Cat

41 min interview with "spiritual gangster" Falynn. I wish Bravo would give her a peach because this mess is the only story that I am interested in! FOH is not enough as Porsha will pull rank and the power dynamic will be off.

No-one can point their toes with a cast! I know, I've tried. I personally am a little skeeved by all the shoes/Uggs on the bed linen, but that's a pet peeve. Robyn def picked the shot where she looks great!

After the chaotic energy of that RHONY episode, I was not feeling RHOBH so much. Yes, the shots of Lake Tahoe are magnificent, and everybody looks gorgeous. I'm not crazy about Crystal but would seriously wear everything in her suitcase. The show is trying hard, and Kathy especially is bringing that kooky warmth and getting everybody involved in drinking games. But that convo between Garcelle and Erika on the dock -- eek. Two work colleagues bumping into each other near the printer and don't know what to say. Garcelle asks how Tom is doing, and Erikabot spits out a few well-honed platitudes of nothingness. Some of these women are talking AT each other instead of TO each other. Nothing illustrates this more than whatever TF Rinna was trying to do with that 'rapist friend' analogy. It felt very performative and scripted, judging by Kyle's knowing smirk, and right on cue, Erika and Door-It jumped in with their "Lisa hasn't said a word about Denise's secrets" lines. Like anyone believes Rinna can keep a secret other than her own! @NothinButAttitude Rinna is such an unpleasant and vindictive person. She's not just satisfied with seeing off people she hates (Kim, LVP, Denise) -- she has to keep obliterating them publicly even after they are long gone. Rinna's little speech of meaninglessness, on the surface, was meant to make her look like the good guy (FAIL on that count). On a deeper level, I believe it was staged to trigger Garcelle and get her to react negatively. That way Rinna could play the 'Look how mean and unforgiving Garcelle is being' card. Which she is already doing on TMZ. Crystal vs Sutton. I see both sides. Sutton is socially awkward, insecure and perhaps a bit Karen-y (though not in an Amy Cooper way). Crystal is an icy b!tch who does not like her and is happy to target the weak link. Both used this trip to stir it up and get a feud going. Sutton probably regrets her antics, but Crystal is all-in picking on Sutton. And @Taoboi Crystal is a close friend of Terri's?? That explains A LOT.

@FrenchBug82 Another pic from the shoot coming out -- Robyn posted this one on her IG, and Gizelle is front and centre and looking good. Honestly, the more I see of this shoot, the more messy it looks. This below is the best shot thus far. The others look awkward (the High Kick pic, Giz/Tel/Cand in Static Exercise Pose), and that group header, yikes. That one is a whole mess. Everybody looks photoshopped in. Still, I'm pleased Telfar is a fan and wanted the RHOP in his campaign!

It's surprising to me actually because whatever one says or thinks about Gizelle, she essentially represents the show and is sent to various news outlets by Bravo to promote it. I suspect the photo layout in In Style might more than 3 little photos. We may see more of Gizelle in another shot. Also I suspect the reason Gizelle is in the back of the first shot is because her foot is in a cast (see the exercise pic). She is quoted in the article as being a big, big fan of his bags, so I doubt he dislikes her!

That's an astute take. Bethenny's M.O. is more control, not less, and she probably has an Apprentice-style show waiting to be retooled. Perhaps one that will focus on promoting her new wine brand Wines by Wives Vanderpump Rosé Forever Young. Nope. She got front and centre behind Telfar! I always thought Robyn keeping the other pics but cutting out Karen alone was purposely spiteful. Didn't you just love their scenes with each other? I was kind of in tears too and Sonja looked so moved, she may have been fighting a couple back herself. I hope this matchmaker idea works out and Sonja doesn't get crazy drunk and lash out at Eboni, that's all! I don't want her to mess up this budding friendship. And IA even though Heather was a little cringe in her 'Look what an ally I am' moments with Eboni (it felt almost like one-upping at one point), the fact is Heather actively brokered the peace between Eboni and Luann and made everyone sit down together to reach it. Without that meeting, Lu and Eboni could never have had that (I believe) genuine moment on the beach. I also want to point out that Heather is unfazed under pressure. She did not flinch one inch when Leah threw the flowers at her and went nuts.

