The Hills Are Alive and Going Strong

I’ve used the whole Sound of Music gimmick multiple times over the years in describing MTV’s The Hills. However as I write this today, I realize this might be one of the final times I get to beat this dead, dead horse. With star Lauren “LC” Conrad announcing she’s leaving the show and vacant eyed costar Audrina Patridge leaving for her own show, The Hills as we know it began its final season last night. Despite the excess in which the show has been covered and promoted over the years, I actually found myself a bit sad last night. Perhaps it was the fact that the season premiere had more drama in one hour than the entire last season. LC and best frenemy Heidi Montag came together again to hash out why they can’t be friends. Their teary eyed conversation was acted so well, my partner actually said she felt emotions for the two blondes. Meanwhile, the son of Satan, Spencer Pratt hit on waitresses and beat the crap out of one of the red shirt ex-boyfriends of his she devil sister Stephanie. Heidi and Spencer then embarked on their annual spat where one leaves and the other will eventually have to follow. It is a sad that they couldn’t come up with a different locale. We’ve already seen the Colorado version of this story and the Vegas one. Throw in little moments like crazy ass Stephanie Pratt having a moment of clarity long enough to dress down Spencer and plenty of Lo action and you’ve got a winning premiere. The biggest drama though had to be the disappearance of Spencer’s flesh colored beard. Thank god the previews seem to hint at its return. Eleven more episodes and then The Hills as we know it will fade away. Enjoy it folks and remember that even if it’s been scripted, sometimes poorly, The Hills has been an event that defines our self loathing love affair with pop culture. You hate to love it, but you also love to hate it.