Cat

Cue one of my favourite memes! Re: Season 6, I think there were money issues with Luann, Ramona and Sonja demanding higher salaries. Bravo refused, and went ahead with the start of shooting (hence probably the Aviva vs Carole showdown early on in the season). Sonja caved because she needed the money, Ramona followed and probably promised to film with Aviva who was being iced out by Heather and Carole. Luann ended up getting punished for the salary demands (probably as a lesson to the others!) by filming a lot but not getting full housewife status. Yes S6 had the Montana trip and about 20 solid minutes devoted to Tomboy Heather peer-pressuring Kristen to absail down a cliff face. Thrilling! I also remember the Berkshires (where Ramona threw a glass at Kristen's face) was the one where Ramona hated every second of her stay and even Amazon-ordered a giant electric fan for her and Sonja's bedroom at Heather's house, lol. Aviva was in the credits because of this but apart from that, I could have done without her and her gross father. She was kind of like Lisa Rinna in the sense that she was looking for any reason to pick a fight, even if it meant throwing unsubstantiated gossip that was incredibly damaging. I'm not a Carole fan, but writing IS her livelihood!

Are you kidding?? I LOVE season 5! (Season 6 was the duff season imo. Even S4 is better than S6 which was only saved by Aviva's leg on the floor). "You're both white trash, quite frankly." "TAAAAAAAAKE A XANAAAAAAAX!" Never forget Luann's Pirate lol.

The other women in the steakhouse giggling, hugging and teasing each other was fun to watch -- even Carole was enjoying herself. Then an angry dark cloud walks in, and it's Bethenny. Carole came across well this episode. She's trying to give Tinsley a helping hand without knocking her or tearing her down. I am on of the few who enjoyed the Tinsley-Scott date; Tinsley came into her own and was a lot of fun to watch. The new boyfriend is cute and a great match for her.. And even Adam/Man-Bun was tolerable! Even though Ramona and Luann have hated each other in the past, Luann is there for Ramona when she's being iced out of the group. There is a clip on Bravo's website for next week, and Lu and Ramona are sitting outside on the steps of the villa at night and kind of chewing the fat. It's a good moment between the two of them. Luann dipping into her drawer of statement necklaces and grabbing a fistful to take with her to Mejico was

I'm not disappointed the 4th wall was blown -- I think it reflects a frustration Ramona is trying to express to Bethenny and the audience (but can't because, crazy Pinot). I am hesitant to keep bashing Bethenny here because I know I must seem virulently anti-Beth to you guys, and it's boring to read that same rant. I really liked Bethenny back in the day when RHoNY gave equal coverage to B, Ramona, Jill, Luann and Silex. Those days are gone, and now it feels like The Bethenny Show, with everyone else in supporting. Every friendship traces back to Bethenny. Every event is shot through the prism of Bethenny's mocking. Bethenny is the only one with business interests. Bethenny is the only one who suffers divorce. Bethenny is the only one allowed to be vulnerable because she ain't got time for that weakling sh!t from the other women. Ramona is pissed that B is calling the shots in front of camera and BTS. Last year, she was Bethenny's loyal handmaid but obviously B hasn't acknowledged Ramona's loyalty to Ramona's liking. And Ramona probably feels she is in a tailspin after her crushing divorce, and all that is being glossed over to focus on Bethenny's divorce issues. Ramona wants to remind B and the audience she still exists and ALSO HAS ISSUES, and that's why she is acting out. When she told Bethenny that it is a group trip (another trip Bethenny is taking credit for AND using for SkinnyGirl promotion), she was wielding what little leverage she has to warn her that this is one of the few production-mandated events over which B has little say. Ramona is battling for her place on NY because sure as hell Bethenny wants her gone. I'm glad ALL the women are going on the trip. Honestly, it wouldn't be half as fun a tropical vacation without Ramona, Luann or Sonja. Auckland was fabulous! Wealth, variety -- variety of ethnicities, ages, crazy and cunning. It was also a perfect length. Bravo could learn something from it.

