Twenty years ago, The Simple Life premiered. In this series, the affluent and out-of-touch stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie made us all laugh and shake our heads as they took on various tasks in rural America, aka a far cry from their typical daily duties in Beverly Hills. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this ridiculous series, these hysterical women decided to give us all another run back to the birthplace of their Season 1 backdrop, Altus, Arkansas.
Their second act, Paris and Nicole: The Encore, offers their fans an updated look at the residents of Altus, who remember Paris and Nicole (mostly) fondly. Sure, they wreaked havoc in this city 20 years ago, but these small-town hearts are beyond forgiving and willing to let bygones be bygones. For them, it’s all water under the bridge.
That’s hot, Altus.
This three-part reunion special includes many full-circle moments, laughs, and heartwarming storylines, leaving us wanting more because we all deserve nice things. But also, our screens need further showings of kindness, toxic-free narratives, and lightness. Thankfully, Paris and Nicole delivered these aspects in spades. To see what we mean, here is everything that transpired in Paris and Nicole: The Encore, starting with Episode One.
Paris & Nicole: The Encore Episode One: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie board Sliving Air, touching down in Altus, Arkansas
Paris & Nicole: The Encore begins as it should, with Paris and Nicole, aka Sill and Bill, reminiscing with their original producers. These girls miss this era, so now, they are making a return. In this second act, they are turning their silly song, Sanasa, into an opera, starring themselves.
Following these flashbacks from simpler times, Paris and Nicole pursue inspiration for their opera, so they board Sliving Air, heading back to Altus. Once landed, they head to Walmart, riding in on motorized suitcases, eager to buy gifts for the residents. Walmart fills up with their fans, whom Paris and Nicole embrace.
First on the list to visit is the mayor, Veronica Post. Sadly, Veronica broke her neck in a home ziplining accident, but she remains all in on Paris and Nicole. They give her their gifts, including heat massagers and Paris’ cookware, but not a vibrator. Walmart does not sell these.
Veronica reveals that Nicole destroyed a pool table twenty years ago. But Nicole has grown. So, she offers to reimburse the mayor for her troubles. They share their opera plans with Veronica, and she is shocked but here for it.
They cast her on the spot.
Paris and Nicole visit their original host family, the Ledings, off-air. Their visit went great.
They head to Danny’s next, their second boss. Danny sweetly notes that Paris and Nicole are different now. They love life more, he says.
Afterward, Paris and Nicole return to their favorite bar, Alligator Rays. A homecoming ensues, complete with tears and cheers, right before Paris and Nicole fly back to California.
In CA, Paris and Nicole seek advice from their middle school band director, Mr. Houser. More touching scenes ensue.
They head to Kathy Hilton’s next. Kathy is eager to direct their opera.
Paris & Nicole: The Encore Episode Two: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie do their best to secure funding and talent for their Sanasa opera
Episode Two of Paris & Nicole: The Encore starts at a cat cafe, as all series from here on out should. As these ladies start planning their opera, they realize how ill-equipped they are. Cue their search for a producer and a composer for their opera.
They get denied. Zero creatives understand their chaotic vision.
Paris and Nicole need vocal training, as they are the singing stars of their Sanasa opera. Their high notes are not hitting as they should, but they tried, so bless their hearts.
They head to Cassell’s music store next, banging out Sanasa on every instrument available. They cast the store’s owner, Ed, in their opera.
In a last-ditch effort to get the award-winning composer Thomas Adès to change his mind about not taking on their opera, Paris and Nicole dress up and join Thomas for an operatic play in the park. Their efforts fail. Sadly, as Nicole quips, they are “not his type.” They will now self-compose their opera.
The girls go shopping, looking for their opening night wares. After trying on dozens of gowns, they head to their mothership, the Beverly Hills Hilton. Ed from the music store meets them there with his accordion. They need financing for their opera, so Paris, Nicole, and Ed sit with the Hilton Marketing executives to pitch their plans.
These tongue-in-cheek terrors sing Sanasa for the team, who approves their request for a million-dollar check.
Paris and Nicole quickly secure the Saban Theater, musicians, and their superfan-filled cast, courtesy of comical auditions hosted by Sia, the musical icon. Only one week remains until their debut, so these girls are starting to stress, but thankfully, their humor remains intact.
Paris & Nicole: The Encore Episode Three: The long-awaited debut of Sanasa the opera arrives, showcasing Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s talents
Paris and Nicole need a host, so they hire Danny Pellegrino. To bond with Danny and their fans, they drive to Sonic to take on a shift as employees.
“Welcome to Sonic. How can I help you, you little b*tch?” Nicole quips in the intercom. Then, she puts on a hot dog costume and joins the non-bunned-clad Paris and Danny outside, speaking to their hungry crowds in the carline.
Trying to create buzz for their show, the girls next commodore a tour bus with Kesha, who starred alongside them in Season 3 of The Simple Life. As their bus rolls through town, Paris, Nicole, and Kesha give their riders an in-depth tour of their favorite spots. Then, they go in for the kill, pitching their show to their riders, and some agree to attend their opera.
Paris and Nicole call up their cast, suggesting they join them for a spray tan before rehearsals begin. At their first tech rehearsal, the girls are less than impressed. The graphics and the cow are bad, so Paris is embarrassed. They quickly sort out the kinks, with only days remaining before their opera goes live.
But then, a water line breaks near their theater. Thankfully, the city cleaned things up for their opening night, so the girls offered their spray tanning services to say thanks.
Opening night arrives. As Paris and Nicole descend upon the stage from the catwalk, we finally see (some of) their Sanasa opera, which details their journey from The Simple Life to now. It slaps, even though a small break transpired after their changing room door locked shut.
Sanasa, ladies.
Paris & Nicole: The Encore is streaming on Peacock.
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