Cat

All good points. In answer to your question, the BH money for Brandi was decent enough -- plus she got the perks of being recognised, free gifted items, paid guest at parties, etc. I think she got addicted to the fame. And I don't use the addiction word lightly. To me, Brandi seems like she is on something, a fame junkie looking for a fix. On one of her podcasts a few years ago, Brandi talked about her relief at being let go after S5, how she could not deal with the pressure of Making Drama Happen and getting treated like crap by the women and production. I felt happy that she had arrived at this moment of self-realization. However, she seems to have now regressed. Kyle has been the puppetmaster since Ep 1 S1. She not only set up Camille but also her own sister so she could look good. S2 is also worth a look, especially the tea party at LVP's. She whips Taylor up into a frenzy to confront LVP but lets her get bulldozed instead of having her back. She cannot guess that LVP and Camile are going to bring up Taylor's abuse direct to camera. Later, when Taylor and LVP make up, the anger Kyle feels at her plan having gone haywire is evident. Adrienne is blaming LVP and absolving Brandi, but Brandi led the charge on Adrienne in S3 and it was a successful victory for her. The fact is, Adrienne got caught out in a lie. Her henchman Bernie was awful. Addicted to the cameras also, and the accusations he made about Paul Nassif hitting his wife, he and Adrienne later had to publicly recant. Joyce would be a welcome return. She is a friend of Kyle's though! It is extremely sad. It felt like watching someone on the edge. The desperation of doing absolutely anything for this one last chance... like she had nothing else left. It felt very hopeless. I hope she turns herself around because I do not want to see another tragedy. I think she deserves some happiness in her life.

Agreed. She built an entire tabloid/reality TV/Twitter/book career on Eddie being a love rat and leaving her for Leeann. I assume Leeann no longer acknowledges Brandi on Twitter and that is probably something she and Eddie agreed to do. I don't think Brandi looks healthy or happy, like she's boozing/partying too much, and scratching around for reality TV crumbs. And she will get zero vindication from the Coven. They are silently judging her HARD for this, just as they are judging Denise. They think Brandi is trash and way beneath them, and when she arrived at their table in Wednesday's episode, it was like a servant being allowed to sit with her masters.

The 'scripting' is also sloppier than usual. Case in point: - Black & white flashback to "3 weeks ago" when Teddi grudgingly invites Brandi to her baby shower. This was ostensibly before the group went to Rome. - Later, we get a flashback to Rome. Dorit in the car with Sutton says she wants to do a surprise baby shower at the Olive Garden. This is after the Boring One invited Brandi to her baby shower? - Then we get Kyle at the event saying she just got a text from Brandi who 'happens to be in the neighborhood. Can she drop by?' I thought BRANDI WAS ALREADY INVITED. That's why Dorit was freaking out about Denise and Brandi possibly being at the same event! - And so, on a whim, Brandi -- who was already in the neighborhood -- shows up... with a pre-wrapped baby gift. As Judge Judy would say, it's actually easier to tell the truth because otherwise you have to remember all the lies you invented! A remark about Brandi: Back when she was a regular on the show, the one thing Brandi bucked against was doing some rich woman's dirty work so they could keep their hands clean. She didn't have the power and status that money conferred upon Adrienne, LVP, Yolanda or Kyle, and she chafed against that. She also eventually turned on the women who used her. So it is sad for me to see Brandi completely give up the pretence of being her own free agent. She is now Kyle and Teddi's b*tch. Teddi deigned to invite Brandi to the baby shower, but the disgust was written all over her face. No way she wants to be associated with someone she considers trash. (And make no mistake, both K & T consider Denise and Brandi to be two peas in a pod). It's also sad to see Brandi allow her body to become the battleground upon which these women attack Denise. It feels very exploitative. When Brandi began screaming about sucking this and that, it sent a vicarious, ugly thrill through the group. This is exactly how low they expected her to go -- she is meeting everyone's rock-bottom expectations of her. In a weird way, it feels like Brandi is prostituting herself with this SL that relies so intimately on her sexual life.

