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! 

 

My Night in AC-Andy Cohen Talks Live with Anderson Cooper

Hoping to meet Andy again for a better photo op… (and a job..pick me Andy, pick me!)

On Friday November 14th Bravo fans flocked to the 92nd Street Y on New York’s swanky UES (that’s Upper East Side for you out of towners).  The crowd, like so many I have been a part of, was there to meet a Bravoleb but this was no ordinary Bravolebrity, and it wasn’t even an ordinary meet and greet. This was the pen-ultimate Bravolebrity appearance. The fairy godfather of the Housewives himself, Andy Cohen,was taking to the stage to share a few laughs and promote his new book The Andy Cohen Diaries , with…wait for it…Anderson Cooper.

Dandy Andy and The Silver Fox (as I’ve heard the other AC is called in some circles). Thank The Lord for my guardian former intern That Housewife Guy (Brent Osborne) who knows by now that half the time I’m so buried in my to-do list that I miss these opportunities unless they are placed right in front of my face. This was one ticket that I didn’t mind buying. Let’s face it, I’m not “comped by Andy Cohen” successful…yet. The $70 ticket got me entry to the event and the book. It also got me seated in the balcony next to some cackling battle-axe who smelled like offensive old lady perfume and shushed me when I arrived (late as usual). (Go ahead and flame me folks, but I stand by that I’m not mean, I’m honest!)

Due to traffic that made our last mile to 92nd street take 25 minutes, we missed the grand intro and entrance, but luckily our books, all copies were sold out, were still waiting for us. So was a lot of fun and gossip. Andy and Anderson will probably hate me for saying this, but their chemistry is amazing. They know each other so well and it’s tough not to wonder why they aren’t together in THAT way. They talk a lot about their adventures with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. (Seriously…can we be sure they aren’t in some best kept entertainment industry secret love connection?)

Anywho Andy divulged much from his Shallow Year that is outlined in the book. His audience question answers, however aren’t. So I took some notes:

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If Andy could do an all-star Housewives cast it would include Nene (Leakes), Vicki (Gunvalson), Teresa (Giudice), Lisa Vanderpump, and Bethenny (Frankel). Speaking of Bethenny, she initially came back to Bravo trying to pitch a new show. It took some time, but Andy planted the seed that eventually brought her back to RHONY. Though Andy likes to showcase large personalities on TV, he himself would never do a reality show, though he loves doing Watch What Happens Live, and knew he had made-it when the show was picked up for 5 nights a week. Somebody you will never see on WWHL is Howard Stern. Apparently they have tried and Stern thinks he is too big for The Clubhouse. However, Andy still aims high even after his Oprahcalypse. His wish list includes Madonna (who he once was on the same plane with) and Michele Obama who said she may do it late second term.

I tried to get a question about Housewife divorces delivered, but that bad breathed old hen next to me made it impossible for me to get my index card to the usher. It didn’t matter however, because I got my moment. After the show Andy agreed to sign all the books in the audience. I wonder if he had known how many books there were if he would have still done that. Alas, a benefit to being stuck in the way back of the balcony next to Madame le Stench, those front rowers were screwed! We got a decent spot in line, and though there wasn’t much time to take a decent picture, Mr. Cohen did stop mid signature while reading my post it. “Are you on Twitter he asked?”

“Yes, I’m The Bravo Blonde, I have a blog where I write about your shows.”

“I know you! I know you from Twitter,” Andy exclaimed, excited to see somebody he sort of recognized in that crazy sea of fandom.

“Yes, and you know my Miami writer, Lesley Rousso, Mommy Rou.”

“She came to my show!”

Then I was shooed off by a guard but not before I was able to say, “My goal is to work for you!”

See Andy, I can dream big too!

Jamie Bertolini Reviews LVP’s SUR and Pump Lounges

by Jamie Bertolini

When my cousin and I entered SUR, of Vanderpump Rules fame, we were greeted before finding a spot at the front bar. Chad, our bartender that evening, spoke to us and served us promptly. Every drink was delicious. We tried all three signature LVP Sangrias  (the red was my favorite while the white was my cousin’s favorite.) I also tried the SUR signature drink, Lisa’s Big Pinky—Vanderpump Vodka, fresh lime, mint and a splash of cranberry. It was a little sweeter than what I usually go for but I did enjoy it. Overall, my experience at SUR was excellent and I’d go back in a heartbeat. The atmosphere, music and service all contributed to making it a great evening.

We didn’t spend much time at the Lisa’s other hot spot, PUMP, but we did have a few glasses of champagne and sat in the garden. It’s just as beautiful as SUR and has chandeliers EVERYWHERE. Truly, as a designer, both spaces did it for me.

We did walk by Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd’s, Villa Blanca restaurant on Sunday. It was very busy. The décor was just beautiful. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fans should note that it’s right down the street from Kyle Richards’ boutique Kyle by Alene Too.

I hope you enjoyed my taste of the RHOBH!

Be sure to tune into Bravo for the premiere on Tuesday November 18th!

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