Gray Bunny

I'm guessing they showed that "this season" preview to amp up some interest in NYC... well it worked!

Word. What I love is that from what I've seen (at least on realitytea.com) is that everyone can see through Adrienne's bull and everyone is Team Lisa (and Team Brandi, for the most part). I think Season 3 will be quite interesting with all these different alliances... As for OC's Jeana, I never saw when she was a regular castmember, but hubby speaks fondly of her and likes her. If they could get all parties involved on board, it'd be great to bring certain housewives back to the fold, like OC's Jeana and Jersey's Danielle or Dina.

OC definitely had an awesome reunion. Can't believe I'm actually liking Tamra! I just loved how everyone who needed to get called out (Alexis, Vicki) got called out on their lies and hypocrisy. Vicki's daughter is so articulate and well-spoken and did not hold back! Alexis just needs to go. NYC continues to be poorly edited to conjure up drama that isn't really there. "Have a good night, Ramona!" or something to that effect was what we heard Heather saying as Ramona walked away without a reply. But Heather's lips weren't actually moving when she was walking up to Ramona; clearly she said that phrase at another point. Which is just one example of their choppy editing, much like their London trip. Wow, they're already back in NYC? There just wasn't enough drama stirring, otherwise we would've seen 'em on the other side of the pond for a good 3 episode arc! And boy oh boy, another trip next week? They're trying really hard here. Ramona is a crazy nut, but she still entertains me in her wacky, outspoken over-the-top ways. She's just a silly woman who really means no harm, that's how I see her. It's all for the cameras, otherwise we'd be watching nothing but the Manzo boys and Rosie---- er, wrong show! :-) New Jersey finally showed us what an episode would be like where we don't see 4 women bitching 'n moaning about Teresa the entire time, and boy, was it ho-hum. It was okay for what it was, but I hope we aren't subjected to any others like that for the rest of the season. As for Melissa's "singing" and dance performance.... I think I'd rather sit through an hour of Don't Be Tardy For the Party and Ring Don't Mean A Thing.... Like Jack suggested, I could totally see them keeping Caroline around to make it a Caroline vs. Teresa feud. Jacqueline is just there. Kathy is just there. Melissa gets a pass because she's Tre's sister-in-law. Otherwise, I could see 2 newbies come in to fill Jac and Kathy's spots next season. I can't wait for Beverly Hills to return.

Agreed. I think NJ's Teresa falls under that category too. Can you imagine the past 2 seasons without her? What the hell would Jacqueline, Caroline, Kathy or Melissa talk about? It'd be nothing but mindless Manzo children and Rosie!

Both NeNe's and Bravo's camps are denying this. They wouldn't let her go unless something epic happened. I smell another episode with 4+ million viewers!

I'm liking RHONY... although I guess I'm alone, as viewers didn't even hit 1.3 million last night --- OUCH! Even the hubby is no longer interested in NY and I watch alone (OC has the opposite effect on us). It's just a very interesting dynamic, to see LuAnn now being "the annoying one" with the circle of girls, sans Ramona. It still feels kinda phony though, and LuAnn's remark to Carole about how it's amazing that they've never run into each other before even though they have mutual friends really points that out. It's weird they didn't give these 3 new ladies an official "Welcome To My Home" introduction. LuAnn really has run her course. I feel like she's badly acting when she talks about having a baby, and the rest of the girls are in on it (just like ATL's Chateau Sheree) I still love that "Chic C'est La Vie" song though I think a Carole vs. LuAnn snarkfest will be entertaining I have my money on Carole. And I look forward to seeing what develops where Aviva says to Ramona & Sonya, "Frankly, you're both white trash!" as shown in preview clips.

I think Locklear's presence definitely brought a spotlight to the show that wasn't there before. The Amanda/Billy/Alison triangle of Season One is what finally got the show off the ground. It was the "A" story, whereas Jo/Jake and eventually Jane/Michael/Kimberly were the "B" stories (Rhonda's story with Terrence was an afterthought). Things then skyrocketed in Season Two once all the stories started to gel and the whole ensemble was strong.

When Sheridan was buried alive on Passions, I knew he was out of ideas and had to resort to using his former glory day tricks.

The forever title of "Special Guest Star" was to list her last, as that was (and still is, sorta) prestigious to be listed last with special billing. Since Melrose always listed their cast alphabetically, they gave Locklear that special title to keep her from being wedged in the middle between Leighton and Savant. Personally, I think they should've just ditched acknowledging at the start of the credits that the cast is listed alphabetically, and just had Locklear at the end with the "and Heather Locklear as Amanda"

Lexie does a complete 180 in Season 7. If you like psychos, stick around... Hubby and I just finished the last of Season 7, and you know what, overall I don't think the final season is very good. Everything is rushed, just like they rushed season 4-6. They trimmed down the cast to 8 (7 in the opening credits, plus Rena Sofer as Eve) but it's still a dizzying game of musical beds. The finale is complete let-down. So rushed; no time for people to REACT to traumatic events. It's quite ridiculous. And it's really too bad some of the originals were asking for too much money to do a cameo appearance at the finale, because if they had done that, the last 10 minutes would have been so much more impactful, and maybe they would've SLOWED DOWN for some time to reflect and reminisce. Oh well. Still love my Melrose

I think NYC has potential. It started out kinda boring, but the new ladies are growing on me and the drama is starting to stir. I must admit though that I do get bored at times when they're focusing on one individual and their own life. I feel like this show is stronger and more interesting when there's more than one housewife onscreen, as opposed to other series (ATL, BH) where individuals are interesting enough by themselves.

