Top This Party

Top This Party is an exciting reality television series that first aired in 2008 on the Lifetime network. The show ushers viewers into the extravagant and glamorous party planning industry, specifically laying emphasis on the above-the-top and immensely opulent parties thrown by wealthy individuals in Los Angeles and Orange County.

The series revolves around two high-end party planners, Brian Dobbin and Brian "Breakfast" Rice, alternatively referred to as "the Brians", who work in Orange County and Los Angeles respectively. Both Brians are renowned for their creative and innovative party planning skills that have earned them impressive clienteles, including Hollywood celebrities, captains of industry, and socialites. As the series progresses, viewers are offered an unprecedented peek behind the scenes, where frenzied party preparations, including selecting the perfect venue, crafting an engaging theme, and managing the logistics, take up the majority of each episode.

Brian Dobbin, the party planner for the wealthy elites of Orange County, is a former businessman who swapped corporate boardrooms for party halls. His flair for creating extraordinary events is only paralleled by his ability to manage demanding clients with ease, negotiating the tightropes of high expectations and big budgets with finesse. Dobbin's episodes, shot using a cinema verité style, lend the series an air of authenticity, showcasing real-time client party preparations that range from millionaire birthday bashes to extravagant anniversary celebrations.

On the other hand, Brian Rice, or "Breakfast" as he's affectionately known, made his name in the heart of the entertainment industry: Hollywood. He boasts a track record of organizing sumptuous parties for a slew of Hollywood celebrities. His services also extend to major functions and events such as movie premieres, product launches, and red carpet affairs. Breakfast's charisma and charm, coupled with his genuine passion for making his clients' dreams come true, makes him a fan favorite amongst his long list of loyal clients.

Top This Party is structured in a documentary-style format, where each episode delves into a different party, highlighting the meticulous process of planning and preparations. However, the show doesn't limit its narrative to the party planning process. It also incorporates elements of lifestyle programming, providing viewers with an inside look at the extraordinarily luxurious lifestyles of the hosts, thereby juxtaposing the glitzy environments of these parties with the intricate and often stressful backstage planning.

Significant storyline elements include showcasing the creative process involved in crafting grand themes, showcasing the unique and often outlandish requests made by clients, and venturing into different party venues in Southern California. Also, viewers are given a glimpse at interactions between the Brians and their clients, immense pressure and stress endured to meet deadlines, and juggling of multiple responsibilities by the dynamic duo.

While the series is primarily focused on the planning and execution process, it also subtly explores the personal lives and relationships of the two leads. Their individual backstories, their relationship dynamics with clients and staff as well as their distinctively different management styles, add layers to their characters, thus making them more relatable to viewers.

From lavish decor to breathtaking locations, and from celebrity sightings to unexpected obstacles, the show offers a captivating blend of spectacle, drama, and meticulous attention to detail. The series beautifully captures how these grand celebrations are conceived, planned, and eventually brought to life, all while showcasing the party planners' unwavering quest for perfection.

All in all, Top This Party is a unique spin on reality television, blurring the line between work and play, providing viewers a glimpse of the glitz and glamor associated with high-end event planning, and underscoring the immense dedication and hard work that go into crafting unforgettable experiences for clients.

Fun, flamboyant and fascinating, Top This Party isn't just about the splendor of luxury party planning. It's about the talent, tenacity, and hard work that goes on behind the scenes, that breathes life into these grandeur parties, making the impossible, possible. This show remains a riveting exploration of the world of high-end event organization, offering a compelling blend of larger-than-life celebrations, driven, charismatic leads, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.