The dating pool in Orange County must be tiny because TMZ announced this week that former Real Housewives of Orange County cast member Elizabeth Lyn Vargas is now coupled up with none other than Jim Bellino.
Bring her back on the show, now. Former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dina Manzo can finally rest easier, hopefully, after her ex was sentenced to 7 years in prison for hiring a mobster to assault her now-husband. Tamra Judge is dealing with swift backlash for saying she’s ‘on the spectrum’ after one therapy session. Days after her announcement, she’s now saying she feels ‘horrible’ and ‘beat down’ - which is actually how a lot of us feel after hearing her speak. Over in Potomac, Mia is being both embarrassing and messy, calling Gordon out over alimony and…their 30-year age gap? And we finally get Jared Osmond onscreen on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City after Britani’s on-and-off-again beau lets cameras roll during their makeup.
Real Housewives of Potomac delivers an Emmy-worthy episode
This week’s episode of Real Housewives of Potomac was excellently produced. I mean, it had everything you could ask for – the continuation of the fallout from Gizelle’s ‘hatitude’ event she threw for Karen, an insightful conversation about race, learning more about Stacey’s storylines and of course, invite gate.
With the season only being two episodes in and already packing quite the punch, you have to ask, is it expert casting? Expert producing? The perfect blend of both? Probably. But if you ask me, I think it’s the sheer amount of storylines there are to follow, along with the conflicting dynamics and loyalties within the group.
Gizelle and Ashley threw a fundraiser under their clothing brand, GnA, which is now expanding into the wellness space, to help raise money for the National Brain Tumor Society. This was all inspired by the loss of Gizelle’s dad to brain cancer, which humanized her for fans who previously viewed her as unemotional and cold. The women confirmed they’d be attending this event, but the day of the event, Karen texted the group inviting them to a ceremony she was being honoured at.
The fallout from this was chaotic and layered. Naturally, Gizelle was pissed. This event meant a lot to her and was very personal. Most of the group felt uncomfortable about the position they were in, but Wendy and Keiarna had no problem saying their priority was supporting Karen. Remember – the last GnA event Keairna attended wound her up in a fight with a “Sesame Street character”, according to thee Candiace Dillard.
When the women call to let Ashley know they’d be there (at some point), Ashley gives them an 8 p.m. cutoff time, letting them know it’s not going to be well-received if they arrived any later than that. Watching on as the women try to make it to both events with a one-hour window and a 24-minute drive between the two venues was, for me, the equivalent of watching a Liam Neeson movie. And watching Gizelle kick them out with the help of security for arriving just three minutes after 8 was, well, a theatrical masterpiece.
There’s a lot to unpack. Gizelle had a right to be pissed. And we know Karen is only acting this way because her reputation is so bruised, as is her ego, that she’s doing whatever she can to remain the Grand Dame. With Stacey being a new, likeable addition to the cast and Gizelle, who is way more likeable among fans now that Robyn is off the show, Karen is at risk of losing her rank in the group. I’d say she’s already started.
This incident really helped us understand who each woman is at their core. Gizelle was offended and felt betrayed not only by the women for attending Karen’s event first, but by Karen, who stole the spotlight from Gizelle on a really monumental occasion. Ashley, on the otherhand, was cool as a cucumber, even-keeled and proved to be a loyal, supportive business partner to Gizelle. Stacey was the most concerned with the ethics of all of this, while Wendy and Keiarna remained loyal to Karen. And Mia was hypocritical, talking about not doing “tasteless or classless” the same episode she talked about the mystery of her son’s paternity with her ex-husband whose laundry she does with her new man. Girl, please. This is peak Real Housewives. Confusion, chaos, pettiness, mess, nuance, loyalty, disloyalty, and everything in between. I cannot wait to see how this unfolds.
Jennifer confronts Tamra for background checking Ryan
In an explosive scene rounding off this week’s episode of Real Housewives of Orange County, a very pissed off Jen confronts Tamra for doing a background check on Ryan. Tamra, of course, denies the allegations, but Jen is adamant that she conducted the check.
As the confrontation continues, Tamra tries to clarify that it wasn’t an official background check, but a check through some sort of *checks notes* “real estate guy”. Rightfully, Jen asks Tamra what her concern is, and what Ryan has to do with Tamra.
What stood out to me the most in this fiery confrontation was the fact that, annoyingly, Tamra kept clapping her hands, kind of like a seal. And when Jen asked her why she was applauding, she said she was happy to see Jen using her voice.
Tamra’s right. It was so refreshing to see Jen defend herself, specifically to this extent and specifically to this monster, who often goes unchecked for her behaviour and hypocrisy. And according to the episode of Watch What Happens Live, everyone agrees. Even Heather Dubrow, who, in a confessional, said she was impressed by this.
An audience poll was conducted on WWHL about who was right and wrong in this situation and the vote was unanimously in favour of Jen, who, before storming out of the room, reminded Tamra that she has all of her kids with her and that she’s a ‘better human being’ than she will ever be. Chef’s kiss, truly.
Joel Kim Booster’s lame, delayed apology
A few weeks ago, Joel Kim Booster, the creator and star of Fire Island and the host of a Housewives dating show called Love Hotel, levied some serious allegations against Shannon Beador, saying she mistreated the crew while filming.
In a now-deleted Instagram story, he slammed her, calling her a ‘pathetic drunk’ who is ‘best known for a string of failed relationships’. This was not well-received by the audience who, as we know, have overwhelmingly sided with Shannon in her split from John Janssen and in her beef, or rather, Alexis’ beef with her. Besides audience favourites, though, it was hugely unprofessional. Even Gizelle agrees. Like, the show hasn’t even premiered yet and he’s already put his foot in his mouth, forcing him to issue this very messy, very lame and very convoluted apology.
Perhaps the question is why? What did he have to gain from this? I think Joel was looking for a moment. A manufactured one at that, sure, but I think he was looking to stir up some drama, maybe get a mention on the show, and get some podcast appearances out of it. He revealed in his lame apology that his tangent was inspired by an issue on set, and there is no way to prove your lack of qualifications to host if this is your response to that. Jeff Probst, Ariana Madix, hell even Monica Garcia would never. Should’ve kept that one in the drafts, Joel!
