Cat

They are such fake kiss-asses. Clearly Erika and Rinna are setting Kyle up for a fall with that comment. That's too bad. I liked Cary last season. I hope that's not the full Dallas trailer because... I was kind of underwhelmed.

I am binge-watching S1 to catch up. I never fail to be moved and entranced by this show. Pray Tell, Blanca, Angel, Elektra, Candy -- all amazing characters. (The soundtrack is also ace).

I think Katie might have substance abuse issues too. She has always been a kooky, odd duck, but seeing her in that wig, she seemed really disconnected. There is an air of sadness about her, and her eyes were blank during her weird toast at the hoedown. It is troubling to watch. One thing I will say, a lot of these women had a pound of sparkle on at the hoedown, but Katie looked ethereal beautiful without a stitch of makeup. I dont understand how both Robyn and Ashley gave Gizelle a hard pass about her pot stirring. When is she going to get called out for doing the same sh*t Ashley does?? And why is Ashley ok with her ally Gizelle setting her up at these events? Candiace's unwillingness to face up to being wrong, to admit to her childishness, is going to cost her her friends, family and husband. She is lashing out at everybody for the way her mother treats her. Robyn deriving real pleasure from seeing Ashley taken down, Candice implode and Monique get angry was a really bad look. Clankity-clank!

I am so excited to watch Potomac these days! Monique is so fabulous, I just LOVE her this season. Candiace is out of control. She is a little girl playing in the big girl pond in that clip. I cant believe she has let Gizelle and Ashley manipulate her; now she has lost a good friend. RHONY Solid start to Reunion. Luann seemed to be on the brink of a breakthrough... but never quite made that leap into self-realisation. I understand her need to stay selfish, especially when she is craving a drink -- but sobriety is not an excuse for treating friends poorly. And it is more clear than ever that cabaret has replaced alcohol in her life. That is a worry. I was grateful the other women mostly did not pile in on her -- they were focused instead on trying to make her understand their feelings (Dorinda's pleas were especially heartbreaking). It was a welcome relief after the last few toxic reunions. In fact, I think I may be (deep breath) coming around to Bethenny??? I can't believe I am saying this. Yes, she still is Me Me Me and sucks the air out of the room. But she also verbalized her deep emotions in a very human and relatable way this episode. Even with all her money and success and boyfriends, Bethenny's life is lonely and ringed with tragedy. Her ex-husband is a psycho, and she keeps picking the same type (wealthy, successful WASPY white guys) to give her love and security. Bethenny is a secret romantic at heart. She desperately wants the Big Love. Even with all her openness about Dennis, though, the fact he died of an opiates overdose was never mentioned. This addiction crisis really touches all levels of society -- even the rich, with their access to the best doctors and support. When Andy played Feeling Jovani Luann lip-syncing versus Dorinda trying not to punch somebody versus everyone else just sitting there bopping their heads.

PREACH to everything else you wrote in your elegant, epic post. If it wasnt late where I am, I would write a longer post in response! And yes the fact that Rinna has nine lives on this show is truly incredible! Dame Joan, Nicollette and LVP! We have now established that they all know each other, for years in some cases. I don't know if Bravo cares to realise it, what with ratings apparently fine (that alone shocks me). Plus the network seems both enamored and intimidated by the BH women and their money. Well, the money of some *side-eyes Dorit* Still, it's no secret what has been driving a lot of the ratings: the promise of a possible LVP appearance. Bravo has strung out her story over 21 episodes, with no true resolution. Next season, I'd be interested to see if other LVP fans follow your lead and throw in the towel.

You hit the nail on the head. This franchise is built on true-blue friendships. I get it in NYC and even Potomac. They tried with the poignant guitar solo at the end. They tried with the 'best friend' tea at Kyle's house when it was clear that most of these women had not seen each other in 6 months. It was all so scripted. And the fact is, they wanted to dump LVP and so they scripted some BS in order to make that happen. I want to like Erika so much. She is wise and has lived an interesting life. But all she gives us is having her makeup done. She admitted in France that she doesn't like any women. So why is she on RH which is centered around female friendships? I can't buy anything Rinna is selling me. She is so performative that everything feels like an act. Dorit is a fake through and through. Teddi... lint. Denise didn't come across great this episode. I like her fine but wonder what on earth she has in common with the others. Kyle is... sigh. I don't know if Bravo or the women even realise this, but BH is in deep trouble. The audience is not buying this.