Dorit is the luckiest HW in reality Tv after Porsha. After an icky first season, an annoying second one, boring third one and of course Lucy Lucy Apple Juicy where she broke up a decades long friendship between PK and the VP-Todds -- who would have thought that Dorit would be the voice of reason? Losing 200 pounds of Kemsley dead weight (allegedly) has done wonders for her. Dorit's revamp of the Olive Garden looks like every old-timey Italian restaurant I have ever been to over here. This episode felt like it had been re-filmed after the fact. No wonder Denise didn't show up. And the Boring One moaning about Denise's excuse for not coming -- ho, if she had shown up, you would have bitched about how dare she show her face at your precious baby shower! Also weirdly scripted and contrived: the Boring One's friends being ushered out because they weren't important enough to hear Brandi's gutter mouth. B.O. is so damn smug about being on this show. 3 seasons already! God. Brandi used to be a stunning beauty. @DaytimeFan put it perfectly,: that bloated face launching profanity-laced invectives when having to account for her words. It's not age which has changed her, its all the awful [!@#$%^&*] she had done to her face! And she's not the only one -- Kyle's nose at certain angles looks like it is disappearing into thin air. Kyle was so smug scarfing down pasta while Brandi told her story. She is 100% behind this. And so is Rinna. That scene at Kyle's house felt like a re-shoot, as did the Amelia changing-caps scene and even the Denise-Rinna scene in the previews. Did they redo the scene where Rinna breathes "Ooooo you are so ANGRY" ?

Hmmmm that's a really interesting idea. IMO the S2 cast was the best -- LVP, Kyle, Adrienne, Taylor, Camille, Kim, plus Brandi + Dana as FOHs. If they were to brind back the cast, IMO it would have to be the whole cast and the FOHs too. I really need to see what Dana aka Twenny-Five ThouZIND has been up to the last 10 years. She was in jail at one time for fraud! The problem is the acrimony. Adrienne will never forgive LVP and Brandi, really. LVP will never forgive Kyle and Brandi. Camille still doesn't trust Kyle (I know she said she did in that episode a few weeks ago, but she doesn't). Who knows what's going on with Kim? (Although I have missed her awkward, quirky presence amidst the sea of glammed blow-up dolls afraid of showing any physical imperfection). Not that acrimony is a bad thing on these RH shows. It just risks devolving into a massive settling of old scores. And again, that's not a bad thing, but these women will never admit to having done anything wrong. LVP will never admit she leaked Adrienne's surrogacy secret to Big-Mouth. Kyle will never admit she set up Kim and Camille again and again. Adrienne will never admit that she herself sells stories to the tabloids. So production would have their hands full getting these women to appear all together, as so many of them have thrown the others under the bus for the sake of this show. Moreover, many of them will prob only agree to appear under certain conditions which involve them (and only them) controlling the narrative. Also Brandi, who was a breath of fresh in S2 (one of my favourites actually), has devolved into somebody much darker, much more toxic. By S3 she has become a weapon-for-hire for some of the Richie Richs of the cast, and that has only continued through the years. People like Kyle denigrated LVP for 'preying on the weak' but they use Brandi and her private life as a pawn in their own games. I'd be interested to see Taylor's life after all these years (fired too soon IMO), and to see LVP and Brandi together for the first time since S5. IA, 12 episodes is very reasonable for RHOC, especially with the cast as it currently is. No Tamra to stir the pot, for one thing. Also, yes, in answer to your other post, Nene is probably trying to get Gregg killed.

Basically this. The bipolar reveal, and Ramona keeping on Ramonaing. I think her attitude during the pandemic has not endeared her to viewers (running from NYC to Florida and back again) hence her new nickname of Corona Singer. I mean, it's not a great look, but honestly, I think some people are just over her and looking for an excuse to call for her dismissal. I personally enjoyed Ramona the last episode. I hesitate to say "Fire them all" on RHONY because IMO BH is more in need of the cast revamp. But Bravo won't because... BH's ratings.

That restaurant cannot be doing great business right now either.