Exactly. This whole thing about loyalty and putting things in the past is making Caroline and Jacqueline look like the biggest hypocrites, because there is such a double standard with this whole DANIELLE debacle. I really think they need to clean house in Jersey for Season 5. In all honesty, I could see everyone but Teresa going and I wouldn't shed a tear. But that would be a bit too devastating for the identity of this show. But this Teresa vs. Family feud has already run its course and this season isn't even over yet. Meanwhile, I think we've seen enough of the Manzos and Lauritas. Who knows who they'll keep, but I sure do hope they do some major cast pruning. So, I'm not a big OC'er, but do you think that's why Gretchen and Tamra miraculously decided to become bff's this season? Is it smarter to hitch yer wagon to the Gretchen train instead of Vicki?

Okay, finally back from vacation and caught up on Jersey and I gotta agree with all the negative remarks here about Jacqueline: she is so petty, childish, hypocritical, and plain ol' ridiculous. Do you want to be bff's with Teresa or cut her loose? You ambush her the night before, and then are so upset that Teresa goes and lives her own life and is having a good time at the party they're both at. And Jacqueline bitches to Caroline (of course) and Caroline's reasoning is because Teresa doesn't care and is a blank slate of emotions, etc. etc. Teresa literally cannot win with that woman. Anything Teresa does, Caroline will twist it into being something wrong. If Teresa brought up their personal problems at Caroline's brother's wedding, Caroline would throw a fit. Teresa didn't bring up the problems at the wedding, and Caroline complains about that. Teresa is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't with Caroline and Jacqueline. The silly thing is that Jacqueline even admitted on What What Happens Live that there's more to the story than what we're seeing onscreen. This whole set-up seems like they're just trying to give Caroline & Jacqeline a valid reason to be mad at Teresa to compensate for what's really going on. Jac also seemed to be doing damage control for herself on WWHL, as she was getting a lot of tough questions from viewers, and even the guest bartender! Ha. This delusional broad looked so bad in Sunday's episode... "I lost a best friend tonight," Jac gargled. Um, didn't you cut her out the day before? Wouldn't it be fabulous if they brought out Danielle Staub at this year's reunion to set the record straight about Melissa? That would be a ratings bonanza! And speaking of which, Melissa had GUILTY written all over her face when Teresa finally confronted her about Danielle. I agree that this girl is no innocent angel they're trying to portray her as. It's ironic that Jacqueline was drunkenly slurring how Teresa cannot stand to have anyone else on the show be successful, when it's really Melissa that was jealous and itching to ride her sis-in-law's coattails and get on the show and get fame of her own. P.S. I called Jacqueline out on her hypocrisy on Twitter and she blocked me. Haha. Twitter & Jacqueline & booze make for a messy scenario!

Agreed on all counts. It definitely felt like Jacqeline is just looking for a way to have falling out with Teresa, and Caroline just complains and belittles EVERY. SINGLE. THING. TERESA. DOES. If Teresa were to exhale too loudly, Caroline would complain that Teresa's trying to put all the focus on herself. I mean really? Take a [!@#$%^&*] or get off the pot. This loose storyline being used to pit all the housewives against Teresa is so weak. Clearly there is behind-the-scenes drama that isn't being addressed onscreen and it's making everyone (minus Teresa) look like total flakes. At least next week looks interesting. They're bringing up the big "D"--- Danielle!! haha

Absolutely. Timefiller while the main 3 were at the Chicago wedding.

Couple other things about NYC... I thought it was weird how they didn't give any personal insight into the 3 new women's lives. I figured they'd gradually do it throughout the 90-minute episode, but alas it never came to be; they acted like the 3 new ladies have been there all along. And some of their comments about the 3 existing castmembers were very judgmental right off the bat, even about tiny little things. It felt like Bravo brought on new women just to complain about the already-established women. It definitely felt like a "new" New York, as the episode was titled. I wanna say it reminded me of when Saved by the Bell: The New Class (yes, I would watch that!) would take out 3 characters every year and replace them with new characters and then go on their merry way like nothing had changed, even though it had.

