Gray Bunny

POTOMAC: Meanwhile, I can't fault Ashley for stirring the pot (for the sake of the show) without being a nasty friend (Gizelle and sidekick). The new dynamic revealed about her mother is interesting and organic. Now that we know the whole deal, Ashley needs to serve her mother a strong ultimatum: the dead-beat man leaves or you're cut off from your son-in-law's money. Robyn is indeed the most foolish housewife around. Right up there with Jesus Jugs. Monique can do no wrong in my eyes. She married well, has a fun, positive energy, and gorgeous. No wonder the elder castmembers gotta hate. I wonder if we'll learn more about Monique's hubby's relationship with his mom. It's good to see that his father showed up for the birthday event, even with the crusty mother staying at home. NYC: Absolute beauty. I loved last night's show in the Hamptons. Again, love the dynamic of these 7 women who have genuine relationships with one another. Love seeing Luann and Bethenny on each other's side again. Love seeing a common ground between Luann and Ramona as they see Sonja going off the rails again. It's sad but completely understandable to know the "Ramonja" friendship has taken a backseat in recent years, but who can blame Ramona? Even she is more level-headed and grounded than sloppy Sonja. Just when I thought Sonja had found clarity, we see she's more delusional and rambles on nonsensically worse than ever before. Dorinda is gonna go IN on Sonja next week and I cannot wait. Sonja is really making an ass of herself. Oh, and the switching dynamics of Bethenny/Carole as Carole migrates towards Tinsley will be juicy. I liked the open honesty of how Bethenny explained that no matter what Luann says or does, Carole will automatically discredit Luann simply because it's Luann. Just as Bethenny will always question Ramona's "sincerity" when she shows kindness or Rapologizes. I'm actually finding myself liking Tinsley a lot more this season. It really helps that she's developed actual friendships with other castmembers, versus other younger castmembers who were just kinda there (Jules, Kristen). I hope we get to see more Dale. P.S. Whatever makeup/hair magic Ramona's glam team is working, keep on doing it. Well done!

Currently, I'm not looking at the "politics" of it; I'm looking at the characterization. But, as others have pointed out, people can change over the years in real life, and therefore fictional characters can change over time as well. Most people probably aren't dissecting the nuances of the characters, but being here on SON where we dissect our soap characters, I'm dissecting the "Roseanne" characters, as I'm one you could consider a die-hard fan of the series.

Exactly. P.S. It's potpourri, dear

I agree about it going against Roseanne's character. There's a few characteristics they're forgetting from the original. As you said, Roseanne was against spanking because her own father used physical violence against her (something they didn't introduce until the 4th season, but it still remained throughout the series). Also, in the first episode of this reboot, the family prayed. The Conners were never a religious family. See the Season 6 episode titled "I Pray The Lord My Stove to Keep." DJ discovers religion and asks what religion they are and Dan spouts off all the different denominations of their families. DJ: So what are we? Roseanne: Uh... we believe in being good. So basically we're good people. Dan: Yeah, but we're not practicing. The only time I recall them praying was after they won the lottery, which didn't happen after all. One other tidbit I'm not fond of is dumbing down the characters because they're from small-town, USA. Roseanne, Jackie etc. were always aware enough to know how to pronounce something like "fabergé egg."

That WWHL was a total shi* show and I loved every moment. It's the one time I wish WWHL was an hour so he could actually ask a few questions for each Housewife, past and present. Here's my take on Rinna vs. Vanderpump... I think they both actually like riffing on one another. Rinna's can sometimes come off as mean-spirited, and granted I have not checked out any her social media stuff where she bashes LVP, but I think they actually like the banter, especially LVP. I think they actually really had a fun time during Rinna's first season and the start of her second (remember when they took that trip together to check out that busted up pony?). I just love the delicious side eye Vanderpump gives Rinna when she's in the room. If Rinna *is* truly mean-spirited towards LVP and still has a geniune ax to grind (or just bubbling jealousy), it certainly doesn't phase LVP in the least at this point.

Tonight’s WWHL in LA has Dorinda and “a night of 31 doorbells” so it sounds like a Housewives extravaganza coming through the door!

