Chris B

The technicality of sending it to Brandi's friend and including Brandi in a potential response doesn't mean Brandi isn't lying IMO. Otherwise Adrienne and Paul wouldn't have gone from one episode saying "absolutely no letter" to "yes we sent a letter" the very next episode. Yes it is true that they were successful with their gag order, but that only served to make them look bad IMO. I just finished season three tonight and I thought it was just fantastic from start to finish. I hated that Adrienne had to leave, but I understand. Taylor had a good final season, but it definitely needed to be her final season. Marisa and Faye were both duds as Friends, but I thought Faye at least provided decent drama. Yolanda also had a VERY strong first season. She became so tiresome, but started out interesting.

Okay I’ve been rewatching RHOBH and it has been a revelation. I feel I didn’t appreciate just how good these early seasons are. Seasons one and two are near perfect with everybody carrying their weight. Camille is excellent and Kim is underrated. IMO, Kim never had a safe season. She doesn’t get enough credit for carrying a lot of the show. Even now when she guest stars she’s still a central focus. That’s a real queen IMO. Right now im in season three and I realize I never saw this before beyond the reunion. I remember certain moments but that’s it. It’s very good and reminds me of the current season. The difference is that everybody has a story so it isn’t centered only around Adrienne’s issue with Brandi the way it is now with LVP vs Everyone. Also, unlike LVP, they have endless proof that Adrienne *is* lying. They showed her speak about giving birth which we know isn’t true, then she lied about having her lawyer send Brandi a letter, but when Brandi says she can bring the letter they admit to it the next episode. Then Brandi says how she has proof Bernie is selling stories about her which they also deny, until Brandi presents copies of the emails he sent to sell the stories! It’s insane! This is what I wanted for this season. Give me receipts or get over it, but they couldn’t bc LVP is their only story. I strongly believe it was planned to run her off. This frees up much of the budget which means raises for them and increased focus with her strong presence and businesses gone. Also there is just a certain glam to the show that is missing now. I hope whoever joins next season can make up for what we’re losing in terms of LVP’s wealth. Erika is now broke too so I don’t expect her to be showing much next season either. Here we have Yolanda, Adrienne, LVP and even Kyle with lavish estates and now we don’t have that. If it were any other city that would be fine but this is Beverly Hills! Give me luxury!

I think Tinsley just knows how to play the reality TV game. We know a lot of these women are only friends during filming. Carole still hangs out with Dorinda and Ramona and she did hang out with Bethenny off camera as well. I'm sure she does like Tinsley, they just didn't keep their relationship going off camera. Right now I'm rewatching RHOBH and in season two you have Brandi introduced as Adrienne's friend and they were very close during filming, but during the reunion Brandi called Adrienne out for not speaking to her after filming wraps. I think that's more common than we think.

Scott is Carole's friend hence the vacation and why Bravo portrayed Carole and Tinsley as besties since Carole introduced her to Scott.

I watched Carole's entire interview and she wasn't talking bad IMO about Tinsley. We know nobody wanted to film with Tinsley. NY has never liked new unconnected HWs. Carole said that she introduced Tinsley to Scott so production paired them together for filming due to that connection. That makes sense. They have call times and who you film with is scheduled. She said she realized the story was Carole replacing Bethenny with Tinsley when they forced Carole to stay with Tinsley in the Hamptons when she had still planned to stay with Bethenny. That's why she was so confused by Bethenny because Bethenny knew they made her stay with Tinsley but still went along with the story. RHOP is continuing to be MVP. I am half devastated when I watch because you know it won't last forever. As I've always said, they've never had a bad year and just get better and better. I feel like this ensemble is *so* strong and Katie's return has been a total success for me. These women all carry their weight and bring something to the table. They continue to astound me. I have no clue why ratings aren't higher. RHOBH was painfully bad. Beyond LVP and Camille this episode showed the majority had no storyline outside of those two. Ok WWHL Andy hinted Nicollette Sheridan is joining and said LVP can return anytime she wants. The one thing that worries me is that he also says this is an All Star cast so I feel he won't switch up the cast as much as it needs to be. I need Camille with a diamond at least.

The fact that outside of LVP and Camille there is NOTHING going on was proven by this part one. If this cast is allowed to coast another season then Bravo has truly lost it. The ratings were obviously due to Camille/LVP hence heavily featuring them in the promos. I Wonder why they didn't just do a two part reunion. This was truly dull. Also this show y'all like is back: I will say, I love that Cary is being replaced by someone named Kary lol.