Except for last season, Luann often gets seated at the end of the couch. Maybe Andy is not a fan of Mrs. D'Agostino.

Going by my past viewing of RH shows, and the fact that Shannon and David sold their AMAZING house quickly and at a possible loss -- I'm going to say financial difficulties is the reason they are renting. Shannon is heir to an I Magnin fortune and her father is a major donor at USC, but maybe business hasn't been good to David in recent years. Which could explain why there is further tension in the marriage.

The (rainbow) voice of reason will strike next week! I love seeing Shannon put in her uppity place by Lydia! Shannon simply cannot take someone standing up to her and speaking truth to her. The fact is, Shannon and Vicki are identical. In reaction, temper, neediness, and delusions. Delusions of grandeur on this show (both feel they are the queen), and delusions in terms of the men in their lives (or not, in Vicki's case, sigh). Shannon running off screaming "I'M FUCKIN DONE!" by the bouncy castle full of young kids (and that deadbeat Ryan if you are eagle-eyed) was , but I wish she didn't resort to the dramatic walk-off all the time. She really cannot take a word of dissent from anyone. Having said that,Shannon is the most watchable HW on the OC; she really puts her problems out there, and they are compelling and sometimes relatable to watch. In that sense, she is the most dynamic driver of story on the show.

Hmmm... do I want to give Dallas another chance? They are def trying with this trailer. But I feel it might add up to a whole lot of poop again. The only vaguely Texan moment is when they trotted out that girl's mother barking in Texan about "the bizniss." Other than that, this could be set in any medium-sized city in America. Also Leeann Locken bothers the everlasting sh*t out of me. I'm not even surprised she's gone for a flesh-eating illness SL this season. Victimhood, thy name is Leeann. Interesting that they don't show Brandy's husband. Last season it seemed clear he was ready to bolt. I guess I might watch if they don't stretch the season out to 24 episodes.

RHoOC: I'm so glad this show is back, as lowkey as the opener was. In a way, it is too bad Heather and Terry are gone, if only to see their new house and see her get her long-awaited comeuppance. Kelly Dodd was on E! News (or whatever they call it -- FYI, it's not really news, lol) and said that Heather was asked back in a FOH capacity and she got offended and walked. Since then, she and her former BFFs have distanced themselves from one another. Shannon has definitely... gained some poundage. She is also clearly transferring her issues with David onto Vicki. Looks to me like David is once again disinterested in his wife. Shannon is so unhappy, and it is not because of what Vicki said last year. Her SL is the most watchable right now, though. Also, her new house is not as great as the one with the basketball court, which was SPECTACULAR. Tamra is quick to repeat certain self-help/I'm-Chrishun-yall stock phrases, including the ever useful "God has a plan for me" which can be inserted into almost any conversation! However, apart from that, I... liked Tamra this episode? Voice of reason, especially with regards to her friendship with Shannon and calling out the truth. I also liked Tamra on WWHL afterwards. She answers any question, seems like a good sport about her face-lift, which along with her haircut looks great! BTW, I would never have recognised her in those flashback shots from her prom/knocked-up years. She looked like her mom in a permed wig. That is a lot of plastic surgery Simon paid for! Yikes, I need a Tamra intervention, @Nothin'ButAttitude ! Vicki is going to lose me damn quick with this "I'm still in love with Brooks" nonsense. That "bad boy" is not James Dean on a motorcycle, Vicki. I just do not understand why she is still thirsting after that tubby, balding, slimey turd. Also did Vicki say she was 54?? She is younger than I thought. The fact that Meghan is on her THIRD season with this show is mind-blowing to me. Now that there is no Heather to call out on her hypocrisy, what role is there left for Meghan? I did melt when I saw her adorable baby, though. And I've always had a soft spot for Jazz Hands, so seeing Jimmy coo over his little girl was sweet, too.

