A '60s Sitcom Becomes True Today

Meet the 'Bayou Billionaires': Family, Fun & Filthy Rich!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 -- 5:00 AM

It's a modern-day rags to riches story. They are now the stars of CMT’s new reality show, "Bayou Billionaires" the Dowdens of Shreveport, Louisiana recently discovered that their home sits on the fourth largest natural gas deposit in the United States.

From ATVs to swimming pools, after years of pinching pennies and balancing budgets, this over-the-top family is finally enjoying the finer things in life, sparing no expense.

If you were a hit by a windfall, would eyelash extensions be top of mind? In this clip from the show, Anderson asks Kitten, the mother of the family, and her oldest daughter, Valerie, what they’ve spent their fortune on.

"It's been our greatest adventure."


The Dowdens purchased their 80 acres of land in 1997 for $160,000. Today, they receive between $10,000 and $12,000 a month, per well. They currently have four wells on their land, but soon they will put in 20 -- with each well lasting 16-20 years. The family could accumulate an estimated amount of $57.6 million.

Gerald, the charming and carefree patriarch of the family, tells Anderson that he calls his newfound fortune "mailbox money." Why? "Because we have done absolutely nothing for it!" says his wife Kitten. Gerald and Kitten explain how the "big dollars" were discovered...


"Some people have been comparing this to the modern-day 'Beverly Hillbillies,'" asks Anderson. "Does that offend you?"

"Absolutely!" says the exuberant family. Do they think they'll move away to Rodeo Drive someday to become the "Housewives of Beverly Hills"? Anderson asks them. Here's their response...


"Bayou Billionaires" premieres on Saturday, January 21 on CMT at 9/8c. Watch the trailer.