Friday, September 10, 2010

Real Housewives of DC Guest Blog / Watch What Happens Live

I Hate Jill Zarin Guest Blog Real Housewives of DC / Watch What Happens Live September 10, 2010

Thank you to Katherine for her guest blog on the Real Housewives of DC:

Katherine from Lake Shore Drive (http://lakeshoredrive.wordpress.com) (@lakeshoredrive_ on Twitter) is this week’s guest blogger…

Lots happened this week. Thankfully, Bravo decided to pack in the drama, since we have gone an entire two weeks since the last episode.

Things pick up where we left them at the vineyard and Tareq, wearing his blue Heathclif Huxtable (“Cosby Show”) sweater, slurs out those fateful words: “I’m just going to say something…”

He goes on to explain that his “$90,000 car” along with “over $25,000 in polo equipment” (was there a horse in there?) had been stolen. He then continues to explain to Mary that her daughter was involved, citing a post her daughter had written on Facebook.

According to Tareq, the FBI had been investigating and monitoring suspects for the last 6 months. (Really, Tareq? I’m pretty sure the FBI has better things to do.)

Thankfully, Jason didn’t buy it, either. Stacie and Jason were stunned, Michaele looked confused, poor Mary was in shock and crying, and Tareq…WTF was that on your face? A red wine moustache and matching cold sores?

Poor Mary. Just as Jason said, it really was a “sucker punch”. To hit her with such an outrageous claim (a) with no warning, (b) in a group of people, (c) with no tact whatsoever – Tareq’s behavior was really inexcusable. Then, as if he wasn’t obnoxious enough, Tareq goes on to say “I care about what happened to that gear…It’s not about what happened to poor Lolly.” Saying the injustice has been towards the charity and the polo players, Tareq continued on his misplaced drunken rampage.

Thankfully, Jason jumped in, saying that because he doesn’t have a daughter, Tareq doesn’t get it.

“I am so uncomfortable with this line of conversation…if anyone was talking about my daughter I’d be over the top of this table on your ass so quick…” Jason said.

Tareq, unfazed by Jason’s mortification, goes on to say that Lolly had incriminated herself and it was “plastered all over Facebook…” He continued on, saying, “There’s a Federal Investigation going on…and everybody’s going to jail.”

The cameras flash over to Michaele looking tired, old and confused. Not sure if it’s OK to keep drinking her champagne, she feebly asks: “Are we done?”

Yes, Michaele. You are definitely done.

Back in the limo, poor Mary is still crying and Stacie and Jason agree that it was strange for Tareq to end a good day with something from left field. They all agree that this claim could simply be a lie made up about Lolly.

Spa-Time Summations

Next, we see Lynda, Cat and Stacie at Red Door Spa as the Stacie tells the ladies about Tareq’s accusations. Lynda doesn’t seem surprised but does say: “Would you do that in public…who does that? He is a whack job.”

Cat agreed, saying “This is quite a below the belt thing to do. In some ways I wish I had been there to look after Mary because it sounded hideous.” We all wish you would have been there, too, Cat. Odds are that Tareq wouldn’t have said a thing.

Lolly’s Reaction

Next, we see Mary and her husband, Rich, discussing the accusations with Lolly, 23. I have to say that I really wish I would have seen a little more outrage from Lolly. Obviously, this wasn’t the first time the parents discussed the claims with their daughter, but I would have been a little more upset about this had I been in Lolly’s shoes.

Mary does admit, “Lolly did post something on Facebook” but that it doesn’t incriminate her. (What?)

My favorite part of this discussion was when Rich referred to Tareq as having broken “man rules” by attacking his wife and daughter without him there. (Yeah!) Adding a dose of fuel to the fire, Mary asks if Rich wants to handle it. After thinking about it, Rich replied that his reaction would be relative to his alcohol consumption.

Mary does say “We’re going to make some calls to the police department and make sure these claims are false.”

A few minutes later, we see Mary and Rich talking, and no one was surprised to learn that after checking with the authorities, Rich was unable to find any type of investigation or charges with Lolly’s name. “It’s all made-up,” he says, as Mary agrees that “they make sh!t up to deflect their own sh!t”.

