PoweR Girls

"PoweR Girls" was a 2005 MTV reality TV series about press maven Lizzie Grubman mentoring a team of young hopeful publicists as they work their way in the world of celebrities, glamour and public relations to ultimately earn a permanent spot on Grubman's team (along with her respect).

Plot

The show took its name from a 1998 "New York Magazine" cover story about Grubman. It followed Grubman and four young female assistants, Rachel Krupa, Ali Zweben, Kelly Brady, and Millie Monyo, doing the work of celebrity publicists in Manhattan: planning nightclub openings and album launches, mingling with celebrities and the press. The four competed for a permanent role in Lizzie Grubman Public Relations, relying on a combination of their skills and sex appeal. [http://www.stuffmagazine.com/articles/index.aspx?id=925 "Women on Top"] interview with participants, "Stuff Magazine", 2005-02-11, By Laura Leu. Retrieved 2007-09-12.] Grubman took the mentor role, paralleling Donald Trump in "The Apprentice".Sternbergh, Adam. [http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/features/11259/ "Lizzie Grubman’s Star Vehicle"] , "New York" magazine, March 7, 2005. Accessed 2007-09-12.]

The show also featured various other characters through events, parties and day-to-day office activities. One featured character was then intern Anthony Berklich who showed-up in two of the episodes.

Reception

The show debuted on MTV on March 10, 2005, to a poor response from critics. [http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2005/03/10/dan_rather_says_goodbye/ "'PoweR Girls' delivers bad PR"] , By Matthew Gilbert, "Boston Globe", March 10, 2005. Accessed 2007-09-13. "MTV's "PoweR Girls" is both a poorly made reality show and an American cultural tragedy."] [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/10/arts/television/10powe.html "A Front-Row Seat to a Behind-the-Scenes Job"] , by Virginia Heffernan, "New York Times", March 10, 2005. "PoweR Girls," unfortunately, is no "Rich Girls."] Six episodes were produced in the first season. The season finale was April 14. [http://media.www.dailytargum.com/media/storage/paper168/news/2005/04/12/InsideBeat/Once-In.PrIson.Now.Leading.Lady.On.Mtv.Reality.Show-920855.shtml "Once in PR-ison, now leading lady on MTV reality show"] , Krishna Purohit, 2005-04-12, "The Daily Targum". Accessed 2007-09-13.]

As of October 2005, the "New York Post" reported that Grubman was said to be in talks with the various Viacom Networks to broadcast a second season of "PoweR Girls", though nothing has been heard about it since.

After the show

After the show, Ali Zweben went on to be PR Manager of [http://intermixonline.com Intermix Boutique] clothing store in Manhattan. [http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah3374.shtml "Access Style: 7 Trends For '07"] , "Access Hollywood", January 5, 2007. Accessed 2007-09-13.]

In 2006, Rachel Krupa went to head operations at the Los Angeles office of [http://www.berkcommunications.com Berk Communications, Inc.] [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/07-25-2006/0004403179&EDATE= "Berk Communications, Inc. to Open Los Angeles Public Relations Office"] , Berk Communications press release, PRNewswire, July 25, 2006. Accessed 2007-09-13.]

Kelly Brady continued working at Lizzie Grubman Public Relations. On September 30, 2006, she married Walter Zegers, a Manhattan investment banker, [http://www.nypost.com/seven/11122006/entertainment/weddings/zegers__32__and_brady__26_weddings_christofer_cassuto.htm "Zegers 32, and Brady, 26"] , Christopher Cassuto, November 12, 2006. Accessed 2007-09-13.] who had appeared as her boyfriend on the show. [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2005/03/03/2005-03-03_lizzies_ladies_on_the_lose.html "Lizzie's Ladies on the Lose?"] , Michelle Ingrassia, "New York Daily News", March 3, 2005. Accessed 2007-09-13.]

Millie Monyo went on to start her own Interior Design and Event Planning Company([e-mail]) and also works as a PR Manager for Estée Lauder Global Communications.

Anthony Berklich went on to work at the television talk-shows "The View" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart".

References

External links

* [http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/power_girls/series.jhtml Official page] from MTV.
* [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0503/09/sbt.01.html Interview with PoweR Girls cast] , CNN "Showbiz Tonight", March 9, 2005
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