Melissa confronted Teresa!!! #RHONJ

I don't do episode-by-episode reviews of Real Housewives, but after the latest New Jersey episode, I had to gush!  Melissa finally confronted Teresa!!!  I've always felt like Melissa exhibited great poise in the face of Teresa's ridiculous insults and jabs.  She has taken the abuse for a long time (and vented about it to trusted friends/family, as she is entitled to do), but FINALLY in the latest episode she stands up for herself.

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I am Team Melissa all the way.  She and Joey have a great relationship, she cares about her family, and she has the most singing ability of any Real Housewife aside from Kandi.

Teresa is green with envy.  She gets angry when people state the facts about her husband (don't argue semantics like 'going away' and 'jail', Tre!) and wants everyone to think she has the best of everything.  But really, if I had to choose between her life and Melissa's, it's no contest.  And I think that kills her inside, to the point she has created such a rift in her family and with her brother.

I'm so proud that Melissa finally stood up for herself and her family, and Teresa sounded like an idiot even trying to defend herself and fight back.  I really wonder how Teresa can watch the show's footage and not realize how wrong she is; that's real delusion.

Switching gears, I was so saddened by the Lauren Manzo weigh loss storyline.  I know her brothers think they are hilarious, but their jabs about her appearance are just sad.   I really expected my Mama Caroline to come out and be more supportive of her, but it just wasn't as much as I wanted to see.  I really hope Lauren gets in shape for herself and her health, and not everyone else.  She and Vito are a sweet and stable couple.  I love them!

P.S.  Desperate Kim still wants to be on this show, so she pathetically follows the drama.  She is more Botoxed than ever; I barely recognized her!  Stay away, Kim, you're super sad.

P.P.S. Did anyone see Gretchen perform on #RHOC?  Poor girl... she was totally tone deaf.  They should have just had her do a dance feature; I think the Pussycat Dolls regret that decision.  But at least she and Vicki are trying to et along a little better.

New Jersey's Back! #RHONJ

Oh, RHONJ... it's been too long.

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The Jersey Housewives are enjoying their summer, most of them headed to the Shore!  Here's where things seem to stand...

Kathy is still boring.

Caroline has menopause, but she's trying to blame it on stress and drama.  Come on, you're still my favorite matriarch.  Embrace your change!

Jacqueline and Chris are finally giving good-for-nothing brat Ashley the boot.  She's seriously a spoiled, selfish brat that has been milking her parents/stepparents for entirely too long.  Good for the Lauritas for standing up.

Melissa and Joe are renovating their beach house, and Joe brings them there when it is totally uninhabitable!  They end up crashing with Kathy... and cousin Rosie is there too!  Cousin Rosie is awesome and hilarious.

And now... for the circus clowns.  I feel like things are pretty dull with the other housewives (except for the fact that Melissa and Joey could have their own show with guest cast the Wakiles/Rosie), so it all revolves around terrible lies and drama created by the Giudices.  Teresa is back in all her ridiculousness, Joe is still a pig, and her girls remain possibly the worst-behaved children on television.

Seriously, I wonder if Teresa goes back and rewatches episodes to listen to what a liar and idiot she is.  Her mispronunciations of things, misunderstandings, and other ramblings are just awful.  If she doesn't get her comeuppance this season, I might have to rethink watching this show at all.  Then I'll just be down to one Real Housewives show.

Save me, Andy Cohen!

P.S. What's with the pack of wolves that Joe was feeding at the Giudice house?  Guard dogs?

The O.C. is back! #RHOC

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The original is BACK!  Okay, so the show has had more new characters than its cast has boob jobs, but still...  I only watch the OC and Jersey housewives, so I'm happy this reality guilty pleasure is airing again.

My thoughts on how the ladies are doing since the explosive reunion?

Gretchen's still with Slade, promoting all of her 'businesses', and actually seems to be playing nice with Tamra.  Gretchen used to be my favorite, then I hated her, and now I don't know.  I'm really interested to see how she does this season with the other girls.  As for Tamra, she was so out of line last season, and super evil.  She just doesn't know how to say no to a catfight.  It's good that she is trying to make amends with Gretchen, because I think they have a lot in common... probably why they hate each other.

I feel bad for Vicki... she's totally compulsive in her behaviors as she goes through this divorce and prepares to sell her house!  She's neurotic to say the least, but she's still the original OC housewife and I love her.  I wish her the best.

Alexis?  She's still the fakest of the fake.  I think she could compete with Taylor on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in terms of shadiness.  I wouldn't wear 'Alexis Couture' if you paid me to, and she was TERRIBLE in that news segment.  Must be a pretty desperate station that needed her 'celebrity' to boost ratings.  She's so bitter towards Peggy for dating her husband BEFORE she married him (WTF?) and needs to be eliminated from this cast.  She's just weird.

