The show features seven wealthy kids worth a combined $3 billion – yes, billion, with a “B” – living together with seven blue-collar kids who have had to work for everything they’ve ever gotten in life.

Paired up with a person who comes from the opposite end of the American dream, the teams compete for $200,000 that they’ll share.

Like most of America, the blue-collar kids have wracked up a collective debt of more than $150,000. The prize money will change their lives.

And although the money doesn’t mean as much to their wealthy partners who scoff at minimum wage, these trust- fund kids have something to prove.

They want to show their families that they can live without the money that’s been handed to them on a silver platter all of their lives.

Keeping in theme with the reality craze, contestants perform challenges each week with one team being eliminated at the end of each episode.

The tasks aren’t easy for anyone, but for the rich kids who’ve never had to clean up after themselves or do hard labor, scrubbing toilets and building a house for Habitat for Humanity proves to be quite a challenge.

I must say, I’m surprised at how hard these Gucci guys and gals are willing to work and the lessons they learn along the way.

Most of us work hard for what we have, which I think makes us appreciate the little things even more. I only hope that by the end of the six-week season, the million-dollar heirs and heiresses learn that it’s not about what you have, but who you have to share it with.

While it’s fun to watch the other half gag at the smell of a public bathroom and sweat from hard work for the first time in their lives, “Survival of the Richest” has a lesson to teach all of us – rich and poor.

Check it out at 8 p.m. Fridays starting March 31. I know I’m hooked, and I think this one will be around for a few more seasons.

Also new is FOX’s latest reality experiment “UNAN1MOUS,” which premiered at 9:30 p.m. last Wednesday after “American Idol.”

Nine strangers are locked in a bunker until they can decide who should win the $1.5 million prize. But the longer it takes to make a unanimous decision, the less money there is for the winner.

Everyone, even those who are eliminated along the way, remains in the bunker until a final decision is made, or the winnings dwindle to zero.

This one truly is a game of lies, greed, and deception worth tuning into.