11 Comments

Another show that I don't watch but enjoy the hell out of the discourse. LOL!

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Me too!

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I like the way Jenna Lyons stays out of the drama. She's the perfect foil for all the madness that happens with everyone else. Let's face it, *someone* needs to stay sane.

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I love Brian!

At one point I watched every single Housewives show, including the DC one. Those were the days! I have tapped in and out throughout the years, but Jenna Lyons (have to use her full name!) brought me back to RHONY. She couldn't save it for me though, and I lost interest. I love her style and her home, but the whole "I flew separate because I'm tall and needed to go business class" rubbed me the wrong way. If everyone else is flying together and traveling in a Sprinter van, you do too. It showed that she was allowed to make her own rules, and in combination with her natural reticence, made her a little boring, imo.

I think I'll find Rebecca Minkoff's arc interesting, between her buisness, her religion, her Substack, and the public's perceptions of her, if they have any (I really don't think most people know her as a person, just a name on a handbag).

I also had no idea Teresa was a buyer for Macy's! That flies in the face of what I (sorry) considered to be her business brain, as you've got to know your numbers and be able to analyze if you're a buyer.

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Two of my favorite writers in wonderful conversation.

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This made me think of Tinsley Mortimer, which, like obviously made me think of Olivia Palermo. Olivia Palermo on RHONY? Can you imagine? Like just look at her wedding renewal vows in Baden Baden

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The Hills and the City casts - now that I’d watch! Olivia’s entire wedding redux look and that weird wet hair had me 🧐

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I didn't even catch the wet hair. All I saw was the little german girl cosplay. It was very "I am rich and I'm not sorry"

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Lol totally! But not rich enough to not sponsor her wedding on instagram

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Spot-on re: double-F Fendi, LV Louis, etc. It's a symbol of "mama, I made it - now I'm gonna flex on them" rather than the #iykyk quiet-luxury pieces that don't provide the same signal. The bit about VICs also reminds me of how these same brands have long needed the influence and co-sign of people of color, yet give us the "Oprah-at-Hermès" treatment when we show up in real life. And Jenna's role as the voice of reason is well-honed - it's essentially what she did at J. Crew when she was able to keep Mickey Drexler in check (for a time).

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i have always wondered about this franchise. Does each participant tell the writers what is happening in their lives and the writer write stories around them? If a participant doesn’t have a lot going on do they get together and say this is what is going to happen this season, you will have a sister who comes out as a lesbian and previously had an affair with a guy. The writer, participants figure out which designers they will use, what product placement will be, and tie in with other franchises? I mean I look at this very very rarely and don’t have streaming service where I live. I also to be honest find these shows corrosive to the fabric of society in general. For me, not only do I not want these women in my house, but in my life. The amount of personal upkeep has got to be equivalent to a salary for an assistant 60k range?

I realize I am not the target market for these shows. I want shows that have a particular value these days. I want shows that introduce me to authors, cooking instructors, people who make clothes for themselves, or farmers making their own yarn. I want to learn how to garden, can produce, bake bread without breaking the bank. I want clever furniture/life hacks and want to know the best pair of affordable jeans under $60. how to spot treasures at the thrift store. What staples should be in every home, and talk about community endeavors that helped everyone involved. I honestly can find the basic building blocks and we all need that. Tips for when the electricity is out for days, how to mend a zipper and how to wire a lamp. I know I can look to PBS for some shows, but even there they are doing major renovations (this old house) that is unaffordable, Milk street is a little too snooty, and I want things that I can do in rough times to spread my resources out.

I just feel that these shows are set up to make you feel bad. You didn’t hit the genetic jackpot, married well, or won the lottery, look at the lavish way I live. You can’t afford this so you are an outsider until you hit the lottery, marry well, or have a sex tape that goes viral.

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