A Break From Reality

The cast of GG2D restored my faith in Bravo TV!
photo: bravotv.com

By Tara Cushing (@TheBravoBlonde)

I have a confession to make. Reality TV and I have separated, or at least, we were separated. After one too many seasons of forced drama and women tearing down other women, I had just had it. I packed my bags and said goodbye. We were officially on a break. We tried to work things out. Occasionally I would be lured back in with the promise of that old feeling I used to get when I watched The Real Housewives, via a good promo, or an interesting new addition, Lisa Rinna, Eileen Davidson, the anticipation of Bethenny Frankel returning to RHONY, but each time I tried to watch an episode I could only half pay attention. The attraction just wasn’t there like it used to be.

I feared my love affair with Bravo TV was over. How could I still be The Bravo Blonde if I no longer watched Bravo TV? However, those clever Bravo execs found the perfect solution. Whether it be a coincidence, or the reality that reality television may have already piqued, the programming department had the foresight to launch its first scripted series with a cast of characters and actors worthy of prime time on its mothership NBC.Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce had me from the very first episode. It was witty, fun,edgy, and real, as opposed to reality, television.

Every Tuesday night we conducted our affair. I poured the wine at 10pm and gave my undivided attention to all the drama, comedy, and romance that can only be done right when it is authentically faked! How I’d forgotten the joys of character and story development unfolding at the hands of gifted writers, directors, and professional actors. Watching people who graced my television simply because they loved their craft, and not necessarily the glare of the spotlight.

Between GG2D and American Horror Story (the only scripted show I had watched since Desperate Housewives went off the air in 2012) this was the season I went back in time. Back to a time when the small screen was reserved for those who made their profession solely to entertain. It was enjoyable and stress free. To turn off twitter and just watch, as old school as it is, felt fresh and new.

With both shows over for the season, and thankfully both renewed, I have returned to my regularly scheduled programming. My refreshed eyes have readjusted and have been watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills  and The Millionaire Matchmaker again. With the winter ending, hopefully, I plan to be ready to leave my self-imposed hibernation and get back to the circuit meeting the stars of Bravo and beyond.

Yes reality TV, I am watching again. I’m ready to see new seasons of Newlyweds, Real Housewives of New York City, and Real Housewives of Orange County. Or at least I thought I was ready, until I saw the season premier of Shahs of Sunset.

What scripted shows do you like to watch? Do you think reality tv is on the decline? Share your thoughts below!

Reality Roundup

We love Joanna Krupa’s transformation, even though it’s not as drastic as Bruce (Jennerfer) Jenner’s.

By Tara Cushing and Jamie Bertolini

According to Andy Cohen via Twitter, the entire cast of Vanderpump Rules “all let Stassi [Shroeder] ‘have it’” during the reunion filming on Friday. At one point, Jax Taylor tweeted “I need a drink so bad this reunion could not be going any worse ….” The SUR staff posted photos after filming wrapped at PUMP and neither Stassi, nor Kristen Doute were present.

Our deepest condolences to Vicki Gunvalson. The Real Housewives of Orange County star lost her mother on Wednesday. The original OC Housewife posted the following tribute on her Instagram page:

“Tonight I received a phone call that is every person’s

worst nightmare. My amazing, beautiful and strong

mother passed on and is now with the love of her life

my father in heaven. I am who I am today because

of her. An amazing cook, organized, bold personality

and had a sense of style and fashion I adored. I miss you

so much mommy! My life will never be the same without

you to give me advice and your wisdom. You were so healthy

and so vibrant, and so beautiful. I still need you. I love you MOM.”

 

In other unfortunate RHOC news, Radar Online reports that one season wonder Peggy Tanous is not only divorced from husband Micah, but could also soon be homeless. According to Radar, Tanous has missed a whopping 75 mortgage payments on her $840K home, and that she filed for bankruptcy two years ago. Court documents show that Tanous is only bringing in an estimated $30K a year. Her only current income is $2500 per month in checks from her ex, although she has never publicly acknowledged their split. We have interviewed Peggy and she has always remained a friend of TBB ‘s Twitter. If the reports are true, we wish her the best during this trying time.

