Cat

Oh, the Cullitons have been doing this since the 80s, and in venerable, old-school soaps like AW, GL and ATWT, too. You can tell with the way they sketched out each characters motivations and history and teed up the reveal and the fallout. Very well done, and so was Nicole's confrontation of Eric about why she might cheat. As @MichaelGL pointed out, Days' writing team has strength in depth. RC is a flawed HW but I imagine he does appreciate expertise, and he's kept a writing team around him that knows Days well. Also have to give kudos to production for two reasons: 1. Keeping Days a multigenerational soap opera. There is a fairly equitable mix of longtime stars and young 'uns and we see every age represented. This allows a scene like Monday to work because a scandal like that is going to rock an extended family. 2. Even with Covid and possible filming restrictions, production made it possible for most of the actors needed to be on-set together for this scene. Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, Josh Taylor, Greg Vaughan, Ari Zucker, Ali Sweeney, etc. This might include Covid testing and extra preplanning, but they made it possible.

Not gonna lie, this was me a couple of times during the pandemic...

FV has a flair for set design. Honestly, GH looks the nicest out of all four soaps in terms of sets and lighting. I'm not sure if a pool quite fits GH's overall vibe and sets of stories (!), but hey, I'm cool with seeing Anna and Valentin lurking around the pool by night.

Not petty at all. James Scott was out-of-this-world attractive and could generate 🔥 with broom in a wig. As for NuEJ, it takes time to build chemistry if you're not James Scott. I thought Ali and he had a friendly kind of chemistry, and at least it's not some anti-chemistry situation. I'm hopeful we'll get some sparks, and it certainly hasn't dampened Sami's personality as a vengeful troublemaker. Martha Madison is great and she IS Belle now (if we consider Kristen Storms to be Teenage Belle, MM is Middle-Aged Belle). I like that she plays Belle as someone who thinks she's the eternally spotless heroine but lets Karen out for a walk every now and then. Too bad about GV leaving. I always found him a soulful Eric. I dip in and out of Days based on how far behind I get, but every time I dip back in, there is Belle contemplating having an affair with some Bad Boy! She'll be shacked up with some good guy (Shawn D) but she'll be secretly lusting after Philip. I think Days is setting up a possible Nu EJ-Belle affair. It'll be when EJ finds out about Sami's involvement with Xander, and of course Lumi, and Belle will be all whispery: "Oh, poor you, EJ." 💅 💋

Totally. The entire episode was Brady-centric and focused on the reveal, but I wasn't bored once! Everyone got to stretch their legs and do more than just watch the fallout. Some started to do their own detective work, and everyone came at it from different directions. Every beat was played out, and there are enough loose threads to (likely) leave us with a good cliffhanger ahead of the Olympics. The episode epitomized what an umbrella SL is, and I give kudos to the writing team which plotted this out carefully and understood the POVs of all the characters.

Same! I tuned in for some good ole fashioned soapy theatrics, and kudos to Days for getting most of the Brady/adjacent cast together to clutch their pearls! Also, this bit made me LOL: Xander (to Roman): You weren't tending bar that night. You know how I know? The drinks weren't watered down! Roman: Philip (side-eying Roman): What's the consensus on nuEJ? I don't think he's bad! Belle was all giggly with him on Monday and then had the nerve to simper 'How could Nicole betray Eric?' on Tuesday. Girl, please. You always liked a sociopath. Conversely, John: "Oh Sami would never, honey." 🤔 John, you know she would. Remember the Titan conference table!

THIS. As much as "Four Degrees" was a meme last year, I had no problem with Intellectual Wendy. Far from it -- loved the idea of a professor/political commentator bringing a different dynamic. One of Wendy's best episodes last season was when she hosted a community Q&A about getting involved in local politics. It showed her at her best. This year, Wendy appears to have taken Production's note about 'no more degrees talk' and decided to become Vapid Wendy. Nothing wrong with getting work done and and being open about it. However, she seems preoccupied now with becoming an Influencer and "take a photo of me with my titty cake." Maybe she always dreamed of being an influencer which, if so, great. But I'm finding Wendy MORE insecure in her new looks, not less. Last year she seemed more confident. I did like Wendy's Dominique Devereux look with the red dress and fur stole, though! She's definitely bothered by Mia precisely because Mia is unbothered by her. There was a lot of upfront sex talk this episode. I didn't quite know what to think when Ashley told her MOTHER about Michael using 'other holes.' Not your mom, Ashley! I guess Candiace settled with Bravo this episode after asking for a raise and an advance! These episodes feel like BFF Merry-Go-Round, with new people hanging with each other for strategic reasons. The most pressing RL rivalries are Karen vs Gizelle (and by extension Robyn), and Ashley vs Candiace. The show appears to be tiptoeing around the former like it's comedy and ignoring the latter.