I echo what y'all have said re: Kenya vs. Marlo and Sheree vs. anyone. Marlo's tired ass already seemed played out when she uttered her first dig at Kenya. Yawn. Kenya for the win. Sheree losing a competency test against Porsha is when you know your goose is cooked. They all called Sheree to task for her inaction with Kim and she was a bumbling idiot who tried and failed at deflecting. And the She by Sheree? Honey, give it up. Andy keeps asking you because "She by Sheree" and "Who Gon' Check Me Boo?" are the only things you're remembered for. Next time he asks, tell him plans are on hold indefinitely or completely done or SOMETHING. But instead, she gives lame ass responses about new lines coming out next season. Stop. "WHERE IS YOUR SCOOTER?" OMG, that line from Nene in next week's show had us ROLLING. Next week should be good!

That's how I see it. Granted, I think she looks like a damn fool being so coy and saying one thing, but the camera shows other things. Or just not being honest and clear. But whatevs, it creates drama for this goofy show. In terms of how she protected herself financially, major props to her. You keep on going with your separate bank account and separate tax filings. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

I agree that NYC blends drama and humor and they don't take themselves so seriously. They're all grande dames (meh to Carole & Tinsley, but I digress) and have nothing to prove. I loved the premiere episode. As @DaytimeFan said, strong right out of the gate. Loved catching up on all their lives, and looky there, some of them have actually hung out with each other when the cameras weren't rolling (save for the MIA Sonja who enjoyed some much-needed "me" time to gather her life together). Classic drunk slurred speech Dorinda in the 1st episode! YES! OMG, that Gaga costume did herself no favors. It accentuated her nose and just wasn't complimentary of her body at all, but she still owned it, even as balls were falling off her as she exited, LOL. Ramona's two microphones had me giggling. Again, for 61, that was an excellent execution of a teenybopper costume. I'm interested in seeing where this "renewed" (NYC's signature word) Sonja takes us. I wonder if LuAnn's drunken arrest will cause Sonja to keep it sober from now on. Doesn't one of the housewives reevaluate their alcohol intake post-LuAnn's ordeal? Pretty much anyone other than Carole or Bethenny love to get seriously sauced. Selfishly, I hope Dorinda never goes sober for good. Bethenny is one where makeup and lighting can be your friend or foe. She looked like she did in 2008 at the charity event. Well done. Dorinda's new talking head with her hair combed back and the large collared blazer makes her look like a butch lesbian. I'm getting some Susan Flannery feels there. Meanwhile, Sonja looked like an entirely different person in one of her shots. I thought it was a fun and funny premiere and the preview for the season looks amazing! A wonderful blend of funny, fun drama. This was a wonderful paragraph.

I get it. I didn't have my "Ah ha! I'm gay!" realization until I was 13. Meanwhile, when I'm watching these new episodes, I have take a step back and realize - wow, the last time a brand new episode of Roseanne aired; the last time we saw those characters interacting in that house - I was a wee 14 year old boy myself, with the world still reacting to Ellen's "Yep, I'm Gay" revelation. Not only is it so amazing to have this wonderful, iconic show back on television, but our LGBTQ representation has changed so drastically (for the better, of course!) in the last 20+ years. And it should be noted, long before it became "the norm" or "hip" to have a gay character or two, you had Nancy openly bisexual in '92, Nancy & Morgan Fairchild almost shown kissing under the mistletoe that same year, Roseanne and Muriel Hemingway literally locking lips in '94, and Leon and Scott's commitment ceremony/marriage in '95. If Roseanne Barr had had it her way, DJ would've been revealed as gay, too.

Over 15 million viewers second week! That's still an amazing feat. Isn't that just a smidgen higher than a regular new episode of Big Bang Theory?

@Cat NYC: You're not alone about Tinsley. She's better than Kristen Taekman and has actual ties to at least one Housewife, which couldn't be said of Jules. But she's otherwise not someone I'm clamoring to see when NYC returns tonight. POTOMAC: Hubby & I were saying the same thing about Robyn (finally got to see Potomac last night... we were both laughing at how we were actually excited to see this one). We scratched our heads as she said they moved into a bigger house after Juan JUST secured a decent new job PLUS all their financial difficulties in the past. Okay Robyn. You keep doing you. I liked seeing Ashley's genuine struggles with marriage and the husband/mother drama. Surely, she needs to wean her mother off the financial help, sooner rather than later. I'm still not sure about her marriage. I think she's happier alone and is only coming back home because the lease is up on the other place. I liked seeing Gizelle/Ashley hanging out. It's funny, the "younger" girls on this franchise are slowly taking over as the older ones (Bye Charriissee!) fade away. I actually like Monique and love her new house. Sad that her hubby and his mom haven't spoken since the show aired, with the mother-in-law shading the hell out of Monique. Karen... the talk of this thread currently, LOL. What else can I say, except that I echo the sentiments wondering if the house is only used for filming purposes, a la Chateau SheBroke. ATL: I *loved* Lisa Wu. I would've liked to see her return down the line, even though her fine-ass ex-hubby, Ed Hartwell, wouldn't be joining her. Didn't Lisa have some shady business dealings that didn't come to light until after she left the show?

