Cat

Andy is consistently a fail with follow-up questions. He asks a question, lets the HW grandstand for a bit, inserts a pre-rehearsed quip and then "Let's move on." It's the other HWs who force the follow-up questions. Having said that, he did needle Ashley about her Coronas and Robyn about Juan: "you've said that before." I am 110% stanning for Karen. She showed up Couch Nasty six ways to Sunday with the truth about their motives (nobody with half a braincell believes they went after her because they 'wanted to be there for her'). She left them shaken and publicly shamed. Gizelle knew she had f*cked up and so made a show of comforting her. Giz played this episode calm and collected, as she let her handmaiden Ashley get all the blowback. Ashley shakes the tree while Gizelle picks up the fruit. Karen can laugh at herself too, even though Ashley fronted like Karen was secretly angry about 'Kern'. Ashley is desperately looking for an excuse to justify her general shittiness. I cannot stand her. She would sell out her own mother (and she has!). Also I still maintain that Ashley -- who claims to "put it all out there" -- cherry-picks her SLs that put her in the best light. That would be (1) supporting her poor momma; and (2) I just want Michael to give me a baby to fulfill me! Is that too much to ask? Candy-ass earned her S4 place IMO. I see Charrisse is on next week, desperate to stay relevant.

Team Karen all day every day! She shamed the right couch into silence with the truth of her situation -- which they all knew about and yet still CHOSE to be complete bitches. And it has backfired on them big-time.

Omg. I literally gasped out loud when I saw your post. What a shocking, needless death... poor Bethenny, she must be literally devastated. I think she was very much hoping that, with Dennis, things would be different than with her past relationships. Certainly I got a different vibe from him than the cold vibe I got from the many Jasons she shacked up with. He seemed shy generally and quite tender and sweet towards her. Obviously I wrote my previous putdown of BF (with the YT vids) before I knew of this news. This opiates crisis is out of control. It cuts across class, race, gender, money lines. Looking at Dennis, I would never have thought that he wrestled with an OxyContin addiction. And that's the point. It can strike anybody. And many people can hide it, up to a point. May he rest in peace but gosh, this is sad news.

FYI -- this is what Bethenny Frankel will be like in Season 11: totally insufferable! Dorinda vs Luann is going to be the rivalry of S11. Ramona singing along to Money Can't Buy You Class is really sweet considering how far she and Lu have come.

You're right. In any case, it's all moot. S9 RHOBH has already started filming, and it is now officially confirmed that Denise Richards will be joining the Walking Dead Kyle, LVP, Erika, Rinna, Dorito and Teddi.

I know this is a highly unpopular choice but *whispers*

NYC I thought tonight would be the finale! IMO they could have condensed this episode into half of next week's. I was thinking I would miss Carole after she's gone -- but then she brought up Tinsley's abusive relationship to explain her reaction on the boat. Carole is that girl, who reminds her BFFs of their failures in order to slap them with her superiority. She and Bethenny are made for each other. I like what Ramona has done to her Hamptons home (namely update the kitchen). Bethenny's new apartment looks identical to her past 5 apartments: like a sterile executive suite at the Marriott. The #Countess seems to have found her old confidence and bitchiness this episode! I'm not sure how I feel about it. Ugh, I thought we could avoid seeing Adam this season, but no, Mouth-Breather has returned. And in his time away, he still hasn't learned to enunciate his words. Sonja as usual is the gift that keeps on giving. The detailing of bodily functions is embarrassingly relatable, lol. And using Ramona's party to canvas her show line? Sonja is saving on her marketing budget. Oh Heather, how I missed your common sense. RHOC does cover families a little more than the other shows, but since Season 6 the show has focused more on the womens' relationships with each other. Tamra brought a Survivor dynamic to the show (alliances, targeting the weak link, etc) and it brought in viewers, for better or worse. I feel you re: Vicki. She is such a central figure, but I understand that her unwillingness to discuss all the details of Brooks' scam coherently has weighed on the show. This season does feel like make-or-break. Yeah Gretch + Alexis are part of RHOC's less aspirational (but imo golden) middle seasons. When I wrote about that dumbbell Alexis earlier, I LOLed thinking about her forays into local morning TV. S13 would have been great to have her, if only so we could understand why The Deepest Love didn't survive. I'd entertain it, too, but Kenya is an acquired taste [(c) Ramona] and she could either gel with this group or be a square peg in a round hole. On the plus side, she has humor. She is a drama queen (move over, Bethenny). In fact, the possibility of her and Bethenny butting heads is glorious. Plus the Dalys lives (very comfortably) in Brooklyn. Cue Ramona clutching her pearls. On the minus side, she wouldn't be able to troll the NY women as comprehensively as she did on ATL her first two seasons. This isn't shooting fish in a barrel like it was with Kim Zolciak! That Apollo mess she instigated would not fly either. The other 'minus' is Kenya's shade. It is never not improvised. A lot of those reads -- at reunions, in her VTs -- are contrived. Not saying the NYC ladies don't pre-plan their putdowns, but both Dorinda and Bethenny also think fast on their feet. Moreover, they + Ramona are like dogs with a bone in terms of getting the last word in. So is Kenya, and consequently, a face-off like that could be GOLD -- or it could leave Kenya badly exposed.