I HATE this type of shaming. Why? What's it to you if I wear a mask in a public space or not? I'm not forcing it on you. I'm not infringing on your 'Freedom.' It's my personal choice because even though double-vaxxed, I can still catch + spread the virus, and wearing a mask also partially limits my likelihood of catching something if, say, someone coughs in my direction on the subway. Honestly, they're so triggered when they see people wearing a mask, because they think we are shaming them by example. Well, deep down, they should feel shame. They know Covid is contagious and people have died from this, but they just want to 'own the libs' and show how much they DGAF. Anything 'the libs' do, they automatically oppose as a knee-jerk reaction. It is wilful stupidity and pure spite. In the end, they may end up spiting themselves.

Thank you so much for posting his correction, DRW! That puts my mind (more) at ease. 🙌

I'm glad because it sucks to have to be in a position where you have no choice and a boss is lording their wilful ignorance over you. I know. We forget that we can still catch it and transmit Covid -- the vaccine will hopefully mitigate the worst effects of the disease and, hopefully, lower transmission too. Here in the UK (where I now live -- sometimes I wonder if I should just move back to the US!), today is the day the government insisted on lifting ALL restrictions. That means no more mask guidance. I'm still wearing a mask on transportation and in stores. Anyway, just an hour ago, Boris Johnson (aka the 'cabbage patch Draco Malfoy' 🤭) and his scientific advisers came on TV and told everyone to tone the partying down a bit. Then Patrick Vallance made the most astonishing statement: "In terms of the number of people in hospital who’ve been double vaccinated, we know it’s around 60% of the people being admitted to hospital with Covid." My jaw hit the floor. I don't know whether he misspoke and hopefully he will clarify his statement but... wow. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jul/19/coronavirus-live-news-england-unlock-johnson-self-isolates-record-new-cases-in-thailand?page=with:block-60f5a9048f085dcd6b592b79#block-60f5a9048f085dcd6b592b79

It's actually a lot more coherent than I thought it would be? Last season's mid-season trailer was pure chaos. But yeah, RHONY is not going to have a BH-style WHO IS LYING? WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH? trailer this year. Honestly, I feel so bad for RHONY with the Covid restrictions. Constantine Maroulis (sp?) shows up in the trailer at some cocktail bar and I was like "Ooooo now we're getting somewhere!" Mostly because... they were in a cocktail bar in Manhattan! Looking forward to the party where they have to dress up as each other. I also noticed they seem to be terminating with a dinner party which (likely) ends disastrously. This reminds me very much of RHOMelbourne's playbook. The EP over there, Kylie Washington, literally ends every season with a Dinner Party From Hell.

I read your story open-mouthed @carolineg. Sometimes these things happen and transmission is accidental. And sometimes... Get Better very soon! Just something to think about -- my colleague (working remotely for the last 15 months) got exposed to someone who tested positive for Covid last weekend. He got sick this week with fever, flu-like symptoms, coughing, etc., but also vomiting. His Covid tests (he's had a couple done since) are still showing as Negative. And now, the person who he was exposed to is now saying his tests are negative. Sometimes these tests are not 100% accurate. Also, hospitals here are noticing an uptick in people catching the actual flu because their immune system has been so protected for the past 15 months. This article by a UK respiratory doctor talks a little more about this ("On top of this, other respiratory viruses are starting to rise again in adults. We are starting to see cases of flu, parainfluenza and others that have been almost entirely absent for months.") https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/19/i-work-in-an-nhs-covid-ward-and-i-feel-so-angry Save yourself the trouble and don't bother. She's an alt-right professional outrage artist spreading dangerous lies about Covid. Probably hoping for a job on one of Murdoch's networks.

Wasn't it great? DP seemed to really vibe with her, and she was a ball of energy. She has clearly watched RHONY for many years (to the question of which former HW she would bring back, she cited Bethenny... and Jill Zarin), which may be a good or bad thing. Nevertheless, the interview gave me hope for the rest of the season (which sounds better) AND for Bershan's future on the show. I'd never thought of it that way at all but you are absolutely right. She thought marrying Tom was her Greatest Bamboozlement, but in actual fact he has parked at least 50% of the blame for the fraud at her door. He pulled one on her. And she's bitter about it. I'd have an ulcer by now thinking about all that debt/lawsuits against me. For peace of mind, a fresh start and no jailtime, I would be looking for a deal to make all this stress go away. For the life of me, I don't understand why she has not. Unless she's gambling on actually winning her case and keeping all 'her' assets? Which is very unlikely to happen.