If the ending preview is any indication, this season's NYC is going to be crazy good! I see Ramona vs. LuAnn as being like ATL's Kim vs. NeNe, where each has their faults and nobody's innocent. It was definitely petty and childish for LuAnn to have that brief hen party with the new ladies just to gossip about what Ramona allegedly threatened. What Ramona and her husband said to Heather at the party about her always interrupting people was tacky and hypocritical, but you know what? I don't care. Haha. Call me a hypocrite, but I always have my favorites that can pretty much get away with anything and I still like them because of their overall personality. I think the new ladies are okay, and it'll be interested when they start turning on each other. I must say, and I admit I'm being completely shallow, but all 3 new ladies kinda look weird. They all have weird, quirky looks to them (another reason why Alex should've remained -- she looks weird too!) Aviva is probably the most interesting, followed by Heather. Carole seems like she's going to be dead weight, but we'll see how it plays out. She sounds like an old woman in the opening (interesting updated opening, by the way! I'm surprised the 3 veterans are at the tail end!). It's interesting, how Real Housewives seems to be using a formula for all their shows: pit all the women against one woman. NYC has Ramona this season, ATL is NeNe, Jersey is Teresa, and it sounds like Lisa may be ganged up on next season in Beverly Hills, although Taylor could be the real center of drama.

I wish the salary report had included the New Jersey housewives. I'm guessing one of the reasons for the Caroline/Teresa feud is because Teresa is making more money in season 4. Their initial contracts were for the first 3 years, just like the NY housewives. I can totally see Bravo paying Teresa more than Caroline & Jacqueline. Okay, so after a weekend catching up on the New York housewives, I can definitely see why people loved Bethenny. She was so level-headed, smart, witty, and just didn't fly off the handle like others (Kelly, Jill). Jill is just a dispicable woman and I loved seeing her get called out on it at every turn at the season 3 reunion. Ramona is funny as f#ck and I enjoy every minute of her. She just truly, truly entertains me. She's nutty but not in a crazy delusional way like others.... The worst housewife EVER I think is Kelly Bensimon. She is truly unbalanced. Her arguments were based on fantasy and paranoia. I cannot believe she lasted for 3 seasons because I was sick of her after her first year. I mean, she is truly, truly delusional. I think I would rather watch an hour of OC's Alexis before watching another moment of Kelly. I always wanted to see the episodes where she went crazy on the trip and boy oh boy did she ever lose her mind! And then she comes back to NYC acting like nothing happened and that SHE was the one being attached the whole weekend. She is truly batsh!t crazy. Wow, just wow. Overall, I can definitely see why Bravo let go of Jill, Kelly, Cindy (big waste of airtime), but think they should've kept Alex to mix with the remaining ladies and the new ones.

YRBB I liked your assessment of Season 4. I liked the season overall because there were a lot of great moments and entertaining stories, but at the same time, the whole dymanic of many stories and characters shifted and in a sense, the "classic years" had ended. As it is, so many people remember the original years and the dynamics between the characters then. Seasons 1-3 defined the characters and the show. Season 4 is like trying to squeeze out the last bit o' goodness. I think season 5 is when it gets ridiculous with the all the bedhopping (although they certainly played musical beds in S4) and moving around apartments every other day. And yes, the music does get cheesy. I remember one particular episode where it was one sex romp after another, which meant one rock jam after another to heighten the dramatic mood. To me, it that's when it became a parody of itself. (and whoever decided to make Sydney into a dippy airheaded 60's go-go girl in season 4 should've been fired) Having just re-watched Season 1, from the point where Amanda joins until the season finale, I gotta say, I think Jo was best written and most entertaining in season one. She had such a sense of independence, street smarts, and stubborn ways. I liked her back 'n forth through the years with Jake (it really showed that they were meant to be) but once she hooked up with Richard, good Lord it all over for her.

Aw, I remember her. I always liked how they were able to bring back the same actors, year after year, to play the Melrose resident's parents consistently. Matt's mom & dad, Billy's mom, Jane & Sydney's mom & dad, Kimberly's mom, etc. Oh, and Amanda's dad before he was killed off.

I was surprised too. She almost sounded full of herself, which is totally different from what I've ever read from her in the past.

I totally get that and understand. Something was just off to me. Like Caroline seems so quick---and eagerly willing--- to write her off, even at this point that we're watching now. I wish we knew the details of that fight that happened offscreen in Punta Cana. Time to do some Google searching!

New Jersey's Caroline is so hypocritical. She gladly told Danielle how she felt about her and would never share screentime with her, but yet here she is doing scenes with Teresa and being nice to her face, but totally trash-talking her with Jacqueline and in the interviews. Something about Caroline and Jacqeline totally rubbed me the wrong way on Sunday's show. And with that said, despite her blind loyalty to her husband, I'm totally Team Teresa.

Back in those days, I only had a handful of Digest magazines, mostly ones with DAYS on the cover. Since this was before the internet (at least for me), I definitely re-read and cherished the ones I had over & over.

CarlD, thanks for posting the DAYS Du Jour. What's sad is that not only do I know that I have that article, but it's in the Digest with Sami, Lucas, Carrie, and Austin on the cover with the caption "Watch Out Sami, You're About to Get Caught!" I remember way too much about DAYS and Digest during the good ol' days...