Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.
support today
TV

Why watching Selling Sunset is entering a house of fun

Floor-to-ceiling windows and a rooftop golf course? Lucy Sweet is sold

As children return to school with a lunchbox full of hand sanitiser sandwiches, this feels like a good time to impart some important knowledge. So today’s lesson will be about my favourite reality show Selling Sunset. Please sit down in your designated seat, take copious notes and I’ll begin.

01. It’s a TV show about an estate agency

Selling Sunset is the wholesome tale of West Hollywood real estate company Oppenheim, which is run by two tiny bald twin brothers called Jason and the other guy whose name I can never remember. They only seem to employ ultra-glam women with high heels, tiny dogs and attitude problems. I wonder why? Oh wait – it’s because hot women sell hot property – the kind of property that costs $50m and has astroturf golf courses on the roof. Basically, it’s like Location, Location, Location, but tedious Tory bulldozer Kirstie Allsopp has been replaced with six botoxed glamazons and Phil has been chopped in half.

02. The main ‘character’ is called Chrishell

No, she’s not off-brand toilet paper – Chrishell is our heroine, a burnished, caramel-haired angel on this Earth who just wants to sell houses and get rich. No wonder – Chrishell literally grew up in hell, born into trailer-park poverty and always labelled the smelly kid at school. Now she’s just trying to get ahead, godammit. Get this woman a six-figure commission and all the salad she wants, I don’t care if she’s actually quite annoying! 

03. The outfits are incredible

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you remember the movie Showgirls? Well, transplant those hardcore hustlers to the Hollywood equivalent of Rightmove and you’re halfway there. Oppenheim’s brokers live in a perpetual netherworld of body con, daytime PVC and skyscraping heels that require shares in Compeed. Not even a building site can dim their towering glamour.

04. Christine is the true hero

You will immediately spot Christine, because she’s either dressed as Jessica Rabbit or Vogue-era Madonna, has velvet skin that can only be achieved with injectables and is always “speaking her mind” (ie: being an almighty pain in the arse). Yet she is fascinating. Good at her job. Flawless. Heartless. Fierce. On Judgement Day, Christine will be the sole survivor, standing atop the burning pyre of humanity, filing her nails and hailing an Uber that will never come.

05. The houses are damned   

The dazzling, empty Hollywood mansions they sell are truly compelling. Each pool, open-plan living area and dodgy looking glass-fronted balcony screams murder/suicide, scandal, loneliness and despair. All yours for
just $15,500,000!

06. You need to watch it

Selling Sunset has inspired me to live my best life, despite the fact that I’m wearing joggy bottoms and am unable to go anywhere or do anything. Your homework is to watch it and forget all about 2020. I promise you, you’ll be sold. 

Selling Sunset is on Netflix

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

READER-SUPPORTED SINCE 1991

Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.

Recommended for you

View all
Alien: Earth star Alex Lawther: 'People like Greta Thunberg are why humans deserve to survive'
TV

Alien: Earth star Alex Lawther: 'People like Greta Thunberg are why humans deserve to survive'

Russell T Davies: 'As we face a Reform government, the gay community should be revolting in terror…'
Cucumber creator Russell T Davies and star Vincent Franklin
TV

Russell T Davies: 'As we face a Reform government, the gay community should be revolting in terror…'

Human presenter Ella Al-Shamahi: 'I used to be a creationist missionary – now I trust the science'
Documentary

Human presenter Ella Al-Shamahi: 'I used to be a creationist missionary – now I trust the science'

The One Show's Alex Jones: 'I always wanted to be a mother. To have a child is a complete gift'
Letter To My Younger Self

The One Show's Alex Jones: 'I always wanted to be a mother. To have a child is a complete gift'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payments: Where to get help in 2025 now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payments: Where to get help in 2025 now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know