Reality Update

EPISODE RECAP: Real Housewives of NYC, Episode 7

realityupdate — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:03:32 +0000

Oh Kelly. Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, Kelly.

Where do we start? Going into last night’s showdown-happy episode of the Real Housewives of New York, it seem the countess/soon-to-be x-countess/countess in spirt LuAnn de Lesseps would steal the show with the breaking news of her separation from the count earlier in the day (was that planned?)

Kelly Killoren Bensimon

However, Kelly Killoren Bensimon took that honor. We see Kelly still steaming from last week’s encounter when Bethenny Frankel, where she called Kelly “Madonna” for her apparent lack of compassion or interest for Jill Zarin’s arthritis charity.

We hear Kelly say it’s high school behavior, and such confrontation is completely inappropriate.

So what does she do? Set up a confrontation with Bethenny!

The has-been model invited the health foods entrepreneur to meet at a bar for yet another RHNY showdown, and as far as it came off on television, I’m calling Bethenny 1, Kelly 0.

Kelly was 30 minutes late. She was frantic and out of control, in Bethenny’s face, constantly shifting in her seat and rambling. And she hardly made sense.

Bethenny, meanwhile, called her out her tardiness (“Too bad,” Kelly tells her when she arrives). She appeared honest and in control. And if you want to talk about class, Bethenny brought it.

You have to hand it to the countess later on in the show, who reacts confused at Kelly’s version of the events. In a limo ride to an event, LuAnn laughs when Kelly tells her she not only set up the meeting but was 30 minutes late.

“Honey goes a long way,” with Bethenny, LuAnn tells the camera later.

This brings us to yet another one of last night’s many showdowns: Jill Zarin vs. Mario Singer (spouse of housewife Ramona Singer).

We see Mario get in Jill’s face (“You’re fifteen minutes of fame are getting to your head” he tells her) and taunt her about an upcoming tennis match (Mario was some amazing tennis player that none of us have ever heard of).

Jill gets increasingly upset (“I’m going to punch you in the face”), tries to ignore him while on her blackberry and calls her “security” (her driver? who was this guy? and where was her husband?)

Now, was it just me, or do you find it completely inappropriate for a man to get into it with one of his wife’s friends? Isn’t that his wife’s territory?

And Jill, stop smiling when you get angry. And start telling people to get out of your face when it’s time. Oh, and Jill’s husband, really, you got to step in dude, that went a little too far.

I’m calling Mario 0, Jill 1.

Mario hadn’t had enough with Jill, however, and made his way with Ramona into another little tizzy with Brooklyn couple Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen. Initially the four were having a gregarious conversation (even Ramona was talking to Simon) about the run-in with Jill and their set up for a re-match tennis game.

But things turned less cordial when Simon asked what retail entrepreneur couple’s problem was with the van Kempens.

That’s when Ramona confesses they were extremely upset that the van Kempens came to an event at their home 24 hours before naked photos of Alex were released.

“You knew,” Ramona says, to which Alex and Simon say they didn’t, they were as surprised as anyone.

The blasphemy! Then, Simon rightfully calls Ramona out for hanging out with a Playboy Playmate model and turning the knife on the van Kempens.

“Hypocrites,” Simon calls out as they walk away from the feud.

On this one, I’m calling Simon/Alex 1, Ramona/Mario 0.

Next week: we find out Jill’s secret partner in the Mario tennis match. This should be fun!

-Posted by Mariah

BREAKING NEWS: Real Housewives NYC star to get divorce

realityupdate — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:37:44 +0000

Photo credit: Bravo

Luann de Lesseps, also known as “The Countess” is getting a divorce, after her husband confessed to falling in love with another woman, the New York Post is reporting.

De Lesseps was supposedly blindsided by the news, and only learned after she couldn’t get ahold of him after one of his frequent trips to Europe.

“Luann was blindsided. She was just devastated,” the Post quotes a pal as saying. “They have basically lived apart for many years — he lives in Europe and comes and goes as he pleases, but she never thought this would happen.”

The couple have two children together.

Readers, what do you think? Is it surprising that Luann is getting a divorce? Did anyone see this coming?

EPISODE RECAP: Real Housewives of New York City

realityupdate — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:57:42 +0000

Please welcome our newest contributor, Mariah! This is her first episode recap of “Real Housewives of New York City.”

Let the Bethenny and Kelly showdown begin!

On last night’s episode of the Real Housewives of New York City, we saw health foods entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel and Kelly Killoren Bensimon go at it over the has-been model’s lack of interest volunteering her name to an arthritis charity event.

