Chris B

@Antoyne I feel it is too on brand for her to be joking about this. Especially after blindsiding everybody by leaving. If she truly did get married that is clearly the real reason she quit. It came up at the reunion that she would not feature her relationship. As soon as she knew marriage was on the table she knew she'd have to quit. Now for casting I'd do this: Sonja, Tinsley, Luann, Ramona and Dorinda. They're already locked in and filming so you can't mess with that. I'd do a cast of 7 with one new wife and one returnee. Jill is the logical returning housewife and Tinsley's friend can be the other. Jill returning also gives a chance to have other wives pop up since she's remained friends with so many. For season ten that could help create a level of epicness with crossovers. And this is total fantasy, but for the cast trip I'd send them to Australia and reunite with Alex. RHOA did good for their 10th season with having returns from many past wives. I'd love that here as well.

OMG you *know* Andy wanna beat Bethenny in her head! She quit the show last minute AND got married! Now you know they were casting a new wife, but you know replacing a big name they would've cast differently. I bet lots of adjustments are being made. Funny that this happens after they let Bethenny run some good wives off.

I love how last season was about LVP selling stories and you mysteriously have this ridiculous house story for Dorit which doesn't even (iirc) mention her legal problems. Throw in the fact that nobody can find a house in hat neighbourhood for that price and she obviously planted this story to secure her story for next season. Have they ever had a house more than one season? They stay renting.

Potomac is continuing their streak of great episodes. I felt like Katie, even with the dust mop for a wig and clearly going through it DESTROYED Ashley. For as drunk/out of sorts as she seemed, she was pretty coherent with her thoughts and I think explained herself well. I can understand why she was shocked because like she said, EVERYBODY was saying the same things, but Ashley decided to make HER the issue. Even after explaining she was responding to a conversation with Gizelle and Robyn, Ashley didn't even acknowledge that because she knows Gizelle and Robyn would destroy her if she tried to talk to them like she did Katie. It just felt very low the way Ashley kept going at her. I don't feel it was warranted based on what Katie had said. Especially the stuff about the restaurant. That felt like splitting hairs. I was happy to see Katie getting her jabs in, especially the "maybe I didn't mean to call you dumb, maybe I meant to call you stupid." I also loved that the women seemed to rally around her at the end when Ashley mentioned her mental health. Based on what we know this WAS an incredibly rough period for Katie. She's been in court fighting her rich ex to see her kids and that costs money. I'm not surprised she's in the state she is. The one thing that's bothering me is that this could've been avoided had Gizelle not said anything. I don't think it was major enough to tell Ashley, especially considering they ALL say things. Gizelle loves to run and tell the slightest thing to start drama. I was happy Karen gathered her and I hope Robyn doesn't back down and lets her have it next week.

That makes me nervous! I feel more and more the reports of the entire cast (sans Camille) returning are true. I cannot fathom how that will go. As Camille alluded to, everything is too scripted towards what they're willing to feature. Erika won't have a story again, Dorit's story won't reflect her real life and I'm sure Denise's won't either. The reports about Kyle wanting to put Kim in rehab are timed too perfectly for me not to believe she won't be brought back for Kyle and Rinna to pounce on next season. I want Kim to come back, but not like that. I'm still hoping filming will start and we will learn we are wrong, but it isn't looking good.

I do agree the lack of Shannen is disappointing, but this was always bound to be a Jeannie/Tori vehicle since they were producers and involved in the writing room. We're lucky to even have Shannen considering we know those girls don't like her. The ratings drop doesn't surprise me. I knew it would have good ratings, but I'm sure people were confused by the behind the scenes aspect and didn't keep watching. Sad to think how big it could've been as a proper reboot.q

I'm so confused about how that is available, but I'm going to start watching! This will nicely compliment my Y&R re-watch with the 89-95 episodes in the Y&R thread. My one question is, was B&B even good in the beginning? I've only seen the first two weeks previously. Also, how far is the show right now with these uploads?

Those RHOP reunion looks are hideous, but they always are. I'm a drag queen and wouldn't even wear that stuff. The only one who looks decent is Monique. This franchise they seem to try too hard when it comes to the reunion so they always fall short. With RHOBH there's so much scuttlebutt that the entire cast is returning (with some questions on if that includes Camille) and if that's true there is no way that works for me. Even if they add a great new HW, I just don't have it in me to watch these girls.

