Cat

Martyn Lawrence Bullard was on Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators back in the day (I'm talking early seasons of RHONY and RHOA back-in-the-day!) which was a great show. He was my favorite interior designer on it, even if his more-is-more style isn't my personal preference. I especially loved his clenched-teeth almost-nervous-breakdowns about 3 minutes before the Hollywood star was due to visit the finished home. And to all LA-based people here, I hope you are safe. These Palisades fires are very scary and winds are still extremely high.

Yikes. Slow down, SLC! I'm only on Ep 9 -- the Palm Springs couples trip! OMG, can I tell you how much I am loving think-for-herself Bronwyn and don't-care-if-we're-being-filmed-or-not Todd. First of all, she gave Heather the option to come, but Heather pulled a Kyle and leaned into her favourite emoji: victimhood. And then double-talking Lisa Barlow had to call Heather "Boo-hoo we miss you so much, friend." And Bronwyn wasn't putting up with it, and neither was Todd. I am here for this. I am here for Lisa being called out on her shenanigans. Do I think Lisa Barlow briefed against Whitney? Yes. Do I care? No, because it's Whitney, and she just got her husband involved in a brouhaha with the Barlows and making Brittani cry. But I do care when it's Bronwyn. Leather (aka Lisa & Heather, aka the Unholy Alliance) thought the newbie would be the weak link this season, and now it is boomeranging against them. Couldn't happen to two more deserving double-dealers. Todd isn't taking any bullsh!t either. Anyhoo, I'm catching up as fast as I can but unfortunately I also have to pay rent, aka work, and that eats into my SLC viewing time. It is a barn-storming SLC season, perfectly encapsulating why a certain 'Shen Jah' is really not needed to drive this franchise (something Heather has only truly realised belatedly). And Mary is coming into her own on this show, too. P.S.: Do you think the fight between Meredith & Seth about Seth having to fly to Ohio early was pre-planned or no? Even after those police videos, Karen Huger is staying booked and busy.

I finally watched the BH episode and, for the first time ever, I found an emotional honesty in Dorit that I've not found before now. I believe her when she says she feels abandoned by most of the women. I believe her when she says,what she is going through sucks royally. The way she held her ground as Sutton, Garcelle and Camille came for her, while Kyle sat quiet as a spider, her eyes widening with pretend shock. For whatever reason, Sutton and Garcelle have forged an alliance with Kyle where they automatically back her and defend her. At least Erika is,trying to be even handed with both women. And Camille, whom i love, yet again making the bad decisions listening to Kyle who promises her another BH stint. Dorit had all those girls shaken. She torpedoed them without breaking a sweat. And next episode she's going to confront Kyle, and I am here for it. Potomac is enjoyable but it may have hit a fallow period in the season. This may actually be a good time for the Christmas break. Surely another cast trip is around the corner. I have just started the new season of SLC -- I'm on episode 6. It is a good one, surprisingly refreshing. I didn't think it could top last season which was so dramatic, but Bronwyn is a find who brings out the best in Lisa Barlow (in seasons' past, my least like HW). I also love how Mary has softened ever so slightly, without losing her snark. Angie has absolutely grown on me. The buzzin' cousins still annoy me, but every show needs villains. Most importantly, the show is creating a future for itself without Jen Shah which is deeply important for the shows survival IMO. I don't think SLC can afford another S3 misstep.

I think it might have been the Nyquil! Now that whatever-this-viral-infection-afflicting-us-all-was is over, I'm ready to better appreciate Dorit simultaneously tear Kyle and Camille a new one. Kyle is so cowardly -- she can't bear being called out for her actions, so she brings on Camille (who is probably hurting for a paycheck) to fight her battle for her. Camille falls for this with Kyle every time. 😔 A gossip site called Laineygossip (which usually does not cover reality TV stuff) posted an article recently where it praised the turnaround in Bravo with the RH shows, so this is definitely getting noticed by more mainstream, less RH-focused media outlets. IMO, by refreshing its casts judiciously, these shows have returned to their roots. I'd like to think Miami two years ago fired the starting gun on the way it carefully anchored organic story to a dynamic cast, but certainly in spring of this year, I had my fears about the franchise. I'm so glad this fall has surpassed my expectations, led by a rejuvenated OC. BH and Potomac have totally surprised me also, in a good way. Oh, I will post my thoughts about the Dinner Party From Hell 2.0. And thank you for the reminder about Mary who has become (and Heather must be seething about this) the lead HW of the show. Fuller is a hack, but this reunion was real and no wonder it elicited a reaction from you and so many others. We can spot a fake, and conversely, what is real. And I agree -- Raquel has more to unpack with regards to her mom and their relationship. I do think her mom may have a genuine fear of flying, too.