Rinna is not necessarily getting away with her antics on BH this year either (thanks Garcelle + Denise!). But regarding Giza Rinna on Potomac, I always think "This year Gizelle will get exposed" and every year Gizelle ducks accountability and Andy continues hyping her up. By pitting Candiace against Monique, Giza has pretty effectively diverted attention from herself. So far. About last night's episode: Gizelle's girls do not trust Daddy Chocolate and that is a red flag. I still think Gizelle is 'with Jamal' for a SL or to get her new house paid for. I know it is early days with Wendy and she is still presenting herself to the group and the audience. I liked when she talked about her Igbo roots and her love of public policy -- you can tell she is proud and passionate about both. But there were times when I felt we were getting Wendy playing the role of 'Dr. Wendy.' Like at the sip-and-see where she tried (and failed) to start something with Karen (Karen moving away to start a convo with someone else ). And when she stirred the pot with the fraught group dynamics. I don't even blame her for the latter 2 things -- production is def encouraging her to get oar in there. Probably the 'Dr Wendy' persona is a defense mechanism. She has done her homework and knows what happens when you reveal too much about yourself -- these women POUNCE. Seeing Karen defend Candiace (who on social media has said the indefensible and sought an alliance with Charrisse) makes me think that Candiace is not ok and Karen knows it and is protecting her. After decades of being gaslit and manipulated by her monstrous mother, Candiace has this rage lurking within her and the women, like sharks, can smell it. That's why they poke her. She is trying to keep it cool, and Chris is essentially her therapist at this point, talking her down. Last year, I thought Candiace was on something that ended up heightening her rage. Monique was poking the Candy-bear at the sip-and-see but it's understandable. After allying herself with Charrisse, Candiace is now not to be trusted and Monique will not forgive that betrayal. Charrisse slithering her do-nothing vile self into that party and then sits there like a bump on a log -- doing f*ck all as usual. She gossips off-screen and thinks that's enough to get her back on the show permanently. As usual, she brings me nothing but a wet patch on a sofa.

No worries! I don't mind rehashing, I just don't want you all thinking I'm some crazed anti-Bethenny stan still obsessed with hating on her 4 years later, lol! I think Bethenny left on a personal high. S11 was a good season for her. I find her tolerable and actually fun, informative and interesting on Instagram, especially with her daughter. She is compelling reality tv for sure, and she brought something to the show (Greek chorus, voice of God) which is missed by many. But at her worst, that highly toxic narcissism, which would suck all the air out of the room, was out of control. Her past was very much weaponized against the others, and she learned to manipulate at her mother's knee. For me, she is a fascinating psychological study, but I am grateful for the breather this year.

Oh man! I loved Dorinda's little sayings. One of my faves (which she told Jules in S8) was "Ramona is a dog that bites. I'll pat her on the ass, but I'm not touching her on the face." I agree that Ramona is the OG of RHONY and that alone might save her. However the hate for Ramona on Twitter ihas been real the last few weeks. I think both she and Dorinda are on the bubble. Without either of them on the show, though, I think that would leave Luann unmoored. Sonja, too, to an extent, but Sonja is less of an introvert when it comes to interaction with newbies. I don't see Jill coming back. I think she is still somewhat blackballed by the network I never really got past Bethenny's behaviour in S8. I've said it often on this thread so I'll try not to repeat myself, but I found her bullying of Jules, Sonja and Luann egregious. The scene where Jules at the restaurant talked about her eating disorder and how she had fallen off the wagon, and Carole snd Bethenny were basically freaking out at her honesty was a standout. They couldn't handle how Jules took control of HER story for once, after they had thin-shamed her and tried to carjack the narrative. Considering the stories out there of their own food/body issues (the rumor was that Bethenny was on Adderall to keep her weight low, which may explain her constant rage back then), their attacks on Jules were v low. Carole was a bully's lackey, palling with the Alpha female, having them to go after her enemies, and cheering them on from the sidelines. I also think when Jules called the women 'menopausal mamas,' that enraged Bethenny who always defined herself as the Young One. Hence we got a full season of FIBROIDS and blood on the pillow, because Bethenny wanted to remind everyone that she was still technically fertile and bleeding every full moon.

Agreed. The episode got me riled and that stayed with me for a couple of days. Re: the bold. The gall of Farmer John & the Hat She Sat On expecting Denise to "prove" herself to her. The self-importance (in her own mind) is laughable when you consider her actual position on the show. I need to watch WWHL where Andy lays into her and Kyle. He has been over the Droning One for two seasons already.