On the subject of AOC, I found her line about the committees to be disappointing. I felt that meant you were IMPORTANT by being on those committees. They're allowing you the time and space to really be heard by being on those committees. I feel Kamala Harris benefited tremendously by being on those committees and I also am thankful for her (and others) based on things they've gotten people to admit when questioning them. That's incredibly important work so it shocked me she felt that was busy work. She should be greatful that she was given such high profile assignments as a newbie. Also, as much as she wants to change things and introduce new ideas, she needs to recognize she IS new and inexperienced. It's a learning curve, so I wish she were more open to acknowledging when she does say or do the wrong thing. It's like the Joe Biden thing, just own certain things so you can grow from them.

Then why did he go to AW for so many years?! That is crazy!

L to R is that Snapper, Leslie, Chris, Greg, Liz, Peggy (is that the red headed daughters name?), Jennifer and Stuart?

Wait, the guy who played Snapper and Mitch Blake was gay?! I had no idea lol. Such a good looking and talented guy. In retrospect it shocks me that Y&R never brought him back like in the 90s considering he had such success on Another World. He was a great leading man from what I saw on that show.

The nepotism is probably why I'm always afraid to praise her lol. Like now I find it disgraceful how she's written. She's still young, attractive and can act (hence the Emmy nod a couple years back), but she's written like a nameless dayplayer. I hate seeing her just stuck with Paul. I'd love for her to become a real character again with a love life and after all she's gone through she deserves a child. When you look at a Tori Spelling and think of what we could have had, we really lucked out with Lauralee. Hell, look at her brother coasting at B&B lol. I appreciate that she at least sells whatever they give her.

Okay I've just reached Olivia's arrival. Before I get to Dru and Olivia, I have to give Brenda Epperson her props. Bill Bell had a gift for getting actors who distinctly fit his style and she was excellent in the role. Different, but probably one of the best and most seamless recasts they've ever had. It's a Shame another soap didn't pick her up. Watching her you don't even question that she's Ashley. Now onto the queen, Victoria Rowell came in guns blazing. Instantly had a grasp on who Drucilla was and she was so natural! It was also nice seeing her with the original Mamie before she was replaced by Veronica Redd. She's so different from anybody on the show and gives it a burst of energy. Her interactions with Brad and Nathan have also been interesting and allow you to see different sides to the character. Veronica Redd also instantly took over the role of Mamie and it feels like she's been there for years. She's electrifying with Victoria Rowell. I also question if they were already fine tuning their dialogue because it feels awfully authentic. Now on the flip side, I don't think Tonya Lee Williams came in as strong. I know she quickly became great but she's a little green at first. Gorgeous as ever though and clearly the right woman for the job considering how she developed. Also, David Kimble is just insane! I love everything about this story and these characters. I always loved Nina but Lauralee Be is really good as time goes on. I love the stronger 90s Christine.

At the time, Nelson Branco hinted that she tried. Brad Bell also tried to get her on B&B as Dru or a new character according to emails in her lawsuit, but the network wouldn't let him do it. I also agree that I did enjoy MAB partly. Didn't she bring on Jennifer Landon as Heather towards the end of her run? I thought she was great in the role, but the regime change led to her being written out before she could do much. I feel like she could've been a great heroine for them had she remained. I also liked the Marge 2.0 story, Cane's death and Nina's return along with her sons. I feel like there was good stuff, but so much bad as well like the horrible Mackenzie recast, too much Adam, Maura West as Diane when she should've been Grace. There was definitely a disconnect somewhere. I feel like both MAB and LML failed not because they were necessarily bad, but because they were given too much power. I wish they had just been allowed to WRITE with a strong EP to reign them in. LML in particular I feel would've lasted for years had Kay Alden and Jack Smith remained and she never became EP. One thing I don't get with MAB is why she never went anywhere else. Soaps seem to love re-hiring people, but she truly seemed to be hated and disappeared. I'd be interested in seeing her write something else.

Of course the one 2004 episode with Joan Van Ark is blocked in the US! I've been wanting to see her old stuff as Gloria but it's hard to come by. I'm currently continuing my watch with the March 1990 episodes. I had been wondering where Danny went (especially with all of Cricket's drama) and he's randomly popped up. It's like Michael Damian has grown up a lot in a year. Probably just the way he's styled. You even see Cricket turning into more of an adult and the Christine I remember. I hated having to watch her rape story, but post-rape the character has been written as stronger and smarter. She was hardly watchable before. I wish they were able to have her grow up without a rape story, but I know they were popular at the time. The Marge story is great! I know it was said to last too long, but I don't mind it. Of course many episodes are missing, but they've involved so many characters that it makes sense to stretch it out. Having Esther with her has helped a lot. If she was by herself with the captors it probably would drag on more. Jeanne Cooper has also done a great job differentiating the two roles. The scenes where Marge and Katherine met you could clearly tell who is who, but even in scenes with Marge impersonating Katherine she gives you subtle differences that let you know it isn't her. Certain words she'll say or ways she'll react that simply aren't Katherine. It amazes me she took so long to get an Emmy. She's truly fabulous. No way a wonder of her age would get the type of frontburner story she did on today's Y&R. I'm not far from Dru's arrival which I can't wait for. By the time I started watching she was already reformed. I've never seen her humble beginnings.

