Liz’s Notebook: 5 reasons to watch ‘Southern Charm’ tonight

The third season of “Southern Charm” returns at 9 p.m. today on Bravo TV. The reality show, filmed in Charleston, is supposedly an embarrassment for the Lowcountry, which alone is why it’s worth watching.

In case you need more reasons to stay up past your bedtime tonight — well, my bedtime anyway —here are a few:

1. Shep Rose. He’s from Hilton Head Island, which makes him “yours” in conversations with friends who live elsewhere, even though you’ve probably never met him. But do feel free to call him “Shep,” as in “I hope I see Shep at Heritage next week so I can fake an iPhone selfie to get him in the blurry background.” Beyond this, though, he’s smart and hilarious and authentically himself. Possibly one of the most delightful reality stars on Bravo, IMO.

2. Cameran Eubanks. Every time she’s on screen I feel like we’re out to brunch and she’s catching me up on what I missed from last night because I couldn’t be bothered to go out. She tells it like it is, including likening Kathryn Dennis’ “first lady” getup (during Thomas Ravenel’s senate-run announcement dinner) to Mrs. Doubtfire’s. I was thinking more “Mary Todd Lincoln,” but I think Cameran and I get each other. She’ll be your imaginary best friend all season.

3. Whitney’s mom. Not Whitney. Just his mom. Patricia Altschul has been giving us #ButlerGoals for two years, but there’s hardly anything more fun than hearing an in-progress reality show recap from an aging socialite who has nothing to lose and no one to impress: “In my day, if you got knocked up, you went to a home for unwed mothers, your parents changed their name and moved to Missoula.”

4. Charleston. We’ve been to that restaurant! And that one! And also that one! Hmmm, where is that? Guess we’re going there next ...

5. Oh my God. This video of Kathryn Dennis screaming at Thomas Ravenel on the streets on New York City that was posted on Daily Mail today (yes, I read that newspaper sometimes). Maybe this super awkward fight (did she just man handle him?!?) was staged ... it’s an awfully big coincidence that this is emerging on “premiere day” and I still have my doubts about the authenticity of their final scene in Season 1 (seemed totally re-enacted) ... but whatever, no one here needs their “reality TV” to always be real, right?

This story was originally published April 4, 2016 at 12:51 PM with the headline "Liz’s Notebook: 5 reasons to watch ‘Southern Charm’ tonight."