How you holding up in the celibandemic? Philippe was pretty hunky, but my eye was on the absailer who guided Leah through the cenote caves! The scene at Porfirio's spells the beginning of the end for Dorinda, I think. It pains me to write that because I was such a stan of her's, but the lightness of Luann, Leah, Ramona and Sonja going out without the dark cloud hanging over them was really refreshing. I loved the whole vibe -- enjoying the men's company without getting overly competitive or aggressive; when Leah scored with Philippe, there was no jealousy or resentment.. Even with the drinking, no-one got slurry drunk and angry. It set the scene for the rest of the trip because now no-one is going to take it anymore just to placate Dorinda or keep things sympatico. In a way, she's been holding the threat of her verbal attacks and anger over the others in order to keep them in line. I am enjoying these episodes as much as possible because this is likely the last season we see the Old Gang together (Leah and Her Crazy Aunts is how I've heard it described). Looks like they will shake-up the casting, which is inevitable and needed, but a part of me is still playing a sweet, sad violin for this RHONY group, you know? LOL. Twitter is screaming for Ramona to get fired, but I am enjoying the mother-daughter vibe between Ramona and Leah, as contentious as it is. This is the first season in like 3 or 4 years that Ramona seems invested in relationships with the women. Agreed. I preferred Jules. She would have had an amazing story for S9 in her journey towards (I hope) independence from her horrific cheating spouse. Bethenny was awful to her at reunion, saying she preferred Jules' husband to Jules (how lovely) and that she came on the show to divorce (as a SL). Jules's tortured "WHAT is WRONG with you, Bethenny?" really summed it up. Bethenny assumes that everything in the other women's lives is oriented or staged for the benefit of the show -- because that's what she does (or used to do). Bethenny at the time basically all but acknowledged that she got Jules fired, and that she wanted Luann gone too, but on the latter, the Bravo honchos were like "LOL, no."

I found it totally empty and depressing. There was nothing hot about it -- she screamed it for shock value, so that everybody would go "EW GROSS" and be horrified and titillated. Brandi looks worn down, a shell of herself. Her eyes look very sad and there is no life or fire in them. Her connection with BH is toxic for her, but she is obsessed and cannot let it go. No way Candiace wants to talk to Ashley privately! She just cannot take accountability for the things she has said and done. That throwback Karen read was so fantastic, omg. "Now I want you to understand me clearly when I say this. You talked about the fact that you and Michael do the pull-out method? I suggest you let him stay in. Ejaculate. Procreate. And get a baby of your own. Move off of mine. Don't you ever Don't you ever bring my children Until you become a woman, a real woman, a mother, DO NOT EVER EVER put my child's name in your mouth again."

Missed your post the first time around. Great analysis as always. (BTW, I am watching High Society, the Tinsley/Gossip Girl offshoot you recommended. What a crazy ride!) ITA re: your comments about the last dinner. Denise nearly broke the fourth wall, like she wanted to openly reference the show and how it requires someone to be the target. When she told Kyle "you drag in Brandi," it was such a lowkey yet significant moment. It really clarified how Kyle orchestrated so much of this. (Also Kyle walking into the pizza parlor with her hand glued to her pocket like she was Dorit making a big entrance. Kyle is so cringe). I don't think the facelift looks that bad on Rinna? It gives her a refined jawline which looks great made up and with her hair slicked back, but perhaps less so bare. I am curious to know @DaytimeFan what you made of Denise-Rinna's convo one-on-one and what she said in the car after to Sutton and Garcelle about needing church more than anyone (lol) and not having been herself for a long time. The requirements of reality TV wearing on her? There is something so guarded and predatory about her these days. I don't know what is going on with her. She is throwing ALL her chips in with RHOBH. Surely she has a couple of Lifetime/cable movies left in her! We have not seen any QVC this season. She has no other enterprise to promote, apart from Far East slave factory overstock fronted by her joyless daughters.