Thank you for linking to the post in question, as distasteful as it is. God. EG thinks she is so edgy and meta posting this crappy fan art. The earrings are a particular kick in the gut to anyone filched by Tom Girardi. Imagine having your victimization reduced to trophy-wife earrings in a LQ cartoon? I would be livid. What is she thinking stirring up mess like this on Twitter? That fans will fall in love with her IDGAF persona? A post like this goes completely counter to the Sad Vulnerable Erika she is attempting to portray on RHOBH. I can't imagine any lawyer advising she stay on social media. Far better to stay silent and the 'enigma' she once claimed to be.

Wait, what? 😲 She posted a pic mocking the victims?? I missed that. Who thought that was a good idea? I was sort of feeling bad for her given how massive these lawsuits are, but if she's mocking victims, and blocking restitution to them, AND doing it all on social media where she thinks her 'fans' will be YASS KWEENing her posts? Then she is cruel, deluded and [!@#$%^&*] stupid.

@Taoboi Remember our ole fave Terri DiMarco? Now she's trying to make 'Tequila Terry' happen. Doesn't brush her hair extensions for days! Omg totes crazy, you guys! 😆 Somebody desperate for a spot on the show? 🤔

@Chris B Danny Pellegrino on his latest podcast has an interview with Bershan herself in the last 20 minutes and it's a good one!

I hear what you're saying. Complexity is possible on these RH shows, but sometimes, as production sketches storylines with increasingly broad strokes, that complexity is reduced to bad vs good or to easily identifiable 'teams' (like on New Jersey). Team Teresa vs Team Jackie, etc. It's easy to market SLs like that, reduce it to a 15 second trailer. Complexity results not from the 'plots' themselves, but from the women's ability to show themselves as complex but in a way that is identifiable to the audience as we recognise complexity within ourselves. Erika's way of being has not been identifiable or relatable to viewers. In fact, she was so closed off for years, seemingly bored or in a bad mood, that she didn't have members of the audience warming to her as a human being. Which may be why BH viewers appear to revel in her downfall. And what a downfall it is! Because for all her guardedness, Erika was the wealthy Alpha of the BH cast in recent years. Many of the newbies may have gone against her at first, but ended up wanting to be accepted by her (Dorit, Teddi). That near-hero worship did not really translate to the majority of the audience. Compassion is really interesting because I was thinking the other day that if I had a friend, like Erika, who left her husband and he turned out to have embezzled millions from victims of terrible traumatic events, and put it in her bank account, what would I do? Would I be so horrified and disgusted that I drop her as a friend? Do I stand by her now, at one of the worst points in her life? I think that if this was someone I knew very well and cared about, then yes, I would want to be a caring friend to her. I know that is not-great to say when you think about it in the context of those victimized by the crimes of someone like Tom Girardi. Would I ask myself if she might have known about the money being embezzled? Yes, of course. And I would ask her. Who knows if my viewpoint would change about my friend as time goes by, and more info emerges. It probably would. That is the nature of complexity, I guess. It's shades of grey, as you say. I also don't have an answer as to whether I think Erika is 100% guilty and knew everything and this is all a big act. Sometimes it feels like a soap opera audition. And sometimes it doesn't. I appreciate Erika talking about what she's going through instead of playing her usual Too Kool 4 Skool persona and pretending it's no big deal and Pointedly Sipping a Glass of I-Don't-Give-A-Sh!t-Champagne in the VTs. That attitude from Erika got old three seasons ago and it would have played appallingly to this season's viewership. There is no question that the criminal charges in of themselves are NOT shades-of-grey, but quite clearly fraud. The Gizelle-Jamal thing.... I feel empathy and pity for her because of what she went through with him. This past year we all heard the rumors about what she went through in the early part of their relationship, the STD, the time spent under care to try and get her mental health together. How could I not feel deep empathy for someone who went through that? It added another layer to Gizelle that I don't normally see on the show. Gizelle is locked up tight. It also adds some shading to what Chris Samuels said about her, that "Hurt people hurt people." It's because she went through years of hell that I wonder why she would want to put herself through it again. Truthfully, I don't think she would, which is why I don't quite buy the relationship we saw on our screen last season. Why I get bitchy towards Gizelle on this thread is when she goes for the jugular with other people, accusing them of lying about the state of their relationships! It doesn't seem fair to do that if you might be doing that yourself, no? But as far as her relationship with Jamal... I'd be interested to see her talk about what made her go back to him, because I have never really seen her explain the 'Why.'. What kind of love is this for her? Is it the old passion welling up in her again? Or is this the newer 'rational arrangement' that you talk about? Honestly, I'm not against Gizelle showing us layers to herself. Far from it. But she hasn't gone deep into detail up until now.

