 | The Real Housewives of Orange County: Guilty Pleasure Changing!posted by RF Club, Group AdministratorTuesday, March 8th 2011 @ 5:33 PM (not yet rated) |
The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered Sunday, March 6th!
So let us get started by talking about this little guilty pleasure. Listen, for me, reality television is a 'guilty pleasure'. That statement alone is not the best compliment for a show but hey, reality television, is raking in the bucks with us loving our 'guilty pleasures'. Now, some reality television isn't as bad as others, right?? I guess one would say there is a pecking order. For instance, I would say that many of us would admit to watching Top Chef, Project Runway, American Idol, or Survivor. If you notice, we tend to feel more comfortable admitting to the 'game' type of reality shows but I would put money on it that some of us would be careful where we mentioned and to whom that we watched such shows as The Real Housewives, Jersey Shore, Millionaire Matchmaker, Joan and Melissa and etc... And, when we do dare to open up and admit to viewing the programs we couch it as our 'guilty pleasure'. Meaning, we are slightly embarrassed to admit to viewing the program and even more embarrassed to admit we like it. I would venture to guess that other factors determine whether a person will admit to viewing reality television and how they label the viewing. It seems age,socioeconomic status and level of education are a few of those factors. I will be the first to admit that I am very careful when mentioning I watch The Real Housewives. Let us just say I get a feel for the group I am with before I mention I watch them and to be even more honest some of my oldest and dearest friends I don't tell. I would take too much shit for it. (LOL) So, what is a gal to do?? Thank goodness for Twitter. I find a lot of Housewives fans on Twitter and they get it. They get the 'guilty pleasure'. My husband says, "I swear you housewives fans are like Trekies, you guys could have conventions." Now, he means that in the nicest possible way, remember he is talking about his lovely wife!!!
So, why did I go on the above tangent?? I was watching the premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County and I enjoyed it but I didn't. Yeah, I know that doesn't make any sense at all. I need to back up. See, I watched these Real Housewives shows originally because they were fun. I love the vintage shows. I am a people watcher at heart. I know, people think it is rude, whatever. I don't judge the people I watch. I just love to go to the local park or beach and watch people interact. It is fun. Therefore, The Real Housewives were a great extension of that past time for me because it went a little deeper. I enjoyed viewing each woman's life. From time to time the women interacted and they gossiped about each other. BUT, now, the shows have shifted gears and I am losing interest. Yes, I watch but not quite the same. I will be upfront. I am 45 years old and I am not into TEAM TAMRA, TEAM GRETCHEN, TEAM ALEXIS, TEAM VICKI and so on. Honestly, I don't like any of them to be on a TEAM. They are normal women. They have their good days and their bad days. At moments I want to shout out to each and every one of them to STOP but honestly, if I had a camera following me around, I could only imagine how many times I would shudder at the words that came out of my mouth. In addition, editing does play a part. There are no if and or buts about it. My point, at one time I enjoyed watching them navigate through their lives and interact with each other. Now, it all seems so staged and combative.
Anyway, this episode was setup around Tamra having a clothing party. It was obvious that this wss the first filming get together of the season. It was clear that Tamra hadn't reached out to Vicki to fix things from last season yet. Gretchen's reaction to the phone call was over the top silly. Yes, we know they are not friends but Gretchen understands that Tamra was calling because it is a filmed event. Tamra was put off by Gretchen's reaction because she was hoping for her to be a little more civil with filming. The swords were drawn.
Now, Gretchen asked Tamra where the party was going to be and Tamra said, "My friend's" I found that odd. And, that statement was discussed in the limo. Alexis said, "Maybe the children were standing there and she said 'friend'" I must admit Alexis seemed to be trying desperately to keep Gretchen from going off the rails at the party. But, let us not get ahead of ourselves (LOL). So, Tamra was calling to make all the invites and we get cutaways to her solo interviews with the producer where she can blame a lot of her past rude behavior on Simon and also inform us that she has a HOT, scratch that, a super HOT boyfriend, that just drives her crazy when he speaks Spanish. Sorry, I am not loving the NEW Tamra. Getting ahead of myself but I have to agree with Gretchen, "it takes two to tango and you can't blame everything on your unhappiness." I am kind of paraphrasing but Gretchen basically was saying, "Tamra can't use the 'I was miserable with Simon so I was a bitch to everyone, so all is forgiven? excuse" Which, Alexis was trying to use to keep Gretchen calm. I am all for cutting a person slack when they are living through a nightmare but that is it, you cut them some slack. The person has to own up to some of their behavior too.