It is so good, isn't it? There have been moments of real understanding, like when Karen bonded with Ashley in the salt room and talked about her with insight and empathy. The trip to New Orleans was also great. And while I dont like Ashley, girl is SMART and erudite. Her reflections are effortless and she rarely loses her cool. IMO she should have gone to law school. I hope people at Reunion talk about 'Gazelle's' epic pot-stirring this season (although the 3 green-eyed witches are all focused on bringing Candiace down this year and will deflect like crazy). Gizelle basically threw her BFF Robyn under the bus in order to bring out the Michael comments. Then she kept bringing Ashley back into the house after Candiace kicked her out. She tried to turn Katie against Monique (whom she hates with the fire of a thousand suns). And finally she totally over-exaggerated what Karen said about Ashley at the party. Katie's questions to Ashley in the car after the party were so lucid and incisive. These were the questions we all wanted to know the answers to. I also liked how she handled Monique in private.

Omg! Last night's Potomac episode rivalled BH's Dinner Party from Hell! It was AMAZING. Chris had to restrain Candiace FOUR times. Ashley was thrown out of Candiace's house THREE times! Even with Candiace going full Exorcist, I cant help but be Team Candiace. Candiace has the true measure of Mrs. Darby, and everyone at that table knew it. That's why they were so quiet. Ashley sounded to me like she was lying through her teeth, especially in the car with Katie afterwards. Oh, she talks a good game. She coolly deflects the other women's questions while pretending to 'put it all out there.' But she is just a little too slick, too practiced in her answers. I can at least relate to the anger and emotion vented by Candiace. Ashley's 'nothing to see here, everything is perfect!' act is edging close to Teresa Giudice levels of deflection. Candiace meanwhile is exposing her life, warts and all -- including her monstrous, eye-rolling, bully of a mother. The episode was so full of quirky touches, it reminded me of a RHONY episode. "Uuuumami"; Chris sweetly doing pliés with Monique in exercise class. 😀 Candiace's mom calling Gizelle 'Gazelle.' 😂 Ashley performing to about 25 Housewives fans in an empty field in Virginia while talking in her VT about possibly going on a world tour with her song. Dream big, girl. Truly, Potomac has not batted a bad episode this season, and the drama is only building. I agree with @NothinButAttitude this was a defining episode for RHOP. I am kind of hoping Bravo release an uncut version of the dinner party like they did with BH!

Finally watched the S11 finale of NYC. Bethenny: *sobs in bed over near-death experience with a bonito flake* Sonja: "I love you." Sonja later reiterated the Love Yous when Bethenny brought out the strippers and cake for her birthday. Man, I really adore this show. It's not often you see HW bonds of friendship acknowledged meaningfully (bonds we saw grow over the years). Sonja has been a total joy this season. Just seeing her being carried around by that stripper, her legs wrapped around his waist, you knew she was in seventh heaven. So great that Ramona and Bethenny made a fuss over her and Dorinda. Dorinda going after Tinsley over Scott was WTF and not her best look. I am looking forward to Reunion for Dorinda to explain herself. There seems to be BTS stuff we dont know. Sonja and Tinsley were at NY Pride last weekend and apparently both were arguing about Scott paying for Tinsley's lifestyle. Even with the cameras not filming, it seems to be a real issue.... although both S and T were crazy drunk at the time, too!

