Dallas Fort Worth Real Estate Values Could be Helped by Good Christian Bitches

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Comes word that our own PC resident Kim Gatlin’s book turned into a sexy, sudsy soap will be produced by Sex And The City/Beverly Hills 90210 genius Darren Star. Casting includes actress Kristin Chenoweth (Bewitched, Glee) to play Darlene, Leslie Bibb (Amanda), Jennifer Aspen (Sharon), Annie Potts (Gigi), Miriam Shor (Cricket), and Marisol Nicholas (Heather). The show, of course, centers on Bibb, who returns to Dallas after a divorce to hang with her “good Christian bitches,” friends and chair the Crystal Charity Ball (Update: Cattle Baron’s) some ball where the high school mean girls are all grown up. Gatlin’s character,  Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb) , a divorced mother of two leaves her philandering Hollywood hubby to come home to Mama and Daddy in Highland Park HILLSIDE PARK, where she tries to purge her bad marriage by plunging into the charity circuit. She winds up the victim of malicious gossip, bad Botox, and fraud, all because she’s a beautiful, sexy, vivacious woman who her friends totally see as their rival. There are enough good-looking single women over 30, they say, we don’t need another one. (I have had this feeling about Russian brides, actually.) And of course, all the gossips starts at Bible study.

You’ll never guess: the richest oil guy in town falls for her, buys her a Maybach.  And her charity event is sabotaged. I’m hoping he tosses in a few homes, too, like Roger’s $20 million Flower Mound manse or Lindy Mahoney’s 4441 South Versailles, now $7,880,000, built by Al Hill, Jr., who could very well make a cameo appearance in an episode.

Former 60 Minutes producer John Marks is especially looking forward to how Star pulls off the Bible Study scenario: Marks grew up in Hillside Park Highland Park:

One, it is taking on subject matter that is profoundly familiar to me, attempting to depict people who have generally defied accurate description in the popular culture. And two, it’s based on women in the Dallas suburb of Highland Park, where I grew up.

How will this help Dallas real estate values? Easy — place a national focus on us again and showcase our beautiful, well-valued homes. Plus, filming like this puts big bucks into the pockets of folks who lease their homes to film crews.

Candy Evans

Candy Evans

26 Comments

  1. Spence on March 15, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    Can you explain that headline? I read the blog post and still not really sure how this show helps real estate values.



  2. Spence on March 15, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    Can you explain that headline? I read the blog post and still not really sure how this show helps real estate values.



  3. Marshall on March 15, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    Yeah! Go Kim!…and she's a former HPer too!



  4. Marshall on March 15, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    Yeah! Go Kim!…and she's a former HPer too!



  5. Spence on March 15, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    1) doesn't sound like GCB would paint Dallas in the best light – this is a stock quote from most of the PR releases I have read about it:

    "GCB centers on Amanda (Popular‘s Leslie Bibb…), a recently divorced mom of two who moves back to the affluent Texas neighborhood where she grew up to find herself immersed in the world of gossip, Botox and duplicity."

    You already have the Parents Television Council, American Family Association and the Women's Media Center railing against the show – and whether you side with them or not, groups such as these can weld enormous sway with advertisers.

    2) unless you use your house as an year-round rental and could sell it for more based on some kind of increase in the income stream, leasing it to GCB may put dollars in your pocket but I don't see it increasing the value – my guess is that any house used will be used for exterior shots and all interiors will be a Hollywood set.

    I went to school with Kim and wish her the best of luck but my bet is that this is perceived as a Desperate Housewives starter kit and after the initial "shock" of the title and people tuning in to see what a GCB is, they will realize that this story has been told before (and probably better) and they will find other programs to watch. I don't think the allure of "Hillside Park" will keep viewers around. Let's check back in six months and see who is right.

    (But even if I don't always agree with you, I enjoy your blog!)



  6. Spence on March 15, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    1) doesn't sound like GCB would paint Dallas in the best light – this is a stock quote from most of the PR releases I have read about it:

    "GCB centers on Amanda (Popular‘s Leslie Bibb…), a recently divorced mom of two who moves back to the affluent Texas neighborhood where she grew up to find herself immersed in the world of gossip, Botox and duplicity."

