MTV's addictive show "Cribs" is the pop culture icon of today's age of the celebrity. Each episode brings audiences into a different megastar's mega mansion, where the owner personally takes on the role of host and tour guide for his TV-viewing houseguests.
"Cribs" stars are typically of the MTV generation and are younger, recent power players on the scene. Rappers, singers and athletes flush with newfound fame, ego, and cash, are giddy to spend it on material flash to match. Their cribs, accordingly, are typically both their first homes owned and are outrageously extravagant dream homes, tricked-out with all the bling, glitz, and toys imaginable.
As for the tours themselves, these are pure voyeuristic indulgence. Your millionaire hosts gleefully guide the camera around their palatial playgrounds, showing off everything from their videogame dens to award shrines to gold-gilded bathtubs. They give you what you came for, unapologetically.
At 56,500 square feet, this mega mansion--home to late legendary producer Aaron Spelling--is the largest home in Los Angeles. It was also plunked on the market by widow Candy Spelling, as the nation's most expensive: asking for a mind-boggling $150 million.
Graciously obliging public curiosity, Candy Spelling has literally thrown open her doors to mass media camera crews. On her live tours granted to nearly every outlet, she invites you to ogle the trappings of her abode. See her infamous doll museum and fabled gift-wrapping room. Take the voyeuristic virtual joyride with People.com's online broadcast (see Reference 2).
This tour of Barbara Streisand's historic mega mansion is literally one of a kind. The 22-acre estate is one of the few celebrity homes that actually allows visitors physically inside its gates for a live public tour. Visitors can see the former home of one of the most famous icons in the entertainment history and also, ironically, one of the most private. This 90-minute tour is a must for the celebrity-obsessed.
That most classic granddaddy of all megastar mega mansion tours is Elvis Presley's Graceland. Elvis's palatial former estate in Memphis, Tennessee, has been a favorite tourist destination since 1982. The legendary Graceland live tours opened the doors for later celebrity home tours. More than just a tour, this expose of the King's living den is an ultimate vicarious-living experience.
The audio-guided tours, complete with video, photos, memorabilia, and recorded commentary by Elvis and family members are meticulously coordinated to make visitors feel like they're literally walking in the footsteps of the musical legend. It's a trip not only through music industry history, but the history of national pop culture itself.