Peggy didn't really appear much in the episode (and isn't a main cast member anymore), but a couple of 'friends' who seem to be season cast members did pop up.  Heather seems gorgeous and like she has it all... except reality TV stardom, of course!  And she's the only brunette in the bunch!  Gretchen's friend Sarah makes an appearance too, but I don't think she has the money to be a RHOC.  She'll likely just be one of those frequent add-ons throughout filming.

Can't wait to see who gets a drink in the face next!

Holy #RHONJ Reunion! (Can you fire Teresa, please?)

Last night the first part (because they always have at least two) of the Real Housewives of New Jersey Reunion special aired.  I look forward to the reunions every season, because they have all seen the footage/interviews and have to sit on a sofa and own up to everything they said and did.

In this case, it was all about Teresa... and for good reason.

Kathy:  I like Kathy, even though I felt like she was portrayed poorly in the beginning.  It seemed like she was inserting herself into drama to keep herself relevant on the show.  Now, I realize she is a good wife and mother, a genuine person, and someone I won't mind hearing about in the future.  She does a good job of being reasonable, and I appreciate it.

Melissa:  I like her now, too!  She really loves her husband, she is very grateful for the luxurious life that she has, and she cares about her family.  Her singing career is silly, but at least she is doing something she enjoys.  She dislikes Teresa for good reason, so I will take her side in a Giudice vs. Gorga battle any day.

Caroline:  Kudos for owning up to being mean to Kathy/Melissa in the beginning.  Caroline is many things, but a liar is not one of them, despite what Teresa says.  Mama Manzo is my favorite, and she is steadfast and strong.  It sucks that she has been hurt and betrayed by women on this show throughout the years, but I can count on her to be honest and mature.

Jacqueline:  True to her weak form, Jacqueline did not participate in the reunion.  She needs to grow a backbone and leave the show, because I don't think she is happy in life and needs to find herself.  She has a great husband and would be fine without it.  She needs normalcy back.

Teresa:  Are you guys ready for this?

Real Housewives: #RHONJ Season Finale

FABULOSER.  I will never buy this crap.  (credit)

I'm going to keep this pretty short, because I feel like we've had our fill of our favorite New Jersey housewives this year, so the season finale wasn't a big surprise.  We all know it's all about the REUNION specials with our beloved Andy Cohen.

I guess my sentiments that Punta Cana wasn't the peacemaking event that was depicted between the Giudices and the Gorgas/Wakiles.  Of course it was FAKE.  It was as fake as the vow renewal Joe/Teresa later had, followed by his bankruptcy/fraud issues and possible infidelity.  (By the way, aside from 'Ashlee' being a loser, my opinions here are all about the Giudices.

Teresa's second cookbook was a dud.  No wonder, since it was filled with gossip and lies about her fellow housewives.  She is a terrible person, and her husband is a crook.  I love the Wakiles, I love the Gorgas, and I seriously harbor a TERRIBLE DISLIKE of the Giudices.  Teresa is delusional... don't EVER go after my Mama Caroline like that!  She is real and awesome, and Teresa's book is just evil.  You can tell she wrote it all just to sell books, and even that didn't work.  She needs to lay off the fake tanning because I think it's killing her few remaining brain cells.

I really want to see what this finale is going to be like.  For real.

Real Housewives: Punta Cana Drama #RHONJ

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Where do I begin?  The cast of RHONJ is on vacation in Punta Cana, a place that is special to the Giudices and Gorgas.  The whole gang is nervous about whether drama will unfold... but I realized that really everyone is just worried about Joe/Teresa's behavior.  It's pretty clear and everyone thinks the Giudices are making their own problems and have taken a real liking to Joey/Melissa and even the Wakiles.

First off, Teresa packs way too much for a vacation, and her husband is crass as usual.  I think every episode has a clip of Teresa trying to wake up Joe.  Sigh.  Then her pathetic bikini fashion show made me want to hurl.  (Caroline, I'd have gotten a migraine, too!)  Teresa will NEVER be as hot as Melissa, even when Melissa wears that unflattering do-rag!  I agree with the Manzo boys, Teresa's clothes/bikinis looked like stripper outfits.  Teresa is clearly jealous when she overhears people calling Melissa/Joey the hottest couple, and she delusionally comments that she still thinks she/Joe are the hottest.  Ugh.  Garbage.

Now, on to the drama scene. 