I still think Lynn Latham is why she left Y&R lol. She said it was too much work, but she’d actually expanded her short stint. I think the thought of how they would’ve written her was too much for her. I also believe they are probably why she started looking at new projects and decided to leave. It’s a shame because I do think season 13 was good for her, but she’d already been burnt out playing crisis after crisis for Valene.

The Clinton thing is so wild considering they have no power right now. If anybody wanted to kill him logically I feel it would either be someone whose name isn't out yet or Donald Trump, who has the power to get it done. Ultimately, I feel he probably DID commit suicide, but who knows. I just hope this doesn't kill the investigation into him.

So excited to see those episodes added!!

I'm in April 1991 and I have more observations watching most of this first time (I started in late 90s). - I assumed once Sheila joined that this was the main story on the show. I think as a modern soap viewer you're so used to one big A story that I didn't realize how PACKED the show is with good stories during this time. It's no wonder the ratings were through the roof. This particular story is actually my least favorite so far. It's not bad, but it's more in the beginning stages. Lauren subtlely notices things are off with her baby, but she is too isolated to really focus on. I enjoy Sheila's manipulations, but again not much is happening here. - Heather Tom is a powerful force! She looks so young even from the late 90s and the chemistry this woman has with everybody is insane. When you look at how popular Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott, I feel it was important to cast an actor who can hold their own against them and she does. Her scenes with Eric Braeden are absolutely heartbreaking. I know people love to hate Eric and Victor today, but that man is a force. Also, I love how Ashley and Jack are weaved into this as new spouses and because they're siblings they can bounce off each other nicely. On top of all this you have Nikki with her health issues and so much is happening in just this one story. Lastly, fight me but Brenda Epperson is the best Ashley Abbott and that's that. - Another major story is Olivia/Nathan/Dru and this has been perfect from day one. You can sense that Dru only loves Nathan because he's the first person to care about her and beneath her jealousy, you can see a desire to love Olivia. Throw in Mamie and Neil and you have a full, well rounded story. In addition, you have regular scenes with Dru and John or Brad, Nathan with Paul and Lynn and Olivia with Ashley (among others) so the scenes don't feel isolated or repetitive compared to Elena/Devon now. There's good balance and each "world" on the show feels fleshed out. Mamie in particular is such a fantastic conduit to insight into Dru and Olivia's psyche. Each episode when I see one of these characters my eyes are instantly glued to the screen. - The last true major story at this time is probably Nina shooting David and his fake paralysis. I love how slow this is moving, it feels like it's developing in real time and you truly get into the hurt that Nina feels. Jill, Katherine, John Silva, Cricket and Danny also round this story out nicely. David in his hospital bed paralyzed is still as menacing as ever. And while not a major story, I do enjoy the side bar of John and Jill slowly falling back in love. Did Brenda Dickson have as good chemistry with Jerry Douglas? You totally buy it with Jess Walton and they do a good job of explaining why he'd take a woman like Jill back. Despite her issues you can tell she truly loves him. It's a shame this was never revisited or utilized in John's later years. She should've been developed as the head of the Abbott household. One other thing that needs to be acknowledged is just how good the casting is. You already have strong young talent like Michael Damian, Lauralee Bell and Tricia Cast who all oooze charisma, but then they've added Tonya Lee Williams, Victoria Rowell, Heather Tom, Kimberlin Brown and the late great Kristoff St. John and it is just shocking how good ALL of them are. To bring on so many new characters and all the actors worked is rare for soaps. Usually you'd have to recast at least one of them, or just write them off. It also helps that they've cast good actors and the writing is so respectful for the level of talent they're bringing to the show. I look at so many otherlooked good new actors Y&R has had in recent years and I wonder what could be if someone like Bill Bell wrote for them.

I looooooooved So Notorious but I feel that was allowed to be funnier since she was playing a character inspired by herself but not Tori Spelling. With this the levels of dramatic stakes are limited since they’re playing themselves.

But that reboot was supposed to be focused on the younger cast. A reboot centered around the older cast with writers who understand the series could've worked and I think would've been a big hit. Personally, I didn't love this but it wasn't completely horrible. I'll keep watching, but I hate the fact that they're playing themselves.