Dinnertime Drama

Next, we’re treated to a dinnertime meeting between Michaele and Jen, her assistant – but let’s just call her “DC (Kim) G” for short. Immediately, the two begin bashing Cat. Of course, Cat was being snippy that day at the vineyard, but calling Tareq a control freak (like calling the grass “green”) didn’t warrant DC G calling Cat a bitch.

Michaele seems to be trying really hard to be cute and chatty in this scene and she really just ends up looking old, wrinkly and confused. Michaele then goes on to rant to DC G, saying that she has done everything to be nice to the ladies and they are all just rude.

Clearly only believing what Tareq has told her to believe, Michaele did go on to say that it was Mary’s fault the whole incident came to conversation that night. She said Mary “pushed for what it was” and that’s why the situation was brought up at that moment.

Uh, no, dumbass. Your husband brought it up.

Bipartisan Brunch

Next, we see Cat meeting Edwina Rogers, Republican Lobbyist, at the Mayflower for lunch. After a few niceties and small talk, Edwina starts with rapid-fire questioning to Cat. “I heard you’re writing a book? That must be exciting. Does he (Cat’s husband) get to fly on Air Force One?”

The thing I love about Cat is that she’s almost impossible to fluster. Cat takes Edwina’s questions in stride, ignoring most and only answering a few. But she can make even a seasoned Washington Lobbyist uncomfortable, as we saw in her next dialog with Edwina, who brings up healthcare reform. Cat replies that a Republican working on healthcare reform is really an “oxymoron”, and goes on to reveal that she already has over $23,000 in medical bills, saying that the United States healthcare system today is “verging on criminal”.

The camera shows us a red-eyed, uncomfortable Edwina, who answers, after a long pause, “I know. We’ve got to fix it…is that a cucumber sandwich?” (Ah, my favorite political move: distract them with the finger food. It works almost every time.)

But poor Edwina’s discomfort doesn’t come to an end. Cat can’t be distracted by a cucumber sandwich. Instead, she goes on to ask Edwina about the last election. Edwina admits, when Cat asks if she voted for McCain, that she voted “a straight Republican ticket.”

Not satisfied with Edwina’s answer, Cat asks what Edwina thought of Sarah Palin. Now, let’s pause for a moment here… Even if Edwina thought Palin was a gun-toting, Russian-watching lunatic, she’s a Republican Lobbyist on national television. And Cat realized this, too, with a smirk, when she asks if she thinks Sarah Palin would have made a good vice president. We see another uncomfortable shot of Edwina saying, yes.

“Do you really?” Cat says with a laugh. “Well, there you go…”

Trying to move away from Cat’s line of questioning, Edwina invites Cat and her friends to a benefit she’s having. Cat, not ready to put down her guns, makes no hesitation in telling Edwina she has no interest in being a Republican. Edwina doesn’t seem to care at this point – she just wants to run for the door.

Uncomfortable Ramblings at Dinner

Next, we see Lynda and Ebong joined by Jason and Stacie at dinner. After small-talk about Lynda’s upcoming move to the suburbs, Stacie tells about her search for her birth father. She explains that her birth mother is white, but unwilling to reveal her birth father’s identity, since he doesn’t know that Stacie even exists. Stacie mentions to Ebong that her birth father is Nigerian, too, and he proclaims, “He’s my brother!” but she’s discouraged to hear that her birth father is a member of the Igbo tribe, one of the largest tribes.

Lynda surprises Stacie with a utopian story about how much her birth mother must have wanted her and longed to see her all these years. Stacie pretty succinctly sets the record straight, saying that her birth mother really denied her existence for a long time. Next, Lynda goes on to talk about how it was because of the race issue and that she, also, has experienced “reverse racism” in Georgia, even being refused service at restaurants because she is white.

Stacie and Jason both try to hide the surprised and not-quite-believing-it looks on their faces when Lynda talks about reverse racism. In his typical down-to-earth manner, Jason does ask about Lynda and Ebong as an interracial couple. He admits that if he didn’t know them and walked into the restaurant and saw them for the first time, he’d be surprised.