Real Housewives: I can't stand those Giudices! #RHONJ

Who doesn't love the Manzo boys?  credit

OH. EM. GEE.  Funniest RHONJ moment ever, the Manzo kids making fun of Teresa in the car on the way to the charity 5K.  Seriously, I was crying through my laughter!  The Manzo boys and their gay roomie totally stole the show this week.  HILARIOUS, they need their own show aside from their "Boys to Manzo" webisodes.  I would also watch a Joey/Melissa show.  Take that, Teresa!

I try not to pick on the little kids, but Melania is the worst behaved of the Giudice kids (ALWAYS), and this week featured her birthday party.  Did you see that insane closet of clothes?  And it was tantrum time, as usual.  Seriously, does Teresa watch these meltdowns on TV later?  And why do she/Joe continue to fill the world with their offspring?  That's a genetic line that needs to end.

In addition, why is Teresa pretending to go 'cheap' on Melania's birthday party but recently renewed her vows wearing a $25,000 dress?  They held it at their restaurant to promote it and pretend Joe has a real job.  (I will admit the little kids making their own pizzas was a good idea for a birthday activity.)  But really, we see Teresa try to wake up her slovenly husband every episode... he doesn't really work.

Gia... she is the Giudice kid who has a shot.  Her little songs were cute, I suppose... not a bad gift for her little sister.  From the heart, right?  Even though they were a bit annoying to listen to.  She is absolutely torn between her parents and Joey.  Her second song was for them, about how much she worries about her family and their fight... Joey is her beloved uncle.  I hope it makes the parents wake up about their petty squabbles.  Melissa is right, Gia shouldn't know so much about the fight, and she shouldn't be so disturbed as to write songs about it!  Breaks your heart.  Teresa missed the message, as usual, thinking the song was something Joey needed to hear.  Sigh.  She's daft.

Oh, and Joe?  Real men don't fight via text message.  You're a drunken buffoon.  And Teresa?  A vow renewal can't save your marriage... just look at Jon & Kate Gosselin.

Real Housewives: Joe the Jerk, Teresa the Delusional #RHONJ

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A couple of things stood out to me in the most recent RHONJ episodes.

The Manzo children work hard.  I appreciate that!  I know they get a lot of financial assistance from their parents, but it is not simply a handout kind of thing.  Caroline didn't just buy Chateau Salon for Lauren; Lauren had to go through beauty school and pass in order to build qualifications to work as an aesthetician.  The Manzo boys grew up working at the Brownstone but want to make their own name, selling BLK black water.  (Jacqueline's husband, Chris, is their investor.)    These kids have good ideas, make it happen, and I'm glad to see they aren't lazy rich kids!

Joe and Teresa need a reality check.  Joe's texts to Joey about his 'fake wife' are ridiculous.  Joe Giudice is a bully and a jerk.  The Gorgas are actually trying to work things out with Teresa for the sake of the kids/family, but Joe is getting in the way.  I can't believe Joe threatened Joey and told him not to go to the book signing, when Teresa asked Joey/Melissa to go.  Joey loves Gia, his goddaughter/niece, and he wants to be in her life.  In Gia, you can really see she adores her uncle.  Joe is a drunken idiot, chipping his tooth and acting a fool.  Teresa was right to be embarrassed.  Joe is feeding Teresa poison about her brother.  It's ridiculous.  Teresa thinks Melissa is poisoning Joey?  She's got it backwards.

Teresa doesn't know how to pronounce 'ingredients' and last episode called a 'Nor'easter' storm a 'Norwegian'.  I don't buy this whole cookbook thing, because I don't think she cooks outside of the show!  Also, her children behave terribly all the time... she needs a nanny.

Teresa's book signing looked sad.  Who promoted the event?  It was practically empty.  I'm glad Kathy went to the book signing, and it meant something to me that Kathy had a copy of the book from when it first came out.  It seems like she legitimately wants peace.  I'm glad Joey/Melissa showed up, and it was really nice of him to buy a bunch of books to hand out to people that Teresa autographed.  It was reasonable of Joey to ask that Joe not threaten him.

Seriously, this fight between the Giudices and Gorgas should end.  And the fault/blame, IMHO, is all on the Giudice side.

Real Housewives: More ridiculous behavior! #RHONJ

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My thoughts for three of the women after I watched this most recent episode...


Jacqueline.  Please don't act like your child.  Seriously, that is how you came off tonight.  I know you were upset, but not letting anyone else speak, even your husband?  You're only helping Ashley's case that you are as emotionally immature as she is.  You can't keep cutting her off and yelling and expect her to respond.  I know you're fed up, but it's time to take the high road, be silent, and ACT.