It is sad, and it def brings up memories for me in my 20s falling for somebody. Robyn is acting like that girl in her 20s. She is so grateful that she landed someone as hot as him (and honestly, Juan is nothing special), and her self-esteem is so low that she believes if he goes, nobody else will want her. And that she'll never be able to forget the way he made her feeeeeeeeeeel. She'll be shocked in hindsight at how quickly the idea of him being her One and Only will fade, but right now she can't see the wood for the trees. I felt like that moment was ever so slightly premeditated on Robyn's part, to make sure she is cashing that Bravo cheque next season. I know this sounds kind of fake-woke, but I sometimes wonder if Bravo accepts threats of physical intimidation on certain shows because... they involve black people. Robyn may have been playing to Bravo execs' preconceived notions. I do have confidence that Ashley will nip that BS in the bud, though.

Oh man. How many ways can Juan say "I'm not that into you" ?? Robyn sitting there staring down Andy like Nothing to see here! Girl, please have some self-respect and leave this man who no longer loves you and start again! You are a good-looking lady, you can def get suitors. I get that the main reason they stay together is that starting over separately is just not feasible financially. I understand financial concerns taking precedence but... it must be so hard to live with someone who doesn't care for you. I wish Robyn would realize that you can eventually move on after loving somebody. I assume Robyn is afraid that she'll never be over him, or that the process of grieving a break-up is too painful a cure.

@Nothin'ButAttitude Thanks for the heads up! I'm actually shocked that Sony didn't encourage her to keep doing BH. Eileen created buzz for Y&R and Days by extension. But Eileen is in demand in the soap world, and for a 56 year old that is no mean feat nowadays in that industry. I admire her accomplishments even if I fell out of love with her on BH. Yeah I felt the same way. Part of it was also the fact that Y&R was being ABCified in the worst possible way by JFP and Pratt. But I didn't enjoy watching ED on the show and couldn't look at Ashley the same way. I feel sad for the wasted potential that was Eileen... her first season she was down to earth, voice of reason, funny and self deprecating. Second season she took LVP's little jabs and blew them way out of proportion. The cynical part of me wonders if she chose to support Yolanda because it was a no-brainer that a sick woman is the victim. Now of course we realise that Yolanda may have been playing them and us all. Or maybe ED just needed a SL. The moment that shocked me with Eileen was at that reunion when she said to LVP: "I don't trust you and I don't like you." The latter was an especially hard, cold statement. Eileen came across as dismissive and judgmental. This was reinforced last season in Hong Kong when she, Rinna and Erika went in hard on Dorit. I think she has lovely sides to her personality actually, but all we saw in the end was this inflexible, humorless attack dog, with an agenda. The question now is: what on earth is Rinna going to do now that her ride or die girl is gone? Eileen had her back no matter what. I see in the picture posted of the women in Vegas that she is GLUED to Erika's side. Lmao. She burned her bridges with LVP, Dorit and Kyle. Agreed... Dorit won me over with her logic, her calm, and her smarts in Hong Kong. She didn't let the three witchez belittle her -- and they were really beating her up, one by one! I loathe PK and couldn't warm to her at the beginning of the season, but I appreciate her much more now. I think there is something about Dorit which is very happy, joyous, life-embracing. She doesn't seem to be a whiner or complainer, and that's so much more fun to watch than a HW who is perpetually dissatisfied and looking to project blame on others (*cough* naming no names, of course).