Lynda started saying something about “if you close your eyes” everybody’s the same. (Cue “We are the World” background music. Release the butterflies.) But then she makes a comment that once she feels Ebong and the “nappy hair on his chest” she’d know it was him. (W.T.F.?!?) This really surprised me, as it seemed like a pretty ignorant and, frankly, disrespectful thing to say. But no one else seemed to be taken aback by the comment and the dinner seemed to go smoothly.

Clean the Pool in McClean

Lynda takes her kids to McClean, Virginia to see the new house and show her plans for renovations. Not a whole lot goes on here, but I’m still a little curious about why she needs a big house for so many kids when they’re all seemingly older and on the way out the door. Maybe it’s a last-ditch effort to avoid the empty house?

Lynda shared her concern with the security of the home, since there isn’t the type of security she’d become accustomed to in the city. I wasn’t as worried about security as I was about the pool. Did you see that water?!? I kept waiting for an alligator to jump out of that swamp and take a chomp at her dog. Forget the security – get a pool boy STAT, Lynda!

Going to the Ball

I actually really enjoyed the next sequence, showing Stacie and Jason getting ready for Edwina’s event. As the cameras took us back and forth between Stacie and Jason, along with Cat and her daughters, it was fun to observe their confused and snarky moments as they decided what to wear. Jason commented about “stuffy conservative blue suits” but this didn’t surprise me as much as the vision of Cat pulling the silver trousers from the hanger as her daughter danced around, singing “get funky! Get funky!”

Cat and her daughters really are adorable together…mostly. But just when I start enjoying this warm, fuzzy mother/daughter(s) moment, Cat’s daughter suggests she wear an “insanely inappropriate wedding dress”, holding up a hideous pink, sequined dress. (Hey, Cat – the Ice Capades called. They want their dress back.)

Stacie and Jason both admit that they’re nervous about seeing Michaele and Tareq. Stacie sums it up, saying “We’re just going to rise above the drama.” Thankfully, the two do just that.

Edwina’s Party

Tareq and Michaele are the first to arrive. I was disappointed we didn’t see them floating in on a hot air balloon or escorted by the FBI (since they’re so busy investigating their stolen car). Stacie and Jason arrive later and Jason diplomatically says something about the food to break the ice. Next, Michaele and DC G join the group and they act as if nothing had ever happened last time they were together at the vineyard.

We were treated with an anorexic (sorry, Michaele – Lynda was right) interpretive dance number performed by Michaele, as she floats, bobs, dances and grooves around the party, still unable to fill the bust of her dress with its circa-1950 (empty) pointy bra effect.

Cat arrives a little later, dressed not in the Ice Capades dress, hot pants or granny bra, as she discussed with her daughters. Instead, she’s dressed in a stuffy suit and “Alaska” lapel, wearing thick black glasses and a wig. Yes, Cat showed up at a Republican event dressed as Sarah Palin. This is the point where the novelty of Cat wore off on me and she became ridiculous. It was rude. I still think DC G was out of line calling Cat “bitchy”, but the Sarah outfit was just in poor taste.

Of course, Michaele and DC G had something to say about Cat’s outfit. “It might be better for her to go undercover,” said Michaele.

“People might like her better,” cackled DC G.

Poor Stacie, who was observing the junior high lunchroom conversation between the boss and her assistant, admits later that she saw the “biting” side of Michaele for the first time.

Next, we abruptly saw Edwina being taken away on a stretcher and driven away in an ambulance. Her staff explained that “something extremely important unexpected arose and she had to leave”. (I think poor Edwina lost her lunch when she saw Cat’s outfit.)

Mean Girls: The Showdown

My favorite part of the party was when Cat saunters up to DC G who looked scared and lonely without Michaele next to her.

“Were you at the vineyard the other day?” Cat asked. “Were you the one who was saying I was being bitchy?”

“Oh, it’s just a bitchy comment,” said DC G.

“I made a bitchy comment?” Cat asked.

