Cat

I would love her to go angry and categoric as she did with Kyle, but that's not LVP. Revenge is a dish best served cold. I think she will be like Eileen -- lawyer-like and cool in her talking points. She wont prevaricate. She won't pull out any surprise trump cards (Dorit already did that when she admitted she talked to the lady who ran the kill shelter!). But she will quietly decimate Dorit, and Teddi, probably, with her facts. I suspect everyone is right and she will only be on for half a day. I think it may be quite emotional for LVP fans, especially if they show a Best of LVP montage. I wonder if LVP will be emotional. I wonder if she will lash out at Kyle, Rinna and Erika. Those are the three that she probably feels forced her off the show behind the scenes.

@Taoboi (at the risk of over-responding to this thread the last few days) -- Contractually, LVP has to show up. She is still a main cast member. Plus Adrienne set a precedent. If you don't show, you get fired. If LVP doesn't go and still keeps her job, it will mean anybody on any RH franchise can treat reunion as elective and not mandatory. As I said before, the reunion is cathartic for the HWs, and it is cathartic for us. We need LVP there now that the other women have exposed their asses. IMO she has been unfairly treated, and this is her time to call them to account. Instead of pussyfooting around, she needs to confront them once and for all. And they have grievances they want to air, too. ALL these women have been playing games with the viewers for years over what to show and not to show. At reunion, we have this one chance to catch them unguarded, to crack the facade -- IF Andy asks the right questions. It's a small price to pay for the fame and lifestyle this show affords them. If LVP skips reunion, I feel like she will be robbing her fans of that chance, and as one of those fans, I will be deeply disappointed.

Agreed. Sometimes Bethenny is like a little grey raincloud that hovers into view when you've laid out to catch some rays. She arrived last and immediately tried to shoehorn herself into drama that had already gotten underway. It's like, girl, sit your ass DOWN. Dorinda, Ramona and DrunkSonja have already got this round covered. I noticed B brought a glam squad with her for the trip -- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I don't care about glam squads for fancy NYC events, but this is meant to be vacation! There is nothing I enjoy more than Ramona and Sonja glamming it up out of their own messy suitcases and sharing a straightening iron. The last thing I want to see is the Erika Jaynization of RHONY! I too have a good feeling about this trip. Like, St Barts/Turks & Caicos-good. Next week looks hilarious.

I know you really liked Seungri -- so did a few friends of mine. He was funny, but now it turns out there was a dark side. The scandal is pretty serious. He ran a club called Burning Sun in Seoul which was a front for running hookers to the rich and powerful. There were other serious allegations of young girls having their drinks spiked at the club, passing out and then waking up hours later having been raped by god knows who. He apparently was sharing sex tapes (filmed without the women's knowledge) in a private chat room on KakaoTalk. It is really awful stuff, and it is unclear what Seungri knew or didn't know. My feeling is that, as the maknae in BB, he was always trying to impress his rich and powerful friends and the head of YGE by showing how much money he was making with all these clubs and business ventures. And he got in over his head with the hookers and it spiraled. Anyway, here is an article which explains some of the basics: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/12/k-pop-scandal-big-bang-seungri-south-korea-charged-over-illegal-prostitution-ring Blackpink was fun and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed myself and how nice the fans were. BP seem to be huge across the world! Don't make me cry about CL, the way YG handled her US solo career literally makes me so angry. They did her dirty. I still listen to Hello Bitches periodically, though -- it is such a banger.

Thank you for the delicious tea! The fact that she and Dorinda are in a good place again leaves me thrilled. And Sonja too. I know Bethenny is considered the 'star' of NYC, but for my money, anything involving Lu, Sonja, Dorinda and Ramona is the most watchable. I am also glad she defended Barbara against the boos! That sounds like the 'old' Lu I know and love. I like Barbara -- she is genuine and true-to-herself. She is the one who reached out to Bethenny when Luann was spiralling out of control in order to stage an intervention. That is a true friend right there. While everybody else on the Miami trip gets piss-drunk on Dorinda's delicious-looking mojitos, she is probably going to be Luann's anchor. I always thought it was a shame that Luann and Jacques never worked out, he seemed to provide stability for her. When they broke up, that's when Lu went down a bit of a slippery slope. I'm shocked she didn't boosh the Pirate, but I still think they did more than flirt! Interesting that since S1, Luann and Jill have been close and never really had a beef with one another. That's nice of Ally to come see the show.

