Judi Sunshine

I'm back to binging old eps on Hulu, and would just like to say that I'd be tickled pink to see the firefighter show up at an AA meeting, with at least a year of sobriety, and have him and Christy give it a go. They'd have more to talk about now that Christy's going to college, I think! Honorary mention to Joe Manganiello's + Christy, but hope he was able to stay sober and work it out with his wife.

I'm so incredibly sorry, that is a heartbreaking loss.

I grieve animals deeply, and actually found Bonnie's growth in this episode heartwarming. Mimi Kennedy kept posting teasers on FB saying "Who gets the dog?" and I was positive it was going to be Jill, to help her get outside herself and care for another. I kind of dug that she did that, but via shopping -- old school, while Bonnie bonded with the dog. I think Gus will be really good for her too. Speaking of Gus. I'm going to real therapy now, but TV helps me a lot, and I've had this alcoholic-lady trifecta going on via "Mom," "Jessica Jones," and "Love." I stretched out the final season of the last one as long as I could and had to say goodbye to it last night. So I think it's funny that one of the main character's names from "Love" has been absorbed by "Mom!" :-D I was very happy to see Jill get her 30-day chip <3 Her relapse storyline was great, but I want her to get better. Yes, I know these people are fictional. Kind of. ETA Agreed with 60sgirl. I'd love to see Patrick back as Adam's brother, but want someone for Christy who appreciates her outlet-mall-loving quirky self, just the way she is.

I've always loved these forums, but have a whole new appreciation for them now that I've been attending AA! Thank you for helping explain; I know it's one day at a time and am going to step studies, but sometimes it's really nice to have it broken down in a context I can better relate to, like a show. Thank you! I came by to ask another question I'm curious about: is their drinking iced tea a lot something common to alcoholics, just because people like iced tea, or ease for filming? I'm trying to find a good go-to drink that feels "fun," and am learning that there is only so much coffee I can consume :-D I'm trying to drink more tea for relaxation, and wondered if there was something special about iced tea that made it a good go-to.

Dunno if "progress parties" are a Hollywood/businessy thing that I've never heard of, but that actually sounds like a really fun idea!

Thanks, I really appreciate that! After many times of kicking the drink on my own then going back, so on and so forth, trying to do the moderation thing, realizing I'm not really a moderate person, I started going to AA and really love the support and feeling of not being alone, and most importantly, feeling like there's so much more waiting on the other side because I see non-drinkers so stoked about life. The other times when I stopped on my own, I felt in ways even more isolated than alcohol made me feel. I can't even imagine being in Schwartz's position, trying to cut back if he can't, because some of us can't, and it adds to wanting to drink because you feel like such a failure, which is the vibe I'm getting from him. And I can't imagine being anyone in this group, realizing maybe they can't drink at all, never mind cut back. I really felt for Shay going through that, and he wasn't even in the core group. Quitting drinking is hard enough when you can't afford it anyway and your friends don't even really party. This group, it's so woven into every aspect of their lives, and even encouraged. Yeah, I feel for Schwartz and truly wish him the best. Katie seems to be doing a lot better and hope they can support each other in this. Regarding the flower debate, I have a friend who HATES cut flowers. Cannot stand them. But I don't really think that's Scheana. I do feel bad for her, and empathize with being fucked in the head after a divorce. I think that some therapy and more time around people who TRULY care about her for who she is would go so far with her. She seems to have gotten caught up in the Hollywood/social media scene and her drug seems to be vanity more than substances, but that can be its own addiction. I think she has a good heart though, just got a little swept away. Re: James calling Brittany fat, has there been fallout from that after the ep aired? I've actually been wondering if James has a bit of a crush on her lately, because he seems super protective of her and is always saying such nice things to and about her. Whether that's true or he just cares about her as a person, I'm guessing he felt absolutely terrible about saying that.