“Yeah,” she said, fake smile and scared shitless, eyes darting around for Michaele.

Cat says that she didn’t really appreciate the comment, especially since DC G doesn’t know Cat. DC G replied: “…you know what? It’s all in good fun. You should really relax.

“I didn’t say bitchy…I said it was a bitchy comment” DC G said. “You’re really taking it way too seriously.”

Michaele came over and joined the conversation. Armed with Michaele’s presence, DC G sprouted some confidence and explained to her boss, “She’s really upset about my comment last weekend, when I was protecting you.”

(Now, this was my favorite part…)

“Did you have a brunette wig on?” Michaele asked Cat, with absolutely no transition.

Cat: “Did you just have a shocking pink dress on?”

Michaele: “I’m still in it. Where’s your wig?” (nervous laugh)

Stacie (in interview later): “Why can’t we all just get along?”

Cat (in interview later): “You’re so full of shit, Michaele”.

The End

Can’t wait to see next week’s episode, as it’s promised to show Michaele’s “for better or worse” with Tareq being put to the test.

So, for now… Thanks, ladies, for an evening full of drama and comic relief. Thanks, Stacie, for being level-headed. Thanks, Cat, for keeping things interesting. Thanks, Bravo, for putting these ladies together in the same room.

And thanks, Lynn, for letting me share my thoughts on this week’s episode! 


Watch What Happens Live By: LynnNChicago:

Last night marked the return of Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live with his guests, Teresa Giudice of The Real Housewives of New Jersey and Stacie Turner of The Real Housewives of DC.

I don’t know who told all of these housewives that the one shoulder look is attractive on them but they’ve been sadly misinformed. Obviously they all think it is in style right now but you have to have a certain figure to pull it off and it is rare that it comes off as elegant on a woman. Teresa’s one shoulder black number with the sparkling crystals all over was passable, not great but she could have avoided the worst dressed list, just barely.

Stacie, on the other hand needs to avoid that style altogether. She’s a beautiful woman and I’ve seen her look really stunning on her show but the pink number she was sporting on WWHL last night was not attractive at all!

Andy’s three things that he’s obsessed with this week were asinine as usual, Kim G’s mother of the bride dress from the New Jersey reunion along with the 46 second hug that Danielle gave to Jacqueline. (yes, he timed it) and Cat dressing like Sarah Palin at the Republican party during last night’s episode of the Real Housewives of DC.

Not completely ignoring the fact that he was man-handled by Teresa Giudice on the reunion, he jokingly made her wear a seat belt in her chair and joked about it, even allowing Teresa to say, “I would never push you Andy, I love you”. Yet there it is on tape, Teresa pushing Andy down. Repeating the question that many viewers have asked Andy, why he did not eject her from the show, his answer was that he just wanted to get through the taping. Still no consequences for Teresa. Andy Cohen must be one of the very few people who find this funny! Bravo is setting the standard for which they must remain consistent. Congratulations Bravo, you’ve made it acceptable for housewives to become physically violent, I hope the others are paying attention.

Even with a 6-week break, Andy hasn’t improved the show in the least, even a phone call from Naomi Campbell was of poor quality leaving viewers barely able to hear what she was saying. Not so surprisingly, Naomi was just fine with Teresa shoving Andy into his chair saying, “That’s what you get!”. With allegations Naomi has faced, I can see why she would be ok with physical violence:

In 2000, Campbell pleaded guilty in a Toronto court to a 1998 assault on Georgina Galanis, her then assistant

In March 2005, Campbell allegedly slapped assistant Amanda Brack and beat her around the head with a BlackBerry personal organizer.

On 30 March 2006 in New York City, Campbell was arrested for allegedly assaulting her housekeeper with a jewel-encrusted mobile phone, resulting in a bloody head that required several stitches, On 16 January 2007, Campbell pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless assault against her housekeeper Ana Scolavino.

On 3 April 2008, Campbell was arrested inside Heathrow’s Terminal 5 on suspicion of assaulting a police officer after one of her bags had been lost.