Oh, for sure there is a place reserved for Tamra down there after she hid behind Crishuns and Pastures to rehabilitate her terrible image! I just meant I liked her delivery. Why am I not surprised that Porsha and Nene were somehow involved in this melée? Especially ThugThot. IA that there are enjoyable moments (Dorinda in the Bronx!! The AS chat in this week's episode) and the NY HWs crack me up. Absolutely it is a thousand times better than NJ which is unwatchable. I love these HWs, and Dorinda in particular is saving the season. However, I can only express how I feel. First of all, I cannot with Bethenny. She went so far last year with trying to destroy Luann. And all because Luann beat her to the punch with her engagement? This year, we are told that the 'old' Bethenny is back. Bethenny's a victim, you guys!! It is Dorinda's-house-in-the-Berkshires fault that she keeps tearing a strip off someone! It's Jason Hoppy's fault that she routinely belittles everybody! I can't buy what she is selling anymore. Secondly, Ramona and Sonja. These two used to bring joy to any HW vacation, lol. This year, they are clearly going through some emotional transitions. Ramona is spiralling out of control, and Sonja seems to have finally crumbled under the weight of her own problems and (relatively harmless) delusions. Truthfully, I welcome the fact we are seeing these women at difficult turning points in their lives; the problem is their unwillingness to acknowledge them. I, for one, would find Sonja more compelling if she expressed needing to downsize while struggling to maintain her 'Lady Morgan' persona. After all, Sonja's personality is so big. Seeing her acting petty with Tinsley (talk about a dud of a SL!) makes her look... small. LOL re: Shannon's tagline, at least she wasn't hooting "I'm fat!!! Are you KIDDING me??" I don't mind that she looks like hell -- most of us ladies know it is a struggle sometimes. We have our thin day clothes and our fat day clothes hanging in the closet. I appreciate that Shannon puts it out there; obviously the problem is Shannon blaming somebody else for this latest 'drama.' What's more hilarious is that Vicki doesn't care about Shannon's opinion of her. She cares about Tamra's and possibly Heather's. But whenever Shannon tried to come at her last year with "Let me tell. You. Something, VI KEY," Vicki's eyes were already glazing over. And totes agree about the pantsuit. Even a tailored skirt and top (to highlight a waist) + some spanx would have left Shannon looking very presentable. Maybe she wanted a dress that emphasized her predicament, though. Hmmm. I can't even remember what this Peggy looks like. A bit like Lilly Ghalichi?

I agree. I enjoy lots of little moments, but overall I am finding this season a bit of a chore to get through. Maybe the NY HWs themselves are, too. It's like they are going through the motions. Woo hoo!!! I just rewatched Season 8 OC (with Lydia the first time) -- arguably my favourite season, and with a lot of drama, but in some ways the least toxic. Lydia's latest tagline is ACK and Shannon's is a snore. I'm surprised she didn't screech "I'm fat!!!! It's all Vicki's fault!!!!" I can't even remember Kelly's. I kind of like Tamra's? The New Peggy's tagline I have heard somewhere before (Kelly Bensimon, RHoNY, Season 4!). Vicki's is FAB. "Either go big or go home. And I'm NOT going home!" Get off my show, Shannon! LOL. Truthfully, I'm glad Shannon is back, if only for the drama factor.

Yep, they had to offload the Potomac house mighty quick! She's lucky this came out AFTER the Reunion because Charrisse and the others would have been all over this. She is unlucky in that this is a pretty sizeable double-lien and if they can't pay it off... well, the IRS has thrown Real Housewives into the slammer before. Don't eff with the IRS! As for Kelly Dodd, the dude was trying to steal her drinks, sunglasses and PURSE. Then he punched her in the stomach?? wtf? He's lucky she didn't kick his ass. BTW in that video there is some obnoxious male onlooker miming some BJ motion while Kelly is yelling at the alleged thief -- SO nasty. If that man did try to snatch her belongings, she is well within her rights to scream at him and call the cops!

