Soaplovers

Season 5 was a quieter season for Val in a way. She had a new relationship with Ben, was a supportive friend of Karen/Laura and a supportive daughter to Lillimae. However with her being pregnant with Gary's baby..you knew season 6 would be when it was Val's turn for drama. Season 5 and to a lesser extent season 8 were nice calms for Val storywise...usually when she was at her best (i.e not treated like a victim or the village idiot).

So Lorie was actually a cousin to Snapper/Greg...and was Liz's niece? If so, that isn't ever brought up or explored. With Bill Bell, he never did storyline crossovers...but I think off screen..characters interacted. At least that became the case when Alden took over. I recall once Alden took over, Nina and Sharon started interacting on screen as if they knew one another for years. Same with Vicki with Neil/Drucilla....I even think Neil/Ryan would talk about Vicki and Nina..but we hardly saw Neil/Dru around Vicki or Nina all that much onscreen till Alden took over.

Which is a shame because they had different personalities and places on the canvas. I think had Nathan #1 not left, Bill Bell wouldn't have lost interest. Why is Maura West not on this list? She was a bad fit for the show no matter what character she played. And Michelle Stafford would get an award for biggest letdown since she hasn't gotten a hold of the character since returning this past time. Gina T.and Sandra Nelson had a more intense and scary vibe when they played Phyllis

Dubai: None of the women are likable. Obviously Stanbury did not watch housewives or she would have held off on fillers till after it was filmed (i.e. Vicki getting plastic surgery pre season 8 of OC). Aylan is fake and people fawning over her makes me laugh because she wouldn't give most people the time of day. Also, overly sensitive Lesa should thank her hubby because without his experience in finance, her line would just be a novelty line without actual sales backing it. Sara...not sure who the real Sara is. Nina..beautiful dress..but not sure what she brought to the show. Brooks...wear that crown...closest she'll ever get to one. BH: Too many bullies

I liked Griffey's in the early years as the teen hangout...and the Bikini Bar was similar in the 90s. And I even liked the charm of the Logan house in the early years..and liked Bill's penthouse overlooking LA. And Spectra had that converted to warehouse look...that showed the outside the box approach of Sally Spectra..and her hunger for success and respect. And loved the Stella Dallas esque mom/daughter relationship between her and Macy. She would have done anything to ensure Macy had the respect from the wealthy that she never had.

I miss the days when the women wore casual outfits to the reunion.

I remember Jack coming to the ranch and finding Nikki in a pool of blood..being frantic and cradling her in his arms as he called Nikki. You're right..soaps don't do these beats anymore. @Taoboii think Bell was trying to introduce a new family the Dennisons through Jill. It worked in the early 80s with Jill so why not try again...but it didn't work sadly. Kay Alden made the sisters matter..not sure how she did it..but she did. Tricia alone became an important character..and her slow descent into insanity started because of her guilt over getting pregnant with Ryan's baby by scheming..and when she miscarried, the guilt was the spark that lit the insanity fire for her.

I think the Joshua/Veronica story..plus the Dennison clan was a sign Bill Bell was declining. To Alden's credit, she quickly sped through the Joshua/veronica story..and provided purpose for the Dennison sisters..and put Jill back in Kay's orbit. But no fall out was played out. 1st sign of the decline of Y & r

I would have had Diane leaving Jack for Victor in 1997 as revenge against Jack for how he played with her emotions in the 80s. And I would have kept Diane and Victor as married for business reasons with certain agreements in place that he violated when he divorced her for Nikki....and in exchange for her dropping her contesting of the divorce.. he gives her a seat on Newman's board. Original Diane could have so played that convincingly...not sure if Susan Walter's could have pulled that off.

@Cat @Faulkner I kind of think because of the huge rents of NYC, it seems to have diluted the more artistic sector of NYC sadly. Tinsley worked because she was something different/unique to the RHONYC experience.. and along with her came Dale as a fun supporting character. Dubai is interesting to me because I think with Aylan being to over the top, we've lost out on some little nuggets with Nina. If I recall, Lesa has stated that based on Nina trash talking Stansbury for so long, she hesitates to trust Stansbury so I'm intrigued to hear more from Brooks on how Nina is a side sniper. Also, I can understand why Brooks was pressed against Sara over things she said about her parenting vs Stansbury. Stansbury related her experience as a boarding school child without shading Brooks on her parenting.. while Sara was shading Brooks on how she parents her child. I do love the editors for inserting scenes of Sara doing exactly what Brooks was accusing her of doing.