@Antoyne Sounds like an amazing night! Her shows always look like a lot of fun on the show. And Lu clearly ADORES doing #CountessAndFriends. It seems to make her happier than anything else in this world. It has replaced (some of) the drinking in her life, which is both a good and bad thing, because I worry that if the cabaret work dries up, she will be absolutely devastated. However, it sounds like the shows are very popular so hopefully she will continue to do this for a while yet! Her figure in that bikini in the last episode was INSANE. She does look incredible-- at any age. Did she spill any tea??😎

The BH women are *obsessed* with how they appear to the public and have too much control behind the scenes (mainly because of their money and high profiles). It is killing the show and explains why it has become so scripted and poorly contrived. When I think of Lynne's daughters served with eviction notices and Lynne's husband confessing that he had hidden the full extent of their money problems... or the police cam of drunk Luann losing it in the back of a squad car... those were gasp out loud moments. I'm sure both women would have preferred the footage not to air, but they also had an attitude of 'I am on this show which pays me and raises my profile, and this is the price to pay.' Certainly, in both instances, my sympathy grew for both women and I appreciated them showing ALL parts of their lives. OC and NY especially do not shirk from presenting the many facets of these women. Question about the Umansky case: From what I initially gleaned, this Sweetwater guy is a corrupt dictator's offspring, trying to launder ill-gotten gains (while his country languishes in terrible poverty) by purchasing high-end property in the US. The Feds are breathing down his neck (hello RICO laws) and this lawsuit is a diversion tactic to wash his hands of the money laundering allegations and turn it on Mauricio. In your assessment, would you say that the Umanskys are being somewhat unfairly dragged into a lawsuit by this unscrupulous individual? That is an argument I have seen posited elsewhere. That is not to say that the show should avoid mentioning the lawsuit. It should, and it is a fascinating case. The lawsuits I also wish they would talk about are the ones for fraud and debt featuring the Kemsleys. Yikes. I thought Ramoma is chummy with Jill now and wanted her on the show. But yeah I bet one person in particular was categorically against showcasing Jill.

NYC: The Miami trip is shaping up to be a bit like St Barts or Tirks and Caicos, and that's not a bad thing. Great to see Jill Zarin again. She was only on for 30 seconds, but she made sure she was in every camera shot, and somehow managed to hustle her way next to Dorinda for the tree lighting ceremony. I tip my hat. This is the kind of thirsty camera presence we need! Why were her scenes cut? Did Bethenny pull a fit with production? I like Barbara fine but Zarin on that trip would have been insane.

Heize is great, and I love that she seems to have a lot of say in her music and how she wants to be marketed. BTW I dont know if either you @Faulkner or @Cheap21 are fans of Blackpink, but I saw them in concert last week. My first kpop concert! I felt a bit guilty about giving my cash to YG (I'm sure you have heard about the hoorrificstuff with Seungri and Burning Sun). However, i had a fun time at the concert and danced in the aisle along with half the arena! Whistle, Ddu Ddu and their latest Kill This Love are such bomb ass songs. In other news, Xiumin of Exo and now my bb D.O. have enlisted in the military. 😪