RHOP x Telfar:

True. A lot may also depend on Brynn's schooling and the shared custody agreement with Hoppy. I hope that even if she does move to Boston (my adopted hometown once upon a time), she keeps the Bridgehampton house -- it's an incredible property and where she and her daughter lived during lockdown.

It could be, as you say, that she didn't want to be held back by the Burnett/MGM deal (even though she left RHONY very abruptly because of it). Bethenny works hard to maintain almost complete control over her projects and her brand (not that I blame her). But it could also be just as possible that Bethenny is putting a positive spin on a situation where Burnett/MGM may have wanted to part ways with her. IA that Bethenny looks down on RH -- on her podcast, she has been openly critical of aspects of her time on Bravo. For that reason, she may never come back. But I think if she doesn't get another production deal (and TV/streaming production is ultimately where she wants to be, not sourcing Skinnygirl Cured Meats), she and Bravo may put aside their differences in the next year or so.

Welp. I guess The Big Shot bombed bigtime. I sure hope Bethenny didn't burn too many bridges with Andy and Bravo.

"There's some sh*t about these women that I really enjoy," said Eboni this episode, and it pretty much sums up my feelings for RHONY. There has been criticism elsewhere about having an extended run of episodes set in the Hamptons, but in the very, very early days of RHONY (S1 and S2) this is what Bravo used to do, delivering a spate of episodes set exclusively in the Hamptons over the summer. We are watching a novella with this Hamptons trip. The viewer is the 7th HW along for the ride, seeing the good, the bad, the messy, the petty, the uncomfortable. We are made to feel part of this extended slumber-party. RHONY has always been about the detail, the characterisation, and not the plot (unlike, say, BH where plot is everything). You guys said it all with regards Eboni and Luann, and I am in agreement. I really liked Eboni this episode and warmed to her generosity of spirit with Sonja and Lu. Sonja was an absolute star with the fly-fishermen and with Eboni and the other women. Sonja is both incredibly astute and puppyish. I loved Eboni making a fuss of her and making her feel important and appreciated. I was initially going to say that I didn't think Leah is so bad, and that both Leah AND Heather bring something to this show I appreciate..... But then I watched that last 6 minutes. Holy sh*t. WTF. Leah showed her entire ass! Excited for next week! @Taoboi I heard that Terri Cougar Avocado rumor too! *shudder* As Casey Wilson put it on WWHL 'We had to suffer through 3 years of Teddi when Kathy was sitting there all this time??" Re: RHONJ, it never crossed my mind before your post that Couch Bitter would try and drive a wedge between Teresa and Jennifer -- but of course that is what they are going to do! I can already picture Marge's eyes narrowing as she texts Jackie and Melissa her strategy. Dolores will be doing God's work!

Ramona: "Hurry up! They're gonna kill each other in the van!" I can't tell if Ramona is worried about potential bloodshed -- or about not missing a moment.

Because of the precedent that Gizelle herself has set on RHOP. She has consistently brought the gossip to the audience since S1 and seems fine with that role. Must I amend my sentences with 'allegedly' when talking about Gizelle? No. We talk about gossip here, not just proof (gossip being Bravo's common currency upon which the network has encouraged an entire eco-system). Clearly that particular post is unsubstantiated and should certainly not be taken as WaPo gospel -- but I can still express my opinion on it! 😊 And my opinion is.. IF this piece of gossip is true, then I am in no way surprised! Because Gizelle is allegedly the biggest gossip-monger on RHOP (followed by Ashley, Robyn, Monique, Karen, to varying degrees)! I know they all brief against each other. What can I say? The IG post singled out Gizelle. 🤷‍♀️

I also had a close relationship with my grandmother and ITA with you. I don't understand why Leah didn't show up a day or two later, like Heather did, so that she could spend time with her grandma. I presume Leah felt she just HAD to be on the trip, that the show couldn't go on without her there. Then, as the realisation about her grandmother's situation set in, she felt rotten. I feel empathy for anyone going through this, but the choice she made is on her.