Agreed. I'm way over Kelly Dodd at this point. To reinvigorate the cast, how about *whispers* Lydia. Heather. Gretchen. Alexis. Why Lydia? Lydia unfairly took the fall for last year's fiasco, but she did get under Shannon's skin, plus she managed to get the franchise rid of that horrendous stepbot Meghan. Why not? I can't deal with another Nobleman launch/ball-snipping party for her boring husband. Why Heather? Dynamic, snobby, has a watchably-irritating, receptionist-shagging (allegedly!) husband. Plus she has unfinished business with Kelly Dodd. Why not? I can't deal with another four seasons about that effing half-built McMansion and that effing porte cochere. Why Gretchen? Because it would make Tamra go BA-NA-NAS. Why not? It's Gretchen. And it's Slade. Why Alexis? Now that Jim Bellino has dumped her, I would happily watch Alexis trying to make another go of it on Fox 5. At this point, they would probably have her as a serious pundit on Fox NEWS. It's National Booty Awareness Month, guys! Also, the prospect of a balding Jim Bellino going apeshit on Tamra and Shannon is made of win. Why not? It's Alexis.

YESSSS Don't let her get away with it, Monique!! I am so glad Mo is holding Ashley to account. Not only is she a giant hypocrite AND a bad friend (friends don't let friends drive home after drinking), but she set out to destroy her with this. You're not seeing the dragging? I thought Monique was like a dog with a bone, she didn't let Ashley outtalk or outbark her one bit.

So I'm watching season 3 M2M for the first time in full (initially dropped it for a while because S2 was kind of dull). S3 really is the season M2M came into its own. There was a lot of juicy material: Simone's anger and trust issues, Jackie's stuff with her dad, Quad vs Lisa Nicole, Lisa Nicole and that dog of a husband, Dr Darren! I am curious to know what people here thought of Lisa Nicole. In terms of the vs Quad stuff, I am definitely Team Lisa. Quad was so pissed at being exposed as a fraudster and felon that she went out of her way to attack and expose Lisa's private life. However, there is something kind of smug about Lisa Nicole. All that fake 'our family is stronger than ever!' stuff. I wish she would have dumped Darren's cheating ass. Cheating is such a dealbreaker and I don't know if I could trust a partner again after that. Quad had a lot of plastic surgery work done since S1, damn. That ego was out of control then as it is now! I still don't understand how this woman thinks that she is the 'queen' of this show? Also Quad, running an online doggy clothing business does not mean you are 'in fashion.' Get over yourself. I can't believe I'm saying this but I am liking Toya and even Devilishly this season? Devilishly comes across better when her cute daughter is around. She is still shady though, like when she roped Darren in to be a bachelor on her dating night. Still, she had some great lines: "Damon don't need to be near no hoes, just like I don't need to be near no food." Jill is ok but if they had to bring a white woman back, I would have preferred Kari. Meanwhile, Mariah this season looked absolutely gorgeous with darker hair.

