bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on May 11, 2015 20:49:28 GMT
I listen to stuff on Netflix while I work on certain projects. I'm watching the Queen of Versailles as I enjoy documentaries from time to time.
brief synopsis: The Queen of Versailles is a 2012 American documentary film by Lauren Greenfield. The film depicts Jackie Siegel and David Siegel, owners of Westgate Resorts, and their family as they build their private residence — Versailles, one of the largest and most expensive single-family house in the United States — and the crisis they face as the U.S. economy declines.
This is nuts. these people are insane. Or maybe I'm just crazy as we scrape along trying to get together a down payment on a house.
On the flip side, I highly recommend Monk with a Camera, which is what led me to the Versailles thing.
What are you watching?
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,664
Jun 25, 2014 19:33:19 GMT
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Post by Rhondito on May 11, 2015 20:51:44 GMT
I saw that documentary - it was insane! It's fascinating how people's perception of broke is so varied.
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Post by Ryann on May 11, 2015 20:53:27 GMT
DH and I watched The Queen of Versailles a year or two ago. Even after watching it, I still can't fathom spending as much money on things as they did/do. Crazy!
I'm watching Parenthood. DH and I watched a couple seasons or so before stopping (not sure why). I started over again and am somewhere in Season 2 at this point.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on May 11, 2015 20:55:14 GMT
I just can't get over how completely out of touch these guys are. I so agree with this:It's fascinating how people's perception of broke is so varied.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 6:19:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2015 20:56:33 GMT
No time to watch Netflix lately but I just added to my queue: Bloodline (series with Kyle Chandler) and Chef (movie with Jon Favreau that i've heard raves about).
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Post by padresfan619 on May 11, 2015 20:59:16 GMT
I'm watching Gossip Girl mostly when I'm alone. Before bed I like to watch Good Eats and Friends.
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
Jun 26, 2014 0:30:34 GMT
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Post by finaledition on May 11, 2015 21:00:13 GMT
They were featured on Dateline or 20/20 a couple years ago. How old is the documentary? I wonder if it was before or after the featured story??
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Post by rainangel on May 11, 2015 21:02:00 GMT
It's like the niece (who was adopted into the family) said: 'I used to think rich people had it so great, now it's just normal for to have everything' Or something similar. She grew up low-income and used to dream about being rich, and when her parents weren't there for her anymore, and she was adopted into the 'Versailles'-family, she got used to being rich very quickly.
It's strange how our perception of the world changes based on the size of our bankaccounts. This documentary is a few years old now, and from what I gathered, they started up the rest of the construction of that massive house in 2012? I guess it would be finished by now?
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Post by rainangel on May 11, 2015 21:06:15 GMT
I watched this documentary on Netflix the other day that was superfascinating! But I am a big true crime fan so.... I think it was called Killer Legends, and the makers had taken four of the most common urban legends and sought out the origin of the stories. First story; couple parked in Lover's Lane, and the Hook man shows up, Second story; Halloween Candy stuffed with razor blades and needles, third story; the babysitter getting the call from inside the house, and fourth story; Killer Clowns. I loved this doco, because they found the origin of the stories, and then over the next decades they had grown into big legends. I reality... they all stem from pretty sad and tragic stories.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,509
Jun 30, 2014 12:52:45 GMT
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Post by ellen on May 11, 2015 21:07:19 GMT
I watched that. I'd be curious to see a second documentary on what is going on with them now.
The last documentary that I really enjoyed was "Mortified Nation." People read from their teenage diaries in front of an audience.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on May 11, 2015 21:08:14 GMT
From Wikipedia
As Westgate Resorts' finances have improved since 2013, Siegel now owns the Versailles property outright. Construction will resume with completion scheduled for 2016.[18][19] Expected to appraise over $100 million, the project will be the fourth most expensive house in the United States.[20] David Siegel and Westgate Resorts continue to operate a timeshare business, but without the PH Towers featured in the documentary.[21] As a privately held enterprise, it is unknown how much of the $1.2 billion in debt Westgate Resorts continues to owe its lenders (originally reported by Businessweek in March 15, 2012).[22]
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,884
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on May 11, 2015 21:20:45 GMT
I watched in a couple years ago. She was actually on What What Happens Live a year ago. She's still as obnoxious as she was on that documentary. She was totally trying to get her own show, but I could tell she was annoying Andy Cohen.
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MizIndependent
Drama Llama
Quit your bullpoop.
Posts: 5,836
Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on May 11, 2015 23:08:02 GMT
You know what's interesting to consider? They are as out of touch with the US middle/lower class as the US middle/lower class are with most of rest of the world.
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rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,123
Jul 1, 2014 20:20:18 GMT
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Post by rickmer on May 11, 2015 23:19:11 GMT
i have seen it available on netflix but never realized what it was. i will check it out next time i'm in the mood to be indignant about something!! lol i am loving human planet, bbc earth documentary series. so good!! noticed this weekend there is a behind the lens special too! i am saving it for a quiet moment with a glass of wine. OMG! that is horrifying?!?!
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Post by paperaddictedpea on May 12, 2015 0:14:57 GMT
I watched it a couple of months ago. I wonder how far into debt they're willing to go to finish that tacky monstrosity of a house? I've watched quite a few documentaries over the last few months. Some of my favorites are:
Somm - about four young sommeliers preparing for the Master Sommelier exam We Were Here - five individuals talk about how the AIDS crisis impacted gay culture in San Francisco Keep On Keepin On - follows aging jazz legend Clark Terry as he mentors a young jazz pianist 20 Feet From Stardom - about backup vocalists for legendary artists Mile/Mile and a Half - a group of artists leave their daily lives for a couple of months to hike the John Muir Trail and document it in photos, video, etc.
