Cat

Still overrated and annoying af imo.

Teddi is very clenched and ordered, while the OC ladies let their messiness fly. Plus I'm not sure she'd be able to deal with WooHoo Time at Andalays, or the nasty face-offs. I still have a migraine from the Iceland trip I forced myself to watch last season.

There is something no-nonsense about Dolores that I like too. And she is smart enough to recognise that nobody should put their trust in Danielle Staub, who is a loose cannon and will turn on you in an instant. Also, Danielle's attempt to get a spot next season (mic-ed up sex in a public bathroom) really backfired. But what lets Dolores down is her boring private life, and being such a ride-or-die for Siggy. Siggy is so far gone, but Dolores is essentially enabling her by telling her that her feeeeeeelings and need to attack Margaret are valid. Soggy and her twitter bots are STILL attacking Marge on social media, apparently. I liked the episode too. As usual, anything involving the kids is the best. The last three season of NJ have been, um, trying at best, but the Teresa Checks In mini-series was excellent, thanks to the Giudice girls and Joe Giudice (don't hate me for enjoying him on my screen). I'd rather watch Milania cooking up a mess in the kitchen than Soggy doing... whatever she does. Damn. You could be right! Plus her cottage is in Dana Point -- OC territory. I wonder how she would handle that shark Tamra.

The producers cut Eileen having lunch with Rinna and Erika... but they kept in Dorit lecturing Teddi about the stem on her glassware?? Well then, the producers are damn fools! I'd rather watch Eileen breathing through her nose patronisingly than the two newest HWs trying to create another Pantygate. Having finally seen this week's episode, I have to say... it wasn't as dull as last week's episode. The horse-riding and the yacht party saved it -- although in the UK, Bond-themed parties are a dime a dozen as every British male between 15 and 65 fancies himself a bit of a 007. I think the reason the producers went with Teddi is because she is seemingly authentic -- even if she does appear, uh, clenched with the other women and playing up the 'I'm just a no-frills tomboy' persona too much. And the reason they went with so-called authentic is that BH's biggest asset -- its glamorous, wealthy Hollywood location -- is also a problem. These women are either in the industry or surrounded by it, and so every HW is very practised at playing many roles. They understand the business and technicalities of manufacturing illusions. Perhaps more than any other franchise. I remember reading that after S1, Camille hired a PR firm to completely overhaul her image. And they did a pretty good job in coaching her to control what she was revealing on camera. All the BH HWs MUST now employ similar PR teams to micromanage their image (and buy them an extra 50,000 Twitter followers). As a result, anything spontaneous is shut down because it cannot be completely controlled or directed. A Taylor meltdown is just not allowed to happen. We know that the RH franchises have had script advisers from the get-go, and that they outline story arcs for the seasons. The thing with BH is that certain key events (Kim's alcoholism, Taylor's abused background, Russell's suicide, Adrienne's surrogacy reveal) came out of left field and were not planned. When we first watched those early seasons, what we saw was incredible, voyeuristic. It would be almost impossible to recapture that now. Both existing HWs and any potential future HWs understand the medium. They have game and know how they are going to play it. That's why Brandi was so valuable to the franchise for so long. She was unpredictable, uncontrollable, and dropped big bombs on people. Since she left, BH has struggled to manufacture high-stakes conflict and rivalry where peoples' reputations and livelihoods are literally put on the line.