    You already have the Parents Television Council, American Family Association and the Women's Media Center railing against the show – and whether you side with them or not, groups such as these can weld enormous sway with advertisers.

    2) unless you use your house as an year-round rental and could sell it for more based on some kind of increase in the income stream, leasing it to GCB may put dollars in your pocket but I don't see it increasing the value – my guess is that any house used will be used for exterior shots and all interiors will be a Hollywood set.

    I went to school with Kim and wish her the best of luck but my bet is that this is perceived as a Desperate Housewives starter kit and after the initial "shock" of the title and people tuning in to see what a GCB is, they will realize that this story has been told before (and probably better) and they will find other programs to watch. I don't think the allure of "Hillside Park" will keep viewers around. Let's check back in six months and see who is right.

    (But even if I don't always agree with you, I enjoy your blog!)



  7. Kevin on March 15, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    I'm writing a book about your readers called "Uptight Christian Bitches"



  8. Kevin on March 15, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    I'm writing a book about your readers called "Uptight Christian Bitches"



  9. Spence on March 15, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    Snap!



  10. Spence on March 15, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    Snap!



  11. Candy Evans on March 15, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Oh Spence, that is the nicest disagreement ever and I LOVE it when someone disagrees with me. First of all, this is like one big dinner party discussion. Last night I was at a lovely dinner party and this is exactly how we talked… the Mayor's race in Dallas… Japan… the economy…Obama… the real estate market… and this blog should be one big huge cocktail party without, unfortunately, the drinks.

    Well, sometimes one of us has them right by the computer!

    I read the book Good Christian Bitches in about 2 hours. Bad character development, best thing really is the title. Now do I think this will help promote Dallas property values? Yes! Just like the DALLAS series did, and that whole "Who Shot JR?" deal. I'm not saying they will spike, but this program, no matter how bad the plot is (trust me, awful) will out Dallas in the limelight. And that's good for us. It gets people talking about us and moving here if there was any hesitation. Production companies have been leasing homes and paying people big bucks to take them over during a shoot, which might help save some folks who were on the verge of bankruptcy. You've got a great point that some of those Parent Television groups may spell TROUBLE, almost trouble I would not want to deal with.

    But Spence, tell us: what was Kim like in high school? My God, do you have any photos?????



  12. Candy Evans on March 15, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Oh Spence, that is the nicest disagreement ever and I LOVE it when someone disagrees with me. First of all, this is like one big dinner party discussion. Last night I was at a lovely dinner party and this is exactly how we talked… the Mayor's race in Dallas… Japan… the economy…Obama… the real estate market… and this blog should be one big huge cocktail party without, unfortunately, the drinks.

    Well, sometimes one of us has them right by the computer!

    I read the book Good Christian Bitches in about 2 hours. Bad character development, best thing really is the title. Now do I think this will help promote Dallas property values? Yes! Just like the DALLAS series did, and that whole "Who Shot JR?" deal. I'm not saying they will spike, but this program, no matter how bad the plot is (trust me, awful) will out Dallas in the limelight. And that's good for us. It gets people talking about us and moving here if there was any hesitation. Production companies have been leasing homes and paying people big bucks to take them over during a shoot, which might help save some folks who were on the verge of bankruptcy. You've got a great point that some of those Parent Television groups may spell TROUBLE, almost trouble I would not want to deal with.

    But Spence, tell us: what was Kim like in high school? My God, do you have any photos?????