I can’t understand how out of touch they are. I have my DVR set, but why are they so intent on saying nobody wants a reboot. The other reboot was geared towards a younger generation similar to how Degrassi does. Doing a scripted reboot focused on these characters as adults is a whole different animal. Hello, Knots Lansing? That was Donna and Kelly’s favorite show. Big Little Lies. Desperate Housewives. Especially since they want this show the last, they are FOOLS for not doing a scripted reboot. I predict they’ll get decent ratings for the first episode but once the fans see what it is they won’t stay tuned. Especially if the reviews are correct that the dramatic stakes are so low.

Kelly demolished Tamra do bad that she deleted all her tweets lol. Told her that she is next to be fired after Vicki and let's see if Eddie sticks around without her Bravo paycheck! I died! Overall I will say I welcome RHOC after BH, but it was a flat premiere. Keeping Gina and Emily was a mistake IMO. I've been lamenting the loss of glamour from the show and this was no different. Imagine if Lydia and Heather were around instead of Gina/Emily. The house porn and wealth would've taken this to another level. Kelly and Shannon were fabulous. Tamara's Trump feud story isn't appealing to me. Ryan has been making disgusting transphobic and racist remarks on Twitter for years. That she thought it was a good idea to feature him is shocking. And bravo gave him a talking head? Nope. Not interested. Braunwyn was EXCELLENT and the first promising HW since Peggy/Lydia. She seems fun, love all the kids and she seems like she lives a fabulous life. I will say it did feel very weird without Vicki, but mainly because you still had dead weight taking up so much screentime. Emily at least kinda fits even if she is dull, but there was far too much Gina for my liking.

I havent watched yet, but how the hell you baffled about Gizelle? That girl is loyal to NO ONE, even Robyn. I hope she is destroyed at the reunion! Also, I'm very disappointed that Katie revealed she isn't invited to the reunion. She appeared in most episodes, went on both trips and even hosted an event. It makes no sense not to include her. I was hoping they'd bring her back full time next year so we can see her in a more positive space in her life but that clearly won't happen if she's not even invited to the reunion.

I guess Denise fooled us all. I always knew it was odd she'd be with Charlie Sheen when he was so hooked on drugs and led a wild life. Now I've of course seen her obviously drugged up on WWHL and people have posted on Twitter pictures of her doing coke, so clearly she has similar interests to Charlie. Well in her drugged up episode of WWHL, she was asked about a falling out with Lisa Vanderpump and she said something happened of camera. Lisa Vanderpump and John Sessa said their only off camera interaction was LVP rescuing and boarding 8 dogs for Denise during the fires. Funny she never brought this up....well bizarrely enough, after that happened Denise's husband sent a threatening text saying they need to stop speaking about Denise or they'll be sued. They didn't even say anything negative about Denise lol! To make things even weirder, Denise responded confirming LVP helped her and said she was going to thankful. How does that line up with Aaron threatening them? And to top it off, Denise is accusing Camille of saying racist things during filming which Camille denied. Lordy! This girl is making Kim Richards seem lucid.

In the last two sets of debates, I was so appalled with the way CNN produced and moderated the debates that I'm giving all the frontrunners a pass. It was so hard for me to navigate watching it, that it's a miracle they survived participating in it. I side eyed Chuck Todd when NBC did the debates, but overall I thought their format and choice of anchors was balanced. There was a very short 15-30 second intro, setting of the rules and then the debate started. Questions flowed and while they did interrupt for time, I felt it flowed much better. CNN by contrast had the ultra long fight night intros and it was 10-15 minutes until the first question was asked both nights. Then instead of picking topics and delving into them, everything was basically "This person said this about you, please attack them so we can get a good soundbyte." All three moderators should be ashamed of themselves and so should the network. This debate was a complete waste of time. With that said, I do think Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker did the best of staying on message both nights. Bernie I feel felt more energized and did well despite me not liking him. Joe Biden continues to disappoint me. When he isn't stuttering and stumbling he just doesn't articulate what HE wants to do. By now he should know he'll be taken to task as frontrunner and he isn't prepared for those attacks or to explain his policies. Kamala Harris I felt did good against a large amount of expected attacks. I think her major stumble wasn't addressing the specific points Tulsi raised. All have been debunked, but she was at a disadvantage because it was too much to explain in the amount of time she had. She needs to expand on those things in interviews to clarify as she has in the past. Also, the biggest takeaway from this debate was what a problem Tulsi is going to be. I see her doing a third party run to screw things up. Her support from russia is so strong and it was out in full force last night on Twitter. She's ranking so low in the polls, yet is getting so much press. She'll never be the nominee, but it's scary to think of her running third party and screwing things up.