Ashley.  MOVE OUT.  Seriously, you have been begging for a 'tough love' lesson and now hopefully you're going to get it.  You are twenty years old, and your parents would totally pay for you to go to college full time, let you stay at home at the mansion while you work full time.... take advantage!  And don't screw your cousin over when she tries to hire you for a legitimate job.  How irresponsible and immature can you get?  The excuses you are making about being age 20 are excuses that only stay for a 16-year-old, not an adult.  Grow up.

TERESA.  Seriously?  Kudos for keeping a straight face in the midst of your financial difficulties, but why are you trying to rain on Melissa and Kathy's parades?  Why are you trying to steal Kathy's thunder talking about your restaurant, which you obviously know nothing about running?  (Read Anthony Bourdain's books, please.)  You're the last person on earth that needs to start a restaurant, because those have a terrible rate of failure.  Stick to writing books, and tell your bum of a husband to get a legitimate job.  You've been touched by an angel financially, so make it right.  And stop tearing other people down and "Keeping Up with the Gorgas" okay?

As for the others, nothing big to report.  I think Kathy is a good mother, based on how her kids act.  Teresa and Jacqueline could learn a thing or two.  I'm glad Melissa is more mature than Teresa in dealing with the drama.  Also, I still love Caroline, she's the best!

Real Housewives: A filler episode. With parenting. #RHONJ

Am I the only one who thought this episode was one of those 'filler' episodes that moves the season along? Here's what you missed...

Kathy thinks she needs to give her 16-year-old daughter 'the talk'.  News flash, Kathy, she's 16.  You needed to have that talk back in 7th grade.  You're late.

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Teresa vs. Melissa.  For one, I can't believe how fake Teresa's cookbook photo shoot was.  Not surprised at all that her children acted like the total terrors that they always are... she doesn't parent!  I also thought it was incredibly rude not to invite her brother's family over for the shoot.  If her parents were there, she should have had her one and only sibling there.  Melissa was venting about Teresa's reaction to her singing, but it almost seemed justified.  Let her have her little one-hit-wonder... if the Countess and Kim-fake-hair form Atlanta can have fake singing careers, let Melissa do it.  She sings better than both of those broads.

Caroline's daughter wants to lose weight.  And Caroline is right in telling her the fad diets don't work, and that she needs to exercise.  The gym scenes were lame though, but at least Lauren is trying.

Okay, now for the IMPORTANT part of the episode.  FINALLY Jacqueline's daughter Ashley gets what was coming to her.  Not only is she always behaving TERRIBLY towards her mother, but she's the most immature and entitled 20-year-old I've seen in a while.  She lives at home, works part-time (max 4 hours per day!), gets a car from her family, and parties all the time.  She doesn't help around the house.  So they finally stage an intervention with Ashley's biological father, because she is constantly playing with both sides and they needed to present a united front.

I cannot believe Ashley said the things she did to Jacqueline.  Does she not realize how lucky she is that they haven't kicked her out and that she has so much privilege and money?  There are people who work during high school, who pay their own way through college, who don't have the luxury of sleeping in all the time while they make half-assed attempts at 'ideas' on what to do with their lives.  The minute Ashley moves to LA, she'll be calling home for $$$.  It's just the way it is.

Maybe she'll grow up.  Let's be honest, Lauren admits to being like Ashley in the past, but now that she's worked through beauty school and started her own boutique, she is really working hard.  (Granted, all of this was funded by her parents, but she WORKED HARD and they rewarded her with the means to pursue her dreams.)  THAT is how is should go.

The episode ended TO BE CONTINUED...  and I'm really interested to see if the parents all stand united with a real backbone this time against Ashley.  Because I'm of the opinion the girl needs some tough love, to see what it's like to not have everything handed to you.

Real Housewives: Really, Teresa? #RHONJ

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Okay, we all know I never really liked Kathy, but I will say that I have completely changed my opinion of Melissa and Teresa.  This episode, plus the Watch What Happens Live episode featuring Teresa as a guest afterwards, really made me cringe.  TERESA... REALITY CHECK.

She is so determined to think everyone is against her, everyone is wrong but her/her husband, everything is someone else's fault.

I loved the Manzo family in this episode...  I would feel lucky to be a part of their Brownstone New Year's Eve celebration!  I also appreciated Caroline's wishes for everyone for the new year; she truly is an amazing matriarch and the RHONJ I would like to be friends with/have as my adoptive mother.

Other than that, I didn't get much out of this episode...  just more respect for Melissa, a little forgiveness for Kathy, and no pity whatsoever for Teresa.

Reality Recap

I've been so wrapped up in The Mommy vs. Non-Mommy Divide, I haven't been writing about my favorite reality shows!!!