I've just reached Peter Bergman's entrance and it's so interesting seeing him do his best Terry Lester impersonation. This is a completely different Jack. Very masculine and to the point. Nothing like he grew to play him. Also interesting as I enter December is how often they rotate the main story to allow others (like the Rawlins murder mystery) to simmer while others take center stage. I've seen Nina/Phillip as the A story, the Rawlins mystery, Cricket's rape and now Marge/Kay's switch. Even characters without a star turn get meaningful scenes that keep them involved in the action for when their time comes. There's a true rotation and everybody seems to matter. The use of relationships and supporting characters keep the scenes from becoming boring or repetitive. Characters like Douglas, Esther, Lynne, David, Miguel and Farren add a lot. Also interesting considering what she's become is how vital Traci is to the Abbott family. For this year she is easily the Abbott getting the bulk of the story. Yes John has Jessica and then the Jabot takeover, but as Traci is romanced by two men you have Jack, Ashley, Mamie and John bending over backwards to not only make sure she's okay but plotting go ensure that. She's such a vital and central character that it makes me sad she became just a talk to. Beth Maitland is a great leading lady and has a lot of range.

Eva from RHOA got a huge radio contract that will require a move to Dallas! Link: https://tamaratattles.com/2019/06/28/exclusive-eva-marcille-to-leave-rhoa-and-atlanta/ For the record, the article states that she wouldn't have to move until January so she'll still be on RHOA for this upcoming season. I wonder if knowing this will cause them not to give her a peach since she'll technically be on her way out. Plus she's giving birth soon so there's no telling how much she will film as the season progresses. Now it would never happen on segregated Bravo, but now you'll have two former RHOA's living on Dallas (Claudia and Eva). Perhaps that could be the jolt you need to boost RHOD in terms of ratings. Also, Mary from RHODC also lives in Dallas and is friends with the ladies. I'm surprised we haven't at least seen a guest spot from her.

I had read somewhere that he did prepare, but he didn't follow what they had given him. I wish I could find the article, but I read somewhere last night that his staff was shocked at his performance and disappointed he didn't follow their advice. Even today, he met with a civil rights group and there's a video of him going around saying just because you see a young black man in a hoodie, it doesn't automatically mean he's a thug or criminal, he may be a poet as well. Ummm...can he possibly be someone who is cold? Someone wearing the hoodie because it's an ultra common thing to wear? Why do you jump to it somehow being criminal? He can't keep having moments like this back-to-back and stay at the top of the pack. His team is gonna have to clear up his message and he will have to listen.

Kamala Harris absolutely smashed this debate. I felt like night one Castro FINALLY broke out after being ignored by the press for so long and Warren was good. Even tonight Mayor Pete did better than I expected and I felt like Sanders and Gillibrand (despite her constant interruptions) were good, but Sen. Harris was far and away the leader on stage. Every time she has a town hall, hearing or opportunity to speak to the public she delivers. The thoughts of her against Trump in a debate are just insane. He wouldn't be able to handle her. I also was shocked by her comments towards Biden, but I loved them. He is truly a mediocre candidate who did a poor job (as he always does in debates) and she needed to break out strong to have a chance. Had she done everything the same EXCEPT addressing Biden, all the press would've been about how she did a wonderful job and will make a great VP for Biden. She is NOT running to be Biden's VP and that's the mold the press keeps putting her in. "Yes he's middle of the road, but Kamala will save the day." No. She's running for president and needs to be treated as such. I think she did a great job of ending those talks and forcing people to consider her as a candidate.

Camille calmly GATHERED Dorit and Teddi at dinner and didn't even break a sweat! That was pretty epic! She had that table SHOOK! I just wish she'd also mentioned Dorit getting chased in the Bahamas. The money issues don't just belong to PK. The preview for next week is literally centered around Camille and featuring Lisa Vanderpump. Camille isn't a housewife and LVP hasn't been on in weeks. They deserve a bonus for Carrying this entire season on their backs.

That Lisa Vanderpump news is pretty devastating. Two immediate family members back to back is tough. It's a shame because she finally seemed happy again and from what I saw filming for Vanderpump Rules was going well. Now it's like she has to start over in terms of the healing process. To make matters worse, the reunion is filmed so we still have to go through weeks of them bashing her at the reunion, plus the final episodes. There was talk of her potentially doing a WWHL special to clear things up, but I highly doubt she'll want to do that now. In other news, it's heavily rumored around Twitter that Vicki is a Friend of the Housewives this season. I'm not sure where this rumor came from, but many of the reliable bloggers are stating that that's what they're hearing.

