Hall of Shame Moment: Paris & Nicole Don’t Understand Why Stealing Is Wrong

There has been a great deal of debate in the smoke-filled rooms where decisions are made for what gets into the Reality TV Hall of Shame and what doesn’t. For several weeks now, there have been arguments, debates, and wrestling matches to decide whether or not Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, from The Simple Life, deserved mention in these hallowed halls. Finally, their actions in the fifth episode (last Wednesday) sealed the deal.

Up until this point, Paris and Nicole have been teetering on the edge. They would often have fun and do funny things – indeed, often hysterical – but they also had their other moments when they thought they were being hysterical but they were actually being hurtful or nasty or showing just how spoiled they truly are. Paris and Nicole seem to have absolutely no consideration for anybody else. This has been shown numerous times, from when they contaminated milk jugs that people were supposed to drink to when they gave passing drivers the finger while dressed in Sonic outfits. They just don’t give a damn about anybody but themselves and have no respect for anybody. When they were “working” on the dairy farm, they decided to simply take a break in the hot tub and then take a nap. When they were “working” at the Sonic, they decided to go across the street to the local store for a break.

These were the issues we debated. Was this behavior enough for a Hall of Shame Moment, or would their overall behavior eventually add up to a full induction? Well, the second is still up in the air, but the first was answered when they decided to break the law and steal from the man they were supposed to be working for. And even worse, they then gave their stolen property to Janet Leding as a Mother’s Day present. She was so impressed – she thought they had saved up all the money they’d been “earning” just for her. Of course, they hadn’t. They’d blown their money at bars and stole the birdhouse that they presented to her as a gift.

For those who might not have seen the show or missed the specific circumstances, Paris and Nicole were sent by their boss to get cow feed. They went to the store and the clerk asked if they were going to put in on their boss’ charge account. Since the girls had gone over two whole weeks without charging something, they felt they needed to charge other items, despite the fact that it wasn’t their money. They knew what they were doing – this was not one of their actions that they took without understanding, one those funny fish-out-of-water moments. No, they knew they were stealing and they were positively pleased with themselves when they bought the birdhouse and a full-length mirror for themselves – and apparently got away with it. Conscience? What’s a conscience?

Then, as mentioned above, they gave the birdhouse to Mrs. Leding as a Mother’s Day gift. She was so impressed and proud of the girls. She thought they were doing something nice for her – instead, they did something illegal.

Later, of course, their stolen items were discovered by their now-ex-boss, Kent. After all, he doesn’t often buy mirrors and birdhouses for his cows. He called to find the girls and who should pick up the phone but Mrs. Leding herself. Yes, she had to find out that the gift she’d received was actually stolen property – how humiliating!

Kent decided to take it up with the girls directly. But there is nothing direct about them. When he came knocking, Nicole took the opportunity to make up an excuse. She said that her pet died, that the truck had crashed and the birdhouse was destroyed, that they can’t pay for the birdhouse because she spent all her money on vet bills and has to plan a funeral, etc. Kent didn’t look like he was buying the routine – and frankly, it wouldn’t have mattered if it were all true anyway. They stole the items and then started giving fake excuses.