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Real Housewives of New Jersey:  I watched the Christmas morning episode, and it was alright.  I loved the Manzo Christmas, and I want to be an honorary member of their family!  That said, JOE GIUDICE, WTF?!  I mean, Teresa is trying to make peace with Joey and Melissa, and he's spewing poison about them?  And then he's too lazy to get up for Christmas morning with his kids, refusing to put a shirt on and videotaping them from the sofa without even looking through the viewfinder.  He's gross.  Seriously.  Every episode, I like Melissa/Joey more.  Oh, and I like Kathy less.  She wants to stay on the show and so she's brewing a feud with Teresa... very Kim G. of her!

In other reality news...
Project Runway Season 9 premiered on Lifetime!  It's been a long time since I followed a Project Runway season, but the concept itself is part of what inspired me to start sewing.  I really enjoy the candidates this year for the most part...  I'm absolutely rooting for the 'old man' Bert (I love a comeback!) and was really shocked by Anya's incredible sewing ability.  When she said she'd only been sewing for months, I rolled my eyes and counted her out from the beginning... until she won the first challenge with some AWESOME trousers!  Looks like a season full of surprises.  Oh, and Kathleen is annoying, but not as bad as the (thankfully cut) Amanda Perna.

I've also been watching some Ice Loves Coco, the occasional Toddlers and Tiaras episode, random My Fair Wedding with David Tutera and Say Yes to the Dress episodes, and pretty much anything on Bravo!  Yes, I am a TV addict... but it's just so much fun!

Real Housewives: REMOVE KIM G.

I watched the Christmas party episode for RHONJ today, and it ANNOYED me to bits.

WHO THE EFF IS KIM G.?!  Okay, we know who she is.  But who is this old lady trying to stir up drama with a vendetta against Teresa?  Kim G. has been trying to become a series regular for multiple seasons now, and it's pathetic.  They'll probably even include her on the reunion show eventually.  Ugh.   Gross.

I don't like someone who shows up to a party with a someone who is suing the host's sibling, knowing that sibling is going to be attending?  Seriously.  She is trying SO hard to insert herself into every situation, she's terrible.  I cannot say enough how little I enjoy watching this woman.  And she's convinced we love her... do you know what she said last year?  "You know, do people want me? I get stopped on the streets all the time, 'We love you. We love you. You bring energy to the show. You're great. You're this, you're that.' You know what I'm saying."  So maybe people in New Jersey like her to her face... but I don't.  And I think the national audience would agree with me.

Kathy's behavior was not right at the party.  She seemed a bit tipsy and made a mountain out of a molehill in her 'conversation' with Teresa.  So what if someone responds coldly to your greeting?  That elusive 'high road' the women are always talking about would be to just smile and walk away.  Duh.  Kathy and her husband were annoying this episode; she wants to justify her existence on the show as much as Kim G.

I like Melissa and Joey more and more each episode.  KUDOS to them for kicking Monica Whoever out of that party.  I hope Teresa sees it and realizes it was Melissa who had her back in removing that 'problem' from the party.  Way to go Melissa!  You're winning me over!  (I also loved her and Joe on the aftershow as well.)

I'll continue to watch what happens for now... but seriously, Bravo, get rid of old lady Kim G.

RHONJ... more silly housewife antics.

Catskills Teresa... SCARY!

After this week's RHONJ episode, I watched "Watch What Happens: Live" hosted by my beloved Andy Cohen.  Dina Manzo, formerly of RHONJ, made a great point... the reason Melissa and Teresa don't get along is because they are too similar!  Joey chose a wife who was like his adored sister, and wanted her to do things (like have a big christening, etc.) like Teresa did for her girls.  Well, you do that to a woman and it leads to competition!  I do believe that Teresa wants to have a relationship with Joey, but I feel her talk with Melissa was insincere.  They may have hugged it out, but I don't think Teresa will ever like Melissa, even though I do think Melissa could be good to Teresa.

As for the Catskills adventure... what ridiculousness!  Guns and four-wheelers and way too much innuendo!  Even in the interviews, Teresa was just gross.  I don't want to know about her and Joe.  And Teresa's clothes were heinous, and probably cost a small fortune.  Blah.  I'm not into the Giudices.  Enough said; I felt like Caroline in this episode.

Also, Melissa should put her daughter in a dance class where she is with girls her own age; that was a weird exhibition from the ballroom dance studio.  OF COURSE they put Antonia in the show... it's free celebrity/publicity.  It was kind of terrible.  Though it was good that Joey/Melissa got to spend time with Joey's mom.