Loved that article, and it's so very true. NYC has genuine friendships, even now 10 years into the game. New taglines: *love* LuAnn and Ramona's! Sonja and Bethenny are good too. Dorinda's are always pretty tame. In regards to Ramona, yes, she gets work done. But at the end of the day, she's like 61 years old and still has the energy of a 21 year old.

Speaking of googling porn, Kim's lips look like a swollen sphincter after a really intense pounding.... Just awful.

Exactly. Give them a false sense of security, having one of "their kind" as the leading lady... and then that same leading lady will be shown openly embracing progressive topics and people with different backgrounds [as it is, episodes 2 through 9 will have no Trump mention, but instead showcase gender identity, biracial kids, interracial marriage, surrogacy (i.e. non-traditional conceptions), the opioid epidemic, etc.].

YAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! That is PHENOMENAL in this day and age!

Thanks!

Yes to all this. Kenya found herself the whole package. Meanwhile, anyone know just HOW Sheree affords the Chateau? I know it's in her mom's name, but like, what does Sheree DO? Other than Bravo checks, which is no guarantee (see: seasons 5 through 8) and will not last forever, where does she get any source of income?

It's too bad so much of the press focuses on the "Trump" aspect of Roseanne Conner, considering they only focus on that for the first episode. That's what happened for Will & Grace's return, only stronger.

Do NOT take away our precious Dorinda! She belongs on the show that made a miraculous recovery, with her helping hand! POTOMAC: I know I should be rolling my eyes at Gizelle's "word on the street" tagline for the third consecutive year, but for some reason I like her.

Kim Zolciak needs the counseling. But the first step is admitting you have a problem, and she doesn't think she does. Nor does her baby blowup, Brielle. No to Brandi, too. I'd much rather Camille get her full-time status back, and bring back Adrienne or even non-factor Taylor (Beverly Hills' version of Sheree). Brandi is too trashy and her return would reek of "we're bringing her back specifically to catfight and beef with the other ladies, but nobody likes her!"

Christ. Dolores' work, Tinsley's nose contouring, the thing formerly known as Carole. No, no, no. Something tells me NY's Dorinda and NJ's Margaret would hit it off and make for fun friends. I've always thought Carole looked like a wax figure that was accidentally thrown in the microwave for a few seconds.

I love seasons 1 through 6. Something about 2, 3, and 4 I feel were the show at its best, with the original family unit still intact. I think a lot of people remember season 2 and so much of the show's elements and how they looked, as it was when the show was the No. 1 rated show on TV that season. It's funny you mentioned George Clooney popping up in season 4's Halloween episode. That was only 1991. He was still a nobody at that point

I would've thought Darlene would be the one success story, but as life goes, nothing is guaranteed secure. I think I read somewhere that DJ does marry the black girl he refused to kiss in season seven. If so, I'm sure it'll be mentioned in an episode. I agree that "Roseanne" in its prime was when Roseanne had Anne-Marie, Crystal, and Bonnie as friends, during seasons 3 and 4. So glad Anne-Marie will be back, along with Chuck. I would *love* if they brought Bonnie back, if the show returns next season. I, too, thought it strange how she was never mentioned after the 4th season. I know Roseanne and Bonnie Bartlett/Sheridan are still friends in real life (she even appeared on her short-lived reality series, "Roseanne's Nuts" in 2011), so hopefully she'd be interested. But other than she and Martin Mull, it's really amazing how many people from the original have returned. Who next.. an ex of Jackie, like Gary? Fisher? BOOKER???

@BetterForgotten Thanks for posting! LOL "My starting salary is bacon." And the stairs, Also, thanks for the newsclip from '88. Love seeing lil bits of TV history like that. Wow, amazing numbers right from the very first episode! Thankfully, their success didn't go the same way as Joanie Loves Chachi!