Gray Bunny

She needed to go. It was time. She had become the new Danielle Staub and nobody was going to film with her (Kim's gone, so zero allies now). She dug her own grave and got caught up in her own hype. That's what's great about the originals like Lisa, Adrienne, Camille, as well as legit ladies like Rinna and Eileen -- they are and will be fine post-Housewives. They are the kind of wives these shows are supposed to be about. Not broke wannabes on the verge of bankruptcy who hang out at Dunkin Donuts all day (that's where they found those twins for New Jersey).

I'm on the fence on whether it's good to include all 8 as full-time 'Wives. On one hand, it's a little more honest, hearing them talk about "the eight of us," it shows more honesty about the fact that they're all castmembers who are in it together. The flipside is having a constant tag-along with no real explanation as to why they're there (think: OC's Danielle last season, ATL's Demetria). However, with a smaller cast, they can focus more on the women individually, as well as focus on storylines that are interesting and worthwhile, rather than peppering in some filler B.S. just to give a castmember a half-assed story (think: Carole and her underage boyfriend, Kristen walking and breathing) I know Bethenny can be a downer, but I love when I see shades of the happy Bethenny of yore, which I think comes out naturally when she and Ramona are alone together, talking, laughing, and jabbering on about others. They had great chemistry last night.... and then next week, we're back to them bickering. But I'm sure that'll blow over.

Carole's handy work in all this was so messy. Way to go, making yourself go from the new favorite to the most expendable (well, second most. Kristen still holds that title) So Kristen basically said she just wants to mooch off Bethenny's business intellect, and expects Bethenny to give her free advice. What a dumb cow. I just love the way Bethenny had no f*cks to give for her silly antics and desperate attempts for camera time. Heather is still pressed, no matter what she says. Her face says otherwise. Loved Ramona and Bethenny having this mutual assessment on her and her fake appearances. Bethenny, Ramona and LuAnn play the reality TV game perfectly. I love watching these three bicker, make up, team up, and then do it all over again. Dorinda fits in perfectly with them too.

No offense to John Clarke, but I was always amazed at how his looks took Mickey from being in his 20's in the 1960's to his apparent 50's by the 1970's. No wonder his storylines dried out by the time the 1980's arrived.

Yeah, Carole running for board was boring. I feel like we got a better view of her apartment this time around though. And she still has a kitchen, just a very tiny one. Those stairs, though.... aesthetically awesome, but I'd be SO afraid that 3rd-to-last step up top would give out and down I go! I love it when the Housewives get into an argument over how they made up (Ramona/LuAnn/Heather), or how they used to not get along, and then they end up bickering about how things went down and why. It's like a reunion, but no one's seated on a couch, picking at their dress (oh wait, I think that's just Atlanta ladies that constantly do that). My favorite part of last night's episode was the little blip they had with Ramona and her business partner at her restaurant. That young lady applying for the job was SO dumb! I was LMAO when she listed a STAPLER on her resume as the only piece of office equipment she knows how to use. A STAPLER! LOL On that WWHL Special with Bethenny & Andy, was that already available on Bravo's website or something? Anyhoo, Bethenny looked so much healthier on that episode. Her mouth looked different. Weird observation, I know.

Well, well, I'm gonna have to find that footage at some point. "How are you???" And I agree. You do not reward thirst. Look what happened when they rewarded the Gorgas, hounding Bravo for a slot.

That is so weird, because I have Season Two on DVD, but she most definitely did not appear. I don't recall her airing in the Bravo repeats either. But I also noticed that they must've edited RHONY's Season Two reunion on their DVD release. This airs in reruns, but not on the DVD: I remember a funny moment at the end where Andy asks, "if you could remove one housewife, who would you get rid of?" and everyone said Kelly (except Kelly, who said Bethenny), but they all said it was because 'they all had a good chemistry' with just the 5 of them in the first season. But then when Alex answers, she gives this lame answer about how everyone contributes something and that, "I'd have to toss a coin!" To which everyone looked perplexed, and LuAnn was like, "Toss a coin...?" (impossible, considering there 6 people). I got the feeling Alex always felt she was on the chopping block. Why do I remember this [!@#$%^&*] in such detail. I'm wasting my life. hahah

I was just looking for a GIF and stumbled across this... When was Kim G featured on a reunion? I see that it's Season Two, but I've never seen this air.

Well, the reunion is a one-time special. The series doesn't contain the entire cast the way The Bradys did. Now, if Stephanie becomes an alcoholic and recovers in one episode, and Kimmy is a race car driver who becomes paralyzed and recuperates in one episode, then we have a problem.

Their attitude has been stank for years. Recast and have Michelle appear briefly for the reunion. If The Brady Bunch can recast Marcia, Jan, and Cindy at one point during their many reunions and reboots, so can A Very Full House Reunion. Hell, keep it in the TGIF family and use Christine Lakin (Al Lambert) from Step By Step.

No NYC discussion?

Oops, I forgot to record Real Housewives of Atlanta: The Babysitters Club or The Boxcar Children or whatever it's called.

Yup. And Amber, Nicole and Teresssssssssa are all categorized as this basic ho:

I can see the Housewives franchise suffering the same fate as Melrose Place. Right now, we are currently in the midst of season 5, where there are lots of familiar faces, but the stories aren't gelling anymore. So then we'll mix it up with a sea of new faces (season 6), before realizing they need to trim things down and get back to simplicity (season 7), but their fate is already sealed, and the ratings don't rebound.