Oh why am I not surprised that Gizelle's messy ass might be involved in all of this? Of course she's been briefing against the other women! It's the reason why Karen doesn't want to be chummy: she 100% does not trust her. (This makes me wonder if Robyn stays a loyal friend with Gizelle in order not to get briefed against. Hmmm). Candiace threw her friendship with Monique under a bus for Charrisse and Gizelle. The irony that Gizelle might be feeding negative gossip about the Bassetts to AATT is not lost on me. So much for your 'friends' backing you up, sweetie. Can't wait to watch the YT vid which exposes all this. Joey Gorga was already annoyingly extra this season. And this week he had a bro's party and didn't invite Bill. This could be at Melissa's insistence... but I think it's more a case of Joe being jealous of Bill's popularity with the fans. It bugs me because the Bro Code was always: 'No matter how badly our wives fight with each other, we'll be over here sipping Tequila and staying out of it.' This also confirms what I've long thought -- that Team Superficial has been targeting Jennifuh for two seasons now and are determined to ice her off the show, like they did with Danielle Staub. I sincerely hope they lose and that Tre & Dolores pull Jen closer into the fold for lots of filming. I really cannot stand Messy Marge who pretends to be the Voice of Truth and an open book. She is NJ's sniper from the side and has a target list she's working her way through. #1 is Jennifuh.... and #2 is Teresa. And if she runs out of Team Tre targets, best believe that Marge will team up with the Gorgas to go after Jackie. P.S.: Dolores remains my go-to fave.

He thinks he's being 'street' from the safety of Twitter. 😬 He's a chef/caterer from suburban DC, not Biggie Smalls (if Biggie Smalls used water-gun emojis ). He and his wife think they can say anything on Twitter, but they cry 'hood rat' when someone confronts them face-to-face. Great post! ITA with your points about Luann. She definitely has a right to call Sonja out about Tom and Harry. However, she did Eboni wrong with that comment and, as you say, her pride and cluelessness will prevent her from offering a much-needed apology. Re: Eboni. The vibe I get is that Eboni may be over-compensating for a lack of confidence. She knows that OGs like Ramona, Sonja and Luann need someone to go toe-to-toe with them. But the educated comment I took to be Eboni feeling like she had to remind the OGs 'Hey, don't underestimate me, this is what I bring to the table.' And, let's be real, to stir it up, because she knew the comment would be taken as 'Oh, you think you're above us?' Re: Heather, what she did (bowing out) was what any sane person with family and businesses they cherish would do. I just wish she had stayed because the history and issues she has with the OGs are real and make for the most interesting drama! Having Dorinda there would have brought an added dimension to Heather's stay. If she'd had some backup in the form of a Carole or (god forbid) Kristen, I wonder if that might have made her stick around, but in the Hamptons, it was like 4 vs 1.

Who wouldn't? I don't even blame him. I remember him once saying he loved directing and wanted to do more of that.

She did?? I completely missed that! Jeff Lewis hates Heather because he is up Shannon's ass. I wasn't crazy about Heather by the time she left but, in hindsight, she was 100% right about Kelly. Since she left, RHOC has struggled to find its footing, and I think she is long overdue a return. ETA: With the exception of Heather Dubrow, they're all kind of morphing into the same blonde (pic below)! This reminds me of @Cheap21 opening post on this thread 157 years ago: "Couldnt get into the Orange County. Too many blondes and fake boobs."

Not a great look -- but technically it was said while inebriated and in handcuffs. Sometimes we babble stupid sh!t when we're drunk. I don't think Luann had any intention of killing the officer, or anybody for that matter. But I'm also aware non-famous people have been gunned down for less. This is a good start. Heather Dubrow will eat Braunwyn for breakfast. Speaking of Brown Wind, Bravo should really consider letting her, Kelly Dodd and Elizabeth Vargas go. I wouldn't mind Tamra and Heather skewering BW's contrived pretentious posing, though, before despatching her. BTW, I'm still bummed we got no 'It was great but time to go' post from the Rage Monster. Basically, Bravo needs to let OC rest longer and make some astute choices before they rush into filming. But they won't. Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing Vicki back. I know that's controversial, and she's probably on Bravo's No Hire blacklist anyway. I forgot about the Ghislaine connection (Side note: maybe this is why we don't see George Clooney in many movies anymore? He seemed to like dating escort girls once upon a time). So is this why Carole was not asked back but Heather was? I just assumed it's because Carole and Andy Cohen fell out because he had Bethenny's back during S10 reunion.

