The Bravo Thread

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by DefDumbandBlond

Haha I love the Real Housewives.....series. Except for DC and Miami which were f*cking boring as hell. Sonja on NY is my fave, partly because she loves me haha!

Sonya really rode off the rails this season. I thought she was sweet and sensible last season, but this season she is queen of the mean girls.

[TulaneNO02]

Originally Posted by Amlyn

I work about 5 mins from the Brownstone. I went to a wedding there once too for a family friend about 9 years ago. I saw them recently and they told me that they were not the nicest people to deal with. Gave them lots of problems about paying the bill not all in cash or something. Who walks around with 40k in cash to pay for a wedding? Well, those who aren't well, you know....

My brother and sister-in-law had their wedding reception at the Brownstone shortly before RHONJ began and they actually had a positive experience working with the Manzos. Being from out-of-state, I'd never heard of the place until the wedding, but I thought that the Brownstone was a really cool reception venue and the food was awesome.

Sidenote: my family is not wealthy, nor are they mafia.

[DefDumbandBlond]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Sonya really rode off the rails this season. I thought she was sweet and sensible last season, but this season she is queen of the mean girls.

Yeah she has her moments but she's really sweet off the cameras.

[mezzoforte]

So, who saw RHONY tonight? I only watched like ten minutes as I'm supposed to be studying for my practice LSAT tomorrow. (Right now I wish more of my knowledge were in logical reasoning, less in Bravo.)

I can't comment on much, but can say with absolute certainty: bad feng shui does not drive anyone millions of dollars in debt. Turning your bed to face the direction of prosperity will not relieve anyone of debts.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

That was per episode, not the entire season! I believe I read that the going rate now is $30,000 per episode, which puts them on a par with actors on scripted network shows. So it's no wonder these shows are re-broadcast 20 times per week- that's a big investment to recoup. I suspect Zoila has to get at least in the low five-figures per episode. After all, she is a featured "character" and is in the opening credits. I do wonder whether the husbands and kids get paid, e.g., Simon, Albie, Donn, Slade, etc.

Okay... so what do you think about Million Dollar Design? I think it's painful to watch. Not only because it haunts me with memories about my own (ongoing) construction nightmare. It's just that interior design is just inherently not interesting enough to make into a reality series. I kid you not... there was actually this "tense" scene where one designer and his partner (professionally and personally) are fighting because one wants to put a floor lamp next to the couch, and the other wants to put an end table with a table lamp. It even featured that "fight music" soundtrack in the background. Really? You would think they were fighting over custody of the kids or something.

Not according to Jill Zarin:
"Our first season I got $8,000, which ended up less than $1,000 per episode. We did six, but they then cut them into 9 1/2. Unfortunately, I can't tell you exactly how much we're getting now because there's a confidentiality."

She might be lying, I suppose, but I can believe it. They've since gotten a huge salary bump, but the 30K figure has been disputed; some say it's 10K.

The Jersey cast are still locked into a 3-year contract for $3,333 per episode.

(I would love to un-know this.)

Originally Posted by DefDumbandBlond

Yeah she has her moments but she's really sweet off the cameras.

You've met Sonja? How?

[Amlyn]

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

And now you've gone off and joined ranks with Countess LuMan and Kelly "Satchels of gold" Bensimon and done terrible things to your perfectly nice face.

OMG...I love it! From now on thats what she will be referred to by me. hehe

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Okay... so what do you think about Million Dollar Design? I think it's painful to watch. Not only because it haunts me with memories about my own (ongoing) construction nightmare. It's just that interior design is just inherently not interesting enough to make into a reality series. I kid you not... there was actually this "tense" scene where one designer and his partner (professionally and personally) are fighting because one wants to put a floor lamp next to the couch, and the other wants to put an end table with a table lamp. It even featured that "fight music" soundtrack in the background. Really? You would think they were fighting over custody of the kids or something.

I'm trying really hard to get into this. I can't put my finger on exactly what isn't gelling with me over this show, but there's something there. Could be the arrogance level. I mean these people make some of the real housewives seem humble. I realize these people do design jobs that equate to more than i'll see in 10 years of working, but still, i mean are you the be all and end all cause you can match a rug with a sofa?

I loved Million Dollar Agents (or whatever it's really called) because I guess you got to see a little more of them having to sell their soul to make their deals. A little sweat for their prize money. I just don't feel the same about this crop yet of Million Dollar bravolebrites. We'll see. It's still early on for them.