  13. […] Dallas Fort Worth Real Estate Valu&#101&#115&#32Could be Helped by Good … […]



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  15. sokkermom on March 17, 2011 at 1:03 am

    Lots of bad info here- where do I start…. First, I went to HP with Kim, too, she still lives here, her kids go to HP and we've been friends 30+ years. I don't get the "Rockwall's own" comment, as she has NEVER lived in Rockwall- and may not even know where it is- I know I don't. Second, Darren Star did 90210, not 99210 and yes he is definitely a genius. He has awesome material pitched to him every day and he chose GCB for his project this season. Candy, you obviously didn't care for her book, but "horrid" and "awful" are pretty severe and most would say inaccurate, especially when it has the ringing endorsement of a genius like Darren Star. He has his choice of the best material in Hollywood, he chose this, and he chose well. The ball spoofed in the book isn't Crystal Charity, it's Cattle Baron's (Longhorn Ball didn't give that away, I guess) and no, the interior shots are being done in Dallas, too, as they are hoping to be picked up for series and want to be part of the local community. I DO agree with you on one point, Candy- it should create lots of excitement for Dallas and will definitely contribute to the economy by having the authenticity of a show about Dallas actually filmed in Dallas. I have lots of pictures of Kim from high school and would post them if I knew how, but I don't and my kids are at the beach for spring break! She looks pretty much the same, just a lot blonder like the rest of us as we get older!! I'll be tuning in for sure!



  16. sokkermom on March 17, 2011 at 1:03 am

    Lots of bad info here- where do I start…. First, I went to HP with Kim, too, she still lives here, her kids go to HP and we've been friends 30+ years. I don't get the "Rockwall's own" comment, as she has NEVER lived in Rockwall- and may not even know where it is- I know I don't. Second, Darren Star did 90210, not 99210 and yes he is definitely a genius. He has awesome material pitched to him every day and he chose GCB for his project this season. Candy, you obviously didn't care for her book, but "horrid" and "awful" are pretty severe and most would say inaccurate, especially when it has the ringing endorsement of a genius like Darren Star. He has his choice of the best material in Hollywood, he chose this, and he chose well. The ball spoofed in the book isn't Crystal Charity, it's Cattle Baron's (Longhorn Ball didn't give that away, I guess) and no, the interior shots are being done in Dallas, too, as they are hoping to be picked up for series and want to be part of the local community. I DO agree with you on one point, Candy- it should create lots of excitement for Dallas and will definitely contribute to the economy by having the authenticity of a show about Dallas actually filmed in Dallas. I have lots of pictures of Kim from high school and would post them if I knew how, but I don't and my kids are at the beach for spring break! She looks pretty much the same, just a lot blonder like the rest of us as we get older!! I'll be tuning in for sure!



  17. Candy Evans on March 17, 2011 at 1:40 am

    So sorry about my number reversal. I will fix them.

    Well, I just didn't really like the plot of the book, I guess, felt it was contrived, but I am also so excited that it is being filmed here and this is just WONDERFUL for Dallas. No, you are right, Darren knows a great story when he sees one. And you got me on the ball, how can I mix those two? Tell you what: the kids come home, send us some photos of Kim and I'll go re-read GCB — it's in my bedroom — maybe I'll find I like it better!



  18. Candy Evans on March 17, 2011 at 1:40 am

    So sorry about my number reversal. I will fix them.

    Well, I just didn't really like the plot of the book, I guess, felt it was contrived, but I am also so excited that it is being filmed here and this is just WONDERFUL for Dallas. No, you are right, Darren knows a great story when he sees one. And you got me on the ball, how can I mix those two? Tell you what: the kids come home, send us some photos of Kim and I'll go re-read GCB — it's in my bedroom — maybe I'll find I like it better!



  19. Tanya Foster on March 17, 2011 at 9:56 am

    What's one fancy charity event over the other? And Kim did live in Rockwall, for awhile. I also thought the book was shallow, but then, what do we expect?