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Post by Outspoken on May 12, 2015 0:33:15 GMT
I e seen it! That family is out of touch with reality and I predict counseling and medication in their future if not already started.
Really! Who stuffs their pets when they pass and puts them on the piano? Who thinks it's normal for a dog to poop in the house?
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Post by scrapnatya on May 12, 2015 0:39:15 GMT
The worst part for me was watching her go to Walmart to buy Christmas presents. She just bought a bunch of junk that they already had. It was obscene and just so wasteful. The family was really dysfunctional.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 6:19:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2015 2:41:40 GMT
I haven't watched that but it is in my queue.
I found "The Source Family" documentary to be fascinating.
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Post by tlsmi on May 12, 2015 3:29:19 GMT
Versailles was crazy. Those two deserve each other. The house was filthy with dog poop and dead pet lizard. He was holed up in his hoarders room whining at the kids to turn the lights off while the lady who cares for her children lived outside in an abandoned playhouse.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 6:19:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2015 4:06:13 GMT
I saw those people on a news blip a few years ago. They had to stop building on their dream mansion because of $$ issues. Please........ Even billionaires run out of $$, and these low-class morons probably will too. That huge house would probably cost 50% more if it were in a desirable place.
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Post by SabrinaM on May 12, 2015 5:01:18 GMT
I saw those people on a news blip a few years ago. They had to stop building on their dream mansion because of $$ issues. Please........ Even billionaires run out of $$, and these low-class morons probably will too. That huge house would probably cost 50% more if it were in a desirable place. Are you talking about Versailles? I grew up in that area, went to HS just around the corner. The house is in an upscale area (Windermere) near Tiger Wood's home (Isleworth) near Lake Butler. I, personally, hate Orlando but there is nothing wrong with this location since Siegal has a Westgate HQ there (my sister used to work for him.)
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
Jun 29, 2014 12:11:41 GMT
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Post by M in Carolina on May 12, 2015 5:22:19 GMT
I watched this documentary on Netflix the other day that was superfascinating! But I am a big true crime fan so.... I think it was called Killer Legends, and the makers had taken four of the most common urban legends and sought out the origin of the stories. First story; couple parked in Lover's Lane, and the Hook man shows up, Second story; Halloween Candy stuffed with razor blades and needles, third story; the babysitter getting the call from inside the house, and fourth story; Killer Clowns. I loved this doco, because they found the origin of the stories, and then over the next decades they had grown into big legends. I reality... they all stem from pretty sad and tragic stories. I just watched that tonight! It was really interesting and eye opening. I watched the Queen of Versailles a couple years ago, and just shook my head at all the waste of money. Just another example that money can't buy class. I really admire people like the Gates that use their money for good instead of wasting it.
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Post by rainangel on May 12, 2015 6:01:37 GMT
From Wikipedia As Westgate Resorts' finances have improved since 2013, Siegel now owns the Versailles property outright. Construction will resume with completion scheduled for 2016.[18][19] Expected to appraise over $100 million, the project will be the fourth most expensive house in the United States.[20] David Siegel and Westgate Resorts continue to operate a timeshare business, but without the PH Towers featured in the documentary.[21] As a privately held enterprise, it is unknown how much of the $1.2 billion in debt Westgate Resorts continues to owe its lenders (originally reported by Businessweek in March 15, 2012).[22] Thanks, I was wondering if the house would be done by now. But maybe next year then. Wouldn't the kids be leaving home soon, making it even more unnecessary for them to have such a large house?
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froggyscraps
Full Member
Posts: 171
Jun 26, 2014 0:43:39 GMT
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Post by froggyscraps on May 12, 2015 9:19:26 GMT
This is just my opinion and I know they could care less what I think. But, all that money and that's what they build with it? The house is just so ugly to me, I wouldn't want to live there.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 6:19:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2015 17:14:03 GMT
I saw those people on a news blip a few years ago. They had to stop building on their dream mansion because of $$ issues. Please........ Even billionaires run out of $$, and these low-class morons probably will too. That huge house would probably cost 50% more if it were in a desirable place. Are you talking about Versailles? I grew up in that area, went to HS just around the corner. The house is in an upscale area (Windermere) near Tiger Wood's home (Isleworth) near Lake Butler. I, personally, hate Orlando but there is nothing wrong with this location since Siegal has a Westgate HQ there (my sister used to work for him.) Sabrina, as far as FL goes, I'm sure that this is considered an upscale part of town. I've been to Orlando before. I'm just comparing it to extremely wealthy ("old money") areas (like the Hamptons, LI/NY, CT........). Big difference + a huge monstrosity there would have to cost at LEAST 50% more than in FL. BTW, I live close enough to Tampa, where Derek Jeter has his mansion (and he chose to retire and live here, for some ungodly reason!), but it means nothing to me. I wonder why truly wealthy people would chose this area to live. I could see visiting for a bit for a vacation, but not living here year round if you could afford to live anywhere. (Just MY personal take on it here. I know that many Peas were born here or live here, but it's not for me, AT ALL.)
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Post by pierogi on May 12, 2015 17:52:18 GMT
I saw Queen of Versailles a few years ago and was just thinking about it recently. Is the neighborhood desirable enough that they would get back their investment in the mansion's resale? I can't imagine how much it would cost to cool that house in the summer.
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