Cat

IA. I felt warm and happy after watching this episode (BETHENNY CROYING ). I don't think I have ever seen Sonja this down-to-earth, carefree and comfortable with herself. Next week should be an interesting counterpoint to that. I never know whether Bethenny's grief is performative or whether she can only truly express sadness by leaning into it and feeling all the feels. One thing is for sure: Bethenny is a serial dater. She cannot be without a guy in her life, even while she mourns another. I don't think I have ever known her to be fully single on RHONY. Um, is Tinsley contract-stipulated to have Dale show up at least once an episode?! Not that I mind --- Dale is so thirsty this season but I love her presence anyway! She even silently suffered through Ramona blanking her just for some camera-time! Seeing her interact with Sonja and Dorinda makes me feel she would be a better fit on this show than Tinsley herself. Having said that, Tins had a pretty decent episode by her meh-ish standards. Good to now about the jaw botox! I grind my teeth in my sleep when I'm stressed. Melinda omg Dorinda's country twin! Crazy how they sound exactly alike too. I absolutely loved her. She is definitely the real deal. I am back to loving Dorinda again after this episode. The crazy decorations. The willingness to pander to the Countess's demands. Dorinda really wants their friendship back again and it broke my heart a little to see Luann so uppity. She threw away a lot of audience goodwill this episode.

Wow. What a genius move. Taylor would be perfect for the OC! She's got the neuroses but she's no pushover either. Neither Tamra nor Shannon would be able to manipulate or intimidate her. She is the original grifter, TayShanna, after all! And she has friends in high Calabasan places (Linda Thompson, for example). P.s.: OC only started filming a month ago so there is definitely time to add a new HW. What have they got to lose? Last season was slow as molasses until they hit Jamaica.

My feelings exactly. When Dorit was pretend-crying at the lunch, I literally cringed. There is not a sincere bone in that woman's body. Everything is so performative and false -- including this entire dog 'storyline.' The one question nobody is asking is, why would LVP jeopardize her longstanding friendship with PK just to make this a thing? It makes no sense. And speaking of performative, when Kyle posed her fuschia-pink Birkin on LVP's countertop -- so the cameras could get a good look at it -- all I could think was, is this one of the Birkin bags LVP gifted Kyle after the burglary? I have never seen LVP so angry on this show, not even when Brandi turned on her. Kyle was very proud of herself for confronting LVP -- she is too dumb to see how Rinna and the others pumped her up to go over to Villa Rosa and prove her worth to them. Ken's vibrating "Goodbye, Kyle" was a perfect meme for this season. The once-fabulous essence of the show has been destroyed. Most of the women clearly dont care for each other. At least we can understand the heat of anger between Dorinda and Luann on NY. It is real. These BH chicks' interactions with each other are so contrived and impersonal. I wouldn't be shocked if Rinna whispered this story to ROL, as a Plan B when the initial takedown failed. We are at episode 8. What else are these fools going to offer us for another 10 episodes? Camille's wedding, the fires, and the France trip could easily have been edited down to 5 shows. I dont know if I can bear 10 episodes of snarling about LVP or Rinna talking over her daughter with bulimia in order to deflect from her exercising 5 hours a day and not eating solids! Honestly, I would love it if LVP started hanging out with Nicollette Sheridan, Joan Collins and Naomi Campbell. The Brit Babes coming for Rinna, Erika, Kyle, Teddi and Dorit's jobs!

Nene is literally self imploding all over social media. I think she sees the writing on the wall (that Bravo is lukewarm about keeping her on the show) and she is panicking. The network is sniffing around a different demo and wants to get rid of some of its OG's this year. We saw how Vicki was treated when OC filming started a few weeks back. The LVP takedown could also be production mandated. I was sad to see so little Karen in the Potomac trailer. Nene has the biggest per-episode salary of any of the OGs, apparently. Given that fans have stopped clamouring for her, Bravo might be looking to offload that particular expense. Nene's downfall is largely by her own hand, though. Verbally abusing an audience member. Let go from some TV projects for her attitude. Her irrational jealousy of anybody who she feels is stealing her spotlight. The way she has treated Greg is appalling. I wonder if she has looked in the mirror and admitted to herself that she triggered this backlash. Not Porsha, not Kenya, not Kandi nor Cynthia.

I was just going to say... they could have filmed the text messages and called it a day!

I third that! Happy 9th! I'm so glad that @Cheap21 started this thread! The Housewives are basically my soaps now that my connection to Daytime is loosening. I personally love this thread and everyone who contributes and has contributed to it. Agreed on everything. I think Luann is close to getting haughty about the wrong Dorinda done her, but she is definitely in the right after the petty way Dorinda treated her at her own show. And all because of.... Jovani?? I think Dorinda is upset that Lu got into cabareting and doesn't need her as much anymore. I think they were each other's support system to an extent. I love Barbara and hope she stays in Luann-Season-7-FOH capacity, appearing in almost every episode. I think she's a keeper thus far. Sonja has blossomed so far without the weight of Grey Gardens on her shoulders! Lol I desperately want a gif of that goblin close-up and Ramona's words "it looks like Bethenny CROYING."

