NYC Prep vs. Your Life

Bravo is debuting yet another reality spinoff about spoiled rich people whose only way of breaking the soul-crushing monotony of living in the lap of luxury is to cat fight with each other. Only this time, the stars are teens. The show follows six Upper East Side prep schoolers between photo ops benefits and appointments with personal trainers. Judging from the NYC Prep trailer on Bravo.com, the show is basically Gossip Girl in "real" life (we use that word loosely).

We're kind of confused. Are the teens of Middle America supposed to be jealous? Is this supposed to be, like, your life but cooler? A side-by-side comparison:

• They carry American Express Black cards.
• You carry a Gap credit card that your parents no longer let you use.
• They drink Starbucks fat-free chai lattes every morning.
• You drink orange juice.
• They go to fashion shows.
• You go to Forever 21.
• They go to Manhattan's hottest clubs.
• You go to the parking lot behind 7-Eleven.
• They hang out at art galleries.
• You get your culture fix at Videogum.
• They have stylists.
• You have a best friend who will tell you that those pants do, in fact, make your butt look big.
• They master the double kiss on the cheek.
• You fist bump.
• They refresh Park Avenue Peerage every five minutes.
• You refresh SparkLife every five minutes.
• They go on dates at Michelin-starred restaurants.
• You go on dates at Applebee's.
• They have "things" (i.e. charities).
• You read to the seniors at Sleepy Hollow Retirement Home the first Thursday of every month.

Would you want to live like the NYC Prepsters? Do you think they sacrifice anything for their lifestyle? Why are we obsessed with shows about "the elite"?