On 2 March 2010, Campbell’s limousine driver filed a report with the New York City Police Department claiming that Campbell had slapped and punched him. She then allegedly fled the scene.

Naomi seemed impressed with Teresa’s ability to care for her home and her family without any help, as Teresa continues to claim. Apparently Naomi hasn’t been reading about Teresa on the internet or she would know that Teresa has plenty of help in the form of her parents, who live in their home yet are hidden when the cameras are rolling.

Teresa is traveling all over the country promoting her book and the show, obviously she has help!

Naomi also wanted to ask Stacie why she was told Michaele that everyone was talking about her, obviously stirring up a firestorm over in DC, Stacie simply said, “I like to keep it real”. Okay!

Andy’s need to promote the fact that a 13-year old boy is a huge housewives fan was sick and wrong, just sick and wrong! The visual of Andy handing the child $50 bills didn’t improve the scenario. The fact that Ben Weiner could answer the housewives trivia questions better than the housewives themselves, was creepy, he really does watch the shows! I’d love to have a chat with his parents, not to mention the person who was yelling out the answers to the Housewives trivia game! Andy didn’t seem too happy about that either, was he afraid little Ben was going to wipe him out of cash?

Andy seemed to be trying to make up for the fact that Teresa’s book wasn’t highlighted on the show as was promised to her, he mentioned her “best-selling” book Skinny Italian three times in 27 minutes.

The “Mazel” of the week went to a 7-year old boy from Memphis named Peanut who liked to rap, Andy was sure to tell the audience that he didn’t think the kid had much talent but gave him the Mazel because he was named Peanut. Maybe you should go back to getting viewer suggestions Andy?

Teresa told viewers on Watch What Happens Live that Caroline was angry with Jacqueline after the reunion show for her truce with Danielle, Caroline couldn’t let that pass without response:

CarolineManzo: I was never annoyed with @jaclaurita, I understood where she was coming from and I told her that… ) love her, always will.

Jacqueline also tweeted responses to Teresa’s comments on Watch What Happens Live:

@JacLaurita: Honestly, Caroline asked me to come to dinner with her right after the reunion but I was too exhausted! My head hurt! Lol! I went to sleep.


@JacLaurita: I don’t think T lied,she misunderstood where C’s anger was directed. C couldn’t believe the act by D & wasn’t buying it.Mad,yes, at me? NO!

We all know that is a load of bull, Caroline told Jacqueline to be strong and to stop it when Jacqueline began talking about letting everything go with Danielle. It still isn’t clear why Caroline hates Danielle so much. Caroline accused Danielle of threatening her and every member of her family including Teresa and her family. No one called Caroline out on those charges why wasn’t she required to prove those accusations? How exactly did Danielle threaten them all? Is she still referring to the comment that Danielle made about showing up at their door, and not being alone? That was already brought up and spit out last season on the reunion show.

This year all Danielle threatened to do was “speak louder” when she was shushed. I don’t know about you, but she scared the hell out of me!

Next week’s Watch What Happens Live will feature Ramona Singer of the Real Housewives of New York and Cat Ommanney of DC. As of now only two blogs are up on Bravotv.com, Lynda and Michaele have posted.

http://www.webofdeception.com/whitehousepartycrasher.html

An older article that explains the background of the feud between Tareq Salahi and his mother from the Washington Post:

http://j.mp/9fJT9m

Another Washington Post older piece on the Salahi’s regarding their gate crashing and mounting debts:

http://j.mp/94ZoOB

A few days back I included one of Kelly’s tweets about everyone being obsessed with her hair, apparently I’m not the only one who noticed:

@NaughtyNiceRob: Off to bed! But laughing so loud that @kikilet told people everyone was obsesssed with her hair! Her PR people pitched that story! We passed

@Kikilet: @NaughtyNiceRob awww cutie. dont hate the player, hate the game. Xoxoxoox


@Kikilet: i love @naughtynicerob he just wants some attention for his magazine. its all good. i still like him. freedom of voice, gab away

Oh Kelly, you never fail to do something annoying enough to make it into the blog, but I’m sure that’s your goal so…way to go!

Until Next Time….