Chris B

I just completed season three. Season 2 didn't do too much for me, it never has. I think that the majority of the episodes are good, but when it went to self-contained episodes I found myself getting bored. Particularly the hitchhiker season premiere. What was the purpose of something like that? And it was a two-parter. But overall watchable and it set the tone for a great third season. *Loved* everything with Richard and Laura. I think John Pleshette is just the cutest and most lovable evil little man on earth. His relationships with Kenny and Karen are both so unique and his relationship with Laura is so powerful. In many ways it's dated, but not in a bad way. It's just another type of life and honestly, I'm sure there are still couples just like them. Constance McCashin was terrible in the beginning and could've easily become another Ginger. John Pleshette was just too strong an actor and she had to bring it and she did well with a beefed up role. Of course the Abby/Gary/Val triangle heated up in the nicest way possible. I'd love to see a soap do a triangle over a two season span without them having sex until the end of that second season. This just sizzled and they did it in a way that Abby didn't seem like the bad guy. She was doing something wrong and she was certainly deceptive, but Gary's actions were deplorable and he wanted Abby. He was terrible to Val before he started cheating with Abby so it was only a matter of time. And let's not forget Judy Trent (played to perfection by Jane Elliot). I'm glad they were able to repair Lilimae and Val's relationship, because she needed some support. The Fairgate's also fared well without Sid. I honestly didn't miss him at all and despite many hailing this a dark season, I didn't see that. I actually found the second half to be darker than the first. They didnt' spend too much time with heavy Sid greiving. Everybody went about their own lives with the impact coming up in various ways. I thought it was handled well, but in the long term I feel like they forgot about Sid. I wish Eric and Michael made more of a mention of him growing up. The biggest failure was Kenny and Ginger, but whats new? I wish they'd attempted a serious relationship between Joe and Ginger, which is the only thing that could save her character. Really, it seems like they didn't even use them to their full advantage as "talk-to's." It bothered me pairing up Kenny/Ginger with Laura/Richard in scenes because Laura and Richard were already low in the todem pole lol. I wanted Karen confiding in Ginger lol, or Val.

Not surprising, those airhead basketball wives are upset about their portrayal: http://www.realitytea.com/2011/03/29/preview-real-housewives-of-miami-finale-plus-cristy-rice-not-happy-with-show/ Larsa has been skipping promotional events, including Watch What Happens Live and Cristy complains they didn't show more of her life. On that front, her husband barred her kids from being shown and the boutique she mentions was shut down and is online only. I'm sure if there was footage to air they'd air it, but Cristy is such a dull airhead they had to work with what she gave them. Larsa is not surprising, but they worked with what she gave her. They did try to show a varied side of her, but it was mainly her interactions with the other girls where she showed her true colors. That is footage they *have* to air as it's key events involving the entire cast. Overall I've been pleased with the Miami season. I thought they did well considering it was originally concieved as something else which left them with less time, less footage and less time to promote the show initially. I thought the six episodes were enjoyable and I look forward to a second season with more Elsa. She was just a star and that season finale was classic. Larsa was so rude constantly demanding a reading, then being a bitch when she got it. I also think it was ironic that it's now been leaked that Larsa and Scottie ARE having money problems, so Elsa hit too close to home lol. She also proved the "emotionally immature" comment with her reaction. That isn't even an insult, as Alexia tried to explain. I'm looking forward to this reunion more than any simply because it's live. This could be a big success for them or a huge failure. I don't like that we don't have soundbites to promote, but I think they'll turn it out. I just hope Andy can keep it reigned in enough to cover everything. I hope they still film an additional 30 minutes to an hour for the website.

Esther Rolle is season two I believe. I just finished an episode where Field slaps Constance so hard she fell to the ground. He's such a nasty guy considering he's the one they try to build sympathy for. Constance doesn't work for me as the vixen/bitch because so far she hasn't done anything wrong. She has every right to be angry since her husband uses her, is openly and constantly cheating on her and has no respect for her or her family. He's a total bastard. Nobody forced him to marry her, he did that to further his political career. I hope he has a horrible downward spiral. I wish this show lasted long enough for Constance to break free.

I kinda figured that Radar article was false because they just announced Cat as a guest on Watch What Happens Live with the Countess. Why have her on WWHL for a third time (only once during DC), especially with a high profile NYC guest if the show is ending? When Bravo wants to end a show that usually make sure you'll forget about it. They aren't going to put Cat on air and risk her mentioning on live tv "How dare you cancel me!!" LOL. Would make classic tv, but Bravo is obviously more savvy than that. Besides with DC, its ratings (as Linda put it) truly weren't bad, They werre higher than BH for most of it's run, BH only sparked with the fueding towards the end. DC's failure was putting too much stock in the Salahi drama which was polarizing. I think a major reason DC was pushed back so much is because they wanted the Salahi's on season 2 and all the women refused to film with them. I'm sure there was a standoff where they tried to convince the women and now they also would have to add a couple new faces to mix things up. Honestly, I think since they won't be expanding for the time being, they need to focus on making DC work and Miami is also a series that is worth looking out for. I need to see a second season with a better cast that was meant to be a Housewives series from the beginning. It has the makings of something interesting. This short season is more like an extended pilot IMO. Retool it, give them more episodes and learn from the mistakes in season 1. More Elsa please.