I've always been obsessed with her body. It's just so beautiful and looks amazing in absolutely everything. Seeing her in the shower reminded me of Chandler seeing Cathy in the shower: "There are no boils. She's smooth!" Kristen's shower scene showed that her body doesn't just look awesome in clothes; it's just awesome. Regarding The Disappearing Schwartz -- I'm not proud, but I get it, how he could disappear. I've stopped drinking, but/because I definitely had way too many Schwartz-type issues with alcohol, and it really does go to a whole other level if you are a problem drinker, then go on vacation, where suddenly all your worst habits aren't just accepted, they're celebrated as "vacay, woo!" The last cruise I went on, one night I had to be brought back to my own room after hanging out with strangers. The last night of that same cruise, I had a raging toothache and drank whiskey to numb it, and ended up numbing myself, then waking up on a chair on the ship by myself. I was an adult with my family, so they thought I was just off having a good time. While I can see the ??? regarding Katie's not realizing, based on the way their trips seem to go, especially this one, they often separate into different groups for hours on end. When they were in...Hawaii? Wherever they went when Brittany pulled Lala aside to ask about her and Jax flirting in Season Four, Katie went to the beach while Schwartz went hiking for Boobgate. This trip seemed even more separated into girls/guys. So especially if Katie was drinking herself, albeit less extremely, I could see her not realizing that Schwartz was off choosing his own adventure at the time. It is very interesting to me to watch the pendulum shift from "Tequila Katie has a drinking problem!" to realizing that maybe Schwartz had the more serious problem all along. That happens a lot with drinking couples; I've been on both ends of 'em. I actually feel for all of them regarding the drinking issue. Stassi is the only one who refers to herself as an alcoholic, but I think Scheana, then Ariana and Sandoval, seem like the only ones who truly would just drink "normally," were it not for the show. Schwartz to me is the most worrisome because he's so sensitive and his drinking now seems to be coming from a place of pain and hopelessness. The more you black out when you're drinking like that, while logic would dictate you stop, alcoholism demands even more. Because you're embarrassed and your body is shaking and your darkness is darker than ever, and you just want to feel light again, even if you know it's not the way. It's hard enough to acknowledge that as someone who doesn't make a living off of partying, never mind preparing to own and run a bar. So I have zero judgment towards Schwartz, just hopes that he stays safe and finds the strength to get on a better track, whether that means AA or simply toning it way down, if he has the power to do the latter. If he can't, I hope that his friends rally and support him, and don't make him worry that he'll be boring if he stays clean, because I think he's a great person and I hate to see him look so lost. ETA I think Brittany wants to be a mommy and meant every word when she told Jax in no uncertain terms that she'd stop drinking immediately if she were pregnant. I think she's still in 20-something fun party girl phase, a heavy drinker but not necessarily a problem one, so long as she doesn't keep getting sucked into gaslight and other things that would make her lose sight of what she really wants. Sometimes that's when you're most susceptible -- you take dashed dreams and hopes and drink instead, because at least you feel good. But she's still very young and has a good family and I think she'll be okay if she can get away from Jax, or if he steps up his game and stops destroying her self esteem.

Yes! You put it all so perfectly. I think that Christy has a tendency to push men away in general, keep them at arm's length at most. I love that the show revolves around her alcoholism and life rebuilding rather than her romances, and she's always had good reasons for breaking things off or not starting them. With Justin Long, she was still too new to sobriety. The big sneakered hot guy was also a hot mess, and brand-new sober. Chris Pratt was cray cray. Who am I forgetting...well, there was that one guy she got waxed for but then cancelled because of Violet's mono...maybe Christy needs to stop waxing for dates; it's bad luck! Then though, there was her married boss, and her engaged ex-husband. And I thought it was interesting how she reacted to her fling with College Guy. Maybe he was too young for her and maybe she just really likes Patrick, but it also feels throughout the course of the show that Christy tends to make excuses for never "putting herself out there." I hate that phrase, but they did the whole ep about it where she trolled the Hot Dude AA meeting with Jill, so it feels appropriate. To me, Christy seems to really love comfy. She dresses casually to the point of others mocking her for it, and when she was hooking up with College Guy while still dating Patrick, she seemed all about being able to just show up at his place in sweats and get laid. Some of that could be seen as problematic or a sign that she doesn't think highly of herself, but I don't know. I'd love to see a relationship for Christy that grows organically from a friendship. I know you're not really supposed to use AA to meet people and she spends so much time with the ladies. But I think she'd do much better falling in love with someone she can wear hoodies and Converse with, and doesn't have to feel an ounce of shame for any bit of her story, because the guy will realize what a prize she truly is. A guy who will be around enough so that a cancelled date isn't as huge a deal, and one who'll both support her but also be able to call her out when she's maybe making excuses due to fear and pride. I agreed with what Adam said, that he's surprised no one's scooped her up yet because Christy's a catch. She's a fucked-up mess, but she's beautiful inside and out. I don't think Patrick was being selfish in what he said; I think it was self aware and mature, but I also don't think he's the one for her.

