TV’s Growing Obsession with Wealth: Are Average Lives Being Ignored?

Updated June 8, 2025

From “And Just ⁤Like That” to reality television, a wave of⁣ shows fixates on affluent lifestyles, raising questions about whether television is ⁤losing touch with the average American experience.The focus on wealth, luxury, and aspirational consumption may be reshaping our collective ⁤psyche.

The reboot of “Sex and the City,” titled “And Just Like That,” ⁤exemplifies this trend. the show’s characters, once relatable, now navigate a world of extreme privilege,⁤ complete with garden renovations and back-ordered fabrics. The drama feels lifeless,⁢ revolving around trivial issues against a backdrop of designer clothes and ⁤lavish fundraisers.

This pattern extends beyond “And Just Like That.” Many contemporary ‍shows, including “Sirens,” “The Better Sister,” “Mountainhead,” ⁤and‍ “Your Friends & Neighbors,” feature wealthy characters ‍in opulent⁣ settings. Even seemingly ⁤relatable ‍shows often portray worlds where money is never an issue.

Emily J. Smith noted on Substack that sitcoms once featured families⁤ with financial constraints, while recent dramedies explored economic anxiety. Now, television seems preoccupied with literary adaptations about troubled rich people, satires about absurdly wealthy vacationers, and thrillers set in billionaire enclaves.

The rise of reality television further contributes to this trend. Shows like “Selling Sunset” and “Bling Empire” fetishize wealth through gaudy enclaves and private jets. Even shows that started small, like “Real⁣ Housewives,” have evolved to showcase unimaginable wealth.

During the⁤ 2008 financial crisis, some ‍wondered if shows about ‍wealth would become irrelevant. However, viewers seemed more eager to watch, finding both escapism and an prospect to judge those who seemed unworthy of their blessings. ⁤As Jennifer O’Connell, a producer for “The Real Housewives of New York City,” said,‍ “Everyone likes⁤ to judge.”

While shows like “Succession” and “White Lotus” attempt to critique wealth, they may inadvertently fuel aspiration. Studies suggest that exposure to media glamorizing wealth can lead to increased anxiety and unhappiness. Moreover,these shows stimulate the desire to shop,as streaming services leverage viewer data to serve customized ads.

Ultimately, the focus on ⁣wealth in television may deprive viewers of stories ⁢that reflect their own lives. Shows like “The pitt,” which document the struggles of workers in an unequal‍ America, are becoming increasingly rare. The entertainment industry may be betting that audiences don’t want to‍ see the unpleasant realities of most people’s lives.

However, audiences will always be drawn to drama, and shows like “The Bear” and⁤ “Slow Horses” feel necessary in a moment when the state of ⁤the future relies so much on‍ the direction and quality of our attention. The lack of economic diversity on screen is reshaping our collective psyche, building a shared sense of wealth as the only marker of a significant life.

What’s next

As the television landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the industry will address the growing wealth gap on screen and offer more diverse ⁢and relatable stories.