 | The Real Housewives of...: Fadingposted by RF Club, Group AdministratorTuesday, May 24th 2011 @ 3:29 PM (not yet rated) |
I Watched The Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC) on Sunday and The Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ) on Monday. I didn't like the way I felt after either show. Now, if I can only put into words my odd feelings. Once again, I am going to skip scene by scene recaps! Instead I am going to focus on my thoughts and feelings as I watched the two shows.
The Real Housewives of Orange County on Sunday evening was playing out and I sat there thinking, "It is no longer fun for me." I use to enjoy watching The Housewives live their lives. Now, I feel I am watching Housewives Live staged Lives. These staged lives consist of selling us their products, creating drama, and getting even with each other.
Examples!
Selling Products!
Alexis Bellino and Gretchen Rossi selling their products. Alexis unveiling her dress line and Gretchen selling her handbags! I get that this is apart of their life but the only reason they are able to have these products are because they are on the show. Deep down neither woman would be selling dresses or handbags if they had not been on the reality show. I guess it is a catch 22, the products are their reality but only because they are on a Reality Show LOL. I am rooting for their success but sometimes it gets a little old LOL
Creating drama and Getting Even with each other!
Many times these two go hand in hand. I do believe the women have gotten to a point where they don't like each other and there is so much tit for tat that they get even with each other on camera AND they know this will create drama AND this will get AIR TIME! Making it a WIN WIN for all in their mind. Of course, they think THEY will come off looking the BEST because each housewife thinks their side is justified or 'right'.
Now,Here is the sad thing about Vicki in the hospital. I found myself wondering the timing myself. WAIT, HEAR ME OUT, PLEASE! I had something similar to Vicki and like it or not, you don't just start "bleeding" suddenly. Typically, you have signs and it leads up to the bleeding. Why did Vicki wait until Alexis was in the middle of her Fashion Show to text Tamra? Vicki could have had a family member call Alexis before or after the Fashion Show to explain why she missed the event. Vicki knew Tamra was at the Fashion Show and she didn't need to bother Tamra. Vicki could have waited. If Vicki cared about Alexis or had manners she would have waited, I would have waited until after my procedure and most likely I would have had my family call with my apologies. What was more intriguing to me was theTexting and sending a picture while Vicki was in the hospital and during the Fashion Show. That was very circumspect to me? On the other hand, If Tamra was that worried she should have excused herself and went immediately to the hospital without saying a word. Bottom line, I think Tamra and Vicki 'staged' it to get even. They knew it would shift the focus and it did. I wonder if they even planned it with Peggy? You know since Alexis ruined Peggy's dinner party? Anyway, Yes, Vicki was ill but it was odd that she picked that exact moment to go to the hospital then to text and send pictures? The proper and mannerly option would have been to call Alexis either before or later and not distract from the Fashion Show. It was not an emergency and Vicki did not need Tamra at the hospital therefore she did not need to text or call her. What is sad is the Housewives are using an illness to their advantage. They are actually exploiting their lives even further, sad, just sad.
Staging
I don't doubt for a moment that Vicki and Donn have had problems in their marriage for years. I do doubt Vicki's words. No sex in two years? We watched them renew their vows last year? How do you renew your vows and have a romantic getaway without sex? Vicki sitting quietly praying in her house? That was SO staged. They show Vicki home and Donn working ONE NIGHT when it has been clear that Vicki has been the spouse not home MOST NIGHTS for the last few years. Listen, I believe it takes two for a marriage to fall apart as much as it takes two for it to work. My point is Vicki knew her marriage was dissolving and she wanted it portrayed in a certain manner on television. Therefore, she made sure it was filmed from her perspective. Which I get, we only get the Housewife's perspective but over the years the Housewives have become smarter and wiser. They now act and they are no longer REAL. Of course, I am sure they always 'acted' to a certain degree, don't we all? But, I think in the beginning the Housewives were themselves to a certain extent, not anymore. It is all about image.