@alwaysAMC @Gray Bunny Its a question of status. LVP has a big fanbase and a popular other show on Bravo. I do think it is interesting how much she appears in the preview for next week's finale. BH is floundering, and this weird, disjointed nothingburger of an episode this week did not help. 21 episodes of filler this season! If Bravo was invested in a transition, they really shouldn't have padded out the season. Cut it to 14 and keep it tight. Camille was doing God's work in bringing up Dorit's legal problems but lord everyone was making it extra hard for her to actually squeeze some true scandal out of the show. Rinna is such a pot stirrer and yet wanted Csmille to shut it down? What? After she mentioned LVP's legal issues 20 billion times? IA about S5. It was a great season, and we were really invested in these women's lives. The different friendships felt real. Now I have trouble even feeling the Rinna-Erika relationship as anything other than a practical alliance.

Catching up on Potomac... It's amazing how quietly good RHOP is shaping up to be this season. The way the show tackled slavery and race a few episodes back was surprisingly well done for a Bravo show. Miscarriages could have been a HUGE downer of an episode, but I liked the way they covered Monique's event, reconciling with her MIL and even Ashley's speech was thoughtful and real. I dont remember who said that Chris Samuel's was the best husband on the RH, but it is so true! The sun rises and sets with Monique and his kids, and they are the priority in his life. I love how unthirsty he is in front of camera, as well as how he handles his mom in support of Monique while maintaining a relationship with both. I am loving Monique these days. Pregnancy has softened her, in a good way, without losing her strength. Loved Karen and Ashley in the salt room bonding. They both came from an understanding place with each other, and Karen's empathy surprised me. Karen can really be lovely when the chips are down. Candiace was working so hard for that Bravo cheque... until she stepped over the line. Monique was an ally and she threw her under the bus... for what? To impress Gizelle? People need to stop making it easy for Gizelle to bring them down! Candiace is going to get roasted at Reunion which is a shame because she is contributing a lot this season.

And there's a weird kind of love there. They have all shared a unique reality show experience for so many years which literally transformed their lives. This experience has bonded them for the better part of a decade (or more). The way they communicate, understand, fight and forgive each other -- it is a little like sisters/siblings. They are also women who have LIVED and let live! IA, I just adore them and think they are close to a perfect mix. I'd go even further and say RHONY deserves an Emmy nod because it is quite often the funniest show on TV. I truly hope if Bravo refreshes, it does so with a careful hand. This cast has a magic chemistry.

Condolences to Lisa. It is such a tough blow, losing both your brother and then your mother within a year. Just when you think you are getting past the grief of one passing, then another comes out of the blue. Lisa is such a family person too. I'm sure Ken and her children are sticking close to her right now.

Yeah, I think the women on NY know that showing all aspects of themselves is the show's strength. You cannot make yourself universally loved by the audience all of the time, and that's ok. The interesting thing is that in some ways, Bethenny and Luann react similarly. When they are on a personal/professional high, they become quite narcissistic and arrogant, lording it over the others. When they hit a low, it humbles them, and they become more reflective, clear-eyed and empathetic. Without giving anything away, it is these highs and lows you will see over the course of S9-11 as their relationships evolve and maybe even come full circle.

Glad you enjoyed S8! Can't wait till you work your way through to S10 which was INSANE. I too hate the nee theme music. They changed it again for S9 and it's even more obnoxious IMO. Jules was timid at first and in a tough place emotionally. I would have liked to see her come back in S9, to see how she had grown and changed. But it was not to be. I had a different reaction to the Luann/Bethenny fallout. Yes, Luann is a narcissist who was ridiculously tied up in Tom. I was disappointed that she reunited with his trifling ass at the end, after he humiliated her publicly. Luann was desperate not to lose this chance at marriage, and was willing to overlook every warning sign to do it. However, I found Bethenny AWFUL that season. The way she and Carole bullied and thin-shamed Jules was horrific (and said a lot about their own twisted relationship with food). The way Bethenny slut-shamed Luann as Carole cheered her on, tried to isolate Lu and Sonja from the group, and did everything in her power to dig up dirt on Tom... None of this came from a good place. It came from a spiteful, controlling place. Bethenny felt she was star of the show and treated the other women like her employees. As a result of S8, I have never quite come back to fully liking Bethenny or Carole. But I get that it's different strokes for different folks.

