I Want to Be a Hilton

14 contestants from across the country have been invited to New York to be groomed for New York society by Kathy Hilton. They are split in to 2 teams, Team Madison and Team Park, and will live in suites at the luxurious and historic Melrose Hotel. The first challenge involves etiquette and they go through a bootcamp at the famous 21 Club where they are taught table manners, wine, cheese and fine food. Their skills are tested that evening when one person from each team dines with Kathy and her friends as the other teammates coach by earpiece from another room. The winning team flies by private jet to a vineyard for a private tasting and lunch.

The contestants helicopter out to the Hilton beach house in the Hamptons where they attend a polo match, and get a grand tour of the estate. Kathy explains that living the good life is also about giving back and the challenge set forth to the teams is to have an auction and estate sale to see who can raise the most money for breast cancer. They are given lessons from Christies auctioneers and Manhattan event planners. After spending the whole day in the burning sun setting up their tents the contestants are surprised by Kathy’s daughters Paris and Nikki who take the contestants out on the town with fliers to promote the next days events. The winning team gets a private clambake on the beach.

The teams go on a cultural scavenger hunt all over Manhattan. Teams have to decide whether to stay together or if it’s a better strategy to split up. In each location they must find an object of proof to show they were there and they also receive instruction to perform an activity organic to the situation. The teams have to meet Kathy back at Central Park by a certain time in order to win. The winning team goes to a Broadway show with Kathy.

Kathy, Cynthia Rowley, fashion designer, and Frederique Van Der Whal, model, meet with the contestants and give them a basic lecture in fashion do’s and don’ts. The contestants are then taken to a vintage store and given a certain amount of money per team to buy outfits that they themselves can modify for a fashion show they will be in the next day. The winning team gets a photo shoot with world-renowned photographer Antoine Verglas.

There are no more teams. It is now each man for himself. The contestants are bombarded by paparazzi as they leave their hotel on their way to lunch with Kathy at the world famous Palm restaurant. Kathy explains that living in the spotlight means dealing with the press and this is something her family knows about all too well. The contestants are shown fake tabloid magazine covers with their pictures and exploitive headlines. They are shocked. They get tips from real Paparazzi and publicists on how to hand le the press. Later that night they think they are going to a party but it turns out to be a press conference where the eliminated contestants get to ask tough questions.

The four remaining contestants are split in to 2 teams of two. Each team will be hosting a nightclub party and the competition is on to see who can get the most guests to come to their club. They meet with socialites, party planners, promoters and publicists to try and market their evenings. The winning team receives Cartier watches.

The world’s greatest fear of public speaking is faced in this episode. The 2 finalists must prepare to give the speech of their lifetime at a dinner party thrown by Kathy Hilton. They are trained in pronunciation and writing and while getting ready for the big night they are pampered with spa treatments. As if they weren’t already nervous enough they are surprised by a loved one from home who will finish this journey with them and possibly witness the moment that their life will be changed forever. The winner receives a $200,000 trust fund, a year in an apartment in NY, season tickets to the opera and museum, access to Kathy’s rolodex, jewelry and wardrobe.