I've been sick for the past two weeks. So I'm only now catching up properly. First of all, I have really missed a trick by not keeping up with SLC this season, haven't I? I will try to catch up with this season over the holidays. I've sometimes found it hard getting into prior SLC seasons (with the exception of last year's riveting season), but i hope to embrace Bronwynn and SLC's paradigm shift. Secondly, is BH kind of struggling with its momentum this last episode? I haven't finished it so hopefully it gets good, and maybe I was just struggling with this bad cold and lack of sleep, but I had a hard time locking into the episode. Thirdly, RHONY. I watched the two Puerto Rico episodes back-to-back and loved them. Maybe the fun of the first episode disguised the 'whimper', as you put it, of the second. But honestly, I loved the easy flow of the whole thing, including the myriad relationships the women hold with each other, which is always heightened by a girls' vacay. First of all, Sai, our Greek chorus. What a difference a year makes. Sai stirs but also keeps things light and breezy. Like Raquel she is Nuyorican, and being in PR seemed to make her glow from the inside. Raquel is a MVP. From her observations of the other women to her reunion with her mom, which was both tense and loving (and which Sai understood to her bones), Raquel gave the audience something personal and vulnerable of herself, and brought out another dimension from Sai, too. I like the way they quietly click together and bring out the best in each other. OK, so Brynn and Erin can be mean girls sometimes, but the two of them hanging out with Jenna (and, uh, Big Abe) was definitely the most fun group compared to the Instagram influencers. Also I think Ubah was jealous that Erin was having fun with them and not her, priming us for the fight with Brynn next week. I also think Erin likes to play her friends against each other like Kyle does, having them compete for her attention. Jessel has been curiously underpowered this season. However, something about her ditzy honesty, the fact that she's not quite as influencer-sophisticated as, say, Sai or Ubah, makes her a relatable enjoyable cast member. Rebecca is Rebecca. A completely rational and self-actualized civilian who unwittingly walked into this show without understanding what any of this is about.

You are exactly right. Karen has a problem taking accountability, and in this particular case, it is going to be her downfall. I can't believe she thought the videos,wouldn't get out. They always get leaked. "Thomas Jefferson's concubine" is particularly damning for a host of reasons,. But also because hours after the accident, she is still completely lit and running her mouth. The ride in the police car didn't even sober her up. I am wondering how Ray reacted to all this behind closed doors.

I saw the footage. For the life of me, I don't know why her lawyer or Ray did not advise her to settle with the state attorneys office. Do a little time and comply. The bodycam footage is bad. I feel for Karen because she obviously has,struggled with alcohol for a long time, and doesn't have perception about how badly the accident could have gone for her. I don't know if she will do a mea culpa at reunion, but I hope she will. She may go to jail, but it won't be the first time a RH has had to do that. Anyway, that's all I've got. I feel bad for Karen, one of my favorite RHs despite all this, and hope she cones out the other side of this mess.

BH: This episode really continued to illustrate just how manipulative Kyle is. The scene with Mauricio, leaning into her 'victimhood,' how much she misses Mo and the life they had... girl, whatever, you got the house! Mo seems like he is living his best life in his bachelor condo. His giant white choppers enter the scene 5 seconds before he does, and they are scary. And Dorit is basically the same side of the Kyle coin with PK moving out and trying to live his Mo-adjacent life. Nevertheless, I loved her calling Kyle out again and again. Kyle suddenly trying to shift the 'reason' she's 'betrayed' by Dorit to Teddi, of all people, reminded me of all the twists she used to pull on LVP to make her look like a bad friend. There was always some new stick to beat her with.