NYC: Yes, that messy Sonja is a messy mess. From start to finish, that episode captured messy Sonja's messiness. Even straight-shooter Bethenny couldn't crack the facade and get through to her. She's a delusional mess. Not a mean, delusional mess like BH's Kim Richards, but definitely living in denial which is unhealthy for herself (and her daughter, I imagine). It's amazing how she just will. not. move. on. Constantly bringing up who she used to party with, where she used to visit, what means of transportation she used to enjoy... all of it. It's like if she keeps talking about it in present tense, it will magically become that way again. I can't wait for a Bethenny vs. Gonzo Heather blowup.

Beverly Hills: B+ / A- Compared to other Housewives franchises, it gets the A-. But in comparison to its own previous seasons, B+. And the winner for Best Housewife Addition Ever is a tie to Lisa Rinna and Eileen Davidson. Lisa Vanderpump is elegant, witty perfection, and Kyle redeemed herself to me, with her renewed friendship with Lisa V and her taking a strong stance with her sister. Atlanta: C+ Definitely a "You Can Do Better" grade. OC's trailer looks fantastic! The new girl looks like a wicked bitch who gets right in there. She's younger and prettier and sure to irk Tamra Sue. Also going for granny Vicki? Oh dear... I'm here for the fabulous Shannon Beador, a definite runner-up for Best Housewife Addition Ever.

Yes, I've thought that since day one. Listen, I know this is NYC, the birthplace of Madonna's career, but that 80's look is out (and Madonna did it waaaaaaaaaaay better).

Well said about Bethenny. And indeed, it's more organic that she wouldn't invite Dorinda and Kristen. At this time, they're merely castmembers who haven't met yet; certainly not friends or a new acquaintance. No realistic reason to invite them otherwise. Andy loves Ramona. She can be polarizing, but she ain't going nowhere Speaking of the old days when you'd see housewives hanging with friends that weren't castmembers, I always liked Ramona's friend. Her name escapes me at the moment, but we saw her the first few seasons. She has long, dark hair and really pronounced (i.e. overly done) eyebrows. She's the one that got insulted when some dude at a club referred to her and the rest of the ladies as "promiscuous".

Well said! It's funny that Bethenny doesn't have time for the producer-coaxed petty dramas of "you didn't text me, you didn't invite me, yada yada yada" junk. Good. I don't have time for that either. We had enough of that in seasons 5 and 6, along with the other current Housewives franchises. What was the WWHL Bethenny/Heather comments in the past? Wow, LuAnn's Twitter rant! I'm very interested in seeing the fallout between her and Carole & Heather. It seemed like they all had a great, genuine friendship with each other, onscreen and off. If this is a calculated effort to stir interest in the show, well played. OMG the Plus One comment was HILARIOUS! Heather is so pressed with Bethenny around.

Tonight's Part 1 is a reminder that they need to change up some of this cast. It reminded me of New York season 4 where all they did was bicker and trash talk and interrupt each other, with no resolution on anything. What have they accomplished so far? Ford Focus was caught in another lie, Froggie reverted to form and called Kenya a whore, and Kandi and NeNe see each other for who they are. Okay. And an eagle's nest landed on Cynthia's head. This better turn around in the 2nd & 3rd parts or else its gonna feel like a total waste (reality TV *is* a waste of time, but it shouldn't *feel* like it).

An article said she still doesn't think she has a problem, she's only going because she got arrested and humiliated her family. She's still in denial. Hopefully, she'll have an "Ah ha!" moment during her time spent there. We'll see. Either way, for her own sake, she should NOT return to RHOBH for season 6.

Good for Jodie Sweetin. Anything to keep her off the meth.

Old-school NYC fun! Fun episode. All we needed was Jill. (Alex was always the odd man out, so I'm not missing her much) I'm loving the new dynamics with the old ladies... LuAnn & Bethenny friends; Bethenny vs. Ramona; Ramona & LuAnn friends; Sonja the odd woman out; even Kelly's silly fanny was a welcome addition, for one night only. You can tell in Bethenny's talking heads that she's just groaning about Kelly for the sake of the cameras. They squashed all that junk eons ago. But I'll take it, and I like that Bethenny's beef with LuAnn over inviting her was quickly resolved. Bethenny promotes THE HELL out of her products. The ladies taking arm fulls of Skinnygirl products from her house was hilarious. Carole and a blender?! LuAnn and Ramona's heart-to-heart was lovely. I guess what they're saying is true: divorce/life without Mario suits Ramona well. She may be down, but she's not out. And unlike other wives, she's made her millions and will be just fine financially, even without any alimony. I'm actually finding myself liking Carole and Heather more, because of their genuine close friendship they've forged with LuAnn. They make a good team, with veteran LuAnn as the lead. Kristen, meh, just a filler in the room when the four ladies are together. The scenes with the brunches were kinda choppy, and I hope this isn't an indicator of what happens when you have 8 castmembers, but perhaps they just needed to amp up the tension in the scenes because there wasn't much in actuality. We'll see. Bethenny's remarks towards Heather are kinda bitchy, but I'll take it because Heather's squirming. She's not sitting in comfort when Bethenny's around. It was funny, how Heather was schooling Bethenny on Ramona's past behavior and Bethenny had no interest in hearing about it. Bitchy, but funny. I'm loving Dorinda and look forward to see her integrated with the ladies. She gives no f.cks about stating her opinion, which is always spot on. Carole dating men half her age. Whatevs. If they like that nooked-in-the-microwave look on their ladies, then I'll buy it. I think Kristen was on the episode too.

Totally agree, and pretty much said the same thing a couple weeks ago. Also agree that having Atlanta last for 6 months PLUS a 3-part reunion, PLUS whatever spinoff or 3-week Kandi arc they have each year is spreading themselves too thin. This is the franchise that was hitting 4.6+ million last year, and now people are indifferent.

Bravo is just shady enough to praise Y&R on one show (BH) and diss it on another (ATL). I say go for it. Let's see how "Ria" holds up on reality TV.