Welp. This is shocking. Karen and TheBlackBillGates owe a good $4.5 million to the IRS. Tamara Tattles is reporting it from an article in the Washington Post. http://tamaratattles.com/2017/07/05/problems-in-potomac-for-karen-and-ray-huger-who-owe-millions-to-the-irs/ From WaPo: “The government has a $1.468 million lien against Ray Huger, 70, a former IBM executive who founded software and consulting company Paradigm Solutions in 1991, according to an April 26 filing in Fairfax County Circuit Court. Paradigm Solutions, where Huger is the president and chief executive, also has a $3.06 million lien against it, Montgomery County Circuit Court records show.” Cue my fave shocked gif.

omg The soap I actually watch! Just checked and she played Tyra Hamilton. The name didn't ring a bell with me until realised that she was part of an ill-conceived SL I purposely erased from my mind. She claimed to be Devon's aunt, raising his little half-sister. She showed up in GC, got Katherine Chancellor to pay for the kid to go to art school, then tried to run off with the money. Then it turned out she WASN'T related to Devon. She and Neil started a relationship (shades of early Neil and Drucilla) but he dumped her when she slept with Devon (!!!!!!! who had initially thought she was his aunt !!!!!!!). What a stinker of a SL. I'm still not convinced she has what it takes to be a RH, but maybe she is more diva and fabulous offscreen than she gave off onscreen. In any case, this sounds like it is just a rumor right now.

Wasn't Eva Marcille on a soap for a while? I'm thinking either Passions or AMC, The Final Years. I don't know her from ANTM, but I'm kind of disappointed RHoA couldn't recruit either a bigger name or somebody in Atlanta with some real money and connections. Kandi can't be the only out there making $$$ and planning a reunion tour for her 90s girl group! Well, it's 4th of July holiday weekend out where you are, so TT has slowed down the reporting. However, in her open post for the holiday, she does refute the rumors that Eva Marcille is joining RHoA this season. She lives in Atlanta and has some good spies, and EM has not been seen filming at all, which they've been doing for the last two weeks at least. Also, the S10 cast list is full. Phaedra may have been fired (and she still might come back for a goodbye scene!), but Nene and Kim have been added to the current roster of Kandi, Kenya, Cynthia, Sheree and Porsha. Yes, Porsha is still there, or at the very least might have FOH status (friend to who, I ask). Shamea is a FOH too. So it's a big cast this season. TT doesn't really mention any other RH news except to say that a local paper in Charlotte, NC is looking for people to star in a reality show about a restaurant there. The same team which produces RHOA is doing the producing. TT speculates that this is the 'spinoff' show Peter Thomas wanted for himself and his bidness! As TT puts it "I like Peter more than most people and I still don’t see how this is going to work. Plus, it would be a really stupid thing for Peter to do if he has any skeletons regarding his businesses. Allegedly." There is some other small tidbits about Big Brother and VPR in there but they really are small. cr: http://tamaratattles.com/2017/07/03/happy-holiday-weekend-open-forum/#comments

Is Karen moving far from Potomac proper? I mean, it's still the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, right? She can still be on the show come season 3. Charrisse is just dreadful. That clip where she keeps saying Ashley has problems in her marriage -- wiglet, we know. Ashley has been open in showing those problems all season. Charrisse wants to drag Ashley (Karen, all the women actually) down below her miserable level so that she can feel better about herself. Robyn and Gizelle already marinate there so she doesn't have to bother as much with them. @DaytimeFan I wondered who Gizelle reminded me of, and you knocked it on the head! She is a bland, blurry, messy Vanessa Williams impersonator! It makes me laugh so hard that she aspires to that goddess status, but she can never reach it. Because Miss Vanessa Williams is witty, self-deprecating, smart, hard-working and beloved by the TV Hollywood community. She is completely at ease with herself. Gizelle seems to be internally screaming "OVER HERE! LOOK AT ME!! AM I RELEVANT YET??"