Peggy is all staging. It is clear that Peggy NEEDED on the show. She wanted back in the limelight and she needed to bring home the bacon! In the end Peggy Tanous used Alexis Bellino. Peggy thought that Vicki and Tamra were her better bets and she cozied up to them. Peggy believed that everyone disliked Alexis so she created a rift with her getting instant drama then made buddies with the 'stars' of the show thinking she would be a fan favorite. In the end, she wants to get back into modeling and/ or a spokesperson career and Bravo happily showed her photo shoot and then her portfolio book, oh, wait I mean birthday present to her husband LOL. Please, does Peggy Tanous think the viewers are that stupid?
Okay, my giggle of the night with Real Housewives of Orange County!
The ULTIMATE LINE OF THE NIGHT WAS MICAH TANOUS "People have to just live within their means" and Tamra Barney sitting there shaking her head in agreement. Keep in mind, Micah and Peggy Tanous are fighting with their bank to put their home in LOAN MODIFICATION and Tamra Barney had to SHORT SALE her home. I know I should not laugh because it is PEOPLE LIKE THEM THAT HURT ALL OF US HARD WORKING AMERICANS THAT PAY OUR BILLS ON TIME but geez, I had to laugh because Micah, Peggy and Tamra giving financial advice is LAUGHABLE.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey!
This season seems to be all about Teresa Giudice and her family. I wonder if Caroline Manzo and Jacqueline Laurita are going to get upset over the lack of airtime?
Oh well, I will be the first to admit that Teresa Giudice got under my skin with all her overspending and living ABOVE her means but I actually feel sorry for Teresa. I am the first to admit there are two sides to every story. I do not get along with my in laws and if I told you my side I would want you to see it my way LOL. After years of fighting and over time I have come to realize that my in-laws have a perspective too and we both FEEL what we FEEL. As much as I hate to admit it my in-laws probably have some valid points and as much as they would NEVER admit it I definitely have valid points LOL. Anyway, the saddest part of the Gorga/Giudice situation is it is PLAYING out on national television.
From what I gather after watching the first two episodes, Melissa and her husband Joe, along with Kathy all are jealous of Teresa's fame from the reality show. It seems there was definitely family 'issues' and competition before the reality show and then when Teresa got on RHONJ it just spiraled out of control. Now, I am not saying that Teresa didn't become a little diva. C'mon, I think we can all see Teresa Giudice becoming a diva LOL but taking the family fight public, well Melissa,Joe and Kathy have some balls.
I am amazed that a family would go to such lengths to get even. Melissa and Kathy managed to get themselves on RHONJ and they are putting the screws to Teresa. I sat in my home thinking, "How sad. In ten years when the show is over and all you have is your family all ties will have been broken or strained." In all honesty, does Joe Gorga think that Gia, his niece will ever have any respect for him? Joe can tell Gia he loves her but he has hurt her mother and that will destroy his relationship with Gia.
Melissa and Kathy definitely were out to get Teresa. Going out with Kim G. was a knife in the back. Kathy had Melissa and Joe over for dinner after the incident but she never reached out to Teresa. Instead she approached Teresa at the Fashion Show and in a passive aggressive manner accused Teresa of being a bad mother. Which we all know is the ultimate blow to any mother. Listen, Teresa is not my favorite but she adores her girls and she is clearly trying to do everything for her family, Kathy giving her shit for parenting was crappy. I have been at family events when all hell breaks loose. Teresa was gathering her family and her children were not left attended and in harms way. At a family baptism,communion, wedding and/or funeral we always let the kids roam knowing aunts,uncles,cousins all have the children in their eyesight. Someone was tweeting that Teresa let her little one almost fall down the steps. You know, I think people are shitty. I raised two kids and I am glad there was no camera. I had my days where I lacked in perfection and my kids lived and they thrived mainly because they knew they were loved and I was giving it my BEST effort everyday but I am so glad there are so many perfect parents out there today and it is comforting to know they are raising perfect kids. (Sarcasm)
It was funny that Melissa and Joe and Kathy and her husband were out partying it up for Halloween and yet Teresa spent it with family. Once I became a mother I no longer partied. My children never saw us drinking,especially when they were teenagers. We set the example. We felt we were parents first and foremost. Everyone has a different view of parenting but it was funny that Kathy said her parenting skills kicked in during the fight but not during Halloween, I guess LOL
At the Fashion Show Melissa claimed she didn't know her mother in law was present and they had not spoken. It was an odd moment. Did anyone else catch the guy saying, "You didn't know your mother in law was here?" He said it like he didn't quite believe it. Melissa's sister was telling her not to speak to her mother in law and that the mother in law should approach Melissa first. I told you in my last blogpost that the problems ran much deeper than Melissa and Teresa. Melissa does not get along with her mother in law either. In addition, Teresa's mother scolded Kathy and said, "And you are a cousin? What kind of cousin are you?"
