2 minutes ago, Cat said:

I agree -- there is something missing. Karen is an anchor on the show. Gizelle has been doing well this,season, but there is still something detached, cold, even slightly passive about her as an anchor. I also agree that Gizelle and Cookie have worked to reinforce the tie of Karen with this season. And of course, the Wendy-Karen breakdown, along with Wendy's jaw-dropping arrest on fraud charges, are both built-in SLs. I guess i was worried (needlessly) that the redirected RHOP might leave La Dame behind.

I missed the BravoCon interaction, but Stacey mentioned in the interview that Karen Huger was her favourite, followed by Katie. Which I can totally see. Karen and Stacey share wit and a certain lightness of demeanor.

Yes, the pretence is over, and Karen quietly served her time. I hope Karen knows she has nothing left to lose but to be herself.

I do wonder re: Gizelle as anchor might have to do with Production still covering a bit for her. Especially since Monique let the cat out of the bag about how their sit-down was edited down. I wish they would just let Gizelle be, flaws and all, so the audience can have an honest opinion of her. Because I have enjoyed and actually relate to everything happening with her, her father, and the will drama. As for Karen...Gizelle did a great job of keeping Karen's presence alive that when she appears (with Andy Cohen to boot), it is going to feel like she was never gone and just on a trip. As much as I miss Candiace, it's not noticeable she's gone. But Karen? It's giving 90210 Brenda not being there and still so much story revolved around her for a minute and also how easily GH's Brenda could show up tomorrow on that show and she is still oh so connected to nearly everyone on the canvas. Karen is still too centered, but not so centered they can't move on without her which is great for the show. They can have it both ways.

How interesting. I am surprised that until previous years, BravoCon was very low-key this year. What is going on over there?

20 hours ago, Taoboi said:

I'm not sure if we are doing a BEST&WORST for the Housewives this year...and I have no horse in the race since I only consistently watched RHOM (still need to finish the reunion) and RHOP this year, but it did make me wonder and want to ask...

...one thing Bravo has done this past year has been its ability to find a new batch of newbies that almost immediately leave an impression on the audience.

So...WHO WAS THE BEST (and Worst?) Newbie of the Year for you?

Bravo has done well to find some newbies who are relatably neurotic but also understand that showing your life, warts and all, wins viewers over. It harks back to the RHs of old. And is one reason BH sticks out like a sore thumb. While technically not a newbie this year, Bronwyn fills that criteria. Stacey was caught pulling a Walter last year but her disentangling herself from that epic lie has been entertainment in of itself. It's like she is winking at the audience, bringing them in on the joke, something Karen Huger also used to do.

Stephanie on RHOMiami was a valiant effort to recast while Dr. Nicole stepped away from the limelight. Big shoes to fill, and I hope beyond hope that the classy Nicole returns next season. I also think there may be something a little suspect in Stephanie's 'multi-million dollar' business, and that she is not-so-secretly desperate to be accepted by Las Cubanas (not always a good sign -- see Julia). But I am interested to ses her return next season.

As far as newbies are concerned, I'd like to give a Best Newbie nod to a new RH show: Real Housewives of London. IMO it captured the beauty, snobbishness and dynamism of this city, along with a couple of great casting choices.

I also want to tip my hat at the Sophomores of the RH world, Potomac and especially SLC, the latter which seems to have entered its peak era, its golden period. After shaking off the dark, toxic Jen Shah cloud, SLC has gone from strength to strength without missing a beat, and is leaving some of its more experienced peers in the dust. Long may it thrive.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Cat

3 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

I do wonder re: Gizelle as anchor might have to do with Production still covering a bit for her. Especially since Monique let the cat out of the bag about how their sit-down was edited down. I wish they would just let Gizelle be, flaws and all, so the audience can have an honest opinion of her. Because I have enjoyed and actually relate to everything happening with her, her father, and the will drama. As for Karen...Gizelle did a great job of keeping Karen's presence alive that when she appears (with Andy Cohen to boot), it is going to feel like she was never gone and just on a trip. As much as I miss Candiace, it's not noticeable she's gone. But Karen? It's giving 90210 Brenda not being there and still so much story revolved around her for a minute and also how easily GH's Brenda could show up tomorrow on that show and she is still oh so connected to nearly everyone on the canvas. Karen is still too centered, but not so centered they can't move on without her which is great for the show. They can have it both ways.