Potomac This has been my favourite franchise of the HWs this year, alongside NY. The OG core group have know each other for years, the young 'uns are a good mix, and amid the fights and 'scandalous' revelations, there is just the right balance of lightness, shade and humor. As @DaytimeFan said, without Karen, there would be no show. I love her, unapologetically, flaws, lies and all. Her issues give these other women a reason for collecting a Bravo cheque living. Her shade is unparalleled (Gizelle in her wildest dreams could never be this funny). Her comebacks are flawless. Clearly, Great Falls is a fake set-up -- but I wager that whichever condo she is camping at is still more fabulous than the Green Eyed Monsters' abodes combined. Yes, even the Darbys' large apartment, which looks like a sterile, steel box. Ray showed up Thirsty Michael effortlessly and it was icing on the cake. Both the Darbys want to detract from their toxic problems by going after the Hugers. Many people say that Ashley is putting it all out there, that she has nothing to hide. I disagree. Ashley only puts out the issues which make her look good. The stuff with her mom is meant to showcase Sweet Hard-Working Ashley, taking care of her fambly. The baby talk on-camera? To coerce Michael into giving her a kid. However, Michael made clear tonight that he doesn't trust her to stick around after that little human ATM is born! This SL wasn't meant to showcase her gold-digging tendencies, but it has. I also notice that Production never presses Ashley on Michael's Grindr rumors like they do Karen's financial difficulties. That look on Candiace's mom's face when Ray told Michael where to go was priceless. I'm starting to think that Candiace's mom, like Dale on RHONY, needs to be on this show a whole lot more. And I really am warming to Candy-ass. I like her and think she needs another season -- but without any wedding planning talk because it is BORING. Also her Chris has THREE kids?? What? I thought he just had one! Oy.... this marriage...

Gather her, Karen! https://youtu.be/9ZF0j1qY_7w

Quad doing her best "YOU DON'T KNOW.... WHAT I GO THROUGH.. AT NIGHT!" Screaming and wailing is her best diversion tactic to avoid uncomfortable questions about felon pasts/ex girlfriends/fleecing husbands of their money. Having said that, if Mariah is returning to the fold (yasss), we need Quad there this season. There is a lot of unfinished business between those two. Glad the ex husbands are also featured, so that they get their say.

Candiace is dressed the best out of all of them in her yellow satin dressing gown! Say what you will, that color is gorgeous against her skin. The thing about the Potomac women is that they routinely look like they got into their kid's dressing-up box. Here, Monique looks like she is auditioning for a sci-fi movie. Gizelle is going full Princess Jasmine of Aladdin. I'm tired of her long blonde Barbie hair too. I know it's her signature look but I wish she would change it up a bit like Karen with her wigs.

Absolutely. She signed that extended pre-nup (effective 5 more years, i believe) on-screen as a sign of good faith. She thought that if she did that, he'd agree on-screen to having a child as a sign of his good faith (and therefore she'd get a payout/comfortable child support in the event of a divorce). However, Ashley gambled wrong and he now has her in a corner. As she told her enraged mom earlier this season, if she left Michael now, she wouldn't be able to support her mother and half-sister at all, let alone herself.

Literally hyperventilating! Here for the Hugers vs. Darbys. Does Michael look like he is crying? And does it seem like both Ray and Michael have filed for divorce from their wives? Here for Ashley getting called out. Gizelle and Robyn aren't getting dragged enough IMO after they got Ash to do their dirty work. Also here for Candy-ass feeling herself vs Ashley. I think I want her back next year! Monique killed Giz with: "I don't need to bring another woman to ruffle your feathers; I can just breathe and do that!"