I haven't seen yesterday's episode yet... but I am feeling the same way about the season so far. BH has not been right in the head since S6 when Eileen and Lipsa went scorched earth on LVP in a bid to exonerate themselves in front of KGBYolanda and henchwoman Erika. Everybody came out of that Stalinist purge ruined. I don't think Bravo realised how bad it was, and they kind of let the sourness drift into S7 and S8. I cannot buy anything Rinna and Dorit say on this show, because they are both the epitome of #AlternativeFacts. Especially agree with the bold. LVP and Kyle have an alliance of convenience, and Kyle would probably be more at home on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, supporting her actual buddy Kris Jenner and being a guest star like Faye. However, Kyle is not into guest spots -- BH is her 'it's my time' moment. LVP has outstayed the franchise and seems more comfortable on VPR and working on divesting Villa Blanca from her portfolio. Lipsa really hates LVP (becoming increasingly Brandian in her obsession btw) and Kim-by-proxy Kyle; Dorit hates Lipsa and Teddi; Teddi hates Dorit; LVP hates Lipsa, and probably Erika; and Erika hates everybody. Can the show be rebooted? With half the cast? If Brandi were to return, would that be redundant? Has this show had its day? I don't know, but what I do know is that Teddi is a one-season wonder, and that this year's refocus on All Dorit All Day Long is a big mistake. PK and Dorit are grifters, and not very good ones. We can see that all this ridiculous OTT spending is going to end in the Kemsleys scurrying from their shady creditors in the dead of night to a country with no US extradition treaty.

Yikes! I forgot about Lisa at the White Party (copyright Kyle Richards) ! I love Dwight! WhatsHisName you mean Derek J the hobbit ? He's the one who did most of the groundwork on Kim's wig line, getting her out of those synthetic ones and into more natural ones. As with everybody who crosses Wig's path, she uses them for all they are worth, gets them to do the work, then takes credit for the whole project and tosses them aside. BEST MOMENT OF THE SONG!!! But nobody gif-ed it! They did gif this, however, which was second best moment: I'm not surprised about the female comedians getting little fanfare when they leave, even though they are carrying the show. SNL does act woke in its content (which is down to the cast themselves and the writers room), but production-wise it is still a good ole boys club. To be female and accepted by those guys, you kind of have to be the 'Cool Girl' (eulogized in the movie Gone Girl) who pretends to be one of the guys. See: Ben Affleck's new GF who lol is a producer at SNL. I think it's part of a larger problem at NBC generally -- see Today and the Matt Lauer debacle. Those NBC execs had their bro's back until class action lawsuits became a real and present danger.

Re: ATL, it feels to me like Production have no clue what to do with the black girls. So they are filler/in a holding pattern until Kim Z hauls her carcass from bed at 5 in the afternoon and Kroy chauffeurs her lazy ass to whichever filming location she needs to be at. Then it's like 'the budget Kween has arrived.' Kim sits down and sharts her toxic spew at everybody, accusing Kandi of wanting to lick her box and whatnot. It's such a disappointment after the song and dance Bravo made about this being Atlanta's 'special' 10th season. Why no fly-bys by Lisa Wu? Dwight Eubanks? Heck, I'd even take Phaedra. Instead it's The Kim Show and if I wanted to watch The Kim Show, I would stick my eyeballs on Don't Be Tardy. I'm also sick of Kim trying to push Brielle on us and give Kroy a purpose in life -- there is a reason no sports show will hire his ass or team give him a coaching position, and that's because there's nothing between the eyes. And Kim has ruined his brand indefinitely. I also wouldn't even notice Sheree was gone if she upped and left tomorrow. Cynthia is trying to have a SL but that is falling flat. You know something is wrong when Porsha is providing coherent running commentary on all this. Eva... sigh. I'm distracted by her nose. Is it new? Still too early to judge for me. Kandi seems done with this show. She's got Don Juan and her minions to do her heavy lifting for her. Like @DaytimeFan I can't stand Todd either and think he is coasting on her coattails. SNL Notes: Oh Kate McKinnon is going to be bigger than Wiig if she finds the right vehicle. She is so good at getting into different charactes and finding the human in there. I think Aidy is also a comic genius, especially in the 90s Wilson Philips knockoff song Christmas Candle with McKinnon and Emma Stone. It was so full of perfect early 90s details that it literally took me back to watching Another World with Anne Heche and Days of our Lives just before it went stratospheric! Twin Bed is another awesome one showcasing all the SNL women.

Kim Zolciak meets Rinna meets Tamra meets Shannon & David Beador meets Ken! Aidy Bryant totally lost it when they started filming lol. She's a RH fan apparently.

