Gray Bunny

So is this blowup of Eden's at the season finale the clincher that sealed her fate as "just a friend of"? I seem to remember hearing she made a big stink about something, which led producers to decide not to feature her as much as a full-time wife. I must say, she was a complete dud.

@Nothin'ButAttitude Thanks for posting! I like the updated display of their names and their new intros. It's a little bit plain, just having their name listed as a backdrop, as opposed to having the NYC skyline along with it. Also, did they have to change the theme song AGAIN? I wasn't crazy about the mellow version last season, but this one is just too generic. Still, the visuals are nice and I like the taglines. I shudder to think my beloved Ramona may be outed as a Republican this season... I don't even mind that, as long as she didn't vote for Trumpelstiltskin.

Shady Phae Phae is long overdue for a dragging.

Erika was completely irrational. I can understand an initial reaction to Eileen's not-so-sensitive comparison ("it's not like she killed your son") but after Eileen explained and sincerely apologized, that should've been it. Dorit has a target painted on her back by Rinna and Erika. Rinna was loving herself when the gang was going after her (or it was some great strategic editing by Bravo, but I think it was real-time). Meanwhile, in the Nielsen ratings world, Beverly Hills bumped up to 1.9 million this week, after a soft showing for the past few weeks, dipping as low as 1.4 mil. The only time they hit 2 million viewers was the infamous "Pantygate" episode 4. Dang, that aired right after Christmas and we're still talkin' about it...

Wow, what else can be said about that hot mess of an episode? The only people coming out of this clean are LVP, Kyle, and Eileen (though she'll have her emotional bruises from Erika, if she choose to harp on it, much like she harped on LVP for the past 2 seasons). Watching LVP and Kyle's reactions on the boat and again at dinner were actually pretty comical. Their darting eyes, back and forth, were like people watching a tennis match. I don't know how Erika is going to spin this; she had me until last night. My hubby thinks there's trouble on the home front (with her husband) but I can't decipher if it's a cross between an emotional meltdown and a producer-pushed coaxing to rock the proverbial boat during this trip. Either way, she's got some climbing to do if she wants her pedestal back. Lisa Rinna, there's just no defending this broad. I loved her during her first year, though she got a little too big on herself at the reunion. Last year was okay. But this year she is a complete and utter wreck. She doesn't have a leg to stand on, and should really keep her mouth shut and sit there, like the skinny wig lady next to her (why is Eden there?). She can NOT harp on someone for not being able to remember something. She can NOT harp on someone to "own their words." And she can NOT bring up a housewives' husband and infer infidelity. Three strikes in one episode; you're out. Kudos to Kyle for chiming in right away and mentioning the hypocrisy in Rinna's allusions.

Yaasss! That performance was such a hot mess I had to create an audio track to listen to while working out, haha. I, too, am wondering if any of the ladies voted for someone other than Hillary and/or would ordinarily vote Republican... and whether they'll cop to it on camera.

Yes, it was rumored to be called Real Housewives of the Gold Coast, a particular wealthy neighborhood which isolates the possibilities of bringing in suburbanites even moreso. Apparently, whichever group(s) they found weren't open to airing out their dirty laundry and actin' a fool, so it was scrapped. I agree that the surrounding burbs (think Naperville, Oakbrook, Northbrook, etc.) could open up a wealth of possibilities. After all, how many of the Atlanta women are really in the city of Atlanta? Re: BH, I agree that LVP is ready to go and I wouldn't be surprised if this is her final year on the housewives. I do see Andy pimping Erika on WWHL, but otherwise I don't feel she gets overexposure on the show itself. I really like her, and if the show must go on without LVP as lead, at least they've got someone with strong personality and a growing fan base waiting in the wings. I don't think this is one of Beverly Hills' best seasons, but the show is still enjoyable and it doesn't have the toxicity levels of Season 4 or the latter half of last season. It's just that only half the cast is truly interesting (anymore) and the other half is burnt out or still trying to run on last season's fumes (Hi, Eileen!). No matter what happens next year, Kim Richards is not allowed to be featured on this show for anything other than a background guest at a party who isn't mic'ed up for the camera. I love how Camille appears at every single party. She clearly loves this group of ladies genuinely but doesn't want to get caught up in the ratchetness directly. NYC, my ladies are back!!! I hadn't heard whispers about this show for the past couple months and I never heard confirmation regarding Bethenny, but all the ladies are back! After last season's success, I'm sure this particular group has another good round in them. I don't have qualms about any of them (not even Carole; her friendship with Bethenny gives her a purpose), and can't wait to see the inevitable sh!tshow surrounding LuAnn's wedding. I also find it interesting that discussion of the presidential election is going to be featured heavily.