    • Kim Gatlin on March 17, 2011 at 9:13 pm

      Tanya, I don't know where this is coming from, but for the record, I have never lived in Rockwall.
      Nothing against it, I have a very dear friend who lives there and I hear it's a wonderful community- I'VE just never lived there. I've lived in Dallas and in the neighborhood with the exception of a few years I lived out of state, my entire life. So for the record, I've never even spent the night in Rockwall, much less lived there for awhile- that is incorrect. I'm sorry you thought GCB was shallow, but I knew when I wrote it, not everyone was going to like it. It was always meant to be a fun, easy read with a worthwhile message and when my 94 year old Southern Baptist grandmother and a guy with multiple successes to his credit like Darren Star embraced it, that was really all the validation I'll ever need. When you called to ask for my help a few weeks ago about getting my cousin, Angie, for your DFS event, I was so hopeful she'd be able to come. I know she would've been thrilled to receive your "Topaz Award"- I tried really hard to persuade her, but her schedule just couldn't make it work. She very much appreciated you all thinking of her, though. I hope the people I put you in touch with at the GCB Production office were able to help you with getting some of the cast involved. They just arrived but are looking forward to being part of the community and supporting wherever they can. Good luck with your event and I wish you much success!! ~Kim



    • Kay Hammond on March 17, 2011 at 10:14 pm

      Tanya,
      I am Kim's mom, and I assure you, she has never lived anywhere in Texas but Dallas. For a while, she was in Nashville, then Myrtle Beach and back to Dallas. She grew up in UP on Stanford St. I don't know where you got your information, but it's wrong.

      By the way, Kim never thought she'd get the Pulitzer for her writing. This was purely an attempt to make Christian women understand that their gossip was as big a sin as any other.

      I hope you never have to go through what she did. If you do, call me. I can walk you through the prayer, the psychologists, and the friends who won't abandon you, no matter what. You may need them all.

      Kay Hammond, Kim Gatlin's mom



  20. Tanya Foster on March 17, 2011 at 9:56 am

    What's one fancy charity event over the other? And Kim did live in Rockwall, for awhile. I also thought the book was shallow, but then, what do we expect?



    • Kim Gatlin on March 17, 2011 at 9:13 pm

      Tanya, I don't know where this is coming from, but for the record, I have never lived in Rockwall.
      Nothing against it, I have a very dear friend who lives there and I hear it's a wonderful community- I'VE just never lived there. I've lived in Dallas and in the neighborhood with the exception of a few years I lived out of state, my entire life. So for the record, I've never even spent the night in Rockwall, much less lived there for awhile- that is incorrect. I'm sorry you thought GCB was shallow, but I knew when I wrote it, not everyone was going to like it. It was always meant to be a fun, easy read with a worthwhile message and when my 94 year old Southern Baptist grandmother and a guy with multiple successes to his credit like Darren Star embraced it, that was really all the validation I'll ever need. When you called to ask for my help a few weeks ago about getting my cousin, Angie, for your DFS event, I was so hopeful she'd be able to come. I know she would've been thrilled to receive your "Topaz Award"- I tried really hard to persuade her, but her schedule just couldn't make it work. She very much appreciated you all thinking of her, though. I hope the people I put you in touch with at the GCB Production office were able to help you with getting some of the cast involved. They just arrived but are looking forward to being part of the community and supporting wherever they can. Good luck with your event and I wish you much success!! ~Kim



    • Kay Hammond on March 17, 2011 at 10:14 pm

      Tanya,
      I am Kim's mom, and I assure you, she has never lived anywhere in Texas but Dallas. For a while, she was in Nashville, then Myrtle Beach and back to Dallas. She grew up in UP on Stanford St. I don't know where you got your information, but it's wrong.

      By the way, Kim never thought she'd get the Pulitzer for her writing. This was purely an attempt to make Christian women understand that their gossip was as big a sin as any other.

      I hope you never have to go through what she did. If you do, call me. I can walk you through the prayer, the psychologists, and the friends who won't abandon you, no matter what. You may need them all.

      Kay Hammond, Kim Gatlin's mom



  21. Candy Evans on March 17, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    Hey Kim, who cares what I think? You can call me a Bad Christian Bee-ach laughing all the way to the bank. I think I owe you a bottle of your fave Pinot Grigio!



  22. Candy Evans on March 17, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    Hey Kim, who cares what I think? You can call me a Bad Christian Bee-ach laughing all the way to the bank. I think I owe you a bottle of your fave Pinot Grigio!