RHoNY: Dorinda is the MVP of the franchise this year -- even though she is a relatively newbie, she's known most of these women a long time and is the real deal. She can read with the best of them, but she is also smart, analytical and empathetic. I love her friendship with Carole. My only concern is that she drinks a LOT. That wasn't a hangover she had in the Bronx -- Dorinda was SOTALLY TOBER a goner. What is Sonja doing picking a fight with Dorinda (which she will NEVER win) and putting down Tinsley? It is such a bad look on her. She is either jealous (of T) or wants to impress Bethenny (by throwing Dorinda under the bus re: Tipsy Girl). I love Sonja, but she has contributed nothing this season. She is so sour. I worry producers will get rid of her. Ramona is kind of winning me over? I can't believe I am saying this after the way she acted. And Luann took a misstep this episode. Her guy ain't a catch so she needs to rein in the 'I'm better than you cuz I'm married' attitude. Bethenny screeching at Tinsley was COLD. Yes, Tinsley needs to be shaken out of her 2002 bubble. She needs a kicking new haircut, wardrobe and apartment. She also needs a backbone. But everybody has their moments of fear and regret. Bethenny is unable to empathise with anyone who has lost their way a little. It's like she is the only one allowed to have a vulnerable moment because of her bad childhood. To everybody else she screams "Get over it!" I do agree with @DaytimeFan that Tinsley is a dud, though. Her mother Dale would have been a more interesting choice. In any case, Tinsley is hooking up with the Sausage King of Chicago (or something) right now so she is set for the foreseeable future, and Bravo can cut her loose. My best-dressed Potomac Reunion list (from best to worst): 1. Monique. Gorgeous. 2. Karen. Age-appropriate gown and beautiful colour on her. 3. Ashley. Too much skin but she can pull it off. 4. Gizelle. Meh. Generic HWs outfit. 5. Charisse. Trying yet again to be somebody she's not. Sit down, you are not Nicki Minaj. 6. Robyn. Robyn's grandma called, she wants her bedroom drapes back.

Tamra was speaking to the HuffPost, here it is but you got the gist of it! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tamra-judge-on-a-softer-side-of-kelly-dodd-shannons_us_594f0f66e4b0f078efd9823e Because everybody is split, looks like there will be more focus on individual lives or 1-on-1 interaction between the women. That's a lot like how OC was before Cangergate happened in Season 10. I really enjoyed OC back then, and in many ways this way of filming could diffuse some of the toxicity. #Cancerscam tarnished a lot of the participants, Vicki of course (even though I end up rooting for her against the three witches), but also all the others. They were always thrown together and because they were trying to trip Vicki up, and she was trying to sweep everything under the carpet, the toxicity built and built. Separating the two groups into their respective corners will hopefully calm things down a bit without taking away from the drama between the women. Given that Shannon is still on the show, I doubt the drama is gone. LOL I'm ready for Timmons to be mentioned. Sounds like Tamra isn't talking to Vicki -- she prob thinks she leaked the incident.

Holy fillers AND filters! Gotta say tho, Dorit is really pretty and red is definitely her color. (Obvs goes without saying that I think LVP is a beautiful woman). Do you think they are shooting new VT images for the upcoming season? That drag queen/Carrie Underwood outfit on LVP with the skin-colored mesh underneath is no bueno.

BTW, for anybody interested, under the spoiler tab are some pics of Xscape at the BET awards.

I'll give it to Porsha that she creates drama (and therefore story). She's also made me giggle with her one-liners now and then. But you talk about Kandi tarnishing her own image -- Porsha's image is in damn ruins at this point! The things she said about Kandi last season were unconscionable. Not to mention she's been caught on tape having to be physically dragged off THREE women. The stomp on Cynthia was a personal 'favorite.' And by 'favorite,' I mean she should have been fired then and there. The only reason for her to stay would be if her side-job as a hooker gets exposed on the show.

Yes but... Sheree and Porsha? Are they interesting enough to carry this show? Sheree is a glorified FOH in my view. And Porsha is awful and shouldn't be rewarded by Production anymore than she already has been. I will always love Cynthia and watching Cynthia because of her quiet progress this last year. But she isn't scintillating. Nene would really have to return full-time and COMMIT to the show to keep its energy high. I cannot see Bravo rebooting Atlanta with 100% new housewives. ETA: Sorry it must sound like I'm shouting at you lol... I'm not!