Not for one second do I believe that neither James nor especially Kristen only drink around others. Oh man. I feel bad for Scheana, but didn't think it was nice to insult Lala's bouquet. I also personally prefer not-red roses or something else, but the gesture was super sweet and red roses aren't basic; they're classic. Maybe they're Lala's favorite! I was actually feeling sorry for both Kristen AND James, because James did NOT say they hooked up, but then he called Brittany fat and that was just wrong.

I was tickled pink to see her and Allison Janney at the Oscars together, being so supportive of each other!

I love Bonnie too!!! I love every character and actor on the show. Allison Janney is incredible. The scene with her at her mother's grave -- all I have to do is think about it and I start welling up.

This. I love Kristen Chenoweth, but am not really into *WACKY* humor like her character brought to this ep. However, I think this is a really interesting character arc for Jill, and I kind of think that the ensemble works best when they rally around her -- everyone gets to shine. Christy holding that shot glass in her hand -- I actually gasped, "No!" It was the first time we've ever seen her struggle with temptation like that. We saw her drink in her dream and allude to the first year's being sucky, but she's always been the one who seems to really love sobriety. To see her struggle like that in that moment, then to acknowledge it to the women (so there was no room for interpretation), was kind of brutal. I really don't want Christy to relapse for the character's sake, but I do think that if they go that way, Anna Faris will act the hell out of it.

I feel like that would be the final nail in the coffin for Brittany. It's one thing to forgive a non-emotional fuck and shitty behavior. But Jax seems totally smitten with Kelsey emotionally. If he took that to the next level, I think Brittany would finally leave. You can tell yourself "Oh there's those other girls, but I'm the one he loves." But not when the person falls for someone else.

I have to admit -- the Lala bottle thing was weird, but I also totally get it in theory and might try it myself if I could deal with warm milk. Maybe because getting under a weighted blanket and putting on a favorite show does worlds for my anxiety, and could see how the bottle would be a comforting addition. I thought Brittany looked stunning in her green dress with her tan, and was glad to see Jax complimenting her for once.

That water park looks aMAAAAzing!

I think Lala is attracted to power and people who can dominate her, whether physically or otherwise. She's 5'8" -- not an Amazon, but still taller than average I think -- and has a mouth and attitude to match and then some. Sadly, I currently lack cable so rather than edify my mind with a documentary or new movie, I've chosen to re-binge the past seasons. Watching her with James in early S4 after the recent "It's Not About the Pasta!" ep is interesting. She kept commenting that normally she likes a steak, but now she's digging this string bean, and I think it was all about his attitude and confidence and air of mystery, since he was with the most notorious crazy on a cast of crazies. My guess is that Randall Emmett already has the power, likely is packing in the pants, and treats Lala like a goddess. I keep coming back to the storyline on "Mom" when Anna Faris's daughter is dating David Krumholtz who's in his 40s. Many jokes are made about how "(she's) 22. (He) does whatever she wants," and I think it might be a similar case for Lala in this instance. But my favorite aspect of Lala is how much she loves her fellow ladies, and while I wish her all the happiness, as a viewer I wouldn't mind seeing her becoming single and bonding even more with the other women. I think she's someone who appears (then acts the part) of someone MUCH stronger than she truly feels, most days. And I'd love to see that acted strength become intrinsic <3

Wow, that is so on point and astute and I truly appreciate your compassionate attitude. I'm still watching but realizing that I don't think Amanda would be as upset with Kyle partying too hard on summer weekends if he were more present during the week. It seems like he's really professional and pretty mature when he's doing "real life," so I can understand her frustration not just with the drunkenness himself, but that it translates into his continued absence, just in a different way. She seems SUPER fun, not like a stick in the mud at all, and could see very much why she'd be frustrated to "have to" play the role of mature adult in a house with people older than her. Also on a shallow note, there was debate on a past-ep thread, forget which, where someone said she was hot as hell and someone else said nah she's cute with a great body. But I have to disagree with that. During the first season I may have agreed and see where that person is coming from. But I think Amanda has a very stealth gorgeousness to her. She can run around in zero makeup and a ponytail and be cute, and she can also get dressed up and put on makeup and look classy and gorgeous. And her face is really interesting to me, which I find preferable to someone more cookie (Cooke-y?) cutter pretty who always looks the same. I think the woman's got it all going on for her and hope Kyle can realize how terrible it will be if he messes it up with her for good! ETA: Oh man. I am completely Stephen in the montage of his not hearing from Travis.

