Cat

Reading all your comments about Season 2 thus far.... makes me sigh with frustration. Ryan Murphy always starts off with a promising concept. And Pose was so redolent of late 80s nostalgia and promise. I loved how real and larger than life the characters are, and how every episode gave most of them space to breathe. There was pathos but also laughter and quirk. So of course he had to fix what isn't broke and change it all up and... no. Just let these stories be. No need to over-egg the pudding.

You took the words right out of my mouth! Vicki is a tentpole HW and her longstanding relationships with Tamra, Shannon and Kelly power the show. Without her there, what TF is the point of Kelly? She was being a giant a-hole grump, bitching and moaning about a HW who is no longer being featured. Basically, without Vicki, Kelly Dodd (who I am not the biggest fan of either) has no reason to breathe. Because unless Kelly is violently threatening somebody, she offers little to the franchise. It makes me laugh reading @Chris B's account of the Kelly-Tamra Twitter fight, and Kelly thinking her word could get Tanra fired. AS IF! Sit DOWN, Kelly Dodd. Bravo did not demote Vicki Gunvalson to appease your sorry ass -- they demoted her because they are trying to cut OG salaries. (Also, Kelly needs to stop with the nose jobs which are chiselling her nose away to nothingness). Ryan, a MAGA? We been knew. He's always struck me as someone painfully eager to blame others for his shortcomings. And that's what Trump legitimises and encourages on a daily basis. You're a shitty person? Must be some immigrant's fault! The role of Gina Kirchen Smurfin is now being played by Mamie van Doren:

Hey @Taoboi I'm one of the season 1 bingers and I have no problems with season 2 viewers talking about what you are currently viewing. It is broadcast in real time and it makes sense you would talk about it! If I pick up a spoiler here and there, oh well, it's not the end of the world. I am always behind on my viewing anyway. I appreciate you couching your words and not giving too much away but at some point you are going to want to talk about what you just saw. I'm ok with it. If you feel guilty about it, just say 'SPOILERS AHEAD', drop down a few lines and start writing.

That was a lot of fun, and very catchy! Melissa, Porsha and Sonja are an unexpected threesome but I dig it! Loved Sonja being in her element and yes @DaytimeFan she is totally Elyse from First Wives Club! Hope the song becomes a sleeper hit. It's catchy.

I thought it was just going to be a standard episode of Potomac, and then they blindsided us with that final footage! OMG! So many questions! Will the cameraman use the footage to relaunch a suit against Michael? Why was this not released when he decided to prosecute? In other news, Gizelle really is the most awful 'friend' to Ashley. I actually almost felt sorry for Ash last night.

Brandi has been dining out on It's All LVP's Fault since she was fired from BH... even though it was actually Kyle, LVP and, most importantly, THE AUDIENCE who demanded she leave. Ever since, it has been an endless litany of LVP Criminal Mastermind. On her podcast, where she inserts LVP into every interview, even if her flabbergasted guest has no knowledge or connection to RHOBH. In interviews and paid events, LVP is always the headline for the event. Brandi is rarely hired for her own merits. Brandi's lack of personal accountability is really tiresome at this point. Trust, LVP is not the cause of Brandi's drunken break ups with her increasingly dodgy johns. This lack of accountability, I wager, is the biggest problem the audience had with Brandi then and now. I doubt she'll be back. Her contrived little appearance this season barely made a ripple on social media. Kim's return made a lot more waves, thanks to Rinna's ridiculous tantrum.

They really are showing their true colors now. They are all so phony! What is happening with BH is like the goose that laid the golden egg. The HWs have essentially killed the goose in anticipation of finding more gold inside her. Instead, all they have is a dead goose, and they have now deprived themselves of ever getting golden eggs again! Greed and envy has ruined this show. I don't care how silent Rinna and Erika are studiously being. They had as much a hand in producing this mess as those chumps Kyle, Teddi and Dorit. I think RHOBH should be benched. If Bravo is desperate for a luxury franchise in SoCal -- Real Housewives of Malibu. Real Housewives of Hollywood, heck, of Los Angeles. I feel like dropping 3 housewives (like NYC did after S4) may not even be enough. All 5 women have nothing to offer beyond getting their makeup done.