Wolfbridge was the perfect soap story because it didn't focus on the details of the business deals, but the interactions with the characters and how it affected them. It was a really well done arc that included everybody. I loved it.

Knots Landing is truly the soap that made me the soap fan that I am today. One night I randomly turned on SOAPnet, really not knowing what soaps were. I did watch Y&R and B&B growing up, but I didn't know the term soap and just viewed them as entertaining shows (*loved* Sheila). By the time I discovered SOAPnet I was a little older (12 or 13 lol) and the episodes airing that night were the perfect ones to hook me. First it was Falcon Crest with the season 3 plane crash finale, then Knots with the season six finale where Val finds her babies. Both were just breathtaking and I was a Knots Nut ever since. I loved every era of the show for different reasons. My favorite characters were Paige, Greg, Diana and Richard. I watched the show maybe two or three times on SOAPnet, then stopped so I could enjoy the DVD releases. As a result I haven't seen the show in years. I watched the first two seasons as they were released on DVD, then the third season on torrent last year. I just purchased the full series and decided to start from the beginning. While the self contained format can be frustrating, I thought it worked well for Knots in those early years. It was such a simple, yet complex show and fit the "scenes from a marriage" theme. I thought the first season had some amazing character studies and laid the foundation for a great second season. I also think it was the best Karen was ever written. She was so sexy and her relationship with Sid wasn't as "sainted" as her relationship with Mack became. Being the younger woman allowed her more freedom so she wasn't the typical good two shoes. So far I've only rewatched the pilot, but from memory my favorites were Community Spirit (mainly for the JR/Karen scenes), Small Sacrifices where Karen considered an abortion, Constant Companion (one of Ginger's only chances to shine which was beautifully directed) and Let Me Count the Ways which was one of Karen's greatest episodes. I look forward to reliving seasons 4+ (especially the much later seasons) because it's just been so long. I remember seasons 4-6 were just so densely plotted and perfectly executed. Truly must see tv. Looking at some seasons of Dallas and Knots Landing it's just impossible to touch. I'd love to see a modern series create umbrella stories that involve the entire cast in an organic way and always seem to be leading to something (that makes sense). And they even had more episodes to deal with. I don't know why it is so difficult to do these days.

I'd be interested. There was a trader who had Berrenger's, but he went offline years ago and nobody seemed to buy it. Such a shame because it does look like it had potential.

The first season is well written, but seems to be missing something. I do like that the self-contained episodes still further the main themes of the series. It doesn't seem so open and shut, but still something feels off. The best moment so far was in "The Election." The Field and family are being interviewed and the interviewer asked Constance where Skipper was and she said soliciting votes with a church group. Then you have the perfect shot of Skipper and everybody else at Lute Mae's whorehouse cracking up. The writing is very clever and it's a dark and naughty show full of grey characters. I wish it had another two seasons just to see what they would've come up with. I'm also curious if Constance will ever get to react to Lute Mae being her mother. I hope thats not a loose end. It's too juicy to pass up.

That's very random. The Yellow Rose is one of the short-lived soaps you can find bootleg, but I never was interested in buying it. Right now i'm saving for Sons and Daughters, which looks like a Aussie sort of Falcon Crest. Looks like fun.

I'm so excited to see Elsa on Watch What Happens Live. Maybe she could be a guest judge on Fashion Show. Only problem is that she's so afraid of flying. She tweeted that we need to pray for her lol.

Honestly, the six episodes plus one reunion is similar to other Bravo shows that are non-Housewives. They also had to cut all the footage with the drag queen so I'm sure they weren't left with a ton of material.

Disappointing. I hope this doesn't become a trend. Live reunion April 5th. So no second or third part I'm sure. http://realhousewivesofgossip.blogspot.com/2011/03/miami-housewives-reunite-for-live.html

I read the finale is on the 29th. Since Million Dollar Listing now airs before it on Tuesday I can't see them airing the reunion there. Maybe they'll air the first part before NYC premieres the first Thursday in April. Or maybe the reunion will only be one part. Either way it's looking like two more episodes and a reunion soon. I just want more Elsa and I'll be happy. She's the main draw for me. I cannot wait to see her on Watch What Happens Live this Tuesday.

I watched the first two episodes of OC. I still feel bad for missing the previous season and thus Jeana's exit, so I'm watching just in case something interesting happens. These ladies are so dull. I do find Alexis enjoyable and Tamra is a hateful, but watchable bitch. Vicki is the main draw, being the only original. Peggy and Gretchen are fairly pointless. At least Gretchen brings some snark, but this show needs a new focus. Next season I'd dump a couple and cast a DIFFERENT type. Peggy feels like more of the same.