Best use of the term Trollop I have ever seen! 👏 She is declassing the show. Even Gizelle and Ashley, of all people, are like "This is too much trashy" in their VTs.

I was surprised at how much Karen showed this episode, with the lawyer and going to the courthouse, and the trial getting postponed, and her tiredly walking upstairs to her room (but not before -- ever the old-school manners of a housewife hostess -- asking Ray to respectfully walk the lawyer out). I agree with @DaytimeFan that she simply could not talk about the trial throughout filming because it was ongoing and it would bite her in the ass legally. Not much different from Erika or indeed Teresa way back in the day. Which makes Mia's constant references to 'drunk Karen' and how she might still be drinking all the more spiteful given the ongoing case. Mia showed her ass throughout this episode, whether it was bragging to the other HWs -- look how much organic drama i have in my life compared to you, Ashley and Gizelle! Gizelle's reaction in the VT was glorious. Mia's drama really is too much, and no-one can trust anything she says. Then there was Mia cackling about 'grandaddy' Gordon with Inc. And then the "fathers of my children." Mia thinks she's winning, but she just looks cruel and selfish. The mask that fell from TJ's 'nice Christian guy' persona was unexpected. I don't know why Stacey is dating this guy, or has a contract with him to be her Plus One this season, but he gave me red flags in that scene. Erin is someone who annoys me with her spoiled, manipulative ways (Sai called her a tattletale which sums her up well). And yet she also drives narratives and pot stirs in an adept way AND also gives us personal story. Whether it is her and Abe, or her and Ubah next week, or her and her parents, I appreciate that Erin gave us a total experience this episode, and that people can be complex. You can dislike them one moment and feel empathy for their story the next. I also felt sad seeing her dad not his usual gregarious self, but clearly straggling health wise. He was also introspective and spoke sagely and honestly to his daughter about his own experience with a girlfriend having an abortion, and how she hated him afterwards. I am really liking Jenna, Sai and Ubah this season, and this episode illustrates why. Sai has done a complete 180 on me -- without fundamentally changing her personality or trying to kiss up to the audience.

RHOBH: This episode, and possibly this season, belongs to Dorit. Poor Kyle pales in comparison next to Dorit's rocky personal journey. So often the secondary HW behind LVP and Kyle, the 'other blonde one' behind Erika, Dorit has finally stepped into the limelight by dint of real-life events happening around her. A little like Shannon on OC this season. Dorit has long had a contentious relationship with Kyle where she supported but also trolled her, and bristled at being ordered around. She wasn't an obedient little minion like Teddi. Dorit wants to be a Faye, a Kathy or an LVP -- Kyle's peer. But as Watch What Crappens pointed out on a recent podcast, Kyle cannot exist without a triangle in her life, usually a drama triangle where someone in that triangle is at odds with someone else. Kyle-Kathy-Kim. Kyle-LVP-Faye. Kyle-Dorit-Teddi. Mauricio-Kyle-Morgan. Dorit-Kyle-Morgan. She thrives on pitting the important women in her life against each other. Kyle may be falling back into her usual victim caricature, but "Grace time is over, Kyle", not just in Dorit's mind, but also, perhaps, in the audience's. I've watched since ep.1 S1, and this is as bad as I've ever seen Kyle. When she said that Dorit was trying to pretend that Kyle had done something to her in order to play victim, all I could think was 'Uhhh, isn't that you, Kyle?' Not only does she lack any self-awareness, but she is openly gaslighting the audience. And the audience now cannot unsee it. My prediction: unless LVP and Kim return next season, Kyle will be gone from the show. That raises questions about whether the show could even continue without her. Dorit may have triumphed at the top of this episode, but the last 10 minutes with PK were a PR exercise which went left. The narrative she is driving is that she and PK will be divorcing and co-parenting amicably. PK has a different narrative in mind. It's quite clear that PK is a spoiled man-child who cannot wait to live the Mauricio Lifestyle, partying his way around Aspen and Cancun. He is also deeply jealous of Dorit for being a RH on this show. As he modeled his Single PK wardrobe, it just made him look insecure. What was a burn was when he said they couldn't call each other anymore. While Dorit was more than comfortable to play the put-upon wife in that scene, it also seemed like she was just realising for the first time how much her husband hates her and wants to publicly embarrasss her. Almost like he's in cahoots with Kyle! This guy is going to break the hearts of his children when he fails to pick them up every other weekend. RHOC: Amazing season. Pretty good reunion. Except for that random "36 HOURS LATER" epilogue tacked on at the end of Part 3. What was that? Something happened with Katie, so i think Heather called up producton in order to decimate her rival. But instead, we got this weirdly stilted event where everyone pledged their devotion to Shannon. Weren't these the same people cackling about Alexis bringing down Shannon at the beginning of the season? Talk about misreading the audience and trying to backtrack at this late stage. I still don't understand how Tamra and Heather didn't get called out on how they openly encouraged Alexis. Literally nobody confronted them about it.