Did I miss earlier discussion where it's been announced that Danielle Staub is returning to New Jersey? No confirmation yet if she'll be a Friend or full-time, but she is returning.

This is from June of 2002, when Variety Magazine had an impressive multi-page article celebrating GL's 50th anniversary on TV. It shows their decline in viewership since 1987, including HH number, share, and millions of viewers.

Glad to hear Lydia is returning to balance out the toxicity. She isn't a huge big-time name, but there's already history there. Some may find her kind of annoying, but if you can put up with ATL's Porsha (and I hate to say it, but after 5 seasons I finally tolerate her and almost kind of like her), you can handle anyone. Funny how there's some of us who still hold a torch for Lizzie. Missed opportunity there and it's sad they filmed a lot for her second season and then dropped it altogether. Someone needs to rattle Tamra's feathers. If there's one "soap payoff" OC still needs, it's an icing of Tamra just once. LVP has had to do it twice now on BH and persevered. BH's Eden has become the most annoying Friend Of ever. Miss $25,000 sunglasses was just dumb (and her drunk and jaded appearance a season later was hilarious). Eden is flat out obnoxious.

Now that we're more into the season of Beverly Hills... Dorit and Eden are both trying too much. I'm thinking down the line, Dorit and LVP will have "issues" as LVP will defend the other housewives to Dorit, who will continue to have issues with all of them. LVP gets to look good, coming to the other ladies' defense. Redemption! Eden is pressing way too hard on Kim's non-sobriety. I mean, if that's your angle, fine. But (1) there should've been a better buildup (i.e. friendship) between her & Kyle and/or her & Kim, and (2) Kim isn't even a castmember. Eileen is having a hard time playing the Housewives game this season. She nitpicks on something flimsy (Dorit's comment) and harps on it, and then complains when that same person does the exact same thing in response. You have no wiggle room to complain, Davidson. You literally started it. I loved the lightness of Erika and Kyle's scenes in Mykonos. The place they stayed at was gorgeous, the views phenomenal, the pool amazing. And Kyle's old ass can still rock a swimsuit. Good for her.

So will Miss Zarin make it on camera??

That was a cute episode, and is it just me, or does Erika have that *star* power that so many of these new housewives aspire to achieve? Kenya was able to become a recognized face of the brand 5 seasons into Atlanta, and Erika seems to be getting there for Beverly Hills.

Couple things... Rinna's daughters are pretty, and I do think the 18-year-old is ready for the modeling world. However, the 15-year-old still needs to grow into her face and get rid of her Eileen-Davidson-circa-1984 eyebrows before diving in. If this season's bickering starts off with Erika showing off her patted puss to PK, I say go for it. It's better than cancer, fake illnesses, or death. It's always a fine line with these aging Housewives shows... do you exploit the often-times uncomfortably real aspect of these ladies' lives (i.e. OC's Shannon's crumbling marriage) or just have them nitpick on petty B.S. that's blown out of proportion for the sake of having a storyline? I'm here for LVP, Erika Jayne, and hope to see some redemption/rebuilding for Rinna and Eileen. I still enjoy their home-life stories, so that's good at least. How sad to hear the long list of people Eileen has lost in her life recently. Kyle's daughter either doesn't like being on camera or doesn't like Rinna's daughters.

Ha, ha, ha.... quite amazing, how they worked their way up the ranks so quickly. And Alison constantly having little personal crises, starting with Keith. Kate Roberts Lucy must've really had faith in her to put up with her crap. But with Alison's determination and desire to succeed, as established in the 1st season, it made ZERO sense for her to give up the corporate life completely at the end of season 4 and become a waitress at Shooters! I'm guessing she eventually had to move in with Jake out of financial necessity.

Yes, the original release of season one was quite lavish for a DVD package.