And IMO retooling saved RHONY. I know people felt it never quite regained the oomph of earlier seasons, but I disagree. I think it matured like a fine Ramona wine! Even greedy TV execs realised that many fans would have abandoned the show if S5 consisted of the same toxic grouping (as barnstorming as S4 was). Many in the audience were DONE with Jill Zarin. Like, no way could people stomach her staying on the show, bullying people and calling the shots with regards to casting. (What a difference 7 years makes!) BH has a similar problem now, with certain peeps bullying and calling the shots behind the scenes, claiming to have Andy's ear. In some ways, it is even more toxic than NYC was because it is somehow more insidious. The spite shown on RHONY was overt and obvious; viewers had a strong opinion about it. Here it is hidden behind dummy SLs and alternative facts. The Dorits and Teddis are either masters of obfuscation or talk in circles. BH feels totally corrupted from within. And I'm not sure I can quite stomach it anymore.

Speak it, Ken 👏👏👏

So I finished S1 (and may have to wait some months until this country decides to screen S2). Don't want to give too much away as some of you are still in the middle of S1. Just want to say that it is SUCH a blessed relief that this show chose to focus the finale on the ballroom. It was all about the dancing and the rivalries/friendships and it was unabashedly happy and funny. No crazy cliffhangers or sudden change-of-character-to-the-dark-side. Just anarchic, voguing joyousness. Everybody was on point with their shade. I loved how Elektra came into her own with her OG finger snaps. Blanca is just too wonderful for words. Candy is such an awesome supporting character who needs to get a bigger role next season, she is so fierce! Anyway, I really have warmth for all these characters. Don't let me down, Ryan Murphy! You too Brad Falchuk (aka Mr Goop Paltrow)!

Lol yeah, you know only Bethenny Feels All The Feelings, Antoyne! Dating different men? Bethenny is a complicated adult, y'all. But if others date around? There is always an element of judgement/sneering from Bethenny. I will never forget her going off on Luann S8. "You are a whore and a hypocrite! You [!@#$%^&*] everybody!" Great news about Potomac. That's a fabulous rating. They completely deserve to shine. I liked Bethenny in Part 1 of the reunion, but she came off badly in this part -- smug and dismissive. She thinks she is the show's narrator so she literally mansplains everything. I usually adore Dorinda but she was awful, deriving joy from seeing Tinsley upset. Both B and D trying not to laugh about Tinsley losing her dog was an especially bad look. I mean, Ramona was in the hot seat this episode, and she came across better than either of these two! I was definitely Team Tinsley when everyone was prying about her finances. T is not Dorit Kemsley. She is a trust fund baby who probably got a relatively nice settlement from Topper too. I think the issue masks a wider one, though. First of all, I do think Tinsley was happy for Scott to pay everything for her, including her accommodation and clothes. Next year will be a far bigger financial burden on her. Secondly, the other HWs are making a point about authentic friendships on the show vs people who come into town for filming only. You guys are making the same point on this very thread, which I heartily agree with: real friendships are central to this franchise, and the audience can 'always spot a fake' [(c) Kyle, and she'd know]. BH has a massive problem with the fakeness of its friendships, especially when viewers value authenticity more than ever. The realness of NY's friendships has been its abiding strength for years. It is one reason I dont want the current cast to change. Alas, I have a bad feeling Bravo is looking to bring new people onto RHONY. Vicki's demotion and LVP's resignation were warning shots. Nobody is safe (unless your name rhymes with LeeLee Neeks or Fethenny Brankel). Ramona talking about not wanting the cameras to film her fancy, socialite birthday party? You in danger, girl! Bravo won't put up with that. Sonja hasn't had a ton to do this Reunion, and Luann can no longer drink publicly so i really worry that those two are in danger of getting demoted as a well. This devastates me as I find all 3 the most watchable women on the show! I am hoping Bravo does not cut to the bone here. Bethenny is of course safe, as is Dorinda and Tinsley the lone 'millennium' (see, you guys would really miss Ramona if she were gone!). I think the other HWs were trying to deflect Bravo's attention onto Tinsley as the possible one to be cut, but I don't think it will work this time. 😪

I am HERE for the Ashley takedown. She went after the other women for years while pretending that her own life was an open book. What's good for the goose is good for the gander! Re: Gizelle, couldn't have said it better myself. Is she really so untouchable that the other women are too scared to call her out?

There is a soundtrack available for seasons 1 and 2. It is fantastic! Some 70s greats are in there too, like Avalon by Roxy Music. I had forgotten how uplifting and evocative some of those 80s classics were, like Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants to Rule The World and Grace Jones' I've Seen That Face Before. On another note, seeing these women / characters revel in their femininity, and walk in heels like silver-screen movie stars, has made me realise that I should make more of an effort with what I wear. I've stuck more to comfort the last few years, but Pose has made me long for strong, womanly prettiness again.

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.