@Soaplovers Haha I now realize Faye would be Kyle's guard-dog/water-carrier if she was a HW, doing her dirty work so Kyle doesn't get accused of being a b*tch like she was in S2. I still have a grudging admiration for her game, tho. But yes, she is a slippery personality, and I don't think she managed to dispel that even on her last season (with Kathryn). @Gray Bunny Wasn't nuts about Tinsley at first glance and still feel she is one of the few dispensable members on RHONY. However, she is sweet and harmless, and her mother Daaaaaaaale is LIFE. I think Daaaaale should be a HW, actually. When I watched RHONY properly (basically a second go-around), I appreciated Tinsley more. If anything, I thought Sonja looked much worse for being such a b*tch to her.

Bingo! Kathryn pointed out the other sniper from the side was Erika herself, and it didnt fit Bravo's narrative for their new kween. At Reunion, Erika was laying into Kathryn for betraying her confidence (similar to how she laid into Dorit one season later) -- and nobody pointed out the obvious, which was that CAMERAS WERE SET UP AND FILMING THEM. This wasn't some Richards' Sisters Whispering in the Bathroom scene. Erika said what she said on camera, but she didn't want to answer for it, so she deflected onto Kathryn, who must have been like 'IT WAS ON CAMERA!!'. It's still early to make a full judgement on Teddi. ( I had to watch NYC a second time to appreciate Tinsley). Teddi is very controlled and wedded to the image of herself that she is trying to project. She is nervous and outside her comfort zone. I do appreciate that she makes up her own mind about people and sticks to her guns. After this last episode, she can come across as humorless. I don't think she necessarily is IRL tho. Man, I wish Faye had been more accepted by the fans! She was so slinky and shady.

Said it before and I'll say it again, Kathryn should never have been let go. She gets stuck right in, and she's got history with Rinna and with Faye and L.A. folklore! Plus she's got a chateau in Normandy. I mean, a trip out there has got to be better than a lecture on tardiness and proper glassware -- which is basically what Teddi and Dorit gave us this entire episode. @DaytimeFan thanks for explaining! Hope we hear some good news for Luann soon.

That first comment (kimcassesa) tho

I hope this is just a formality of the court system, and not an actual indication that prison is where she is heading! Honestly, this is not a Teresa-defrauds-banks situation. Luann doesn't belong 5 years or even 5 minutes in the pokey. Fines, community work, formal apologies to the hotel and police officers involved would suffice, surely? MSN calling it a 'drunken rampage' is a little much. She didn't maim or kill anybody, or even attempt to. Followed closely by Siggy defending Kim D with "Did Kim D build the concentration camps?" and Teresa squeaking "WE DON'T KNOW! WE DON'T KNOW!" Kim D saved Reunion tbh. As shady, dirty and toxic as she is, Kim D has a twinkle in her eye and knows exactly how the game is played, and that is enjoyable to watch for its own sake. I felt even Teresa lowkey enjoys sparring with her. Siggy is probably the worst HW of all time (and that's saying something after OC Peggy this year)... I wonder if she has even delivered the death knell to the NJ franchise (although ratings apparently went up for Reunion Part 1 -- to 1.39mn). Siggy seems to be on Twitter all day long having meltdowns about Margaret and Bravo. She really has lost it, big time.

BH: Dorit, Teddi and the HWs talking about LateGate for the rest of this season? Dorit, Teddi and the HWs talking about glassware for the rest of the season? Dorit single-white femaling Erika? The Dorit Show?

@DRW50 is this re: the YT channel with some 80s episodes of Y&R? Merci beaucoup!