IA that the boring old ladies stuff was tame. The OGs should be used to those accusations by now! For me, it was when Bershan called Sonja a f---ing clown the first time at the restaurant. It took the situation to another level. I get why -- Bershan wanted these women to ask about HER, get to know HER, and Sonja was interjecting and talking about herself. But the statement was guaranteed to set the hens clucking, and that's why this (and later at the hotel when Bershan called Sonja a clown again) seemed like maybe Bershan was turning it up for the cameras. Not that they weren't all happy to play along for the cameras too and act outraged. Leah and Luann looked thrilled. Sonja was totally boozed out so that may explain some of her OTT reaction. At the hotel, she seemed genuinely surprised by what she thought had been Bershan coming for her. You saw next week's trailer, right? The altercation looks nuts, and it seems like everyone is trying to get Sonja to face up to her drinking.

Re: LVP. Yep, they must have hated her, full-stop. A part of me held out hope that Kyle really did care for LVP deep down, but the kindness and compassion she showed Erika (compassion that seemed real IMO -- I do think Kyle has a bond with many in The Coven) -- none of this was ever on display with LVP. Kyle spent a lot of time TELLING us what a wonderful friend she was, but precious little actually showing us. The fact is, once Rinna and Erika started icing LVP out (and interesting that Erika only really turned on LVP after the famous dinner where Tom snapped at Erika -- Erika knew that LVP had witnessed the flipside of Tom Girardi), LVP became Uncool. A lot was made about her age compared to the others, and Kyle, Teddi and Dorit didn't want to be tied to her and wanted to join the cool group. So they basically cast LVP into the wilderness on some truly petty charges. Re: RHONY, ITA that it's the lack of authentic, organic relationships hurting the show currently. Honestly, bring back Dorinda, Carole, heck even Aviva made for great television. Elyse copying up to Mario? Bring them both on! Keep Eboni if she and Sonja are both tight. Luann's Instagram post is really telling. She is clearly shook about possibly losing this franchise, to the point where she'd even entertain Jill, Bethenny and Alex's return. I was enjoying Bershan until she tried to drum up an insta-feud from literally nothing. IA it reeked of producer desperation. I sure hope that desperation doesn't lead to Bravo throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Agree with you. This was the most open Erika has been with us ever. I believe her fear of the possibility of going to jail. I believe her when she said people have dumped her (not Mikey, surely?). She said she was unable to talk to Tom and unable to talk about Boeing and it made me wonder if she has actually, on the advice of her lawyer, turned state's evidence, cooperating with the law, in return for leniency. But then there is the $20mn he wired to her company, and the assets she has recently tried to block from being paid out... The evidence against her is a lot. As for Rinna, this was the best she's been since S5. I remember those dresses for real, because when she started going out with Harry Hallin, it was a HUGE thing. Honestly, its a shame soaps have gone down in popular culture because Rinna is such a natural Soap Star. It also reminded me how great the early/mid 90s were-- not just for soaps (which of course they were: I was addicted to Days, GH, Y&R/B&B around this time, and also getting into ATWT -- everyone i knew watched soaps!), but just generally the 90s had great movies, stars, TV, music, fashion, gossip. And Rinna really was in the firmament for a while.

Agreed. Based on this clip alone, I'm not feeling Wendy TBH. She is doing a little too much too soon and her sudden devotion to Karen comes out of nowhere. Last season she dogged her continually (and that includes on the After Shows filmed later). Wendy has since taken fan reaction into account and is adjusting accordingly. It feels performance-driven. Not that Mia isn't performing but she handled Wendy's attack out of nowhere well.

Thanks for clarifying. The Eva seasons kind of ran together for me there! Omg Praise Jesus 🙌 Heather works better in a team with Tamra.

Which season was Season 12? Shamari Season? Season 7 is my gold standard! (Also S8 was brilliant -- Kim Fields' season).