Anyways, I don't have much else to say about RHONJ.  I actually prefer the live show following, because Andy Cohen is the best.  Also, I miss RHOOC.  Especially my Vicki Gunvalson!!!

Real Housewives Reunion: Orange County, Parts 1 & 2

You could cut the tension with a knife!

I waited until after I could watch both parts of the Real Housewives of Orange County Reunion before blogging about it.  And boy, was it explosive!  I really like these reunion shows, because they can really change my opinion about something I saw, it forces the women to speak in front of one another instead of in private interviews, and it allows viewers to ask questions.

The other reason I love the reunion shows?  ANDY COHEN of course!!!  He is executive producer or co-producer for 99% of my favorite shows on Bravo, he's a wonderful TV personality, and I just want to hug him all the time and be his best friend.  Love me some Andy Cohen!

Anyways, on to the reunion.

Peggy:  I still like her a lot.  I think she and Vicki have been the most dignified this season, even though Peggy was constantly baited by Alexis.  Peggy is better than stupid Alexis, who has a massive inferiority complex because she found out Peggy hooked up with her husband Jim years ago, before she married him.  Whatever.  Peggy is right in choosing to align herself with Vicki, and I hope she returns next season.  She was so brave to talk about post-partum depression (even though Alexis, as usual, tried to hijack that from her) and I want her to stick aroudn!

Vicki:  Oh, poor Vicki.  I am so sad her marriage to Don is ending.  I thought that she was very brave to sit through Don's interview, and very mature to admit to faults in her marriage and to support what he said.  Any other housewife, IMHO, would have lambasted Don and called his interview a lie.  But Vicki is one to admit her mistakes, and that is why she is my FAVORITE lady from RHOOC.

Tamra:  Hated Tamra after this.  I chose to be on her side in Tamra vs. Jeana, but really that battle is the lesser of two super-evils.  Tamra is butting into everyone's business.  I hate Slade Smiley, but why is Tamra on the phone with his ex?  Why is she even involved in Slade's life, and as a result, Gretchen's?  Tamra is old enough to know better.  I still think Jeana is in the wrong, but Tamra needs to learn to stop stirring up drama.  I think if she spends more time with Vicki, she will learn.  (Also, her super-dark eye makeup is not doing her any favors, and makes her resemble the Emperor from Star Wars.)

Gretchen:  She chose to be the mean girl this season, and she was.  I think she is being smart in her relationship with Slade, so regardless of his motives, the women need to lay off of him and let Gretchen take care of that aspect of her life.  Gretchen herself has said she can't have kids with him in good conscience until he can pay his child support, and that sometimes love isn't enough to make it work.   I see Gretchen growing up, though I wish she would just let bygones be bygones, stop baiting Tamra, and be nicer to Vicki.  So Vicki didn't visit Jeff in the hospital... Gretchen had no right to behave as she did when Vicki went to the hospital for a serious issue.  I'm glad she apologized and visited in the hospital, but she needs to wholly admit she was super wrong in that situation.

Alexis:  WHAT AN IDIOT.  Seriously, the prologue to Roald Dahl's Matilda comes to mind...  something to the tune of, "Alexis has the glacial beauty of an iceberg, but unlike the iceberg she has absolutely nothing beneath the surface."  Everything that comes out of her over-poofy lips is word vomit.  She is obviously SUPER angry that Peggy used to date Jim, and she even tried to blame Peggy for not telling her, when Jim should have.  Kudos to Peggy for not being the one to stir up drama.  Alexis overcompensates wildly when it comes to Peggy, and can't let Peggy make a statement without trying to one-up her.  "You had post-partum?  I had it first!  Your kid can read?  Mine is writing for the NY Times!"  Blah blah blah.  She is constantly defensive, interrupting, and ANNOYING.  Her husband is a twit, and while she is beautiful, I find Alexis to be a very very sad excuse for a woman.  I can't stand someone so subservient and hypocritical and insecure.  BLAH.  Please remove her from my television screen.  (Oh, and her fashion line was NOT couture, and it was unwearable.)

Slade:  Don't come on the reunion show.  Get your act together off the TV screen, and make your private life private.  You're the 6th housewife because of your fame-whoring ways...  be with Gretchen, keep her happy, but just stop invading the show.  Blah.

Jeana:  I want to believe Jeana, but Tamra vs. Jeana is ugly.  The fact that Vicki, who used to be best friends with Jeana, is on Tamra's side, says more to me than anything I saw on the show this season.  Jeana still hasn't divorced her husband after all these years, she's as insecure and passive as ever, and it's just sad.  It's like she wants to be back on the show, and she's making desperate attempts.  She needs to stay out of Tamra/Simon's divorce, just like Tamra needs to do the same for Slade/Gretchen.