I loved when anyone put that witch Kay in her place...and she did kill Philip..but also wanted to kill herself as well...she just managed to survive

9 years was a long time for Rena. She usually leaves after a few years..but I can't think of where to take Quinn...tbh

Lesa's dress is tacky and trashy. Brooks has a nice dress..but yikes on the crown. Stansbury woul have been better served coming in a Chanel suit. Aylan's dress looks good on top, tacky on the bottom...like her. Sara's dress is ok..mom descript. Nina's dress looks awesome!

Atlanta I would demote Marlo, but keep the other women and add in one new housewife. Part of the problem with housewives is that all the women know the score and amp up the drama. Alot of times, I'm sitting there thinking 'why stay friends if all you do is fight and stress'. I would make a bad addition because I'd just sit in my room and read when the others annoy me lol Dubai Dubai seems to finally show why these women are social friends though I'm glad someone finally told Aylan to shut up. She can speak her mind...but sometimes people don't want to hear it. And I would say 'if you want me to listen and take you seriously please stop dressing like a clown.' OC For a show with a constantly rotating cast (why I love it)...I'm confused on what Emily and Gina have on Bravo. I'd rather Gina be dropped and Taylor be a main housewife.

I always read viewers were thrown when Vicki #2 started airing..and after seeing a compliation of the original Vicki's last few episodes, I can see why. She has warm scenes with Liz, providing excellent development for Vicki..plus flashbacks to her hanging, her realization Jeff is Peter, the two having an angst ridden conversation about it, and how Vicki supports Jeff about Eve's death in the same way he had supported her back in 1795. Then poof she was gone (and rumor had it that the Evw angle was meant to go on a bit longer before Alexandra's departure). https://youtu.be/VskkdOr79Cw

Her Maggie was unique..not an ingenue, yet not a troublemaker either. Once she was let go, Maggie lost her way as a character.

She can't be worse than Robyn...right?

Who is Cha Cha?

Considering the actor had finished up a 3 year stint playing the dark Lawerence on Days right before joining BB...there was some talk whether he was another Lawrence or a nice character. In fact, critics in 1994 thought he was wasted because there seemed to be no direction with the character. However I do agree that he was a dark character pretending not to be. Leading Sally on then going to Macy when she's single thus causing mother/daughter angst. Meanwhile, Ivana was moved out of the Dylan/Jessica orbit and paired with a newly single Thorne. So maybe 1994 was a set up year for this tale to climax in 1995.

I figured the BS week long specials plus the Christmas movie was a test..and it did quite well. Just not a lot of warning

Lesa seems more like a Robyn to Aylan's Giselle (with the tacky stupid fashion and delusions to boot). With that said Stansbury did admit on WWHL that her British ways hindered her...so I'm hoping season 2 will show a more relaxed Stansbury. And I do find myself liking aspects of Aylan..but only the real her..and not this Cartoon version she is presenting. Nina and Sara are the down to earth housewives...underappreciated yet missed when gone. Think Jeana on OC, Adrienne on BH, and Cynthia on Atlanta. People say they're pointless yet once they're gone..the void is noticeable. Lastly I hold out hope Aylan and Stansbury will be friends one day...a dude can dream I guess

@Taoboi @Cat Dubai: Without Stansbury,I don't know if the franchise would have gotten as much buzz.. so all the women need to remember that including Lesa (whose line would be just a vanity line without her hubby keeping her head out of the clouds). Aylan needs to remember that the fall is quicker than the rise. She's what Iman would be if she lacked a sense of humor and empathy. Atlanta: Sanja and Marlo need to go away. Neither bring anything to the table...it's to the point where I wish Kim Z would come back for a visit...yes that bad.

Marlo is proving why she didn't deserve a peach. Of course, the whole franchise makes questionable decisions on who is full time. OC keeps Gina full time yet fired Elizabeth, Noella, etc.

Even Tamra doesn't understand it. I was hoping Gina would have been dropped..and Noella remain since both were shading one another on WWHL visits.

I thought having it at Bluestone manor was a bad idea. Neutral location would have been better. Plus, I was with Vicki that it was in the middle of nowhere and nothing to do. At least the Hamptons would have provided some fun whoop it up moments. And I moved to Mass last year and no one goes out. I think all vacations should be at fun places.