I'm surprised Meghan and Jimmy lasted this long TBH. For sure I thought he was out of there after baby #1. I hope this doesn't mean she crawls back to RHOC. I'm sorry she is going through tough marital times but I find her insufferable to watch.

@Antoyne Thank you for reminding me to get on the latest episode of NYC. I don't even know why I hesitated! Yes, Bethenny was a [!@#$%^&*] drama queen with her Oscar-bait 'panic attack', but you could see the histrionics were coming from a genuine place of hurt and anger. This is why I love RHONY so much: these women are all STARS. They are multi-dimensional, fully formed personalities (heck, even Tinsley was on point this episode) who expose their good and bad sides in equal measure. Luann is a prime example. She is insufferable, but it is also understandable why she has put a wall up between her and the women, and why she is clinging to cabaret like a life-raft. It IS hard being sober when you rely on partying to pick you up. Sonja having a tearful meltdown at the pool was also completely relatable. She encapsulated in a few sentences the fear of loneliness of going it alone as a 50-something vibrant female. We don't ever see a woman like that on TV anymore. These kinds of women are fascinating! Sonja truly is my favorite. I love that we are on this vacation, close up, with the women and it feels like we aren't missing a second! And the humor is so on point that it allows the show to touch on dark, even toxic issues without belittling the truth of those situations. RHONY and this group of women really are magic in a bottle.

It says something that the initial news of her 'firing' barely registered. Tinsley's ok, I guess (love Daaaaayyyle, the US's answer to Carole Middleton), and Bravo tried hard to make her happen, but she never really took off. I personally thought Jules was a better fit, although somebody whose name rhymes with 'Fethenny Brankel' obviously felt differently! Clearly Erika is the target next week, but it seemed like this episode, Rinna was the intended target. I assumed for a long time that Kyle's inability to stand up for Kim to Rinna meant that she valued Rinna's friendship over her sister. However, this episode it strikes me that Kyle might not care for Rinna at all. Part of it is the constant Kim bashing (Rinna's recurring SL the part 5 years). Part of it is Rinna calling Kyle an enabler. Part of it is Rinna bossing everybody around like she runs the show. Kyle would be more than happy for Rinna to be perceived as ringleader of the LVP takedown (which she probably is) and take the fall with the audience. Anyhoo, I thought it was pretty interesting that Kyle let TheVanillaFayeResnick go after Rinna/Erika while she sat back and watched. Same old Kyle.

I have not yet but I plan to very soon! Though I'm a little apprehensive about seeing Bethenny go off on Luann and make everything all about her.

I know Erika is not universally adored here, but I felt truly sorry for her having to sit through that meal with the dumb-dumbs and their combined IQ of 12. She is clearly way smarter than all of them. WHAT was that nothingburger fight? Rinna can only confront Kim as Pat the Puss? No wonder Erika's brain cells lost the will to live. Teddi should be fired for whateverthefuck she was trying to stir up/'understand.' Truly shocked that Rinna has been on the show second longest after Kyle. She still feels like a bit of an interloper to me. Has she ever even thrown a BH party or event? Or does she just show up at everybody else's looking for a fight? Re: the relationships, I have been missing Eileen for that very reason. I found her intense dislike of LVP offputting back in the day, but she was also a loyal, genuine person who was smart, self-deprecating, and truly cared for her closest friends in the cast. I miss her warmth. The show feels icy cold now.

100% believe it. I said a few months back on this thread that the LLAJ story was a set-up to trap LVP, before Bethenny confirmed it on WWHL. These twits are dumb AF. Not only do they believe the audience is dumber than they are, but they had to shut down a popular restaurant and make a public event out of it? These rich b*tches couldnt have hosted everybody at home? Mikey could have served the canapes! And Teddi brought a +1? We all know that was Edwin with his stencil eyebrows and ponytail! See, this is why I am disappointed LVP did not confront these women at reunion. It's like she ran away tail between her legs, and that just validates their hollow triumph. After this season, though, how can we ever trust the SLs on BH again? It's clear the women and production storyboard fake stuff to deflect from the real issues going on in their lives. I know storylining happens elsewhere in the RH universe, but more often than not the drama stems from true events and relationships -- that's why Potomac and NYC are working so well at the moment. IMO the BH HWs are 80% on their way to killing their own franchise.