New York Probably the episode of the season. Sure, there was toxic feeling, and clearly it was a shitty trip for everybody --- literally. But all I felt was affection for every single HW this episode. Fundamentally, everybody loves each other, everybody is kind of obsessed with each other!, and that was showcased on the island especially. -Bethenny encouraging Dorinda to talk to Luann, -Luann hugging Dorinda wordlessly, -Sonja flashing everything to everybody, -Luann playing the (naughty but not malicious) dead-crab joke on Ramona in the hammock, -everybody being Luann and Sonja's audience during their impromptu cabaret rehearsal, -Sonja sitting on a crying Ramona's lap in the boat, -Bethenny holding Carole's hair back as she threw up in a bowl, all these moments were kind of tender and heartfelt in their way? The relationships these women share are evident. Even when they are on the outs with one another, they care. The only bum note was the shot at the end of the lady scrubbing a bed down after the night's collective diarrhoea attack. It was disrespectful of a person who likely works very hard for a minuscule wage by US standards. @alwaysAMC That's probably the reason I am most bummed not to see Luann at reunion -- I love her friendship with Dorinda, and that whole incident needs to be talked out.

On another note, I am rewatching Real Housewives of Auckland and OMG, it is 10 episodes of perfection. I can't believe they won't do a Season 2! Angela Stone! Anne the champagne cat lady! Pot-stirring Louise! These southern hemisphere RH shows are so watchable (the EP of RHoMelbourne, Kylie Washington, also did Auckland). Sydney needs some tinkering but hopefully it can do better when it returns in 2019.

Truly childish. It's always about her. Only she can quit RHONY! I know she has a fanbase, but is she that universally beloved that she can call the shots like this? BTW, in contradiction to Bethenny's statement, Andy was asked if Carole quit or was fired on his radio show, and he said that she quit.

Jill Zarin Bethenny really really really wants Carole to know that she 'won.' ^^ So when are we going to get a 'focus group' telling Bravo to fire Bethenny? Honestly, Team Carole at this point (haven't seen yesterday's episode yet, so I reserve the right to change my mind). Carole may be cold, snobby, superficial. She may be obsessed with staying young (and that's why she latched onto Tinsley and Adam). But I can't fault her for knowing her own mind. She got tired of tending to Bethenny and having the energy sucked out of her. I truly believe she left because she was over the B and over the show. Vicki is polarising for sure, and as you see here, there are viewers who are for her as much as there are those out there against her. Some feel she knew about the cancer scam and should be punished about it. My view is that she was in deep denial and half-crazed with grief (her mother's death). She had given up so much of her credibility to be with Brooks that she couldn't afford to let go of him when yet another scandal came up. She was so dickmatized that she didn't want to admit to herself that Brooks was lying. The show basically forced her to cut ties with Brooks once and for all, because her professional reputation and livelihood were on the line. And that is why some people accept that Vicki should stay on the show. Because she IS deeply flawed, and those are relatable flaws in a way. She is entertaining in showing us exactly what makes her tick, and not a lot of HWs are willing to show that side of themselves. Could well be that RHOC took a hit because Vicki remained on the show. I also think that the constant harping on Brooks and Cancer for 3 seasons afterwards eroded the audience base. People just got exhausted hearing about it. I got exhausted every time Meghan showed up onscreen! Vicki was on WWHL this week and the show made a point of having Vicki mega-fans call in. Vicki emphasised that she has a lot of fans and is close with them. It made me go Hmmmm because on one hand it seemed the show was bending over backwards to show us how big Vicki is with some fans. On the other hand, I have actually seen a Vicki 4-EVA lifer who has been her fan since S1 lol (the devotion was a bit scary tbh lol), so I know they are out there.

Thanks for all the info! That's great to know that NYC is pulling in some decent ratings! It's my favourite franchise. I'm willing to wait for OC to build its audience. The ratings here make me wonder whether Potomac would get a few more viewers if it was on at 9pm (ET) on a Sunday instead of 8pm. Sunday 8pm seems like such a Sunday-family-time/Murder She Wrote timeslot, lol.