Gee, I am sorry I just keep jumping all over the place with this post but I am assuming if you are reading this then you watched the episode and you don't really want a play by play, nah, you want to read my thoughts so, you can shake your head yes or no with me, right??? I am always hoping you are shaking your head more on the yes side but I am a realist and therefore know that we all have differing opinions, which is a good thing, a very good thing!!!
Back to the OC Ladies, and I use the term Ladies loosely here.
Let us move onto Gretchen. Gretchen is now selling handbags!
We see her meeting with Marki Costello, hosting coach, who is helping her learn how to handle a teleprompter and help her go on SHOP NBC. Two things I really loved about this scene. The coat tails. I couldn't even follow Marki and the coat tails (ha! ha!) and I am sorry, very guilty but I giggled about Wanda in Wichita, Kansas. I know, wrong,so wrong but I giggled!! Marki is right. Gretchen is selling a lifestyle, not a great handbag and that is what it is all about. Many a 'designer' has sold because of their name and not because of their designing, sorry just how it is. Gretchen is not the first to give it a try. Now, Gretchen doesn't have the same name as, Jessica Simpson but it is her time, just like all the housewives and reality stars are doing it. Meaning, using their moment of spotlight to sell something. Of course, I wouldn't expect Vicki to buy Gretchen's handbag but Gretchen's fans will and a person that can't afford Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton might enjoy Gretchen's handbag. Gretchen is not competing with the high end designers, dah?? She is competing with knockoffs. And, she is hoping her fans will propel her. Like I said, it really is no different than many of the other housewives/reality 'stars' selling a product or book. Of course, the cutaways to the solo interviews are always fun. Vicki should have taken the high road and wished Gretchen well, but instead she put her down. Unfortunately, I think Gretchen has been hurt by Vicki's comments of Gretchen not working and being a gold digger. For some reason, Gretchen craves Vicki's approval?? Poor Gretchen, she will never get Vicki's approval because Vicki really doesn't care for anyone but herself and her two kids.
Vicki! Oh, we all saw the divorce coming, right?? I never really thought the re-commitment ceremony was genuine. Wait, I think they tried. I think Vicki felt bad that it looked like she treated Don like shit on television so last year was all about making the both of them look better. But, in all honesty, the marriage was dying. I think they both knew it and it was hard to let it go. We all know they are divorcing so watching Vicki try to claim things are good, well, is sad. Now, the furniture moving fight. No big deal to me. I have been married for 23 years and you wouldn't want to be around when I have my husband rearrange a room. He shakes his head and bitches at me through the entire event. I think it makes him feel better but in the end he knows he is going to move everything several times before I make my decision. Our children, bolt when we do a home improvement project together because they know how smooth it will go (LOL). My point, not all husbands and wives kiss and smooch through life at all moments but that doesn't mean they are going to divorce. I found the scene pretty normal BUT if Vicki and Don are constantly battling then it is a problem. My husband and I are not constantly battling and I don't have to think about him having a voice in our home. He has a voice, he has always had a voice and I have always wanted him to have a voice because I truly value my husband's voice. I guess that is what is important. If you have to think about it or force it then there is a problem.
