Gray Bunny

No.

Not surprised about Kim, but I wonder if this lil "slip" is a result of watching the reunion and seeing the ugliness between her and her sister? (I'd also hit the bottle if I saw what years and years of sun damage does to your face at 50 years on high-def TV. YIKES. Thank God I stopped fake-bake tanning! Kim Richards reminds me every time I see her on TV what happens when you don't take care of your skin)

ATL: I haven't liked Porsha since day one because she's ridiculously dumb, has an obnoxious voice, ignorant as hell, and nowadays she's such a poser with all her lil cutesy anecdotes and cut downs. They're not cute. Neither is she. Never was. That's all. BH: DaytimeFan said it all. Kim is disgusting. Overall, I think Lisa Rinna is awesome on this show, even more awesome in her talking heads, but isn't quite as polished at her reunion etiquette. She didn't bomb, the way NYC's Carole bombed after a successful season 5, but she could be a bit extra at times. Overall, though, a fantastic addition and I hope she returns next year, alongside her fellow Lisa and fellow soap sister. NYC: It's an interesting dynamic, seeing Bethenny return to the fold. I like that they admit the last time they saw her was on her talk show. It takes some of the fakeness away. There's an uneasiness with Heather. You can tell by the look on her face that she's intimidated by Bethenny. I really liked Dorinda's perspective about the ladies, from the ones she already knew to the new ones she's never met. LuAnn's new home is lovely, and the view is fabulous. Sonja's getting the villain edit this season and I'm fine with that because she's an idiot. So Kelly returns for an episode next week. Ho hum. I'd rather it be Jill, even if for one episode. Ramona was being too much with Bethenny. Those two are quite a pair, because neither one backs down. But, they actually became good friends in season 3, and Ramona appeared a couple of times on Bethenny's talk show, as well as WWHL together, and they have a great chemistry together. Side note: I wonder why Ramona's voice is lower and scratchier than it used to be. It's been this way since last season.

Of course Brandi's gonna say Eileen doesn't bring anything to the table. She thinks that drunken antics, baseless attacks, $12.99 internet background checks, and being a tacky twat with no underpants is what brings in ratings. P.S. She's wrong. An estranged husband's suicide does the trick. (I kid... Sorta)

So would they *both* be official Housewives?

I want to see a strong Korean housewife on one of these. Preferably lesbian, but I'll settle for straight.

I didn't see the big deal what Claudia did, but in all honesty, I thought the season finale should've been last week and last night's episode felt like a Lost Footage / Secrets Revealed filler with a bunch of extra stuff that doesn't really matter to the overall story arc. That TV pilot can NOT be real, Kenya. If it is, please for the love of Jesus, get a real actress to play whatever Cynthia was trying to do!

Fantastic assessment, as usual Cat. I'm glad that, even though you're not a big fan of her, you can see Bethenny's important dynamic to the show. I loved your summary of Dorinda, and you're absolutely correct: she's not putting up a front; not trying to be or look like something she's not. I like that. Reading her first blog, I look forward to seeing her interactions with the ladies, because she clearly has opinions about some of them (Kristen, Sonja, Heather, etc.), while surprisingly hitting it off with others (Bethenny, Carole, already long-time friends with Ramona & LuAnn). I'm ready for a Bethenny vs. Heather. Heather is a lil too holier-than-thou and Bethenny can call a spade a spade with a plethora of vocabulary terms. While Kristen's hubby is in the market for shallow surgery, he should pin back those ears of his. Re: BH. And to think, the reality show haters were saying this would tarnish Eileen's reputation. All it did was confirm was a fabulous woman she is, onscreen and off! Hoping she and the two Lisas return next year.

http://www.forwardprogressives.com/reality-hillary-clinton-liberals-need-face/ Interesting read.

Yes. We need an Eileen on each franchise. Particularly in Atlanta.

RHONY: Loving Bethenny's return! She's definitely looking older (her opening shot with rest of the football team holding up their apples isn't very flattering), but I'm guessing she's been stressed out these past couple years, as evidenced by her lil' talking head emotional breakdown. She's either legitimately distraught over the whole thing, or she and her people have really come up with a fantastic way to repair/improve her public image. Either way, she's always been a favorite Housewife of mine. Ramona, I'm also loving this softer, more honest & vulnerable side to her. I liked Dorinda's natural introduction as her caring friend. She was supportive and listened to Ramona the way a friend should. Unlike aloof Sonja who seemed to make it a pissing contest over who's had it worse. Sonja is a mess. And not a fun one. She already rubbed me the wrong way last year, particularly at the reunion. It's like she's not all there in the head anymore. Ramona is blunt and crass, but she knows what she's doing. Sonja legit has no clue. I liked LuAnn and Bethenny's interaction. It definitely felt like old times, with them slipping right back into things. They had their issues in season 3, but overall, they were cool with one another. I still have this veterans vs. newbie mentality when I watch NYC, even though Carole & Heather are in their 3rd season. We have three of the originals back along with sloppy Sonya. These 4 represent when this franchise was at its best. Then you have Carole, Heather, Kristen, (and newbie Dorinda), none of them being real breakout stars. We know Andy loves Carole, but there isn't a real buzz about her overall. Carole and Heather are okay, but supporting overall. Carole's biggest story was #BookGate which was ho-hum. Kristen? BLAH. Luckily, with a cast this big, there's opportunity for people to mingle and mix it up. It's basically like Atlanta last season and Beverly Hills in season three, except all "Friends Of..." got Housewife billing.