I actually felt sorry for Ramona. This is the dating pool in Manhattan for that age bracket: Tom D'Agostino, Harry Dubin and this pretentious blowhard. He almost got married 8 times?? I hope those women are respecting themselves more these days. I suspect Scott has a great life with girlfriends in Chicago and Tinsley in NYC who can promote Coupon Cabin every once in a while. I dont think he wants to marry her though. Why lose that lifestyle? I also dont think she wants to move her life to Chicago. Solid episode. Sonja still makes my day. And I liked Dorinda a lot more, until she threw Barbara out of her apartment (Barbara is right, it needs a repaint and a revamp). Dorinda really wants to get her closeness back with Luann but doesn't want to admit to the heckling and some kind of weird resentment Dorinda seems to have. What's also sad is that Luann seems to have moved on. I was really rooting for their friendship but each side is not willing to compromise.

Agreed about Barbara. She is the real deal, and I think it helps that she's known these women for years and runs her own business. The latter grounds her in terms of connecting with the audience. She seems like an authentic member of the cast and I dont know why she didn't get an apple. Sonja was MVP this episode. Warm, empathetic, incisive. I love her VTs and just the way she seems to dance through every event. I also loved what she wore to the clam bake. Ramona is being extra with her assholery this year. It's such a contrast with seasons 3 and 4 when she sat back and let The Evil of Jill manifest itself. She did the franchise a service back then, but she's doing herself no favors now.

On point as always. Especially your last sentence. BH is the Olivia Jade of the Bravo RHs. She's pretending to be on the rowing team and partying on the USC Board of Trustees yacht while more deserving students are studying for their midterms and holding down part-time jobs. The women of BH (as evidenced by Rinna's latest Tweet) think they are hot [!@#$%^&*] and kind of sneery about other franchises. But NJ had one of its best seasons in years, NYC is giving us true tea and real-life drama -- and Potomac just threw down an epic trailer! BH is mediocre, lazy and lying to the audience about what is really going on. I wish they did have the fear of cancellation in them! Make no mistake, I blame ALL the BH HWs for this. LVP should never have started this pot-stirring knowing the others are champing at the bit to come for her. I'm sure she thought it was a win-win with somebody as skin-crawlingly awful as Dorit (to paraphrase Camille. Same, girl, same). The focus on this instead of REAL stuff drives me insane. At one point early in the episode, Kyle tells Mauricio she has to run to a meeting at her store. Alene Too was shuttered months ago! Why aren't we talking about this? I would put it down to ATL having a cast that didn't quite gel with the audience this season, as well as the amazing viral marketing campaign which whet our appetites for BH for months beforehand. We waited for that first episode with baited breath! Like @alwaysAMC I too would be interested in seeing the ratings progression as the season rolls on. I don't know if it can hold up, but I've been wrong before. NJ's ratings makes me super happy!

Something else concerning Potomac. Michael's 'issue' is right out there for all to see. Bet the Darbeys would have loved to work a deal with Bravo to keep it behind closed doors, and I bet Bravo told them "We can show anything we want." It makes me wonder if the BH women have different contracts from the rest of the franchise. Contracts where they can block Bravo from showing or talking about certain things. Maybe that explains why we have all this scripted petty nonsense the last few years instead of actual stuff that is happening. Anyway. I am very curious how Ashley, Miss IAmOpenAboutEverythingWhyArentYouKaren, tries to dress up what happened between Michael and the cameraman. I cant stand Gizelle but I admit I giggled when she said "He likes big butts. And I cannot lie."

Same. She was such a bitch to Monique in particular, and when it came to Karen, always played both sides. However, I am not losing sleep over her missing as Katie is back and this season looks like fire!! Ashley still as messy as ever. My only complaint is not enough Karen in the trailer!