Caroline Manzo’s son, Christopher Manzo of the Real Housewives of New Jersey had a second chance on Millionaire Matchmaker this week. According to his interview on Bravotv.com, he is still single but has dated since appearing on the show.

Real Housewives of Miami gone Beverly Hills Joanna Krupa took to Instagram to show off a new bob this week. The model had her hair cut by dry cut specialist and stylist to the stars, Mika Fowler. The new do is a sophisticated look for Krupa. We love the upgrade! To see more of Mika’s work you can follow her @mikafowler on twitter and @mikafowlerxx on Instagram.

In Million Dollar Listing New York news, Fredrik Eklund and his husband Derek Kaplan have once again listed their Manhattan apartment for sale. The recently renovated, West 27^th Street home is on the market for $2,995,000. Fredrik and Luis D. Ortiz also announced that they’ve co-listed a Chelsea Penthouse to the tune of $6 million. We are wondering if this will be seen on the net season of MDLNY.

Good news for GG2D fans: Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce has been renewed for a second season and production is set to begin filming this summer. Bravo‘s first big foray into scripted television has been a big hit.

It appears that Kristen Taekman and Bethenny Frankel are not hitting it off as filming continues for The Real Housewives of New York City. According to Kristen’s interview on Bravotv.com. Kristen states, “I feel like I was really looking forward to getting to know her,” she tells the New York Daily News, “and at this point I feel like that hasn’t really happened yet in a way that I wanted to.” Will Kristen have a glass of Skinnygirl tossed at her next season? We will have to wait and see.

Southern Charm fans, T. Rav returns to our TVs on March 16. Being a South Carolina resident (Jamie) and quite a fan of Charleston, I love this show and the drama that it brings! Also, I can’t wait to see the rise and fall of Ravenel’s campaign if we’re being totally honest here.

Outside of Bravo TV, network news heavyweight Brian Williams is involved in a scandal that’s becoming sleazier than one of his daughter’s scenes on Girls. The Nightly News anchor and managing editor is stepping away from the news desk at NBC for an undisclosed period of time, following allegations that he lied about his personal experiences and eyewitness accounts. NBC is investigating while Lester Holt will be filling in for Williams.

Last we bring you more news about Bruce Jenner, here on in referred to as Jennerfer. Jennerfer has been a huge topic of conversation over the last few weeks with the reveal that he/she is indeed undergoing a gender metamorphosis. After months of speculation following surgery to remove his Adam’s Apple, the former Olympic athlete and Keeping Up With the Kardashians star has finally come out, or his family pushed him out, of  the gender reassignment closet. Rumored to be filming a docu-series for E!, and revealing his/her process in an exclusive Diane Sawyer interview, Jennerfer already had enough emotional stress. Sadly Jennerfer was involved in a fatal car accident in Malibu, along the Pacific Coast Highway Saturday morning. While he/she walked away without a scratch, the Lexus Jennerfer rear-ended was struck by a Hummer when it was pushed into oncoming traffic, killing the driver. According to TMZ police are obtaining a search warrant for Jennerfer’s cellphone to determine if the accident is a result of texting while driving, which is illegal in the state of California. If it is determined that Jennerfer was texting at the time of the accident, he/she could be charged with vehicular manslaughter.

 

Reality Roundup November 22, 2014

Reality Roundup by Tara Cushing (The Bravo Blonde)

Will Lisa Rinna be the new queen of the Housewives?
Source:stylebistro.com

Ramona Singer and Real Housewives of New York City castmates celebrated in Atlantic City last weekend. The group, which included Bethenny Frankel, whose filmed birthday celebration we reported about last week, hopped aboard a party bus to celebrate the newly single Singer’s birthday.