Potomac is such a pleasure, I can't get over it. Travelling to NOLA reminded me of back in the day when the Atlanta ladies went to Savannah or Charleston (I forget which) and there was a truly hilarious and fiery ensemble dynamic. Candiace came off well this episode, especially the way she smacked down Ashley and her pot-stirring. Last season, Ashley was allowed to get away with this because her mantra was 'I expose everything about my life, can you say the same?' The truth is, Ashley was only exposing stuff that made her look good (put-upon daughter, self-sacrificing wife). She and Michael are not an open book, something this season is now picking apart. I mean, does anybody truly believe Ashley is lusting after the Crypt Keeper's bod? I am ready for some roosting chickens to touch down. Right now Candiace and Robyn hold the key, which in true Bill Bell form, they are waiting to use a little later down the line. Also -- Michael was referring to Juan, right? I don't know what to make of Katie. I'm happy she is back as I liked her S1, but something is definitely off. It does seem that she changes persona with each guy she dates/marries, and that begs the question, who is she really? She seems to be going through some frankly horrendous stuff off-screen.

I actually enjoyed this week's BH after last week's lacklustre Motel 6 Hawaii episode. Part of the reason Tuesday's episode worked was Kyle and her family. Love or hate the Umanskys, I do think what we see of their interactions as a family is warm and authentic. The highlight of the episode though was KIM. I cannot believe how joyous it was to see her again. The way she snuck up on her sister to hug her was cute. She looks healthy and grounded and happy -- and that may be why Rinna was so pissed. I've been done with Rinna for a while. I love her soap/QVC self, but she's so obsessively mean in her rivalries. She doesn't just want you to go down, she wants you ruined personally and professionally, completely obliterated. She always said that Kim was going to die as a result of her addictions -- seeing her in a good place runs counter to that, and that's why she had a tantrum. Because she was not proved right. BH has made LR arrogant and dictatorial. If Kyle went to LVP to accuse her, it's because Rinna riled her up and essentially made Kyle 'prove' her loyalty to The Clique. Rinna has been hating on Camille for a while, and now has stirred up the rest of the group just in time for France. The fact that she threw a hissy fit over Kim being at her OWN NIECE'S birthday party -- what did she expect?? Rinna is the one being invited to another family's event, not Kim. Rinna seemed to be annoyed that nobody outside of Erika really gushed over her costume (personally, I thought PK as Karl Lagerfeld was the best! I love KL). As Kim pointed out, Rinna needs attention, and when she doesn't get it, she acts out. I wish Kyle had shown Rinna the door instead of trying to keep things easy and breezy (sigh, Kyle. Shades of S1, when Kyle would not have Kim's back because she valued being part of The Clique more). I do understand that Kyle was focused on hosting a party for her daughter. But it was left to Kim to confront a rabid Rinna, which she handled perfectly. Kim definitely came out the winner without breaking a sweat. I sort of wish she was back on the show now! Rinna did herself no favours. And WHERE is Harry Hamlin? He has not been at any events. I can overlook Camille's wedding, but no-show at a Hallowe'en party? Rinna and Hamlin live for showing off their Hallowe'en costumes to the paps. I was really surprised he wasn't there and wonder if something is up. (Haven't seen NY yet, but just want to say that I loved the return of Ramona to the fold last week. I liked her talking about her childhood and bonding with Bethenny and Dorinda. I had missed her this season).

Thanks for reminding me! Total brain freeze (I actually posted about it last weekend). Yay! You may still get to hear her speak her way through Chic C'est La Vie! Although you are right -- she should have gone to jail if that's the punishment everyone else gets for violating probation.

OH MY GOD There won't be a Countess at Reunion either. For the second year running. ETA: Seriously tho I'm sorry about the tix. I was dying to hear all your tea from #CAF!