I don't know if anybody is following the trial of Larry Nasser in Lansing, Michigan but these young women faced down their abuser in court and it was a tremendous statement of bravery and strength. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/jan/24/aly-raisman-larry-nassar-horrors-gymnastics-usoc

No, I don't think Bravo want to kill off these shows. I think Bravo believe this guy Michael Beck's hype. He's willing to start sh*t and film the ugly. ATL filming may have been unpleasant, but they certainly are throwing everything and the kitchen sink (aka Kim Zolciak Biermann) at these women. Kenya has pushed back and refused to show some aspects of her life, and she is being punished for it. Now, I personally think that when you sign a contract promising to expose your life, you have to stick to it. Kenya did mine her painful family history and a borderline-abusive relationship on RHOA. She also wasn't averse to turning the spotlight on the other HWs and exposing the lie in Phaedra's marriage with Apollo. Now she is playing coy, and I understand why. I understand that she views her new relationship as 'the real thing' and wants to protect her marriage at all costs. Beck and Bravo are not in the mood to acquiesce to her demands in case it sets a precedent with the other HWs. So Beck is playing hardball and I think Bravo views that and the sh*t-stirring as an asset. And that it should be brought to other shows. The irony is that RHONY, which he is currently EPing has its own nice rhythm and this year in particular has a lot of organic drama that happened outside of the scripted stuff (Luann's Christmas Eve meltdown). And of course Bobby passed away last week. OC and BH are more in need of resuscitation IMO. Here are his recent credits: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcbeck/ He worked his way up the ranks at Tardy For The Party it seems, and was also involved to some degree in M2M sesaon 3 and M2M Houston. He was a supervising producer on Southern Charm Savannah which... is not the original SC, lol. He was also a supervising (not executive) producer on Dallas Season 2. The latest seasons of Tardy, ATL and NY are where he has been promoted to co-EP. So... maybe we can surmise that he wants to prove his worth to Bravo this year. Andrew Hoegl is credited as being EP for NYC last year. Barrie Bernstein, Lisa Shannon, Pam Healy and Andy Cohen were his co-EPs. According to IMBD, he is a long-time producer who started out in MTV's Real World (New Orleans and Hawaii versions). He also EPed High School Reunion (lol) and Jeff Lewis's flipping/home improvement shows. He is credited as EP for Real Housewives of Dallas in 2016 (its first season unfortunately) and EP of RHoNY from 2015 to 2017, the last three seasons.

Agree with your last statement (though this last episode was better) and I really hope so to your NY statement.

Yikes. Michael Beck is also the new EP on RHONY this current season. I am definitely afraid for my faves over there. Kenya would probably have been willing to open up more of her life if Production hadn't been so antagonistic with her. They definitely rushed to find Eva as a Kenya replacement. Seems like Beck only wants to represent the one person who is not even a regular castmember.

Ugh I can't believe I forgot Melbourne is also airing currently! What episode are you now up to? If it's feasible, I will try to catch up this week. In any case, I need a palate cleanser after Sydney! ATL: SO.... is this Kenya's 'Kim walks out of RHOA while Kroy shoves the cameraman' moment? And was Porsha somewhat... bearable this episode? Is this the reinvention of Toyota?

Omg don't get me started on that scene when Yolanda accused Ken of assaulting her. He touched her elbow. And I'm not saying that as an LVP apologist, either. What Bravo never shows with that flashback is Brandi and Yolanda goading him to try and get a reaction. I think Brandi even called him "trash" which is astonishing considering she looked to him as a father figure and he defended her against Paul and Adrienne. Yolanda really had to backtrack on her accusation when they showed the footage and he wasn't doing anything she accused him of (like shoving her). I was shocked at the change in Dolores. Like I wondered if she was this way on NJ this season and I just never noticed? Porsha heavy.... sigh... you know that means we're going to get a 15 minute segment at Reunion about her being 'baby vegan.' And they are really trying to erase Kenya from the show, huh. Btw did you all hear how Kim responded to Kandi calling her out about the lick the box lie? Kim said Kandi can't take a joke. A 'joke' ! This feckless liar.

What did I just watch?? This pretentious poseur. He has zero self-awareness. LOL that line about being a 'generous lover' makes him be a better feminist. Lorrrd that's what the MeToo movement needs! You're so woke, Justin. The song is bad. And that ending, cringe. ETA: I read somewhere this mv is JT's Kendall-Jenner-Pepsi-ad moment.

Or Cersei's 45-year old sister

omg @Cheap21 'Renaissance Fair'