Yeah, the OC episode felt like the old days. Even the two irrelevants on stroller duty felt like Early OC! It will be interesting to see if they gel with The Big Three as the season goes on. The Big Three are a force unto themselves and could quite easily carry a mini-season on their shoulders alone. Kelly is becoming less relevant and interesting. I never really warmed to her except on the Bus Ride from Hell, but I know she has her fans here and elsewhere. She is definitely trying -- and failing -- to marshal Shannon and Tamra against Vicki, they were all like "Oh wow, how awful" -- and then they blithely made their way to Mexico with Vicki to whoop it up. Who is in the right here? Well, maybe Vicki should not be double-dating with Michael and his new GFs. When a divorce happens, the friendship group usually splits, and it seems like Vicki is more Team Michael when she should be Team Kelly. Everything in Vicki's words and demeanour suggests that she likes hanging out with Michael more. Plus she sympathizes with his rejection by Kelly. Kelly has every right to feel betrayed/hurt BUTTTTT -- she wanted to get rid of him. She went on camera saying she hated his guts. She filed for divorce, so she shouldn't be mad if he is dating again. As S3 Luann once said, "when men move on, they move FAST." That's really too bad, although the past few weeks' episodes have had slightly less momentum. I'd be interested to know NYC's numbers as a comparison. As Cheap said, Potomac has been one of the best franchises this year, so it's a shame not as many viewers recognise. @Soaplovers @j swift I wondered if location is a problem for Potomac. I didn't really know where Potomac was before the show. Contrast that with BH, OC, NYC, ATL, etc., all shows with a central sense of place. Potomac could be set in suburbia anywhere, and in fact most of the ladies don't actually live in Potomac the town -- Karen is in Great Falls God knows where, Gizelle's in Bethesda, Robyn in Hanover, Ashley looks like Arlington, VA. I have no clue where Monique or Candiace live. They should have just called it Real Housewives of DC 2.0 or Real Housewives of Maryland. The lack of sense of place is a problem because, as said here, the location needs to become a character in of itself. I think Dallas this season may be Texing it up a bit more. The thing I like about Potomac, though, is this uber-thin line between having money (or pretending to have money) and not having a dime. Ever since 2008, this has been a major anxiety of the squeezed middle-class, which found itself mired in massive debt. People had Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget. This anxiety powers Potomac's women more than any franchise (with the exception of OC Lynne who was the first to show the financial lies underpinning her family's life). The Potomac men once had money and now they are going broke or are leaving them. Suddenly these women are looking into the abyss of pennilessness, of having their mortgaged homes seized, of trying to scratch out some income for themselves (without actually getting a real job lol). Gizelle, Robyn, Ashley and Karen are all experiencing this predicament to different degrees. It's why Gizelle latched onto Sherman as an answer to her (financial) prayers. It's why Ashley latches onto Michael, even though their marriage is dead.

Oh Lizzie... http://www.realitytea.com/2018/07/30/lizzie-rovsek-owes-over-108k-in-back-taxes/ And here is Dorinda on Jenny McCarthy's radio show:

http://www.realitytea.com/2018/07/30/jim-bellino-suing-tamra-judge-shannon-beador-million-dollars/ He must be REALLY Hard up for cash!

IA it was filler. I didn't find the pizza delivery disguises funny. We get it, the house is staged for filming. The point was just to humiliate Karen. I really want Karen and Ray to expose the three losers instead of letting them get away with their maliciousness. Ashley is changing her story about her deadbeat mom dumping her on the grandparents and prioritising her no-good boyfriend. Now she is all 'My mother raised me on her own, she's a saint.' She's been playing her mom against Michael this whole time and now the show is exposing her duplicity. She wants to guilt Michael into having a baby and I bet when he watches these episodes, he's going to be less likely than ever to 'rush her to the bedroom' (barf). Candiace's mother is more interesting than Candy-ass. Fact. I keep forgetting Monique is on the show! On another site, the Potomac viewers seem to think Monique is the sniper from the side, playing women against the other. I'm not sure I see that exactly, but is that what people think here? I find it hard to put my finger on Monique and get a read on her.