Oh, Alexis. Poor, Poor Alexis. She takes more flak for trying to be religious or spiritual. I think Alexis needs to take a Bible scripture class. She doesn't quite understand some quotes. I don't have a problem with Alexis working on her spirituality as much as others. I find it funny that people embrace all these spiritual quotes on Twitter and yet they attack Alexis like crazy. Listen, find me the perfect Christian, the perfect Jew, the perfect Muslim and so on. My point, we are all trying to get through this crazy life and if Alexis believes in Christianity and it is her right. I have no problem with her admitting she is Christian and she prays to God and she tries hard to live the Christian life. Just because she is striving to live such a life doesn't mean she will be perfect? Oh, and Christians don't have to be ugly. I find it funny that because she claims that she prays that she is not suppose to have plastic surgery or wear a low cut top?? I thought that went out with the stone ages? My point, you can't have it both ways. You can't claim God doesn't care about what you wear and then bitch about someone who is religious not dressing how you think a religious person would dress?? Now, that is hypocritical. I am not going to judge Alexis' heart and I think that is what matters and that is between her and the G O D above (LOL). Once again, those solo interviews are too much fun, AND Alexis was talking some gibberish. Like, what was, "Divorce is wrong in biblical terms but my friendship with Tamra survived her divorce?" I was thinking, wait, you were divorced? GIBBERISH!! Now, her with the kids. Normal kid stuff. If you have raised kids then you know everything happens when you take that moment to pee. I can't tell you how many times my kids went to the bathroom with me. I swear I didn't use the restroom alone for years, it was just too risky.
So, we end with the clothing party. Honestly, Gretchen should have skipped it. BUT I get it. Gretchen didn't want to miss out on filming and I agree with Alexis "Gretchen was in a mood." Also, it was clear that Alexis was hoping to avoid Vicki but I don't think Alexis wanted to start anything with her. Now, what a great party. A lot of alcohol with a half naked bartender, good food and clothes. I am not sure why Tamra and Vicki kept bitching about the loud behavior? Tamra stating, "let's have a little class" REALLY?? Tamra was the one that hired the half naked bartender?? That doesn't spell CLASS to me. How about you?
So,Gretchen came in with attitude but Tamra should have laughed with the evil eye hat and then no one would have known Gretchen struck a chord. See, Tamra let Gretchen win when she gave her the 'evil eye' when Gretchen went after her. Geez, if looks could kill! Now, Gretchen should not have said it but Tamra could have turned it around. Then,Tamra stirred trouble up by putting the hat on and heading out to the bar where Gretchen was drinking.
Another part of the party that I found immature was Tamra running outside with Vicki. I can't stand when women do that, ugh! Oh, and then Vicki telling Tamra to kick Gretchen out?? Because that is ballsy. Talk about NO CLASS. As a hostess, you don't kick a person out. You don't head out to the patio and gossip and you don't start up an inappropriate conversation with someone who has been drinking making all your guests uncomfortable. Tamra lacks class. I am so glad, her and Vicki are not trying to stir up trouble. (LOL) On the other hand, Gretchen needs to understand that women don't like all the screaming and loud giggling in the early evening. It is not attractive. Gretchen needs to learn to control her drinking or at the very least her behavior when drinking. Although, I think Gretchen uses drinking as her excuse to be obnoxious. It isn't cute,attractive or a good excuse! Now, the entire Princess statement? Gretchen is hyper sensitive to people thinking she doesn't work and the alcohol made things worse in addition she thought that Alexis was turning on her when she needed Alexis in her corner. Alcohol does strange things. Oh, and I must admit if I was Gretchen I would fire Shawna. Shawna is fully aware of the HATE between her boss (Gretchen) and Tamra but Shawna stayed behind to make a connection with Tamra. WTF?? FIRE HER ASS. Whether you are TEAM Gretchen or TEAM Tamra I think you would agree with me that Shawna was wrong, WRONG! Gosh, though, I had a headache after watching the stupid limo fight.
I like vintage housewives. I want more of their individual lives. I don't mind some of their parties and gossiping, a touch of it here and there is what made it good but it seems that now THE HOUSEWIVES are built around the strain of the gossiping. I guess my people watching has been usurped. (LOL) Just my opinion. I would love to know yours but you don't really comment here, some of you chat with me on Twitter and I love that so please keep the Twitter chatter up and if you feel a desire then drop a note here too.
Lucy
RFclub