I'm actually looking forward to the OC ladies returning, and I'm normally indifferent about that franchise in general. I can use a break from a select few ATL ladies. Not sure if we'll see OC on Sunday nights (Monday?) but I hope OC and NYC run concurrently and bring Bravo some surprisingly good numbers.

Not sure why Full House is looked down upon so. In all honesty, a lot of sitcoms back then (at least, the ABC sitcoms I can think of off the top of my head) had heavy doses of cheese, corniness, and life lessons neatly wrapped up in 22 minutes (unless it was *really* special, in which case a two-parter was was given). A lot of those that I grew up with -- Family Matters, Step By Step, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, etc. -- had the exact same elements, and were hits for what they were back then. Nowadays, with everything being cheeky, sarcastic, and self-aware, a whole network lineup of this kind of programming would flop. What we could use even nowadays is a nice balance of well-written characters, genuine laugh-out-loud humor, and a bit of sexual innuendo that is clever enough that the actual sex acts and words are not uttered, but merely hinted at.... or, just watch reruns of The Golden Girls and you're set.

Joining the growing trend of 90's TV revival. Because that was the last time TV was good.

Brandi did nothing but show how classless, tacky, vile, hated, and out on a limb she is. Towards the end of the episode, her insults and hatred got really, really dark. And it's only Part One! She may be seated next to Andy, but these ladies DESPISE her. And I'm talking about the important ones: Vanderpump and Kyle. The faces of Beverly Hills, like it or not. Bravo will fight to keep Vanderpump and keep her happy. I can't see her agreeing to put up with brandi's nonsense another season. There's no redemption or forgiving here. Next season shall be interesting... Sad to see Yolanda struggling to listen and speak. I don't think she was acting. Why would she? No reason to, unless she *really* was looking for an excuse to skip the 9+ hour filming. She redeemed herself this season and has her own real-life ish to worry about fighting, instead of squabbling with a bunch of hens.

It makes her a broke girl, too. It was speculated by us some years back when Russell Armstrong committed suicide, but we are definitely past the Moldavian Massacre on a lot of the Housewives franchises. NYC, I think this season will decide if they'll bother bringing them back for an 8th year. The mass firing in 2011 didn't help. They tried with the new cast, but the audience needed their originals. Now, Alex is in Australia and Jill is STILL loathed by the rest of the cast. I'm sure Bethenny's return will help garner interest and ratings, but I don't think they'll get back to season 3-4 numbers. If they hit 2 million at any point this upcoming season I'll be shocked. NJ, after squeezing out every last drop of story with the same ol' tired five ladies, seasons 3-5, they brought on 3 trashy replacements. Even the producers knew they were effed, and brought back 2 of the 3 ol' tired ladies, and their star, Teresa, was no longer highly favored. OC, who knows, we may see this one last long enough for Vicki's future granddaughters to stand right along side of her as new housewives. It just keeps on going. Not a "buzz-worthy" show, but a healthy enough audience to keep it coming back. BH, their momentum ended when it got too dark and they brought on the two flops last year, but this season was a great turnaround. Still, the dynamic of these same ladies can't last forever. I can already think of 2 long-timers that need to go [to rehab]. ATL, I used to think she'd bolt once she made it to Hollywood, but now NeNe and RHOA are like a married couple that want to divorce but stay together reluctantly for the greater good (I.E. Money!). I don't think she's necessary for the group of girls, but she's necessary as the face of the show. I can see this one lasting another few years, but again, some of the long-timers like Phaedra need to be rested. Have her pop up a year later at a party, like a Taylor or Adrienne.

Have you seen any of NYC seasons 1-3? 2 and especially 3 are Housewives at its finest salacious glory.

I loved NeNe seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4. Big fan & supporter. But 5, 6, and 7....?

I don't forget these... Sad that, as reports said, there was more to this but they peppered in NeNe's replies to make it seem more balanced.

Good look. She's aging gracefully. The Atlanta reunion is going to be delicious, and I hope Bravo doesn't edit down NeNe, Phaedra, and Porsha's respective comeuppances, though it sounds like Phaedra's will be toned down. Kandi coming for NeNe has been a moment 6 years in the waiting and I have no doubt Kandi will do it justice. Now, hopefully Bravo will air it in all its glory, and not edit it down like they did Claudia's rant in Puerto Rico.

Uh oh. Are you gonna go into "message board retirement" as well? (I don't get that whole thing, but to each his own)

I like your fixed NYC cast, Cheap! So, so true. I kinda wish they had gone back to their original look on NYC, just because of Bethenny's return and because I'm not a huge fan of the color scheme overall. All-time best taglines: I'll never understand those season 1 taglines on Orange County. It's almost like the editor made a mistake and used the wrong sound bytes.

Thank you. I was hoping a Housewives reunion expert would let us know of previous instances where the person sitting closest to Andy still got the boot next season, but I couldn't think of any off the top of my head. This shall be awkward, if Eileen goes in (I hope!) on Kim, and they're sitting right next to each other? No Rosie/Elizabitch split screen fun for them?

I agree that Eileen should be seated next to her soap bestie, but isn't Yolanda cutting out early? I thought it was reported she was only there a couple hours. It would be awkward (although fitting) for it to be the four ladies vs the two trolls once Yolanda leaves.

If they want to combine Daytime Diva + Bawdy, Outspoken, & Loud, = Too bad she's on the East Coast. She'd have to be on New Jersey. If anything, Eileen has given more credibility to soap opera actresses. She's the most calm, level-headed, articulate, and honest person on the show.