What I don't understand is: what did they cut out? And why? Was this all Jill Zarin scenes? Did Bethenny throw a hissy about Jill being there? It feels like this was all set to be 18 episodes and a nice slow burn, and then around ep 10, they told the ladies to wrap it up quick. OTOH I am happy they didn't try to force them to stretch out the season. OTO, I feel like short seasons are for shows struggling to find their feet, like NJ after Teresa came back or early Potomac. It makes me worried because this is RHONY! It is a slow burn but always builds to a good pay-off. Also, WTH is going on with Ramona? She seems totally over it and most of her life is happening off screen. I wanted to see her and Mario more, and the snog with Harry Dubin. (Well, I saw the pics, don't need to see a close-up of those eel tongues, but you know what I mean). Potomac: God, Karen gives me so much life. And I love the background music they use for this show. I liked seeing Katie again. I felt she was dismissed too hastily in S1 and IMO she has enough crazy to warrant a place on this show. Especially if Robyn hasn't got much going on, and Candiace wants to remain on the show. Ugh that song! Ashley and Michael are so performative with their relationship. Next week in NOLA looks really good! Well, at least you busted the scoundrel who thought they could make up sh!t about you without consequences. What a shitty thing to do to you.

So RHONY filmed their reunion on Friday. I feel like this season has just started -- we are only at episode 11 -- so it feels way too early for Reunion time. Is it a shortened season this year? IMO the cameras could show up in any of these women's lives at any point during the year, and always be able to find something RH-worthy to film. Anyway, here was the seating arrangement. I would have swapped Sonja for Tinsley as I don't think Sonja deserves to be at the end of the couch. In sad news, Mama Elsa of Real Housewives of Miami fame was buried this weekend. Many of the HWs showed up at the funeral (which they obviously mistook for a catwalk). It was nice to see Marysol, Alexia, Adriana and Whatsherfaces who was married to the plastic surgeon. Miami was great. Mama Elsa was the best character in the cast IMO, and the show was never the same after her stroke. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7042953/RHOM-rally-Marysol-Patton-mother-Mama-Elsas-funeral-South-Florida.html

I don't think it is only LVP 'stans' who are pointing out the holes in this... SL? Takedown? Dorit, Teddi and Kyle's story keeps changing, but LVP's denial has been consistent and unequivocal (unlike in S6 when she was basically caught red-handed and prevaricated about what she did or didn't say). I also don't think LA restaurant-owner LVP has more power than TMZ or ROL. They could blow this whole thing wide open and expose her and get the clicks. But they haven't. In fact, they keep saying her camp did not leak. Why bother covering for her? I really do hope the new BH without LVP has with a new energy, because the last 3-4 seasons have been awful. But if you think there is no game-playing and backstabbing going on, look again. Rinna and Erika have silently designated Camille as the next target. They aren't too pleased about PK kissing up to the Todds, either, and Kyle has it out for Dorit. If I were Teddi, I wouldn't feel too secure in my standing with Erika. The more things change, the more things stay the same. First of all -- it is so great seeing Wendy energised and invested for the first time in over 2 years. It has been a long journey, and I thought she was going into freefall and about to lose her show. But she clawed her way back and is getting rid of that free-loading hubby! I'm so glad for her and hope she comes out the other side a winner. Secondly, creamy yellow really is Karen Huger's color. She looks phenomenal, and I loved what she said about having to be careful with money when the money troubles started. Karen is a little crazy and delusional sometimes, but not here. She was perfect, and open about her own failings and vulnerabilities, and that makes her a true Grande Dame. Wendy really seemed taken with her. I'm so glad Potomac is on the pop culture radar because it is a fab show. I don't usually like RH weddings, but Candiace's wedding was so gorgeously filmed with that diffuse East Coast light, and there was so much going on with the cast interactions, that I was gripped from start to finish. Ugh that sucks that you had to go through something like that. I understand the need for validation for your own peace of mind. Some people take unfounded gossip as fact, so I'm glad you had an opportunity to vindicate yourself and put that to bed.