Good premiere episode! I love the vibe LVP gives off of "I give two sh-ts about half these bitches but I'm the queen of this show so you need to figure it out." She's got Kyle back on her side, Erika is open and receptive, and Dorit is her BFF. She's got her ladies aligned and the haters can stew. I think Rinna will be groveling to patch things up with LVP but there will always be tension. LVP will meet her half-way for the sake of the show, but we know she forgives but never forgets. Just ask Brandi, if you can locate her out of whatever shoebox she's living in nowadays. Meanwhile, I hope the tension from Eileen is wrapped up in the next couple episodes because I'm already tired of it. Find a new story, Kristen Blake-Black DiMera. That said, yes, she looks amazing. Absolutely stunning. Eileen is ageless. I swear, people like her and Don Diamont from B&B are preserving themselves when the cameras aren't rolling. So far, I like Dorit. Her boasting about her nannies was reminiscent of season one Camille, and her face reminds me of a younger, healthier, prettier Taylor Armstrong mixed in with Brianna Brown from Devious Maids/GH. I'm glad Erika can rise above the toxicity of last season because I really like her. I must admit, I like her song, "Pretty Mess." Check it out on YouTube if you like catchy dance music. I loved the mention of Erica Kane and the split screen shot of her and La Lucci circa 1980's.

Yes, it feels very scripted in its setups and coincidences. And the vocal music used for Cynthia's scenes is like some sort of made-for-TV movie vibe.

C'mon admit it, y'all love to hate her. Honestly, it wouldn't be RHOBH without her or Lisa. Lisa is The Have... Kyle is the Have Not. I find Atlanta to be pretty ho-hum this season....

I feel like pandelerium is going to happen come January 21st. It's like he's trying to hold off on his secrets, scandals, voter tampering and his pending cases of fraud from coming out until after he gets inaugurated. I'm hoping 'n praying for a Christmas miracle on Dec. 19th when the Electoral College votes. I holding out hope that it's in the works behind closed doors, not wanting hints to leak out beforehand.

RHOA: Kandi's baby daddy girlfriend was all sorts of weird. That was a terrible set-up, microphone and makeup done up for the camera. What's the backstory, was she supposed to be holding a peach? And then to have a whole segment devoted to her, the baby daddy, and two friends (billed as Kandi's friends?), it was like some weird backdoor pilot to a new TV show, like they used to do on sitcoms back in the day. The producers are not making this season look organic at all. At least try. Porsha is a hypocrite for looking for a sperm donor, having shamed Kenya years prior. That said, she picked a fine specimen to get a sample from! I can't blame her for asking him. Sheree's hair looked absolutely beautiful when she was working out with Kandi (love how they "work out" with 5 lbs of makeup on, but I digress) but that short 'do is a don't. Next week, looks like she's back to the buck shots. She's very hit or miss with the hair.

I was thinking the same thing as I was watching. Forget about "Hillary-the-politician"... just as a person, as a woman, she is an endless fighter. She incredibly intelligent, poised, articulate, and as she said, when you get knocked known, you get right back up. I was getting teary eyed listening to her because I feel genuinely bad for her. She has worked so hard over the years and to have her fight for the White House end like this is horrendous.

I am also in Illinois, in Chicago, and my entire office team is devastated. Absolutely enraged this happened. We all voted, make no mistake. We all took it way too seriously to be passive.

It definitely enhanced the show during the first two seasons. Something as simple as Jo/Jake or Jane/Alison etc. walking down Melrose as they talked adds so much to the scene. Additionally, during those early years, when someone would have their window open, you could hear the feint sound of traffic, horns honking, etc. to add to the idea of them living in a heavily populated area vs. inside a soundstage.

RHOA: -I'm glad they updated the theme song. It's been the same since day one and needed refreshing. My only gripe is that half-way through (right as they're showing Cynthia), it sounds like the song is about to wrap up and they're going to cut to the ending cast shot. But then it keeps going. -Sheree has definitely benefitted from being rested for a couple seasons. She's still a hater and pretending she's a rich bitch, but it comes from a better place; a lighter, funnier side. Her comments out loud to herself as she observed Kenya's unfinished house had me giggling. -Oh yes, Kenya's housewarming party absolutely reeked of a Bravo setup. No one who's put THAT much into a house would try and pull off a grand fabulous party when the asphalt driveway hasn't even hardened! Half of me wonders if this was an intentional trainwreck, or if Kenya/Bravo actually expected miracles to happen during that last 48 hours and for everything to come together perfectly, as it often happens in TV land. -Froggy Phelony is so gross. Always snorting and bellowing like a sow in heat, trying to act 20 years younger than she is. She's providing the drama as instigator re: Dodge Neon vs. Kenya, but otherwise her schtick is ick. -Kandi & Todd make a cute baby. I'm glad we have one solid relationship on this show. -I'm getting uncomfortable Shannon/David Beador vibes with the Cynthia/Peter storyline as I watch, but I hope Cynthia opens up on camera as time progresses and gives us an honest insight, because you know she's holding back right now. Oh, and her hair in her talking head!!! YES, YES, YES! Perfection.