I'm watching the available episodes from 1989 and I'm at the end of April right now. It's such an interesting bunch of episodes. I thought of jumping ahead to 1990 when Dru and Neil arrived, but decided to check these out first and I was sold. I started around 1997 so this is fresh to me beyond a couple episodes here and there and researching. What I love about this era is that you can truly see the lush production values. They haven't gone on location that I remember, but the sets look so nice. You also have the classic music and directing that makes it look less like your typical daytime soap. I feel these episodes have aged really well. The big storylines are the George Rawlins murder mystery, Jill's desperation to keep Nina away from Phillip (I think he dies next month), Traci deciding what to do with newly returned Brad after his kidnapping and you have Leanne pulling one over on Victor and Ashley and Nikki teaming up to stop it. One of my earliest memories of Nikki is how she rarely left the ranch so I screamed when she told Nikki how sick she was of being cooped up on the ranch lol. Other things that have caught my eye: - Kay and Rex were cute. She's mellowed a bit except in the scenes with Jill. It's nice to see her in this stage. Also, Jess Walton officially owns the role at this point. - Christine *does* appear a lot, but she isn't always the center of her storylines. I wonder if this annoyed Terry Lester because of her connection to Jessica (who was married to John) which may have caused him to film with her often which led him to think she had taken over the show. Of course I could just be watching a period where she isn't so dominate. So far I see her supporting everybody elses stories. - Speaking of Terry Lester, he is still amazing even towards the end of his run. Whenever I see an episode with him it's a treat. He has sparkling chemistry with Brenda Epperson who remains a solid Ashley recast. She's different, but you don't doubt she's Ashley. I also love seeing Beth Maitland's Traci chased after by two men and her family actually being invested in her love life. It's sad contrasting it with the 80 year old bitty they write her as now. - A huge loss to the show are the supporting staff. Mamie, Douglas, Mitchell Sherman, Lynn, Esther, etc are all well drawn characters and they pop up just enough. Despite focusing on many of the same families and characters, everything seems more rich and realistic than it does now. It's weird seeing a Newman ranch with STAFF and actually difficult to get on. You'd think in 2019 it would have state of the art security, but 1989 is putting them to shame. ETA: I also wanted to mention the myth (IMO) that Y&R moved like molasses when Bill Bell wrote it. Yes it's true there are certain story threads that took years or decades to come to fruition, but that's true to life. It's not like he'd harp on something forever and then it would end on a whimper. Right now my biggest problem with the show isn't the cast or storylines, but the pacing. You have two major stories (Adam's return and Kyle/Lola) and everything else is lucky to muster one or two episodes a week. In these episodes he uses so much of the cast that I feel the plot moves along. I haven't yet seen one week where its the same story all week with no progression. Depending on the week Nina/Phillip/Jill/Kay may be featured more or the Rawlins murder or John/Jessica or Victor/Ashley/Leanne/Nikki. The show would benefit from this style of storytelling now.

Kelly literally told her about this on the show and Kelly got bashed for it and nobody listened. She could’ve saved herself a lot of trouble had she at least looked into it. Looking back, that is pretty vile of him to keep this a secret for so many years.

They’re moving RHONY to Thursday’s as a lead in to Million Dollar Listing being on that night apparently. Also, shame we’re getting a mid season trailer already (means they’re going back to a short season), but this looks GOOD: Lastly, with RHOBH this week besides being really boring, it was very similar to Puppygate. I know LVP gets the manipulative title, but Rinna and Kyle are no different, but seem to get away with it a lot easier. This episode you got to see that with Kyle. She is obviously pissed at Lisa Rinna and IMO she is perfectly justified. Rinna was an [!@#$%^&*] to Kim out of nowhere over something you KNOW didn’t bother her, plus it was at Kyles daughters party, but why not just say that? The whole thing with Erika Jayne was just to get Erika fired up to join in with Kyle and Teddi to bash Rinna. They all dance around the subject and play these stupid games so I don’t understand how LVP got singled out for it.

Oh my, Beverly Hills was really slow. Next season casting will be important. They need some bold new faces. This particular grouping there is no spark. Had Camille gone there would’ve been drama and Denise wouldn’t been nice but still there’s no star. They’re like a girl group with no lead singer.

What he’s doing is very manipulative because he knows how his fans are. If he truly didn’t do anything he’d come right out and say that. Considering he’s been damn near blacklisted and actors have gone on record saying he was difficult to work with, why can’t he acknowledge ANY wrong doing, say he’s learned and move on? He could easily say “Oh I didn’t do X thing I was accused of, but I let my ego get the best of me and I was difficult to work with.” Anything, but instead he denies and keeps it vague because he knows his victims won’t speak out.