Originally Posted by TulaneNO02

My brother and sister-in-law had their wedding reception at the Brownstone shortly before RHONJ began and they actually had a positive experience working with the Manzos. Being from out-of-state, I'd never heard of the place until the wedding, but I thought that the Brownstone was a really cool reception venue and the food was awesome.

Sidenote: my family is not wealthy, nor are they mafia.

Honestly, the wedding i went to was back in 2002, so i don't remember the food or anything. I did think the place was very nice...especially given that it in a rather not so nice area.

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

So, who saw RHONY tonight?

I watched. Kelly is getting on my nerves...surprise, suprise. She does this thing where she tries to corner you and make you feel about 3 inches tall but her attempting to school you on her topic of disapproval de jour usually makes no sense and then she doesn't even give you a chance to respond. It comes across as ignorant and condescending. And she seems to keep doing that to Alex. Ugh. Did i ever share that I saw her last year at Newark airport? I was picking up my friend lets say it was the Sunday after T-giving. I went inside cause I was early and i went to grab something at Starbucks. These two tweenish girls were standing in front of me and one looked familiar. Finally I looked over and noticed Kelly standing at the end of the counter frantically pounding away at her Blackberry. Her older daughter did all the ordering and paying and I was trying very hard not to gawk cause I was respecting the fact that this woman and her two kids were flying home from a holiday with family (or actually I think it was Florida), but I digress. About 15 mins later when i went to meet my friend down in baggage claim, i noticed the same older daughter trying to pull her luggage off the belt and was struggling. She looked up and turned around looking for her mom and Kelly just wandered right past the belt where her kids were and her oldest yells, "Mooooommmmm...helllloooo.......are you crazeeee????" Oh man...took every ounce of my public manners to not just go...."YEAH she is!!" I snatched a photo of her with my phone that pretty much sucks and once they were out of earshot I called my mom to tell her. It was funny.

Oh, and i once saw the thug that was Danielle's sidekick in the parking garage at the mall. Let's just say that I don't think he got paid by Bravo. His car looked like something you'd find after it was ransacked in a bad neigborhood in the worst section of NYC.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by Heartboy

I have to disagree esp when it comes to Kim & Kyle Richards!

just sayin'

I have no idea who these people are. And I think that's a good thing.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Okay... so what do you think about Million Dollar Design? I think it's painful to watch. Not only because it haunts me with memories about my own (ongoing) construction nightmare. It's just that interior design is just inherently not interesting enough to make into a reality series. I kid you not... there was actually this "tense" scene where one designer and his partner (professionally and personally) are fighting because one wants to put a floor lamp next to the couch, and the other wants to put an end table with a table lamp. It even featured that "fight music" soundtrack in the background. Really? You would think they were fighting over custody of the kids or something.

Not doing it for me either. If it's going to be about interior design, I much prefer shows like HGTV's Next Design Star - at least there are interesting challenges, many different people & various rooms/settings. As opposed to "what kind of rug is right for this space?!"

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

Not according to Jill Zarin:
"Our first season I got $8,000, which ended up less than $1,000 per episode. We did six, but they then cut them into 9 1/2. Unfortunately, I can't tell you exactly how much we're getting now because there's a confidentiality."

She might be lying, I suppose, but I can believe it. They've since gotten a huge salary bump, but the 30K figure has been disputed; some say it's 10K.

The Jersey cast are still locked into a 3-year contract for $3,333 per episode.

Well color me corrected. I think. I don't buy for a second that the housewives would go through all that aggravation and pressure for less than $1000 per episode. And at the time Bethenny actually needed a full time income. And I have a really hard time believing that the RHONJ are only getting $3333 per episode too! If Andy Cohen convinced these broads to work for peanuts to be on cable TV's top rated programs, he is an evil genius.

Speaking of Bethenny, has anyone actually tasted or seen one those Skinny Girl Margaritas. She got paid $120 million for it? Really?

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by Amlyn

I'm trying really hard to get into this. I can't put my finger on exactly what isn't gelling with me over this show, but there's something there. Could be the arrogance level. I mean these people make some of the real housewives seem humble. I realize these people do design jobs that equate to more than i'll see in 10 years of working, but still, i mean are you the be all and end all cause you can match a rug with a sofa?

I loved Million Dollar Agents (or whatever it's really called) because I guess you got to see a little more of them having to sell their soul to make their deals. A little sweat for their prize money. I just don't feel the same about this crop yet of Million Dollar bravolebrites. We'll see. It's still early on for them.