Right? I felt it crept up on all of us. BH's audience is particularly loyal... did last year's borefest burn them? I doubt it because reunion did well. Another unpopular opinion (i am full of them this week!) but Bravo needs to cancel the aftershows. They take away from the show itself AND the reunions.

Don't forget Miami! I'm a little nervous about RHOA S18 given some of the comings and goings,we've been hearing about. But I hadn't heard about this OG RHOA featuring Nene! And Cigs! Will her lazy ass even show up to the airport?

I was going by the mid-season trailer which, I know, after the prank mess, I really shouldn't believe. I haven't watched Tuesday's episode yet, but I'll take your word for it. That prank was such a bad move by Production. And BTW I agree about Raquel, love her. Did they even promote it? I didn't know it was starting up again until you guys told me. I wish we knew the streaming numbers too, it would give a better idea of whether one-third of BH's typical audience has actually fallen off a cliff.

I didn't even know BH was starting this week until it was mentioned on this thread. I was of two minds as to watching it, as last year had been such a bore. But I'm so glad I did. Dorit puffing on that cigarette in the car.... the gloves are off and she doesn't give a sh!t. I am Team Dorit on this one. Kyle has treated her like an afterthought for years. Kyle is the most disingenuous person. After teasing the audience with Morgan Wade kissyface videos, now she doesn't want to say her name? It seems it was all a big ruse. Production wasn't even trying to hide what a manipulative user Kyke is. I bet they're pissed about Kyle and Mo spilling everything on that Netflix show. Cruella DeVille aka Ozempic Erika is growing on me as the go-to between Kyle and Dorit. PK saying he got sober and realised he hated his wife made me side-eye him. No, he realised Mo was having an ace time off his face with coke and sexy Mexican pop stars in Aspen and wants a slice of that life. Good luck with that. It seems clear from thar convo and the one Dorit had with Kathy that PK was the one who instigated the separation. Kathy is annoying me with the quirks, and annoying Bose. And finally we may have a legitimately smart HW on BH. I'm also liking the FOHs like Jennifer Tilly and Amanda De Cadenet. Even Garcelle and Sutton are giving me something. I sure Hooe this,season lives up to the opener. This spring was so poor in terms of RH content that I assumed Bravo wanted out. I have no idea why Bravo backloaded so many good shows to the autumn. I'm not even watching SLC as it us. I am psyched about nuNY ramping up momentum. OC and Potomac are giving me life, and now we have M2M also? Bravo needs to calm down for a second. Especially if Dubai is now on pause and Jersey also. What on earth will they have left to screen in H1 2025?

Ozempic really did a number on these three.