I have a theory that watching those S1 reruns of BH a few weeks ago is what has Twitter waking up to Kyle's machinations. Many of us have known since S1 Ep 1 what Kyle was all about, but latecomers to the show finally see it. They've also noticed her way of playing victim to deflect attention from what she is actually trying to do: gaslight Kim, and Camille, take down LVP, and now target Denise. And the Coven use the same victim tactics. Rinna squeezing out those dusty tears was exactly that. I've never seen such poor acting. Like @Cheap21 said, I liked her on Days, she was v good in that SL where her stepfather attacked her, but this was poss-poor. The only moment I somewhat believed her was when she said she has become someone she doesn't recognise. Because in trying to be the big bad baller pitting people againsteach other, she has thrown longtime real friends under the bus for fame and this show. Her RL friends must be watching this and wondering if she is in any way trustworthy. Not sure her daughters 100% trust her either. And then we get Farmer John in that misshapen hat borrowed from Kyle. Teddi has been attacked on social media so I don't want to pile on, but God she is a sanctimonious little wannabe. The Trauma of being called a Mean Girl! *clutches pearls* No wonder Denise and Garcelle got the hell out of that restaurant. It was toxic and nasty, with smug Vyle giggling behind her napkin. The victim game has ruined BH and has gone on for too long. And that preview of Brandi. First, she's starting to look like Adrienne, who is 20 years her senior. Secondly, and im no prude, but she reduces everything to the pornagraphic. This hookup may have happened, who cares, but she's playing it salicious and tacky. 100% agree with @chrisml about Erika. It occurs to me that her playing up to Denise last year about her and Aaron being her favourite porn was an attempt to trap Denise even back them in revealing salacious details and then using it against her.

LOL, Teddi's smacked-puppy shock-face when Erika turns her semi-automatic on her never 👏 gets 👏 OLD 👏 . Teddi is petrified of Erika and desperate for her approval. ITA with everything you said about RHONY. And yes, Luann's body is insane.

I was also thinking about Monique, and how she does not strike me as a fool who would throw away a solid marriage/family unit on a fling with her trainer. Chris Samuels seems particularly attuned to her needs and supportive of her ventures. Remember when his mother called Monique a heifer on TV? Chris stood firmly by his wife. It was Monique who wanted he and his mother to make up, because family seems important to her also. He seems thrilled with his baby son. Last year, with Monique's pregnancy and the baby shower and the fact that this was Monique's first baby after a miscarriage, her demeanour, too, was only gratefulness and excitement. Not guilt or disillusionment with her husband. They project uncomplicated unity whenever we see them. Candiace spilling this tea tho.... she really gives zero [!@#$%^&*]. No secret is safe with her. And on behalf of the Potomac viewing audience, than goodness for that! Gizelle is going to be pissed. Gizelle never had a solid story in all the seasons I have watched. I mean, what was her story last year? Sherman breaking up with her offscreen? However, Bravo thinks she is the backbone of the show and love her bitchy VTs. Production also likes that she stirs the pot behind the scenes. Miraculously, she rarely gets called out on it (except by Karen).

Both Gizelle and Chariisse are behind this rumor, and it is SO HEINOUS It is onw of the worst pieces of made-up gossip I have ever heard on these shows, because it could break up a marriage and a family. I don't believe this rumor for a second. Not sure I believe in Ashley & Michael's relationship.... or Robyn & Juan's.... or Giz & Chocolate.... or even La Grande Dame & Ray's! But I do believe that Monique & Chris love each other and their family above everything and are loyal to each other. Their marriage seems the real deal and they appear to value it above reality TV money. Honestly, Gizelle and Charrisse are soulless and evil for trying to launch that rumor and destroy other people's lives. I hope they get dragged for filth and that Giz finally gets exposed on the show.

Cheap right now: See below and the link for her original post: https://boards.soapoperanetwork.com/topic/35120-bravos-the-real-housewives-of/?do=findComment&comment=1683386 They keep locking down different towns/regions in the UK because Covid is surging again, as all the pubs have reopened. Also, not many masks around. Anyhoo, we will see how far RH of Jersey gets with filming. Maybe there are being more careful over there -- more retirees.

omg WHAT It's already on YouTube!!!! Clearly Luann feels he could still get it. It is horribly toxic, but also very good pace-wise. There were very few filler episodes. Luann made and saved that season, and I really liked Jules. Wish she'd been given another year. Will never forget Bethenny screaming "YOU [!@#$%^&*] EVERYONE" at Luann in the Berkshires, and we cut to Luann's VT where she coolly says: "As I say in my song Chic C'est La Vie, 'The little things can take you down / So it's best to brush them off.' " 👏👏👏 Never change, Lu!