Better than The Undoing. From beginning to end! This was like a soap in a way -- the who/whydunnit was of course important and the through-line, but what really raises the stakes is the relationships between people in this insular, down-on-its-luck community where most people know each other from childhood. You care about them! And it wasn't all downbeat -- actually, the moments of levity were the parts that stood out for me. These characters did not wallow in their own problems. And the women basically hold the place together. Like I said before, I've never been the biggest fan of Kate Winslet. Back in the day, I used to find her acting a touch Too Much and felt she was somewhat overhyped as a Great Actress. What I would give for that quality of acting now! Anyway, I really warmed to her in Mare of Easttown. You could tell how empathetic and connected to her character she became. A host of other strong supporting performances in this -- Evan Peters, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart and Jack Mulhern were standouts.

Throwback Friday to these two BH classics!

Hey You!!! Your Carolyn Hinsey reference took me BACK! Remember when SOD fired her ass because she a considered a truly awful human being with serious anger management issues and a host of NDAs? Good times! Couldn't agree more with everything you wrote. You returned from work/life/vacation at the perfect moment. BH and NY are starting to pick up speed, and I can hear Potomac revving up around the corner... That's exactly what it is, and in that, she really is not so different from Sonja. The Count gave her a privileged lifestyle and, more importantly, aristocratic status which she misses and has been unable replicate post-divorce. She thought Tom was going to give her that UES life again, but we all know what happened with that.

For a long time I really disliked Carole because she was so nasty to Luann. She didn't like that Lu referred to Adam as 'Sonja young' but hey. The truth hurts! Carole always thought she was miles better than the other women. She was more than happy to watch Bethenny go Cujo on Luann, Jules, Sonja, etc., until it got turned on her. Having said all that (!) Carole should have returned with Heather this season IMO! No more B to gaslight her. She and Heather would have balanced out the Leah/OG crazy. ETA: Has anyone noticed that in Luann's talking head this season, you can clearly see Tom's penthouse behind her?

@Taoboi @Faulkner @Liberty City The problem with Luann is that she gets humbled by a series of events and lets it all hang out for a while. And we get Lu. Then she gets a massive boost to her self-esteem, remembers that she is on a TV show and it's like "I'm back!! Back on top where I belong!" That's when The Countess re-emerges. It's a little Jeckel & Hyde -- the woman she was (and prob felt a little ashamed of when she married the count) vs. the woman of high status she always wanted to be.

ITA with both of you. The vibe I got from Crystal this Tahoe trip is Mean Girl. She quickly sussed that Sutton is sloppy and anxious, and everyone else has their sh!t locked tight. So Sutton is the target. Shouting "WOULD YOU RELAX? GOD YOU'RE SO ANNOYING" ? Kicking and whisper-reprimanding her in the car? Straight out of the Mean Girl playback. Nothing like passive-aggressively letting someone know you really dislike them! I'm very surprised Crystal is doing the show. She knows she is way above these women in the LA pecking order. Does she really need the exposure? On the other hand -- a show like BH needs someone like this. Not just for the legit connections, but an icy b!tch who polarizes the audience. As for the rest, Kathy is a joy. And Dorit is hoping to cling to this gig via Kyle & Kathy. Has Dorit become the new Teddi? Discuss. Next week: the faux shock about Erika's divorce. Rinna keeps stanning this woman like "That's so Erika not to tell us! Kween!" You know if Denise or Garcelle were in the same spot, it would be a whole season of Rinna squealing: "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US LIAR YOU CAN'T HAVE SECRETS ON THIS SHOW!" His wallet is probably (far and away) the most attractive thing about him. We all know why former-escort Porsha is with him! Plus he's an attention whore who views women as disposable, judging by this Falynn mess. Porsha may get a shock down the road when someone younger/prettier starts sniffing around Ole Hobbit's money.