Another day, another Mia lie! Oxycontin addiction? Nothing a quick muscle realignment at one of 'her 22 clinics' can't handle. I find it hilarious that the 'Here is Your Plucky Heroine, Mia!' SL has gone so fatally awry. Mia simply cannot conceal her own intrinsic moral bankruptcy. Gordon and Jacqueline keep crashing that carefully contrived caregiver image every time they appear. First Jacqueline exposed her BFF for telling Gordon she loved him. The way Mia sputtered as she desperately thought up some inanity about this is how you're supposed to treat people with bipolar disorder -- lie to them. Then we got Gordon himself, who has never sounded more clear and lucid, saying "I am not here to boost you and Inc's image." The look on Mia's face as she realised the camera was getting all this. I doubt we will be seeing Gordon on camera again, which is a shame. I find Wendy both arrogant and insecure, and her mother even more so. Her mother is no Miss Dorothy (Candiace's mother). Ashley's had her time, and that divorce is never going to happen if it means Demon Darby has to pay a set alimony. I am no Gizelle fan, but the look on her face when Jassi was explaining her situation. It was the same stank face her father made when Pastor Holy Whore sat down next to him at that restaurant a few seasons back. I believe Karen when she said she was not eating from stress. She was very thin this episode and her face drawn. Luckily, she still has her wits about her and handled that clown Mia without breaking a sweat. TJ is giving me 'He's just not that into you, sweetie.' Another reason Stacey reminds me of Kenya Moore her first season. He seems to be a boyfriend for hire, but for some reason, Stacey is so charming that I'm not even mad at the fakery. I feel like she’s practically winking to camera.

This says to me that Bravo do not know what to do with RHOA without Kenya. And so they arranged for this interview in order to integrate her back into the cast. Maybe they didn't have the material to go on with the show after her mid season pause and they want to edit the show around her. Or maybe I'm projecting. Either way, it is a high profile apology tour. She even brought Brooklyn with her.

Tell us how you really feel, Taoboi! I was all caught up in the story until the final 5 seconds, and then I was like... that's it? The whole trailer was predicated on a one-episode prank? Who do I blame for this? Erin? She's always pulling this ish. But ultimately the blame must rest with Mediocre Mastermind Eric Fuller, who just blew his fifth chance on a RH show. If Andy is pissed, well, then... the HWs will get the blame, but the fault lies with he who effed up a decent thing with this show. And like you, I liked the individual scenes. Mel and Abe is the bromance I never knew I needed in my life. When he talked so authentically about exploring his sexuality in college, I thought the RH was slowly breaking new ground. Jessel with her mom. Sai with her daughter. Erin and Rebecca bonding. Ubah at the game. Ubah is really growing on me this season. I think she really likes Sai, Jenna and Erin and that's unexpected to see. Rebecca was even coming out of her perfectly put-together shell. I see Erin just announced her pregnancy, like she did something strategic there. Brynn got caught in her own pot-stirring. She and Fuller are bringing out the worst in each other. I continue to watch because still enjoying the show. But I am curious how they steady the boat from here.

No, I didn't know. Me and Terri don't confide in each other like that. 😉 That initial IG post she put out there? "I'm filing for divorce... I'm prioritising my kids" made it sound like she was divorcing Edwin because he did something. If there's one thing that Terri lives for, it is playing the sainted victim. And indeed, now we have this blurb from (cough) "a source close to Teddi": https://x.com/queensofbravo/status/1857123994635325828 Now she has "the balls" to divorce Edwin. Shes no longer gonna live in fear, you guys! He cheated first! Yes, she had an affair with the horse trainer whose wife is pregnant, but she's prioritising the kids! The Mellencamps are family and faith-based! Just like Lori Loughlin. I know one should never relish in the misfortune of others. It's bad karma. Moreover, that's exactly what Terri would do. Not so long ago, she was on OC, using her appearance to, once again, kick Vicki when she is pretty much already down. I know there is no love lost between viewers on this thread and Vicki, but that Two T's podcast is used often to settle scores with a bunch of different HWs. Best believe that if Vicki were still a HW welding big leverage on a show, Teddi would mind her words. And if any other HW were caught cheating, Terri 'Never will I ever tell a lie' DiMarco would be all over her with the moral judgement. As someone once described her on this very thread, Terri is that girl at school who would snitch on you to the principal, but do the same thing you were caught doing on the sly. Thank you for keeping us focused on the big picture. They'd better not bring her back.

