Miami Living Magazine

106 MIAMI LIVING am in the Ritz-Carlton New York's Star Lounge, widely known for its Afternoon Tea and list of perfected libations, seated at the mahogany bar waiting. Steeped in luxurious old-world flourishes, it's a fitting establishment to meet with an affluent entrepreneur, namely a self-made millionaire, like Todd Chrisley, who has recently made a name for himself as a reality star phenomenon. Minutes later, Todd arrives with his son Chase, and their publicist. Father and son are in their signature clean-cut attire: Todd in blue jeans and a navy blue blazer with shawl lapels trimmed in a smattering of tiny white polka dots over a crisp white button up; and Chase in a dark half-zip sweater and khakis. (They will argue, good-naturedly, later about whether or not Todd dresses the entire family, including Chase.) After a brief introduction, we walk a few steps over to Auden Bistro & Bar. The restaurant is nearly vacant as lunch hours have just ended --it's technically closed, but they allow us in. With ample seating to select from, we settle ourselves into a corner banquette, Todd beside me and Chase across from me. Todd, the outspoken patriarch, and his fair-haired family are the stars of USA's Georgian family-centric reality show, Chrisley Knows Best, which returned for its second season in mid-October. USA Network's motto is "Characters Welcome," and characters they present. It's nothing but big, entertaining personalities in the Chrisley's Atlanta-suburb household, where Todd resides with his wife Julie and their children, Chase, 18, Savannah, 17, Grayson, 8, and 2-year-old granddaughter, Chloe. Their eldest son, Kyle (Chloe's father), eldest daughter Lindsie, and Faye (Todd's mother) also appear on the show sporadically. Despite the family's inherent ability to whip out side-splitting comebacks at the drop of a hat, Todd tells me that he didn't think there was a television show to produce here. Annie Kate Pons, a colleague of Todd's, suggested a reality show based on Todd and his family, and it transpired from there. (She's a producer of their show now.) In the second season, we watch the Chrisleys embrace change –at least Todd tries to. He motions to Chase. "This one has turned 18 and we have Savannah who has started to date. And my mother has tried to dip her toe in the pond now… My wife, Julie, has gone back to work. She's two years outside of her diagnosis of breast cancer, so she's doing great. We're blessed --a lot of struggles, but a lot of blessings," says Todd. Viewers tune in to Chrisley Knows Best for the comical, candid family dynamic. Even the incredulous eat their words after witnessing the Chrisley's high jinks and failed attempts to escape Todd's watchful eye. Impressively, each family member holds their own when it comes to dishing out a swift explanation or an on point wisecrack. Sprinkled in, as well, are words of wisdom, such as Chase's famous line, "You gotta risk it to get the biscuit." And then there's Todd, with his unbridled sardonic pop culture-infused retorts and PEOPLE The Chrisleys are keeping the laughs close and family closer Words by Vanessa Pascale Photo Credit: USA Network I

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