Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood: A TV Show Review

Donna Martin is nothing in the world like Tori Spelling. Had you told me this while in the "Beverly Hills 90210" phase of American Pop Culture, I would have laughed. She is, after all, the daughter of now-deceased millionaire Aaron Spelling. When Aaron passed away, his money went directly to his wife, Candy Spelling, and none of it went to their children. This was a definite blow to Tori because she was extremely close to her father and actually needed the money to live on and survive. Candy did not grant her children any of the money and this sparked a great feud that continues to this day. Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood showcases Tori, her husband Dean and their infant son (nicknamed "Monkey" - how cute is that!) in their attempt to be a "normal" family in Hollywood.

The Spelling/McDermott family are extremely relatable to the American public and surpass the walls that would normally separate viewer from subject. The fact that they don't have a lot of money is part of this statement. The audience has a chance to laugh at the couple as they try to plan a "Monkey-Themed" birthday party for their son Liam's 1^st year all the while cutting costs and going around the long way in an effort to save money. Tori, meanwhile, plans the party praying that her estranged mother Candy won't show up while at the same time wanting her to be a true grandmother figure to her little boy. Oh, the webs that we weave in Hollywood...or in "Anywhere U.S.A." for that matter!

We are further introduced into Tori and Dean's life as the season progresses and Tori's pregnancy with new baby Stella gets underway. Being too pregnant to fly, the duo rents a "Rock Star Bus" for their trip up to the Virgin Megastore in San Francisco, California to promote Tori's new book entitled "sTori Telling". This book is now a New York Times Bestseller spending seven weeks on the charts. Not only do we go along for the ride, pardon the pun, while Tori promotes her book, the audience also has the opportunity to experience the reaction firsthand when Tori finds out on her mother's website that she has not read the book and doesn't intend to do so. The awe and frustration that surrounds the household is ever present and much anticipated. Viewers receive a very true and realistic responses to this news and it's all caught on camera.

The audience is embraced as Tori and Dean search for their new Hollywood home and make it their own. We watch their struggle as they realize what little they can afford and how much they cannot live without. It is truly something anyone living in the world can relate to when trying to find the perfect place at the most manageable cost. Sometimes the search for normalcy and a home to call your own is not fruitful, but luckily for Tori & Dean, this ends up working out in their favor.

Tune in and watch Tori, Dean and their little "Monkey" take over Hollywood family-style. The hit reality show airs all new episodes Tuesday nights at 10pm PST on Oxygen. Check your local listings for time and channel in your area as well as for re-airing of already missed episodes.