How interesting. I am surprised that until previous years, BravoCon was very low-key this year. What is going on over there?

No idea what is going on with BravoCon this year. I heard little about the cast sit-downs, although what little I saw looked fun and potentially interesting! Their marketing and social media teams fell asleep on the job. The one thing I did pick up was the steady drum beat of gossip around reuniting the OG RHONYs with some of the NuRHONYs in order to relaunch that franchise and bring it full circle. IRL both members of those two casts have interacted with each other off-camera, in NYC and the Hamptons! But Bravo dropped the ball on that, too, with Andy having to categorically deny it was happening and then practically getting booed for it.

6 minutes ago, Cat said:

Bravo has done well to find some newbies who are relatably neurotic but also understand that showing your life, warts and all, wins viewers over. It harks back to the RHs of old. And is one reason BH sticks out like a sore thumb. While technically not a newbie this year, Bronwyn fills that criteria. Stacey was caught pulling a Walter last year but her disentangling herself from that epic lie has been entertainment in of itself. It's like she is winking at the audience, bringing them in on the joke, something Karen Huger also used to do.

Stephanie on RHOMiami was a valiant effort to recast while Dr. Nicole stepped away from the limelight. Big shoes to fill, and I hope beyond hope that the classy Nicole returns next season. I also think there may be something a little suspect in Stephanie's 'multi-million dollar' business, and that she is not-so-secretly desperate to be accepted by Las Cubanas (not always a good sign -- see Julia). But I am interested to ses her return next season.

As far as newbies are concerned, I'd like to give a Best Newbie nod to a new RH show: Real Housewives of London. IMO it captured the beauty, snobbishness and dynamism of this city, along with a couple of great casting choices.

I also want to tip my hat at the Sophomores of the RH world, Potomac and especially SLC, the latter which seems to have entered its peak era, its golden period. After shaking off the dark, toxic Jen Shah cloud, SLC has gone from strength to strength without missing a beat, and is leaving some of its more experienced peers in the dust. Long may it thrive.

It's also part of the reason Angel is failing. hehe.

Part of the reason I thought about it the other day was because of Stacey and Ms. Bob (and honorable mention to NY's Raquel) who I still count as newbies since they did air at the beginning of this year I believe. I haven't got back to SLC, but I felt for the most part, Ms. Bob did good in her freshman season (and so far in her 2nd season, she's been eating Lisa up alive from where I stopped). As for Stacey...oh my God, watching her weave her way out of her mess from last season has been hilarious as heck. She has not lost any of the fans yet because she's been so entertaining. She's definitely seems in on the joke and brings the audience in with a charm that others could never.

From your lips to God's ears. Not my favorite season of RHOM, but I do feel that Nicole was missed. When she did appear, things just clicked back into place. She really was the anchor and also showed how much wealth whispers, not scream. Stephanie...well...she got Alexia to work so I can give her that. But I'm not sure if I like her.

And YES to the Real Housewives of London. I am going to have to find a way to watch at some point. Still mad that hater got the link blocked.

YES also to the Sophomores. They are peaking and I'm loving it.

8 minutes ago, Cat said:

No idea what is going on with BravoCon this year. I heard little about the cast sit-downs, although what little I saw looked fun and potentially interesting! Their marketing and social media teams fell asleep on the job. The one thing I did pick up was the steady drum beat of gossip around reuniting the OG RHONYs with some of the NuRHONYs in order to relaunch that franchise and bring it full circle. IRL both members of those two casts have interacted with each other off-camera, in NYC and the Hamptons! But Bravo dropped the ball on that, too, with Andy having to categorically deny it was happening and then practically getting booed for it.

IKR. I saw clips here and there. But usually, it is all over social media (with new music to discover for myself hehe) but there's been so little this year. I didn't even know the SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY folk was there with their forthcoming Season 4 incoming. Same for RHOA (though I enjoyed Drew vs Kelli and Shamea from the little clip I saw) I was surprised.

I saw that, too. I think the OG NY was with the NuNYs and that fanned rumors. But...I guess we will see.