The biggest difference between “Selling the Hamptons” and “Million Dollar Beach House” is hopefully, as far as Discovery+ is concerned, the reception to the two shows. As Glamour reported at the time, “Million Dollar Beach House” faced accusations from fans about racism and sexism, particularly in how the various agents interacted with each other. As a result, they summarized that the show “is meant to be a fantasy escape to a luxury vacation and a life where working hard equals getting rich. Accidentally, it demonstrates how, exactly, white men get ahead of women and people of color in the same jobs. It’s a perfect primer on the problem with being the only person of color in an office of perfectly ‘nice’ white people. It’s reality; it’s just not fun TV.”
The Cut went even further, describing “Million Dollar Beach House” as “the bleakest show on TV.” As they noted, there were hopes the show would be a “spiritual successor to ‘Selling Sunset'” but, aside from boasting a similar look and feel, the focus was almost exclusively male. That seems to have changed with “Selling the Hamptons,” given several of the agents listed in the press release are women, including team leader Bianca D’Alessio. As a result, although “Selling the Hamptons” was born from the ashes of “Million Dollar Beach House,” Discovery+ is likely hoping viewers don’t remember the two shows have anything to do with each other going forward.