It seems that it is supposed to be high drama when the rug comes back in the wrong color, or when the client has bad taste and the designer has to diplomatically correct it. But it's just not dramatic. And I think it's one thing if any of these designers were somehow interesting, intelligent or funny. But they are all 100% haughty douchebags. And they all fancy themselves to be these incredibly valuable artistes. I'm not saying that interior decorating is not challenging work, but they're not exactly curing disease or painting the Mona Lisa. The hard work actually lies with the contractors who have to do the heavy lifting in the literal and figurative sense. Walking into a construction site with a hard hat and Louboutin stillettos is not hard work.

I watched. Kelly is getting on my nerves...surprise, suprise. She does this thing where she tries to corner you and make you feel about 3 inches tall but her attempting to school you on her topic of disapproval de jour usually makes no sense and then she doesn't even give you a chance to respond. It comes across as ignorant and condescending. And she seems to keep doing that to Alex. Ugh. Did i ever share that I saw her last year at Newark airport? I was picking up my friend lets say it was the Sunday after T-giving. I went inside cause I was early and i went to grab something at Starbucks. These two tweenish girls were standing in front of me and one looked familiar. Finally I looked over and noticed Kelly standing at the end of the counter frantically pounding away at her Blackberry. Her older daughter did all the ordering and paying and I was trying very hard not to gawk cause I was respecting the fact that this woman and her two kids were flying home from a holiday with family (or actually I think it was Florida), but I digress. About 15 mins later when i went to meet my friend down in baggage claim, i noticed the same older daughter trying to pull her luggage off the belt and was struggling. She looked up and turned around looking for her mom and Kelly just wandered right past the belt where her kids were and her oldest yells, "Mooooommmmm...helllloooo.......are you crazeeee????" Oh man...took every ounce of my public manners to not just go...."YEAH she is!!" I snatched a photo of her with my phone that pretty much sucks and once they were out of earshot I called my mom to tell her. It was funny.

Ooh, I haven't watched yet. But yeah, Kelly is the perennially annoying wack job, although I have to admit that she has been surprisingly coherent this season, especially compared to last season and "Scary Island." But I absolutely loathe it when she goes around saying, "That's not normal. That's not what normal people do. It's not normal behavior. You're being weird," as if she ever had a "normal" moment or thought in her entire life. Still, I think of all the NYC housewives, I can least stand Alex, who is such a poseur, and everybody else knows it. If it wasn't for the show, none of these women would give two flying Fig Newtons about Alex. So I'm glad (from what I saw in the previews) that both Alex and Simon get put in their place!

Oh, and i once saw the thug that was Danielle's sidekick in the parking garage at the mall. Let's just say that I don't think he got paid by Bravo. His car looked like something you'd find after it was ransacked in a bad neigborhood in the worst section of NYC.

Rick Springfield circa 1982 called; he wants his hair back.

[Amlyn]

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

Speaking of Bethenny, has anyone actually tasted or seen one those Skinny Girl Margaritas. She got paid $120 million for it? Really?

I actually enjoy it. Pretty good.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

]

Ooh, I haven't watched yet. But yeah, Kelly is the perennially annoying wack job, although I have to admit that she has been surprisingly coherent this season, especially compared to last season and "Scary Island." But I absolutely loathe it when she goes around saying, "That's not normal. That's not what normal people do. It's not normal behavior. You're being weird," as if she ever had a "normal" moment or thought in her entire life.

Exactly. Pot, meet kettle.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Rick Springfield circa 1982 called; he wants his hair back.

Yes! That's so right on the money.

[mezzoforte]

Originally Posted by Amlyn

I watched. Kelly is getting on my nerves...surprise, suprise. She does this thing where she tries to corner you and make you feel about 3 inches tall but her attempting to school you on her topic of disapproval de jour usually makes no sense and then she doesn't even give you a chance to respond. It comes across as ignorant and condescending. And she seems to keep doing that to Alex. Ugh. Did i ever share that I saw her last year at Newark airport? I was picking up my friend lets say it was the Sunday after T-giving. I went inside cause I was early and i went to grab something at Starbucks. These two tweenish girls were standing in front of me and one looked familiar. Finally I looked over and noticed Kelly standing at the end of the counter frantically pounding away at her Blackberry. Her older daughter did all the ordering and paying and I was trying very hard not to gawk cause I was respecting the fact that this woman and her two kids were flying home from a holiday with family (or actually I think it was Florida), but I digress. About 15 mins later when i went to meet my friend down in baggage claim, i noticed the same older daughter trying to pull her luggage off the belt and was struggling. She looked up and turned around looking for her mom and Kelly just wandered right past the belt where her kids were and her oldest yells, "Mooooommmmm...helllloooo.......are you crazeeee????" Oh man...took every ounce of my public manners to not just go...."YEAH she is!!" I snatched a photo of her with my phone that pretty much sucks and once they were out of earshot I called my mom to tell her. It was funny.