Countess LuAnn DeLesseps shared a photo on her social media that showed the cast, and an unidentified blonde, lined up on their way to one of my favorite places, The Borgata Casino Hotel. This is the first time the cast was filmed at the Jersey Shore and not their usual weekend playground, the Hamptons. I’ve got three thoughts, who is the unknown woman, I wish I had gone there last weekend, and is Bravo’s cast vacay budget shrinking?

It’s a trend! It seems that Housewife returns aren’t going to stop. The latest name to be dropped as a born again HW is Caroline Manzo. Radar Online reports that with its star Teresa Giudice leaving the land of fur collars for the cell of orange jumpsuits, Bravo execs are trying to get a game plan together for the next season.

A source told Radar that both Caro and Jacqueline Laurita are very good prospects for full time status once again for season 7. One factor is that ratings increased when Jacqueline and Kathy Wakile both returned to the show for small parts during the ratings starved season 6. For those who are wondering if Caroline returning means that Manzo’d With Childen is not, the source told Radar that the spin-off actually “exceeded Bravo’s expectation ratings-wise and they are definitely interested in another season.”  Check out TBB next week when we post a Jacqueline exclusive in which she talks about plans for next season!

How would you feel about a double dose of the Manzo family? If Caroline were to return she would be joining the ranks of her estranged sister, Dina Manzo, and Bethenny Frankel as Housewives who learned the hard way to never say never. Also on that list are Camille Grammer, who called her actor ex Kelsey a “dick” and an “ass” on Watch What Happens Live  on Tuesday, Taylor Armstrong, and Adrienne Maloof. All three women made return appearances on this week’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills premiere. How much of them we will see this season? We hope enough to keep it interesting.

While on the topic of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, E!Online says that everybody’s new favorite 90210-er is going to be Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place alum Lisa Rinna. Rinna, who has several reality series to her credit (Celebrity Apprentice,Dancing with the Stars and Harry Loves Lisa) told E! that filming RHOBH was “was very close to doing Melrose Place without a script in your hand.” Interesting words for “reality”. If any of you have seen the trailer of Lisa tossing a glass of what appears to be wine at Kim Richards, you have to be wondering if a veteran soap star isn’t going to be acting at least a bit. Fellow soap actress Eileen Davidson is also joined the series. Bring on the drama queens! What are your thoughts on actresses on reality television?

H-A-P-P-Y–H-O-L-I-D-A-Y-S–F-R-O-M–T-B-B-!–C-L-I-C-K-4-U-R-G-I-F-T

 

On Beyond Bravo by Lesley Rousso

Can Kathy carry Joan?
Photo credit: Getty Images

Although she hasn’t confirmed it personally, TMZ is reporting that Kathy Griffin will take the place of Joan Rivers on Fashion Police. Reportedly the show will no longer be  airing weekly and will be downsized to only awards shows and special events. Radar Online reports that Griffin was handpicked for the show by Rivers’ daughter Melissa. Do you think Kathy can fill Joan’s shoes?

Radar Online is reporting that Kyle Chrisley, the troubled son of Todd Chrisley, is making claims that his father is in fact gay. The family patriarch’s sexual orientation has been questioned since Chrisley Knows Best began airing due to him being overly flamboyant. Kyle, whom his father says is bipolar, is not the first one to make this claim. A former male employee sued the reality star after he asked him to perform a sex act on him. What are your thoughts on Todd Chrisley?

MTV reality star Diem Brown passed away last Friday after an extremely long battle with cancer. Family and friends payed tribute to her in a memorial service held in Manhattan on Tuesday. Her sister and friends eulogized her and Tricia Yearwood sang. Former The Challenge castmates, including Chris “CT” Tamburello, Diem’s on again off again boyfriend, were also on hand at the 34 year old’s funeral. We send her family love and prayers.

 

We are happy to introduce our new and improved Reality Roundup! We know you are busy and will still offer the same all in one place gossip “cheat sheet”, but we will also give you the option of reading it as the gossip grows during the week. Read now or read later, it’s up to you, but we will have the latest buzz waiting for you when you are ready!

Tell us below what you think of the new Reality Roundup format and any opinions you have on this week’s news!

Let the tongues wag!