Beverly Hills truly didn’t deserve three parts with no LVP. I’m still stunned Lisa Rinna was in the first chair and barely said anything the entire three parts. This episode in particular was incredibly padded. First starting with replaying Camille’s walkout then the extended travel item package. That would NEVER happen on a normal reunion. I understand it was for ratings, but this could’ve easily been two parts.

I agree. Especially now that Russia has been expanded to other countries. People keep overlooking that Russia got far enough to change votes and we don't know if they actually did because of the horrible way we store data like that. Since the US has done nothing to prevent this (and why would they? They want to win), it will happen again. They KNOW he's unpopular and his base doesn't make up a majority. They will need outside help in terms of changing votes, gerrymandering and voter disenfranchisement. Whoever wins the Dem nomination is going to have to win in a blow out in order to have a shot. It's going to be rough going. You're fighting against someone who knows he will likely go to prison for the rest of his life if he doesn't win. I truly believe nothing is off the table.

The difference in RHOBH having the Bahamas footage the entire time (when we assumed it wasn't filmed) and only bringing it out at the reunion and Potomac going for broke tonight is glaring and is why this series is so good! I LOVE that they allowed Ashley and Michael to go on the record and made their version of events VERY CLEAR before airing the footage showing that they were COMPLETELY lying. Further more, Michael knew that day that the cameraman was upset he grabbed his butt! They made it seem first like nothing happened, then said he just bumped into him. It was so obvious that didn't happen! Another thing on Potomac, I feel like so much has happened and we STILL haven't reached the cast trip or reunion. These girls deserve a bonus for delivering! I also give Ashley props for not quitting.

Okay now on her podcast, Brandi is saying Bravo can't bring her back as a Housewife next season because LVP is blocking her from returning. Am I the only one sick of Brandi blaming every problem in her life on LVP? The truth of the matter is, if she hadn't turned on Lisa she'd still he on the show. That was her closest Ally and she pissed everyone else off so what did she expect? The fact that LVP could block her return is insane. First of all, I feel Brandi is a liability and wouldn't get a diamond just like Danielle on Jersey and Marlo on ATL. She's too much of a wild card to fully invest in. At best she'd be looking at a friend role. Plus how could LVP block it and why would she if she isn't going to be on the show? LVP is already under contract for Vanderpump Rules. Theyve filmed most of their season and she's revealed Bravo is looking at a Vegas spin off. She's making too much money and getting too much free promo to screw things up with Bravo over Brandi. Plus you can't convince me shes that powerful. It's all about not taking responsibility for your own actions and making her the big bad wolf. Personally I'd bring Kim, Eileen or even Adrienne back before Brandi anyway.

LVP made a very smart response to it. She said, if she was truly trying to lash out at the ladies, why the hell would she create a scandal around a dog? If she really wanted to hit Dorit, she'd make her lawsuits the story. Same for Kyle (as she did in S4 with Mauricio's cheating rumors) or Erika.

The LVP stuff was a miscalculation on the part of the cast. They just knew when the season aired that people would side with them, but people don’t like her for her interactions with the ladies and feuds so naturally they don’t care about the puppy stuff. Re-watching the show, season one made her a big star but she didn’t have one fight or disagreement. Her lifestyle and humor is what I feel made her appealing. She even showed this season that even filming by herself she was still interesting. This is why she’ll be hard to replace and why she’s always hard to pin stuff on. She’s been smart in leveraging her businesses and family as a vital part to story so she doesn’t have to depend on drama. I also agree that this reunion is toxic. I’m very curious where things will go. I get that ratings were good but they’ll need a shift to reform some of these HWs going forward. It was so clear Teddi is gone last night, but there’s more work to be done. Im still stunned Lisa Rinna is sitting in that first chair and she’s said almost nothing as she’s had *no* storyline. Honestly, Erika and Rinna should both be sitting in the final seats.