Photo credit: Bravo

And the showdown was sweet! Bethenny calls Kelly a “Madonna” to which Kelly reacts defensively. The moment followed Kelly’s earlier reflection that Bethenny has a serious problem with her.

You think?

Last night, Bethenny reveals she visited Kelly’s apartment two years ago with her then boyfriend, rock-n-roll photographer Kevin Mazur to attend a private Ginny Hilfiger fashion show. Kelly was MIA initially, only to appear later to “flirt” with Kevin.

Fast-forward to the Jill Stuart show at New York Fashion Week, and Kelly and Bethenny are seated front row next to each other with plenty of tension in the air. Bethenny tells Kelly the shows are really Kelly’s thing, not hers. And gives her the cold shoulder.

Back to the charity meeting.

Kelly arrived 30 minutes late to the meeting that had Bethenny, Long Islander Jill Zarin and daughter Allyson, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps well into discussions about an upcoming event.

The charity, CreakyJoints, is Jill’s special project. Daughter Ally has arthritis, to which Kelly responded “That’s cute.”

Uh, right.

Next, we see the ladies looking over a mocked up invitation for the event, and the ladies learn they will be listed as co-chairs. To which we see Kelly say, uh, no, I don’t think so.

“I don’t lend my name out to anything,” she tells the ladies forcefully.

Already, earlier in the episode, we see Kelly tell Luanne that she just “doesn’t do charities.”

This is also in the same episode where we hear Kelly tell us her money comes from a successful writing career for a variety of publications, including the New York Post’s Page Six.

And that was just one of last night’s showdown.

Ramona Singer hands Simon van Kempen another blistering comment during their own NY fashion week front row run-in: “You have no depth,” the blonde told him as he hovered awkwardly over her seat. It was part two of the pair’s unfriendly run-ins, the last one during RH’s last season when Simon showed up for a “girl’s night.”

Alex McCord retrieves her husband, but not until it’s too late. Simon harped Ramona for a handshake, then a kiss and then a reason for for her annoyance.

The conflict made for a good episode in which we also saw Jill shopping among $30,000 Zang Toi dresses at a special showing and later a private fashion show for Jill and other Toi friends. The only other Housewife in attendance, Bethenny, even admits she couldn’t afford even one of the designer’s pieces.

Jill reflects how lucky she is to get this sort of private showing, but girlfriend, I have news for you: Zoi just likes your pocketbook, and your friend’s pocketbooks, and that camera tailing you in last night’s episode.

Denise Richards Voted Off Dancing With the Stars

realityupdate — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:43:50 +0000

Photo credit: ABC

We have another Cloris Leachman: despite his terrible dancing skills, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is winning over viewers with his geeky charm and staying on the show while actress Denise Richards was voted off on Tuesday.

Richards said “it’s been fun, I’m a huge fan of the show and will continue to be.”

Wozniak said he is the “luckiest person in the world,” even though he was given the lowest score, 10, in six seasons of Dancing With the Stars.

Tuesday Morning Update

realityupdate — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:41:47 +0000

DeAnna Pappas/ABC

The Bachelorette: Word is that new Bachelorette Jillian Harris may be lying to and manipulating the men on her show…Another report says Harris is preparing to be edgy in advance of filming for the show…Former bachelorette DeAnna Pappas says she didn’t travel to New Zealand to woo Jason back.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Kim skips out on her own charity event…Housewife NeNe Leakes will be writing a book called “Never Make the Same Mistake Twice.”

America’s Next Top Model: It’s tough for short models to succeed in fashion…Two former Top Model contestants have landed in the pages of Vogue…New policies adopted for auditions after the riot.

The Amazing Race: Flight attendants Christie and Jodi are eliminated from the race…What it is like to audition for the show.

The Real World: The show is looking for roommates in Alabama.

American Idol: Ousted singer Alexis Grace says it was hard being away from her child while filming the show…David Cook condemns crazed fans who look up his hotel rooms…Are the contestants lip-synching the group numbers?

Dancing With The Stars: Contestant Melissa says there’s no jealousy or cat fights on the show…The show is inching closer to American Idol in ratings war.

Bethenny Frankel/WireImage.com

The Real Housewives of New York City: Housewife Bethenny Frankel releases her book on dieting.

Celebrity Apprentice: A recap of Sunday’s episode, where the women finally lose.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey: A peek at the ladies who will be starring in Bravo’s latest installment in the “Real Housewives” series.