For the life of me, I cannot understand why the producers of BH eschewed organic, REAL drama in the form of Dorit getting doorstepped by pissed-off creditors, Mauricio's lawsuit (from a shady central African dictator, so I'm leaning towards Mo a bit on that one), or Tom's lawsuit which has meant a sharp reduction in Erika's expenses. Heck, let's talk about the LVP lawsuits from last year. Instead, they thought Dog-gate was the better idea?? This is like last season's fuckery all over again. Sometimes the BH women are so arrogant about their standing in the RH pecking order that I wish Bravo would cancel the show on their under-performing asses! No way would NYC or OC be able to get away with sweeping their scandals under the rug. NYC has thrived because it talks about those things openly, even when it embarrasses or humbles them (Luann). I remember the early seasons when we had real-life dark secrets exposed, juicy scandals, Hollywood cover-ups,and the richies mixing up with the wannabes. Now the show is constructed in Erika Jayne's image: there is a lot of glammed contrivance, and nobody dare exert themselves lest they loosen a hair extension. And despite having just dissed Erika above, I do agree with you about Erika Girardi. There has been something fun and down-to-earth about her the last few episodes. I cannot dislike Erika completely (unlike Rinna or Dorit), and I think it is because of these moments. I especially enjoy her wily understanding of human nature, when she drops the wannabe cool-girl script. And in another shocking moment...I actually enjoyed the scenes of Kyle dropping off her daughter at GWU. It was real-life, and at least the Umanskys are not encouraging their daughters to be 'models' or Instagram influencers (*cough*). And while I really like Denise, I think her fiance Aaron sounds like a bit of a new-age con-man. *hides* NJ: Sad it is over. I had a fondness and emotional investment in the show this year. Margaret is definitely in my Top 5 HWs now. There was lightness and humor to the season, too. And when they brought out the kiddie car for Andy at the end, I was actually moved, especially at the parenting advice they gave him. You felt they were really thrilled for him. NY: Felt like I was watching Season 2 RHONY with the focus on the Hamptons and Ramona's poor tennis game! I wonder if Mario saw that she hired his younger mini-me to give her lessons? Ramona and Dorinda may hate Luann, but imo she is the emotional centre of the show. I usually adore Ramona and Dorinda, but wow they are being so hateful. Dorinda is so mean and self-pitying. She is snarly because she thinks Luann exposed her drinking problem in Cartegena. Girl, YOU exposed your alcohol/substance abuse all by your lonesome! And speaking of substances, I suspect that is what is happening to Ramona's left nostril.

Gretchen's face has hit Peak Barbie in terms of the work she's had done. And Slade is still as cringe as ever. Congrats to them both, I guess. That entire reel reeks of two people who would love this pregnancy to be showcased on RHOC.

Rinna hates LVP so much that she would sue LVP AND the network that gave her a new lease of life and tons of business opportunities? I swear, she and the others are trying to kill the golden goose in the hopes of getting more gold! I'm now wondering if BH will even exist next year! I've never gotten into VPR, but damn, what's it to Rinna if LVP gets another spin-off? RHOBH is all hers if that happens! And she's still bleating about 'poor Dorit.' The twit dumped a dog at a kill shelter! Rinna has two dogs herself! What a clown. I do too. It was a fun, glamorous show. I feel like it ended on a high, though, with everybody focused on moving on with their own lives and families.

It took me a minute to realise who Luke, Dorinda's friend, was on RHONY. He was Caroline Stanbury's BFF/hair stylist in Ladies of London! #RIPLoL

Dorit is so slippery, I can see Rinna doing one victory lap too many and tripping up spectacularly right before the finish line.

Damn, Lisa! Well, she really knows how to argue her case with a strong turn of phrase. She pretty much hit every point of her argument there. Talking about how Lucy is doing now and how the VPD staff rear and look after the dogs really brought her argument home. I think she's done with all of them. She won't even mention Rinna by name.

Nobody came out of this episode covered in glory. It's obvious LVP wanted to expose Dorit for dumping the dog at a kill shelter (and I say let her. Dorit oozes insincerity out of every pore! What she did to that dog was horrendous). It's obvious Erika and Rinna are doing the most to destroy LVP by any means necessary. Rinna is one of the most deeply unlikable people I have ever seen on a RH show -- and that's saying something, because she has fierce competition. Like @Cheap21, I can't believe Doggate is going to be the SL for this entire season. My god, we're only at episode 4! BH isn't going to have a nice, compact 3/4 season like NJ -- we have 14 more episodes of this. And then Reunion -- another 3-to-4 episodes! I can't, I can't, I CAN'T! [(c) Ramona] Teddi exposed by those texts. When I saw Ken whip out those print-outs, I nearly screamed. Teddi was totally exposed by Ken and Dog-Ken sitting on his lap! Interestingly, no footage of Dorit being chased round the pool in the Bahamas by an angry Beverly Beach creditor! The footage is on social media for all to see. Hmmm. Agreed. I really like Denise, a breath of fresh air and normalcy amid all the contrived scripted BS. I hope she stays this way, because it's like she's an audience member who just happened to get roped in with this cast. I think it's really significant how much the other HWs seem to really like her and are not trying to pick a fight with her. I have NEVER seen Erika so funny and warm to somebody on this show before, but she seems genuinely under Denise's charm.