I miss the old TWoP forums, where bigots got castigated.

The thing with Jeremy that makes me distrust him is his past charges. Regarding how he was at the wedding, I agree he was being creepy, but I'm also fiercely protective of my little brothers, so I get where Ariana was coming from. And I'm usually Stassi's first defender, but I'm kind of with Lala on this one. I get all the defense of why she rained on Billie's parade and don't even disagree per se, but Billie looked so happy and I felt that if it were truly about protecting her, they could have delivered the warning with a bit more kindness. I think specifically what bugged me was the implication that Jeremy was throwing his dick against the wall to see what sticks, and Billie happened to be receptive, rather than the idea that he simply likes Billie. I agree that Jeremy was acting like a creeper at the wedding, but maybe would have wanted to hear other examples. If he WAS super drunk, it's still not at all okay, but since he is family to a friend and they've been around him more than just that one time, if he's not normally like that, I think it's kind of shitty drunkard etiquette to malign someone's character over one day. Call it creepy, tell him he should apologize or send a teary 6am video message -- all good! But I felt there is more to the story, maybe his past charges. If not, it felt unnecessarily Debbie Downer to me. Maybe it's just because I want so much to see Billie happy. Even in a big city, I feel like that must be difficult, dating as a straight trans woman when you're in what would be potential childbearing years for cis women. Not everyone wants bio kids but so many do, like Billie's ex, possibly even Billie herself if she could in theory, and that must be a hard pill to swallow just as it is for any woman who can't have kids whether she wants to or not. Maybe it's that my only MtF friends are lesbians and it's easier than I think to date straight when you're a transgender woman. But it's still one of the topics that I see SO much hate brought out of and think that Jeremy's attitude is chill af and as a pansexual myself, I identify with it personally and would love to see more of it, even among those who still just want to date within the cis. And Billie shines around him, even more than usual. So I hope in the end he turns out to be a good dude.

I love how you put all that and totally agree. It's also cool for Amanda to set boundaries for herself, because his partying should not be license to consistently ruin Amanda's time. But I never liked that whole "I know we met partying our asses off, but now it's time to change because I say so" bit. I'm sure it happens everywhere, but I definitely saw a LOT of it in New York and it bugs.

I just got into "The Client List" and totally forgot Laura Leigh is in it! She's funny! I was impressed by the Modelo ad; nationals are no joke! Love your assessment, I didn't know all of that, including that Scheana was on "90210!" I never got into the new version.

That would be a fitting show if it were with Rob! I'm a big fan of Lala and want her to be happy and certainly don't want her to think I'm coming for her! And I'm not even mad that Herman isn't coming to her show, because they know their business. But I didn't like her talking like her music shouldn't be important to him, because it should, if she is. That could just be her assumption that he'd even think that way, but I hope she knows she deserves to have a passion like that valued.

Love his recaps! And I really appreciated that he pointed out Rob's own culpability in the situation because yes, Scheana's being clingy and braggy, but Rob also should have already broken up with her before this, not string her along.

I think I'm in a couple of minorities for this ep, in that I thought both parties looked super fun. I've never related to Sandoval more than when he was talking about obsessing over themes and costumes. It honestly bothers me that they do Stassi's and Arianna's parties at the same time. I get that we're here for the drama and it's inherent in such an issue, and last year it made sense because there was travel involved, but if it's just a party, I'd rather they be on different nights. They can still invite/disinvite/crash away. I also really appreciated Arianna's whole storyline and therapy, and especially her talk with Tom. It hit home in a major way and I really appreciated that she could be so humble, when faux confidence is her crutch. Not in the minority on Patrick, though! UGH. He's just so awful to Stassi! Which sure, she seems *difficult* to date, but then don't date her. He seems to get off on making her insecure, and that's disgusting. Everyone too cocky needs their slice of humble pie, but this is like, entire pies, getting thrown in her face. She doesn't deserve that. And the Amsterdam thing was 100% a dick move.

I don't think that Katie's ever looked more stunning than in her last scene of this ep in the t-shirt and jeans. She really is just naturally beautiful and I'm glad everyone is telling her as much. And you can totally tell she's been working out! I'm glad she's being healthy, not starving herself or doing coke to get Hollywood skinny.