Favorite LVP moment: Moments -- fleeting glimpses! -- when she was truly happy with her friends. The S2 Hawaii trip when she started to bond with Brandi, as well as support Kyle while she was going through her problems with Kim, was a high point. Obviously her walk-in closet, her hosting and decoration skills. I truly thought she was the third Collins sister for a while (after Joan and Jackie). Least Favorite LVP moment: S6. The tide turned; thereafter it was hard for me to see LVP with rose-coloured glasses. Though I don't think she is quite the evil Bond villain with mind-control powers that the rest of the cast paint her to be. LVP has been unable to fully open herself up and trust any woman on the show since S2 reunion, certainly not since S4. This has unfortunately steered the show into Kill or Be Killed territory and weighed on my enjoyment of BH. I think Bravo have already checked out replacements. One of Andy Cohen's BFFs, Bruce Bozzi, posted this yesterday, and the timing is no coincidence: Yep, it's Kathy Hilton -- somebody I wanted to join the show this season. I have since wondered if Kathy would bring it. Because what Kathy Hilton hates more than anything is airing her dirty linen in front of the world. Like Big Kathy before her, Little Kathy prefers the family's dirty little secrets on lock-down. I would love for Nicollette Sheridan to join the cast -- except that I actually kind of like Nicollette (she seems pretty true to herself, marching to the beat of her own drummer) and would not like to see her get mauled by the rottweiler Rinna. Speaking of Rinna -- that family lunch was all kinds of uncomfortable. Does it seem like she and Harry Hamlin live essentially two separate lives now? That may explain her relative lack of joy this season. The two snot-nosed daughters do not seem either very bright or very nice. The way they treated their father was horrible. The dark-haired one (sorry, I can't be arsed to learn her name -- Amelia Belle? Delilah Boo?) clearly was panicking at the very thought of eating solids and couldn't handle her father cooking a meal for her.

If true, that's a crying shame. I'll wait till Bravo or LVP confirms but I wonder if Bravo will tweet the reunion seating plan. LVP is a big draw. If true, I wonder if she intended to go but this latest lawsuit made her rethink her plan. She seemed to be implying that this season was an anomaly in terms of her participation. I feel a bit sad, it's an end of an era for BH. I doubt Barbara has been upgraded to HW. The show didn't seem interested in showcasing her any more than necessary.

I can sort of see the need for new blood. At the same time, I'm not sure I want it! I love this crazy, march-to-the-beat-of-my-own-drum group. Ramona is acting like she's practically FOH these days, but Luann will be devastated. I'm not sure why Tinsley is safe, or indeed the miserable B. New blood is fine, but if they're anything like Teddi or Dorit... no thanks.

@NothinButAttitude I don't know... I think this is LVP's last season with BH. Even with her large fandom, the other women have boxed her into a corner. She doesn't want to film with them, they probably dont want to film with her. It is like what happened to Danielle Staub in S2 -- Danielle was hugely popular but production could not make it work between her and the others, and they refused to film with her. And that sealed her fate. At least LVP has VPR and a forthcoming new show to soften the blow. She did say recently that production cut all her scenes bar the Las Vegas opening for the rest of the season. It's really crazy how so much stuff is spilling out outside of the show. It's like Bravo has zero control over their stars. The women are so volatile and focused on revenge that they risk bringing down the whole show. Mauricio's lawsuit now touches the other HWs, production and the writers (yes, BH has writers!). If that goes to trial, we may hear a lot about how BH operates behind the scenes and comes up with storylines. It will be fascinating, but I also worry it will cause the show's demise, mainly because we will no longer believe the SLs these women are selling us. BTW Camille wrote a great blog where she basically spoke truth to the puppygate gang in her inimitable bitchily-elegant-yet-direct Camille way: https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills/season-9/season-9/season-9/season-9/blogs/camille-grammer