B-Side Blog

And then there was one. This past episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County saw our favorite sad-sack, Jeana Keough, bid adieu to the show, leaving just Vicki Gunvalson as the only remaining original cast member. It was a bit unclear what had truly motivated this move — was Jeana under financial distress? Did she hate Vicki? Did she want to spend more time with her children? Either way, she was ready to move on, which meant we’d no longer have a steady stream of passive-aggressive mumbling in the corner. So very sad.
Taking Jeana’s place is the buxom Alexis Bellino, who we met briefly the episode prior. We have yet to learn much about her, but here’s what we do know: she and her husband are decidedly conservative. Not only do they talk about God frequently (in that annoying “Hey look, we’re talking about GOD” way), but they’ve adopted traditional social roles. Alexis’s husband is the breadwinner, and she’s the mommy. Specifically, she stated that her goal in life was to be the best mommy and wife she could be. That apparently includes a rigorous exercise regime and the employment of two nannies for three children. Seems a bit excessive. The good news is that Alexis and her husband do seem like affable, friendly people thus far; although, we’re really only just getting our toes wet with them now. I’m sure there will be some awfulness to come, especially if Alexis’s ordering habits are any indication (her Cadillac margarita required so many footnotes, special requests, and substitutions that I’m shocked she didn’t just hop behind the bar and make the drink herself).
Anyway, I’m sad to see Jeana go, but I’m excited for the drama that another busty blonde can offer the group. Photocap after the jump…

Continue reading “HOUSEWIVES PHOTOCAP: Out With The Old, In With The Boobs”

While I was away in New York, a marvelous thing happened: the new season of The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered, and just in time, too. No disrespect to Nene, Kim, Sherayay et. al, but the Atlanta crew was getting seriously stale by the end of the season. Somewhere at the halfway point, the show became less loony fun and more generic noise. Sometimes it felt like we were watching nothing but a series of photo shoots and Nene gab sessions. Point is that the Atlanta housewives fizzled out in a most boring way.
But now we have the blonde bitches of Orange County to watch, and their shameless cattiness is a pure joy to take in. Picking up right where we left them at last season’s reunion have been Gretchen and Tamra, whose relationship continues to devolve beyond repair. At a dinner for Lynne’s cuff line, the two women exchanged cutting blows, leading to a particularly heated discussion amongst the entire group. It all played out the way we would expect it: Tamra attacked, Gretchen defended, Jeana occasionally piped up with a “That was mean” or “Christ, Tamra” type of comment, and Vicki merely passed judgment with dismissive eyes, amusingly taking Tamra’s side whenever Gretchen deigned to snap back. Ultimately, as this week’s episode began, Gretchen did what we’ve been waiting for her to do: she told Tamra to “shut the f**k up.” This advice was not taken well. Tamra up and stormed out of the dinner, ranting and raving in the hallways about Gretchen sleeping her way to 1.7 million dollars in the process. Yes, it was the glorious ravings of a jealous bitch whose limelight has faded, and it was all wonderful.

Continue reading “HOUSEWIVES PHOTOCAP: Keeping Abreast of the Orange County Ladies”

It’s been a few weeks since I checked in with The Real Housewives of Atlanta. With Thursdays being a logjam of television, the show had become less of a priority, especially given how the second half of the season got kind of boring. Sure, there was some bickering, but nothing particularly fascinating took place. Even the reunion was a little dull. Well, compared to last year’s at least. We had all the standard fare: Sherayay denying she was a lesbian, Nene babbling on about her alcoholic dad, Lisa Wu Hartwell putting a happy spin on her downsized life, Kandi crying about Ajay (that was sad), and of course, Kim attempting to deflect all the questions away from her. There were no fights, there was no yelling, and there certainly were no helicopters & poets. Maybe the good stuff is next week.
Anyway, after the jump, a few pics from the reunion. Bring on Orange County!

Continue reading “HOUSEWIVES PHOTOCAP: How You Gonna Have A Fighting Reunion With No Fighting?”