Oh, and i once saw the thug that was Danielle's sidekick in the parking garage at the mall. Let's just say that I don't think he got paid by Bravo. His car looked like something you'd find after it was ransacked in a bad neigborhood in the worst section of NYC.

I kind of wish you'd said it!
Of course, those kids probably don't need any more reminders that their mom has jellybeans for brains...

Originally Posted by skcin

I have no idea who these people are. And I think that's a good thing.

Pah! Jill Zarin is a national treasure.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Well color me corrected. I think. I don't buy for a second that the housewives would go through all that aggravation and pressure for less than $1000 per episode. And at the time Bethenny actually needed a full time income. And I have a really hard time believing that the RHONJ are only getting $3333 per episode too! If Andy Cohen convinced these broads to work for peanuts to be on cable TV's top rated programs, he is an evil genius.

Speaking of Bethenny, has anyone actually tasted or seen one those Skinny Girl Margaritas. She got paid $120 million for it? Really?

I'm a little iffy on Skinny Girl, but have you tried Ramona Pinot Grigio? It's actually pretty good.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Ooh, I haven't watched yet. But yeah, Kelly is the perennially annoying wack job, although I have to admit that she has been surprisingly coherent this season, especially compared to last season and "Scary Island." But I absolutely loathe it when she goes around saying, "That's not normal. That's not what normal people do. It's not normal behavior. You're being weird," as if she ever had a "normal" moment or thought in her entire life. Still, I think of all the NYC housewives, I can least stand Alex, who is such a poseur, and everybody else knows it. If it wasn't for the show, none of these women would give two flying Fig Newtons about Alex. So I'm glad (from what I saw in the previews) that both Alex and Simon get put in their place!

I know, right?
It actually really bothers me when others attack Alex for being "weird." Sure, she's a little awkward, but every other housewives has either a substance abuse problem or mild form of psychosis.

This week Kelly, Jil, and LuAnn guide us, once again, through *very serious topic* of cyber-bullying (buzzword of the month?).
Bullying is a serious issue. A sassy tweet from Simon is not. It actually really bothers me that they would milk a current hot topic to portray themselves as victims and Simon as "dangerous and threatening."

[fumidesigns]

this is pure bs and truly confirms that there is waaaaaaaaaaay too much money out there for me to not having any!

*looks up*

GOD PLEASE SMELL DOWN ON ME THIS SEPT FOR FASHION WEEK!!!!

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

Until about an hour ago, I'd been up in the air as to whether we really needed a Bravo thread.

Then I checked Gawker and realized we absolutely do. THIS must be discussed.

that song was so much cooler back when it was called "hypnotize."

Originally Posted by fumidesigns

this is pure bs and truly confirms that there is waaaaaaaaaaay too much money out there for me to not having any!

*looks up*

GOD PLEASE SMELL DOWN ON ME THIS SEPT FOR FASHION WEEK!!!!

you meant smile, right? i really hope you meant smile.

[Heartboy]

[QUOTE=skcin;997735]I have no idea who these people are. And I think that's a good thing.



Are you a fan of the Disney movies of the 70's? They were the Lindsay and Hilary's of the 70's except for the skanky and troubled parts.

If you're talking about most of the woman on these shows, I don't know of them as well.

[GoldDustOrphan]

Kim Richards was a hugely popular child/teen star during the 70s and early '80. She was the star of Disney's Escape from Witch Mountain and it's sequel. I grew up watching up her.
Atlanta housewife Burruss was the first African-American woman ever to win ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year award in 2000. She won for Songwriter of the year in the Rhythm & Soul category. She's a Grammy-winner as well.
Fortune Brands purchased Skinnygirl for a $120 mil. Can't get away from it in Boston.

These shows are the new soap operas - disposable trash that can be funny and mildly diverting. The people who star are of no greater or lesser value than the average bigoted steroid-using rapists that pass for professional athletes these days.

[olive]

the only reason i watch ,