Caroline Manzo split Teresa's mom and Melissa's mom. If you notice Melissa's mom (the blonde) is always right in the middle of all the yelling. I think she fuels a lot of the fire. In the end I think Teresa just cut away from her brother and then when she got on the show and became close to the Manzo's and Laurita's this pissed off Melissa and Kathy. They didn't like being at family events that were filmed and the Manzo's and Laurita's were treated like family. The funny thing is I bet they didn't mind not being apart of Teresa's life until RHONJ.
Now, how Melissa and Joe can continue to dig at Teresa and Joe about their financial troubles is beyond me. I have many cousins that have gone through rough times. My sister, brother and I have given money to every single one of them and we have never once announced it to anyone. In addition, we don't say it is a 'loan'. Family is family. Our cousins needed our help and we didn't think twice. Lastly, we would never embarrass them on national television. I sat staring at my television wondering what the world has come to that a brother would trash his sister and her husband in that manner? I have openly admitted that I don't get along with my in-laws but I would never embarrass them or hurt them in that manner.
I agree with Caroline Manzo, Teresa Giudice looked sad at the Fashion Show. Teresa was never my favorite but you could always tell that Teresa enjoyed the cameras and doing the show, her smiled showed her joy. Caroline was correct when you looked at Teresa her smile was forced and Teresa looked miserable. I have had that look at family events. I have seen other family members with that look at events. I find it hard to believe others of you couldn't relate to that strained look on Teresa's face?
I think these adults are forgetting that these shows are 'on record' and this is going to make a lasting imprint on their family. Melissa and Joe Gorga claim they are financially set therefore the only reason for this adventure into reality television must be revenge because none of what has been shown has been FUN. Teresa Giudice was an original and we know she needs the show. Kathy Wakile claims to be financially stable too therefore I am going to assume she wanted revenge too. Hanging with Kim G. was the icing on the cake for me that was clearly a stab at Teresa and only done to inflame and already bad situation. Kathy cannot claim she is trying to promote peace with that move and Melissa and Joe definitely are out to get even. Whether they have been 'wronged' by Teresa or not I am just not a big believer in getting even. No one really wins and in the end, especially in family situations,typically the entire family loses. It forces family members to choose sides and casualties from the war are inevitable. I am afraid the causalities are going to be the children. Anyway, Melissa and Joe are ripping a family apart in order to horn in on Teresa's fame.
Overall, I guess I am starting to feel that the Real Housewives series are turning nasty. What use to be television shows about HOUSEWIVES and THEIR INDIVIDUAL LIVES have turned into women on a series that go after each other. It is all about one upping each other with drama and or success/failure. They will do this by any means. Using each other. Or worse exploiting their lives at their worse moments,divorce, illness,financial ruin,etc. No one supports each other and even fans get nasty. Maybe this is why fans get nasty. You know, nasty begets nasty? Just a thought? Fans are nasty about Getchen's handbags or Alexis' dresses or Ramona's wine and etc.. If you don't like Gretchen or Alexis or Ramona then don't go on their Facebook page. Whatever happened to only say something if it is nice. Would you want someone on your Facebook page bashing you and your ideas? The argument or excuse or reasoning for such behavior is they are celebrities. WHAT? They are human beings with feelings. I think the problem is people have become jealous of reality stars. For some reason only Bethenny was allowed to succeed. Which baffles me? More power to them. If they have a good idea and they have the means to market it then why not? I would too. Their success does not hurt anyone. Anyway, sometimes a little positive attitude is nice along with drama. In the end, I need a balance between the fighting, I need some getting along too!
I think this is one viewer getting closer and closer to leaving the Housewives behind. I find myself watching other shows and catching The Housewives later. Obviously, I am still watching and writing about them but not with the same vigor or fun and I imagine I will fade away soon. Are any of you feeling the fade? Just curious.
Catch you all on Twitter,
Lucy