WHEW!  Lots of typing.  I've been watching RHOOC since it started, as the ORIGINAL RH show, and I haven't been too disappointing.  My wishes for the future of RHOOC?

Gretchen takes the high road and becomes nice again (I loved her first season!), Tamra minds her own business and changes her eye makeup, Vicki finds happiness in love and her children/Don too, Peggy stays the same, Alexis falls off the face of the earth or finds herself mute, Slade no longer makes camera appearances, and Jeana just minds her own business.  Fin.

Real Housewives of New Jer-blah blah boring.

Another wannabe popstar!

Oh, great, another Real Housewife wants to start a recording career.  Though I will admit, Melissa Gorga can carry a tune better than just about any RH aside from Kandi Burruss!

Anyways, I can tell the Gorgas like the attention.  Blah.  Melissa's on TV to try to be famous.

We had some more empty-nest sadness from Caroline, more trials in parenting from Jacqueline, as well as more boring Kathy. (Unless she stirs up some more drama, I don't see her as a returning cast member next season.)

I was very sad watching Teresa's daughter, Gia, get so excited for her Uncle Joe to attend her gymnastics meet, only to be disappointed when he arrived ridiculously late.  From watching his mother's reaction, I'm starting to lean more and more towards Teresa's side in Teresa/Joe vs. Melissa/Joe ... even though Teresa continues not to listen to anyone's voice other than her own.  Seriously, for the sake of peace, why can't these people just agree to let it be forgiven/done and just move on?

Next week's episode looks to be more exciting.  This one was a filler.  I'm still waiting on a Teresa/Joe confrontation.

Real Housewives: New Jersey Thanksgiving

What can I say about the #RHONJ Thanksgiving episode?  Let's just break it down.

Kathy:  The woman can bake!  I know she was showing off a bit for the camera, but I was still impressed.  Maybe it's because I watched this episode during the first few days of a new diet, and I was drooling.  But Kathy still hasn't won me over, and I'm not surprised she's still stinging from her rejection by Caroline; you can't fool the Manzo matriarch!

Teresa:  I don't think that she feels she needs to apologize to the Gorgas, though she did.  And I don't think she'll listen long enough to make amends with her brother, or her sister-in-law.  I feel that she's being close-minded and immature, just like her brother.

Caroline:  I have always considered Caroline to be 'real' but the visit to her daughter's boyfriend's family store was uncomfortable.  I feel like the show and everyone involved went way too far to point out the class differences between the families.  Albert tried to smooth it over, but the poor guy isn't the most eloquent.  Love Caroline, but there was a little too much overcompensating.  Let the lovebirds handle their differences; I bet they aren't so glaring as the parents may feel.

Jacqueline:  I feel like she's really trying to parent, and parent well!  Good for her!  And though Ashley has (smartly) given up asking for a NY apartment (funded by her parents) so she can show up on time to her (unpaid) internship, she is still acting like a spoiled brat.  Anyone can see through her 'show' of suddenly cleaning her room and doing chores!   Watch out, Jacqueline!  There's still work to do on that girl.

Melissa:  GROSS.  Seriously, that mechanical bull thing was gross.  Melissa and Joe are just icky.  And Melissa can be a bit backhanded about repeating stories of how Teresa has wronged her, even if Teresa was gauche.  Can we talk about something else?  Joe Gorga is just too much for me.  Ugh.  A walking stereotype.

This episode lacked what I was hoping for: a response to the letter Teresa sent to her brother Joe.  When is the confrontation going to take place?  That's what we all want to see.

Real Housewives: OC Season Finale

The "Cease & Desist"!

So by now, if you're a #RHOC fan, you've watched the explosive season finale!  Unlike New Jersey, where you toss tables, in Orange County you toss drinks!

Where to begin?

Tamra vs. Jeana:  THIS was the headliner fight of the episode!  Divorce is messy, and I know that friendships are lost in the process.  But that does NOT give has-been Housewife (I said it!) Jeana any right to run her mouth to the press about Tamra's divorce.  Knowing how explosive Tamra can be, I was actually impressed I didn't read more crap about her fight with Simon in the press.  While there didn't need to be a bunch of pushing/drink-throwing, I feel Tamra was right to deliver Jeana a "Cease & Desist" in talking to the press.  Jeana calling Simon from her driveway after the altercation just shows how she's been stirring up drama behind the scenes.  Sounds like someone misses her Housewives paycheck/fame!  Winner: Tamra.