She looked softer. Glowing. Younger. Happier. With some of these costumes it's like she is trying to escape something. Escape herself. Btw other breaking news: Peter Thomas got arrested coming back from Jamaica into Miami International Airport. There was an outstanding warrant from Louisiana for trying to pass/cash fake cheques. Sigh. Overall I liked Peter on ATL but... I'm so glad Cynthia is no longer with him. (Yes, I want Leon and Cynthia to find their way back together again. Even though I think Cynthia is essentially happiest single and with her own space).

Checkmate, bitches!! Word on the street is that LVP got another spin-off -- centering on VPD! The coven is hopping mad! They went out to Craig's for dinner last night to commiserate. Apparently they feel 'used' by production and LVP, and are angry she is being 'rewarded' for not filming with them. I dont even know why they are pissed -- this likely means LVP will no longer film RHOBH. But LOL she left on her terms, not theirs. Rinna must be FURIOUS! She wanted to destroy her so badly. Re: the Erika fashion talk: Erika succeeds IMO when she goes Old Hollywood like the white 30s pant suit or even the latex outfit in Berlin (cliché as that was). However, it is getting costume-party territory, and even her non-costumey looks are derivative of the Kardashians or Gwen Stefani. Remember her first season how soft and pretty she looked hanging with Tom? The fashion one-upping has become so competitive now, that's why I don't enjoy it anymore. It's not for entertainment purposes, it is to outdo the others and show off how much money you pretend to have. It's for Erika to lord it over the others and keep them at arms length, bowing to her 'superior' style.

Lol yeah I thought Jennifer came across well in this week's episode (part 2 of the reunion). She softened a bit and sounded more relatable. I find her very entertaining (mainly because I know people like her IRL) -- in contrast with Kathy. I did think Kathy acquitted herself well in her forced send-off two seasons ago. She ended up carrying the can for the Gorgas/Wakiles, and it is kind of sad the way the Gorgas dumped Rosie, Kathy etc so quickly. I love the husbands in NJ! I like that everybody family-related gets in the mix, and I enjoyed the drama this season. Pacey and not too toxic. Danielle's ex-husband looked like a fool, though. Especially now that we know the Two Joes were right and just looking out for him. Danielle is already engaged to a new guy! I've been lax about keeping up with ATL this season. I found it hard to get into after Kenya's departure and couldn't warm to Eva. Maybe I should catch up on more episodes.

LVP got a new stylist in recent years -- they all did after Erika joined the show. I think this new stylist has been very hit or miss for LVP. I miss her old looser style tbh. It's all a little severe now. But now everyone (except Denise bless her soul) is dressing like they're going to an S&M rodeo and it's too much. Too much time spent watching these hoes get done up like it's the Oscars for a latte at the organic coffee shop. And it's taken the place of truly organic drama and interaction. In my humble opinion. Heck I even miss Kyle's Alene Too kaftans sometimes.

Cheap! I've missed you on this thread! Tell us how you really feel! Yes, I'm def on the LVP love train but I have always enjoyed the different opinions from you and JackPeyton and others back in the day. I noticed the way LVP tried to say Teddi was gossiping, and the fuss with Erika was basically to piss her off. LVP tries too hard to get Erika to notice her when Erika is just not feeling her. Still, I do think losing her brother has genuinely devastated Lisa. And I am not a fan of the others trying to take her down at her low point. Also, Dorit and the dog... I can't with that half-assed negligence. I am liking Denise quite a bit, though. RHONJ: My enjoyment of Jennifer continues to grow! She better get a second season! She is hilarious, and I liked the way she talked about her relationship with her mom and defended herself against the smug one. For a while there, I thought Joe had been punched in the forehead. It took me a minute to realise he has been waxing his unibrow! That area didn't get tanned yet. So... Teresa is def over and done with Juicy Joe, isn't she? Next week: the hubbies and ProstitutionWhore!

This in a nutshell. I heard one podcast commentator (who is not an LVP fan) say that she was being punished for her sins of previous seasons and that this was absolutely not the 'crime' to nail her on. They also said that Grifter's phony crocodile tears and fake story of a stranger knocking on her door and taking the dog away to a 'beautiful home' made it impossible to side with her. The takedown really showcases what morons they are. No wonder LVP can find nothing in common with them. I thought at least Erika had a spare braincell or two, but she's clearly as vapid as the rest if she co-signed this. I also can't believe these nitwits spent the off-season doing victory laps around Twitter before the season even aired. Were they so coked up during Bahamas filming that they couldn't recognize how poorly they came across then and there? FYI: still no mention of Dorit getting chased around the pool in the Bahamas by an angry creditor! It was filmed on someone's iPhone!

It was SO GOOD, and imo S2 is even better. Mainly because the crux of S1's drama was off-camera and she said- she said. Wasnt Kyle vile from Day 1, though? Always trying to belittle her sister in front of the others. I truly believe Camille about the off-camera remark, too. Ironic that Kyle was so busy trying to destroy Camille that she never saw LVP's popularity with the audience coming.