Absurd and dull. Thanks to Andy Cohen’s unwillingness to ask a real question, there were no fireworks, just absurdities.
Absurd: Gretchen’s denial of the general, world-wide Slade Smiley hatred. Buying Jo de la Rosa’s music catalog? Slade is still trying to hurt Jo, and using Gretchen to do it. Slime ball.
Absurd: Memo to Lynne Curtin: a wolf is a better mother than you. And the face-lift is fucked up.
Sublime: Vicki’s behavior (so far) Calling out Gretchen on Slade’s lie about his relationship with Lauri Waring, Gretchen needed to hear the truth.
Sublime: Seeing Tamra Barney come into her own, now if only she would get a makeover.
Absurd: Any utterance from the lips of Alexis Bellino, especially concerning her so-called religion. Fasting? Please.
What a sad season finale for the Real Housewives of Orange County. This trainwreck has gone, in five seasons, from high camp to Greek tragedy.
All I was looking forward to was the appearance of Jo de la Rosa, original housewife and ex of Slade Smiley. Alas, that was not to be, instead we get Lauri Waring telling Gretchen Rossi the truth about Slade.
Oh well, on the the Curtin girls. What a sad commentary on the parenting skills of Lynne and Frank, claiming not to know those girls were drinking in the limousine. Equally sad was Slade Smiley feeling the need to tell Frank, thus assuring more camera time for himself. It’s not like Slade gives a damn.
Every time you think you know how little control the parents have, you find out more. Alexa really didn’t understand why she couldn’t have a drink, meaning her parents never said no at home. The whole family needs to be in rehab.
Kara Keough coming along to talk Alexa off the ledge was a great camera moment for Kara, for Alexa, not so much.
We are left wondering if the Curtin’s will be invited back, if there is a season 6. They won’t turn down the invitation…let’s not forget the $90.000 they made this season. They need the money…
The cast of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” during slightly happier times. From left: Tamra Barney, Vicki Gunvalson, Lynne Curtin, Alexis Bellino and Gretchen Rossi. Photo by Isabella Vosmikova, Bravo
If you watched the end of last week’s drama-fueled episode, you’ll recall that it concluded with a catty argument in a San Francisco bar/restaurant between original housewife Vicki Gunvalson and newest housewife Alexis Bellino. Well, that fight continues with some more animosity and verbal jabs thrown.
According to the teaser at the end of episode 12, the ladies take it outside, where more insults and fireworks (the bad kind) are exchanged. We’ll also see another tense discussion between Tamra and Simon Barney, who are teetering toward divorce.
Tamra says, “I spend 90 percent of my time with the kids.”
Simon responds, “You really don’t. Not lately.”
Tamra reveals in a one-on-one interview, “Right now the kids are getting a little bit older and I’m getting a little bit more freedom, and I don’t think Simon likes that a lot.”
Next we see Lynne Curtin talking to her husband Frank in a hotel room. Daughter Alexa, 17, is present too.
Lynne says, “I don’t know what in your past is causing you to, like, lie constantly to me.”
Frank responds, “I swear, I am so sorry.”
Alexa, in her infinite wisdom and appropriateness, says, “I feel like it’s bull(expletive).”
We also see Tamra knocking over a drink back at Waterbar. Everyone laughs, especially Briana Gunvalson, who’s sitting right next to her. Tamra wavers at her seat, then says, “Check please!”
From time to time, I’ll catch an episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County with my wife, and marvel at the parenting in these well-to-do households. A continuing story line this season is Lynne and Frank Curtin’s attempts to get through to their teenage daughter.
Whether this ‘reality’ show really represents reality, only the producers of the show or the families know. If it is a true reflection of the situation, get ready to learn what not to do. I think the show probably distills a complex problem into very simplistic terms.
As portrayed on the show, Alexa does whatever she wants, whenever she wants. She argues, taunts and cries to get what she wants or to escape uncomfortable situations. She has grown up with seemingly no restrictions, and as a 17-year-old, isn’t going to start listening anytime soon. Lynne tries to go between being her best friend and an authority figure.
Talking to veteran parents, they have told me that I haven’t seen anything yet (my daughter Kate is 8 ½ years away from turning into a teenager). When a kid becomes a teenager, that age brings new and different challenges.
As a casual observer of the show, you would think some common sense would make an appearance at some point. But I think starting early, standing firm and applying consistent boundaries and consequences will save lots of grief later on. Ask me in 10 years and I’ll tell you how it’s going!
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