The Hills: Audrina Partridge starts filming for her own reality show…Lauren Conrad’s clothing line is shut down.

The Bachelor: Former Bachelor Andrew Firestone and his wife have a baby boy.

Random bits: In defense of reality television…Families tell what it’s like to be filmed for a reality TV show.

OC Housewife Gretchen has a new man

realityupdate — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:41:44 +0000

Remember OC “Real” Housewife and gold-digger Gretchen Rossi, whose fiance passed away last September?

Looks like she has moved on with former OC Housewife Jo’s ex, Slade Smiley.

Pictures surfaced of the two kissing on a boat. (Wonder who tipped off the papparazzi, her or Slade?)

Wednesday Morning Update

realityupdate — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:44:41 +0000

The City: Whitney Port and her rocker boyfriend, Jay Lyon, broke up on Monday.

Whitney Port/Exposay.com

Dancing With the Stars: Belinda Carlisle is the first celebrity cut from the show…Celebrity dancer Steve-O says he’s feeling better after his back injury.

America’s Next Top Model: Tyra promises a second chance for models that had to leave audition due to a riot.

Real Housewives of New York City: Housewife Bethenny Frankel says the rumor she is dating baseball player Alex Rodriguez is untrue, but wouldn’t mind if he called…And a little bit more about how Bethenny stays so thin…LuAnn bashes the editing of the show in an interview with W magazine…Housewife Alex McCord was laid off from her job at Victoria’s Secret.

American Idol: Is there a juicy tell-all book in the works? (I hope so.)…Judge Paula Abdul says she’s looking for a soulmate, wants children…A recap of this week’s show…ousted Idol contestant Jorge Nunez blames a cultural differences on being voted off.

Millionaire Matchmaker: Man featured on the show says he’s happy the show allowed him to show off his resort.

Top Chef: Former cheftestant Carla Hall talks about how she stays skinny and eats what she wants.

Jon and Kate Plus 8: A recap of Monday night’s episode…TLC is capitalizing on the show’s success.

The Hills: Spencer tells the View ladies that Heidi’s mom really doesn’t like him.

The Real World: Brooklyn: Housemate Ryan Conklin said he’s excited to be called to duty in Iraq.

Random bits: Get ready for the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Is American Idol rigged?

realityupdate — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:32:57 +0000

Someone who works on the staff of the hit reality show American Idol is running around telling people that the show is rigged and the top four have already been chosen.

American Idol contestant Lil Rounds/FOX

According to the New York Daily News:

The female “AI” worker told a “group of people that the last four are going to be Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Adam Lambert and Alexis Grace,” said our insider. Asked if this was opinion or actual fact, the staffer vehemently retorted, “Those ARE the people,” saying it wasn’t mere speculation.

Jesse Csincsak: Bachelor Jason Mesnick wasn’t pressured by producers

realityupdate — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:40:32 +0000

Jesse Csincsak and Jason Mesnick/ABC

Former Bachelorette contestant Jesse Csincsak is defending the Bachelor Jason Mesnick for his very public break-up with Melissa Rycroft to In Touch Weekly.

Csincsak said Jason didn’t plan the break-up in advance. “We’re both from Ohio, and I believe him when he says he didn’t plan any of this.”

He said DeAnna also introduced him to Holly, his current girlfriend who is on the Bachelor: London Calling season.

“After we broke up, I called Holly and said, “Hey, would you like to come out to Colorado and go snowboarding?” So far, it’s great! We’re just taking it slow.”

Tuesday Morning Update

realityupdate — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:02:47 +0000

Real Housewives of New York: Housewife and stuck-up socialite Kelly Killoren Bensimon was arrested for allegedly hitting her boyfriend.

Kelly Killoren Bensimon

Dancing With the Stars: Check out former Girls Next Door star Holly Madison and Bachelor reject Melissa Rycroft on the show’s Monday premiere….Another recap of the show with Melissa gushing about the experience.

The City: Is heartbroken Whitney Port ready for life in the big city?

Jon and Kate Plus 8: Jon Gosselin denies marital troubles.

American Idol: The season really begins now…Entertainment Weekly has advice for the final 13.

Survivor: Camera-operator has seizure while interviewing Jeff Probst…Survivor: China winner Todd Herzog is dating a Spencer from Survivor: Tocantins.

The Amazing Race: Ousted racers Amanda and Kris talk about being on the show.

Real World: A fascinating look at what it’s like to audition for the Real World.