TBH I am enjoying this season more than the previous couple of years. Why? Because for once everything is laid out on the table. We aren't watching some petty proxy war about Erika's underpants. These women want to expose LVP once and for all, and for that I am grateful, because they expose their own asses while they're at it. These women all use the media(s) to brief against the other, control the narrative and destroy reputations. Ok! Well, then time to stop playing innocent victim. Time to prove yourselves as entertaining HWs worthy of the franchise. I actually do want them to 'prove me wrong' and entertain me, instead of solemnly lecturing to me in their VTs and on Twitter. LVP doing the lie detector test -- what a sleight of hand. She blindsided her cast members Tuesday night, and the fact that Bravo kept that secret all these months says something about production hedging their bets. They knew this was a boss move. IA with @DaytimeFan -- LVP will not be back next season. She is isolated and reviled by the others. This is the last play for this group. Fans may be watching, but many of us are watching for a last resolution to the last 4 poor seasons. It simply cannot continue like this. They all want to ruin each other in the court of public opinion. Sure, that is the name of the RH game, but it feels especially vicious, scorched-earth and personal here. LVP has lost the joy she used to emanate (as that S1 clip illustrated). For that matter, so has Erika. For this reason, LVP absolutely MUST attend reunion. If she blows it off, then (it pains me to say it) she should be fired. Contractually, Adrienne was fired for doing the same (I don't count NJ Jacqueline because nobody missed her whining). It also sets a precedent. If LVP skips it and comes back next season, HWs across the shows will do the same in order to avoid accountability. Can you imagine OC reunions without Vicki during those Brooks years?? No! Vicki manned up with some Xanax and showed up. She faced up to horrific mistakes in judgement. Reunion can be cathartic, for them and for us. It is also an opportunity for those on the back foot to surprise the audience and turn things around. That is what I expect will happen with LVP. She is well paid and has built a brand thanks to Bravo; one day of questions is a small price to pay. And she can hold others to account, too. She has kept a consistent message/defence this year while others have changed their story. She's got this. She is the key to closure of this whole mess, the last four seasons of BS. After that, let the chips fall where they may as far as BH is concerned: LVP can count her advertising dollars from VPR.

Ohmygod. That was.... When Somja tripped up on "the horse's mouth" This week we got Ashley straddling the crypt keeper, and now this I have no words!

What happened at the end of NY? (Will be watching it later)

Teddi totally set this trip up so she could show off how real she is and how coddled and useless the others are. Camille saw through that right away -- and Dorit was basically beating Teddi at her own game with the activities. The hype has gone to Teddi's head this season. She is setting herself up as the morality police calling people out, and given how BH operates? LOL you in danger, girl. Somebody like Camille will be sufficiently pissed off to dig up some double-dealing on your side. As for Camille, I thought she was as extra as Erika with some of the one-upmanship. But at least she is bringing pot-stirring S1 Camille to the party! Without her, everybody would just be sitting in their usual Halloween costumes staring each other down (the last 3 seasons basically). IMO Camille should have got a diamond this season. She isn't a parrot like Kyle agreeing with what everyone says. And she isn't going to let herself be corralled by Teddi into becoming a foot soldier against LVP. Not that LVP will welcome her with open arms after the teeth comments, but I appreciate that Camille isn't afraid to be bitchy amid the fake-nice popularity contest that is BH.

No BH discussion? It has been largely quiet on the internet front regarding this episode -- the first in which LVP did not appear at all. Well, I thought it was OK. Don't get me wrong, something was definitely missing. The chemistry between the women needs work: it is more strategic alliances as opposed to actual friendships. The dynamic was different, but in some ways it was lighter. These chicks HAVE to prove themselves without LVP to lean on, though. She came up a lot -- mostly by Teddi. Teddi also nailed Camille for her pot-stirring. Camille came off thirsty and try-hard this episode. It's clear that she is the next target for this group. I was surprised at how quiet Rinna was. She was almost a non-entity. Denise was definitely the most entertaining. What was interesting was the way Erika acts around her -- jumpy and nervous, like she was feeling the pressure to dominate. When Denise wowed everybody with her happy-endings story, Erika felt the need to jump in about how Tom had been with hookers or some such nonsense. Erika seems to be intimidated by Denise, while also being a little bit star-struck and wanting to impress her. I hate to say it because I cannot stand her fake ass, but Dorit came across OK this episode. She was good at a lot things on this camping trip, and that was.... surprising. I'm sure I will go back to hating her next week. Oh! Speaking of the Kemsley's, apparently PK settled with the Bellagio today! Just in time for Reunion. Those 'stolen' handbags of Dorit's came in handy after all.