Tamra vs. Gretchen:  I am glad there wasn't a lot of Tamra/Gretchen drama.  I feel that Gretchen was truly sorry that she implied Vicki was in the hospital on purpose as a snub to Alexis, and that she was in the wrong for being so evil about it during the fashion show.  I do think that Gretchen tried way too hard at the party to point out to Tamra that she was treated much like Jeana treated Tamra, even if she had a point.  It wasn't the time.  I do think that things for those two could be on the mend, but I don't think they will ever truly heal.  It's too bad, because I think they could be a dynamic duo... but kudos to them for acting like grown-ups for once at this party.  Winner: Draw.

Alexis vs. Peggy:  I like Peggy better than Alexis.  Even though Peggy drank too much and started the fight over lips/boobs/etc., I think that Alexis tries way too hard to be 'better' than Peggy; remember all her random snide remarks about potty-training and whatnot?  And then in the finale, we learn that Peggy dated Alexis' (loser) husband before they were married, which explains a LOT.  While I do think Alexis is prettier than Peggy, I don't think Alexis has any self-confidence whatsoever.  She feels inferior to Peggy somehow, and tries desperately to overcompensate in so many ways.  And it's not just about Peggy; I think Alexis feels threatened to fit into the OC lifestyle, and it just might not be for her... (Her house was almost foreclosed upon; why is she, a stay-at-home-mom, hiring nannies and spending money starting a crappy 'couture' line?)  Anyways, I'm calling it for Peggy, because Alexis is super fake and Peggy is 100% herself.  Winner: Peggy.

Vicki vs. Donn: This divorce just makes me so sad.  Sooooo sad.  I always liked Donn, and he was a father to Vicki's kids even though they weren't his.  I used to feel like Vicki was so OCD and hyper that she was the one keeping herself from having a better relationship with Donn.  But at this point, I see how much Vicki is hurting and knowing what divorce is like, I sympathize.  But in a divorce, nobody wins.  Winner: No one.  Though I did laugh when Vicki thanked the girls for causing so much drama that no one even mentioned her divorce at the party!!!

And lastly... what was UP with Cougar Quinn's AWFUL wig?!  Did she buy it from RH of Atlanta's Kim?  LOL.

Can't wait for the reunion specials... those are always the BEST!  Watch what happens!

Guilty Pleasure: Real Housewives

Since Glee/Grey's Anatomy/Make It Or Break It are all on hiatus for the summer, I have turned to Bravo for my television entertainment.  Confession: I have a weakness for The Real Housewives.

Here's where I stand...  I've watched Orange County since the beginning, I love New Jersey, I quit watching New York after Bethenny left (and now am BORED with it), and Atlanta is a hot mess.  As for Miami, Beverly Hills, and D.C.?  They're not worth my time, those women can't compare.  So essentially I've devoted myself to Orange County (the ORIGINAL, holla!) and New Jersey... because New Jersey has that Sopranos/family dynamic that is just way too interesting not to watch!

We're a well into the OC's sixth season, and a few episodes into NJ, so I'll give you my personal recap of what's happening with my favorite ladies, and I'll continue to keep you updated on the saga from there.

ORANGE COUNTY:  There is no shortage of drama in the O.C.!  First off, I've always seen Tamra as a bit of a villain on the show.  She's visibly aging and I feel like she's having a mid-life crisis.  I'm happy she's rid of Simon (and hate the way former cast member Jeana acts about it) but she keeps trying to compete with Gretchen.  Gretchen, once my favorite, has turned into a MAJOR WITCH.  What happened?  First off, I hate Slade.  Gross....  kudos for Gretchen for fully acknowledging that he is her boy toy, and that if he ever wants it to be more serious then he needs to pay child support and get a job.  But Gretchen has definitely turned into the villain this season, constantly attacking Tamra and Vicki.  I understand attacking Tamra at times, but not Vicki, and it seems like Gretchen wants to be the "Queen" of the OC Housewives... but as an original caI'st member, THAT is Vicki's title.

Vicki continues to be my favorite, even though I feel she is a super workaholic who needs to try harder to work on her marriage to the sweet and loveable Don.  I like the newest housewife, Peggy, but don't get me started on the ridiculous Alexis.  Alexis' "couture" fashion line is a joke (and she treats her designer like CRAP!) and her submissiveness to her husband and religious holier-than-thou attitude make me sick.  She constantly pretends like she has a real job, and I hate when the housewives do that.

So let's recap:  I still love Vicki.  I don't like Gretchen and Alexis.  Peggy seems to be the level-headed one.  I'm proud of Tamra's progress, but she needs to be the bigger person and just quit making drama with Gretchen.  And Slade is gross.  Fin.

(Click "Read More" for my take on the explosive new season of RH of New Jersey!)