Denise also turned the tables on them when they said that BS about "What you do with your private life is none of our business #LGBTAlly." When she said Brandi slept with someone in the Coven, Kyle and Rinna got pissy and demanded that Denise take it back. Basically, they feel it is a slur to even be associated with Brandi that way, and if the Denise/Brandi rumor is getting constant play from them, it's because they believe it embarrasses and corners Denise. Also, if Brandi slept with any of The Coven out of choice -- wow, girl, love yourself. Brandi is coming perilously close to shagging people as an actual career path. Rinna is a shell of her former self. This show is ALL she has and she definitely sold her soul to the devil for it. Yes, she has QVC, for how long, though? Her stans on social media are all "YASS BOSS KWEEN" and I'm like 'Boss of what?' We don't see her auditioning, acting, pitching or even selling her dusters. All we see is her cosplaying LVP/Erika, and trotting out her daughter who, with anxiety/body issues, should be nowhere near the fashion, modelling or entertainment industries. The Boring One's pissy face when Denise and Erika got past the Aaron issue said everything. Excluded from the day's group activities and scurrying into dinner guiltily also says it all. Everyone knows HeyI'mPregnant showed her hand trying to set Denise up, and they are now backing away from association with this takedown. I believe Dorinda is an alcoholic. Can I say that? I know I am labelling her. God, I hoped this season would be her Come to Jesus moment but it's still not. She is so protective of her drinking, it's the most important thing in her life. She is willing to kill friendship after friendship in favor of the alcohol. She is not ready to admit what is going on and may never be ready. When she shames Luann, it is never about Luann's drinking but the fact that she got arrested (i.e. caught) and had to go to rehab. For her, rehab is a sign of weakness, the low point. Addiction is hard to shake, especially when you love the addiction and get paid to booze with all your friends. Dorinda reminds me a little of Nene, sour and belligerent. She seems deeply angry, unhappy and lonely. I hope this is just temporary because the pandemic has changed mindsets for a lot of people. Up in the Berkshires with her daughter, parents, friends and new beau, Dorinda seems happy and clear-eyed on Instagram.

It's shocking how basic Gizelle's personal style is. She could be Vanessa Williams' sister, looks-wise, but even the expensive clothes she picks look ill-fitting and cheap, and the makeup is always laid on with a heavy hand. I'm also tired of the long blonde hair -- I know it's her signature but I think she'd look fabulous in a longish bob. I actually think Robyn, who doesn't have Gizelle's budget, looks fantastic with her hair and makeup this year. Robyn is also beating Gizelle with interiors. That abandoned townhouse she did up and flipped last year looked pretty good by the end.

Here is NYC's most recent ratings, on a par with Potomac it looks like (0.38 / 1.18 mn): http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-thursday-cable-originals-network-finals-7-30-2020.html I heard BH has been soaring, and no surprise -- the buzz about Denise/Brandi shagging has been HUGE and people tuned in the last two weeks. I also wonder if a fair number of fans are watching in the hopes of seeing some of The Coven get comeuppance. http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-wednesday-cable-originals-network-finals-7-29-2020.html

Terri: "This group can never be friends with someone that LIES ABOUT THEIR DUE DATE! That is not an AUTHENTIC PERSON!" etc etc. Back to ATL -- that entire scene was glorious and I am literally giggling just thinking about it. Phaedra was totally committed to that dumb lie 1,000%. "Not if everything is fully formed and his lungs are functioning" -- girl, STOP. You are telling this to a table full of mothers! That was some pre-Trump post-truth [!@#$%^&*]. Phaedra tries to change the subject with "Y'all got to give me some advice because I don't know nothing about babies." Nene: "You should keep him in until he's ready to come out." I also remember Kim Zolciak speaking sense for the first time ever and saying "I was a nurse -- no doctor is going to induce at 6-7 months!"

First of all, I totally missed the jab to Dr. Wendy! Did she say that to Wendy's face? Secondly, nice avatar. ☺️