@DaytimeFan Joan Collins was the star of the Met Ball last night -- this year's theme is Camp.

Me watching Whipped Cream with the Crypt Keeper: "Stick your tongue out." *shudder* Those words are now scarred on my brain! 🤢 Was that some poor attempt at damage control?? At least when Tamra & Eddie splashed around in the tub, I believed they were genuinely into each other! I noticed that too -- Monique spoke to her kids the way my mom would speak to me and my brother. It was instantly recognisable, that 'don't test me' tone! Man, I would never want to mess with Monique in mama mode. Her little girl Milani is adorable, though! One thing I have to give Gizelle, she seems to be a great mom. Her girls obviously love her, and she is natural, funny and... human with them. No ice-cold lack of empathy here. Going back to Sherman after he ghosted her, though.... C'mon Gizelle. Have some self-respect. If I was Ramona, I would be nervous about next season. The Big Apple Circus likely paid Bravo for the two-episode promo, and Ramona did the bare minimum and left. Unlike Sonja. Sonja considers this stuff to be a perk of her job. Ramona might consider it a hindrance to support another HW's paid promotion, but Sonja knows that what the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away just as quickly. Got to enjoy life while you can and the opportunities that come your way. And that is why she is such a joy -- she is a good sport and a team player. Without that albatross of a town house around her neck, she can now truly enjoy herself, and finally be herself. That's why she did such a good job with the clown. She was totally un-self-conscious. I liked The Hustle promo with Sonja and Dorinda because both women started talking about the others with a lot of understanding and, dare I say it, even love. It makes a nice contrast with the bitchiness elsewhere. I find I don't miss Carole much, either.

NYC has been a little overshadowed by the hate-watch which is BH recently. It makes me worried that this might be the last season that we see the NYC cast as it currently stands. Which saddens me greatly because even with a strange, filler-y episode like this, I still enjoy every second of the interactions. Sonja is My Favorite this season -- putting that toddler on her lap, not worrying about poop, and participating spontaneously with the clown. She is also kind and supportive. She, Dorinda and Tinsley appear to have grown closer this season. I am digging this friendship group. Tinsley & Shady Dale. Now, I read some recaps that went IN on Dale, saying she was cruel and uncaring to Tinsley during their talk. I did not see any of that. I saw Tinsley having reached the end of the line with Coupon King, and Dale giving her some tough love. Dale is right: Coupon King won't let her go but doesn't want to take her, either. This is absolutely not fair to Tinsley. I found her advice sensible and straightforward. And understanding of Tinsley's need for approval and support. It's weird seeing Luann's scenes about how her Cabaret show helps her stay away from the booze, esp given the news that she has violated her probation a second time. I never quite believed that rehab took fully with Lu. I think she saw that alcohol was prompting terrible decisions and a breakdown in her family, so she had to cool it, at least publicly. But I don't think she stopped social-drinking. Because Luann loves the social whirl and parties, and that's what this cabaret thing is all about. She is addicted to cabaret and is desperate to make it last IMO. If and when that is taken away from her, she will be crushed. And if Palm County make good on their threat to jail her on violation, that could happen sooner rather than later.

@j swift As a fan of both GH and SB, I knew the Hursleys and Dobsons were family, but I never knew the bitterness between mother and daughter. You make a compelling argument about their anger and resentment with each other playing out on their shows, underpinning the characters' psychology and emotions. It casts the tragedy of Eden on SB, who succumbed to multiple personality disorder at the end of her run, in another light. As if the daughter could never escape her past traumas, her mother's abandonment. And what a mirror those multiple personalities were with Sophia returning to town early in the show's run, disguised as a man and assuming a male alter ego.