@DynamiteKiddo that was an absolute bombastic post (in the best sense of the word) and i have to agree with you: this has been the best OC season in about a decade. I really do believe that it stands up to sone of the OC's best seasons. And i also kind of agree with you and @Gray Bunny about Shannon. I think she was unfairly treated by her cast mates and Production. Tamra and Alexis were so egregiously awful to her. However, Shannon managed to sidestep some element of accountability by falling willingly into a victim role. The lawsuit pushed by Johnny J and Dumblexis overshadowed the DUI, and as a result of it, I am cheering on Tamra and Alexis's inevitable TV downfall. I'd be interested to know how you feel about Gina and Emily after this first part of reunion. Because Emily, who I have long liked (and I like Shane too), has been awful. As the self-appointed legal expert (read: a snoop who trawled the legal sector internet), she's blasting Katie, Jenn and Shannon here there and everywhere. Girl, you were a copyright lawyer, not a criminal prosecutor. Sit down. Heather pretty much tore Katie apart. It's funny how this reunion painted a picture of Katie which I had never picked up on before, which is that she might be shady and a bit of a liar. Nevertheless, weirdly, my sympathy is with her, especially when she broke down about having to concede custody of her kids to her ex-husband when she was broke and living in a facility.

I know we are all greatly distracted right now -- with good reason -- but I saw this just now. I hadn't even realised that she was filing for divorce.

I would slightly disagree with your statement that RHONY sucks (although I am worried about Eric Fuller's deepening malign influence), but nevertheless, your post was 🔥 🔥 . And agree with @Antoyne -- Potomac is back! I didn't expect the three newbies to give as much as they have, but I'm literally like Robyn who? Candiace who? This time last season, we had to suffer through three long, painfully dull, Austin TX episodes. This year, we've got Ashley and Jacqueline getting their asses deservedly handed to them. Ashley has always ducked any accountability for her underhanded actions (the fight at GnA, for example) -- Keiarna hasn't forgotten, though, and I hope she keeps bringing it up. Meanwhile, Mia's Mouthpiece thought she could make a bid for relevancy by bringing down Karen, but Karen barely broke a sweat and effectively backed that fool into a corner with her own words. Wendy always feels forced and cringe to me, pretending this is the best birthday ever when we know this celebration is, at best, for the cameras. Those smirks when Mia came for Karen also weren't particularly nice for someone who is supposedly her close friend. And her sneering reaction to Stacey's beau in the VTs confirms my view that Wendy is a snob, always putting down the people she thinks are less than her while trying to kiss up to the Gizelles of this world. I will admit, the footage of tiny Adore, Angel and Grace was so cute. I can't believe Potomac has been on the airwaves that long. Pastor HW gave a speech about Gizelle's dad which made it sound like her dad was pretty much the main father figure for those three girls, and not the trifling Pastor. Which does not surprise me in the least. Gizelle's father seems like he was a truly stand-up, honorable man. People are acting like Budget Kim Kardashian, aka Mia, is the villain this season, but she's always been like this! An untrustworthy fairweather friend and wife. I'm not even going to touch on the manipulative 'I love you' said to G on the phone.

I am actually in shock at how good OC has been this season. Not a filler episode once. The scene where Jenn finally got to drag a barefaced Gollum Tamra (makeup artists really do perform extraordinary feats of magic) was cathartic for this longtime viewer. Finally, someone not afraid to go up against her. Even Emily is overtly careful to keep Tamra on her good side. The show felt like a return to S8-9, not least with the old Tamra-Heather evil alliance back in lockstep. God knows why Emily did Heather's bidding in the finale episode. I look forward to the rest of the group taking them to task, starting with Katie who seems to have triggered some kind of jealous ire out of Heather. This makes me very happy. Sonja finally has a place all of her very own, and in a city she enjoys. West Palm Beach has literally become the old Upper East and Upper West Side of Manhattan, and a lot of her closest friends have houses in the Miami area. Thank you for going back to respond to my post, and for your kind words about my mom. I have no doubts, Taoboi, that you must be a top-notch and very considerate client-facing professional. Because you have a lot of empathy for people, and you seek to communicatewith others. I'll bet all the guests you went the extra mile for remembers that you made their time in San Diego so much better -- especially the guest who returned a second time. People remember kindnesses.