Carl I'm very connected with this show as well. I watched maybe three or four months of the AOL videos and I fell in love. There was a big gap I missed and I was waiting in hopes of catching up (because it was so good), but I never did and then they pulled all those episodes. I regret not watching everything I could at the time. This show, even when it wasn't at it's peak, is just so special. I'd love to see it from beginning to end. Unlike ATWT (which I do love), I found this shows episodes from the 50s and 60s to be so exciting and I'd love to see something from the 70s.

I love, love, love her first album but haven't explored the second much yet. What I have heard is great, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Glad she's maintained her success and carved out a style that doesn't seem gimmicky, but organic. I like her a lot.

Emma isn't in the credits until the third season, I've always wondered why. Only the first season. She got nastier as the years progressed, but I don't think she came off too poorly since everybody had their own issues. I will say, the episode where Richard accidently punches her was absolutely classic. It was a long time coming and I love that they played that up with the characters. Nobody really felt sorry for Angela getting punched lol.

I liked Douglas and his death was fine because it paved the way for more important things. I do think that a major problem with Vicky is that she was related to Lance. It's obvious that Maggie's sister Terry was meant as a Vicky replacement and if you merge the two character it works. I thought Jamie Rose was fantastic, just stuck in a bad role. I wish she was playing the character when she returned and got equally bad stories, but meatier material to work with.

I finally bought the last season seasons and to prepare I've been re-watching. As I recalled, the first two seasons were largely a bore. Margaret Ladd is the highlight and main reason for re-watching those seasons. Season 3 was entertaining, but seemed to drag on forever and could be too plot driven for my tastes. Season four will always be my favorite season, I just hate the nazi story was dropped midseason. It was perfect and I love the way they were able to tie every character and story (even Julia's return!) into that plot. It just seemed to build and build and build and was delightful to watch. The second half is decent, but can't hold a candle. But this definitely remains one of my favorite seasons. Since I'm so excited about that final season I'm going to watch the first episode and see how it goes. I've only seen probably three or four episodes from it so I'm very curious.

I recently purchased this series along with some others and just watched the pilot movie and first episode. It's a great show so far. Very naughty and the atmosphere is very gothic and interesting so far. Love that a brothel is a major meeting point for this series. That's very daring lol. Also love that the two leads are equally bad so Constance doesn't take most of the heat as often happens with soap bad girls. At least in the beginning she's attempting to make her marriage work, it's the "hero" who is so adamant he has to have an affair with the circus girl.

Lea looks great with her hair up. That hairstyle is just so ugly and unflattering. Maybe she needs a shorter pixie cut or something.

The Salahi's are so desperate for fame/money they're going on Celeb Rehab?! For what? What a joke. http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/02/new-celebrity-rehab-with-dr-drew-cast-doc-gooden-michael-lohan/#comments-anchor

Isn't that when Gretchen joined with the dying fiance and had the battle for the hottest housewife with Tamra? That stuff was just cartoonish and it felt like Tamra in particular was playing for the cameras to cement her place on the show. That's why I stopped following as faithfully. As superficial as they could be, I thought that original season 1-2, even 3 cast had diversity in the types of women featured and was very entertaining. Now? Just a bunch of generic blonde bimbos.

I found New Jersey extremely dull. Season one had so little going on and was building to the table flipping. Season two was just rehashing everything that happened the first season. Plus it went on far too long. I thought it was a mistake not to add an official new housewife from the start to shake up the dynamic. Kim D and G were good in their appearances, but I wish they were better weaved into the cast. And Theresa? An absolute moron. She just seems to get worse and worse and I hope with Danielle gone she'll get called out for her bad behavior in season three. It bothers me she gets a pass simply because Danielle is worse.

With DC Andy has at least been tweeting the housewives again, Mary, Cat & Lynda. Even was with Mary (and Sonja & Countess from NYC) at fashion week. Cat did a blog for Beverly Hills on Bravotv.com and the website did a Valentine's Day feature with Mary's husband. IMO, that type of movement at least is a move in the right direction. Cat is also heading to NYC for the Inbox Full release party and Andy is going to be there. Before he was just ignoring questions about DC and the housewives themselves, so we'll see. Maybe the lack of success with Miami is helping the show. It's just a shame they're missing so much liek Stacie's snarkworthy trip to Nigeria (she was interviewed by the Nigerian Oprah lol), Mary's Label For Love fashion show and Cat's aformentioned book launch. Honestly, I do think they were way too hard on this series. The ratings for the first 3 BH episodes were lower than anything DC had and DC's first season was on par with NYC and OC. Even NJ had similar ratings for much of it's first premiere. The big problem is that it didn't build to anything anybody wanted to see. They should've minimized the Salahi's, put the white house garbage midseason and move on. I'm sure there were more interesting things to feature. They put too much stock in the Salahi's.