Bossa Nova

Of all the Top Chef seasons, and challenges....this one has to be the worst challenge. Just awful. What did "chaos" have to do with Wisconsin, or even cuisine and cooking skills? It was ridiculous and uncreative nonsense. I felt sorry for these chefs, and the understandable stress they are under. That "celebrity" ? Who the heck is he? No, dont answer. I dont care. He looked and ate like a slob. Did you see him licking his fingers at the dinner table? I suspect there was a cancellation of another guest, or celebrity chef, judge, and he was all they could get at the last minute. But in order to book him, he had to have his way with his stupid challenge. I also suspect that polite and gentlemanly Tom, just barely tolerated him.

Short answer: The show. Need to interact Plot lines, etc. The show equals income. $$$$$$ Per the great Dame Brian Moylan, who has blogged about all of the Housewives' shows for years, plus many other Bravo shows: Remember, its always about the show.

I also noticed that about Brittany's mouth, from The Valley show. It turns downward now, even in repose. Its odd.

That thing is awful. Her right tit is strangely bulging up, unlike the left one. I dont want to criticize Brittany for post-baby weight gain. No way. But come on production, be her ally. Then there's the opening credits where she is wearing that two piece formal: again with the ill fitting bright sequin top, paired with the satin skirt, both emphazizing her bulging midriff, all made even worse by the unflattering camera angle looking up at her from the ground. Awful.

I cam here to see if there was any chatter about John's recent lawsuit against Shannon. I dont know too much about it, other than she was on Jeff Lewis' radio show recently (around April 1st) talking about it. That in and of itself bothered me for her. What is she doing ?!! Shannon got into the details: apparently John is suing Shannon for about $75K - the amount in which she admits she borrowed from him when they were involved. From her own mouth, I came away with thinking that now she has also mis-managed her money. Yeah yeah, so one season Bravo did not pay the Wives on a one lump sum timely basis. That was her excuse, so she had to borrow from John to make ends meet. And the girls were costing her money with pre-college preparations. While I felt bad for her, thinking, Jezuz, one more bad post-David, life problem for her in laundry list of big ones, ...she still is a mess.

Interesting arcticle from NY Magazine on Bethenny. From 11/31/23. https://www.thecut.com/2023/11/bethenny-frankel

Ramona, Ramona...finally shit canned by Bravo. Personna non grata. Permanently. Aye, aye, aye. And fired by Douglas Elliman as well. She sure was a crazy toxic mix of narcissism, unresolved childhood issues, no mouth filter, minmial intellect, alotta money. I don't know what else to add. Shoulders shrugged, palms up.

I 'm looking forward to see that Kelly Bensimon is just as weird as ever. Her freak out on Scary Island was a "tell". I still have a theory on her.....

Sought this forum out for the first time to say that I cannot stand looking at the host, David? is that his name? and his awful tattoos. All that nastiness up his neck is so distracting. Looks like dirt. I wouldn't trust his taste in anything. And the show concept? Just awful.

Yeah I don't get her. How'd she make her money? How does she afford living in NYCity, pre-her Housewives' gig. Why'd she really break up with that charming rich British guy who wanted to marry her. Odd And is her long hair for real or is it a wig or bad extensions? I go back & forth on that. What a stupid empty vague of a resume (see her linked in page). I love when people say they were brand ambassadors, or marketing reps. When they had a one day gig promoting a product somewhere. Like at a car or boat show, or in a wine store working a sampling table for customers.

I wish Tinsley well. Funny, when she first started on the original RH of NY, I thought I was not going to like the former "it" girl. Rich, pretty, seemingly snotty, stereotype from the south. But I ended up not only liking her but also rooting for her.

I came here to post the same thing: Shannon needs to quit that Dr. Moon and get a real therapist. I imagine that health insurance does not pay for Dr. Moon and I will bet that the price tag for his services is high, so she pays out of pocket. $$$$

The ending: Shannon sure looked like she wasn't feeling the warm and fuzzies when Andy was talking about the cast ending the season on a good note. Teary eyed Tamra, trying to act like she was feeling the warm and fuzzies towards her castmates, and secure her next season's employment. Fake. Last observation of the reunion: I really did like the set. Very different from all other reunions - the OC franchise and all others. I liked how the cast were all dressed "down", and not too costumey. Shannon was the only one that looked bizarre. The harsh yellow color, the scary Twisted Sister (aka Dee Snyder) big crimped dated 80's hair. Just awful when everyone else looked very pretty.

Anybody else notice the filming technique was different ? And annoying ? It's as if the camera was sped up for filming just a bit *or* slowed down *or* something.....I suspect to make the filming feel like a documentary. I welcome anybody else's take on this. Something was very different. And off.

I so agree ! This season and last. Here is my take on Olivia: I think she is uncomfortable on camera and it shows. She is sort of acting, sort of authentic, at times. Wasn't she in California (pre this show) to try her hand at some acting, and failed? Not sure where I read that. She has an immaturity for 30 something. She is another generic pretty blonde girl, with blue eyes, long hair, thin, cute clothes, and southern etc. Parents have money thus a nice house. By the way, she said this season that her parents have moved to Houston. She still living in their house and wants to have a future party there. My theory is the parents didn't sell their SC house so Olivia would have a nice place to live and film the show. Be featured on the show. I think she tried out for Southern Charm. She got the gig, and the first season she was "tasked" with having a fake on camera flirtation/almost relationship with Austen so she could have an introductory story line. It came across as so fake for both. And she did NOT want to kiss Rod. I am not buying their flirtation, authentic meet up date in the park. And then there is this: she has an on-camera nervous mouth habit - she constantly moves her tongue and smooths it over her top front teeth, as if clearing away food. It's annoying. Thus, I think she is uncomfortable on camera. Lastly, little spoiled girl had to call her dad to find out what to do with dog poops in the yard ? He tells her to dump it in the river and she does ! She then proceeds to take the big shovel and dump the poops over the yard fence. And she says something like she thought the yard help was supposed to do that. The help. Remind you of something ? A 30 year old woman who has had family dogs presumably for awhile, has never had to pick up poops? Lastly she is just plain boring. Nothing interesting about her.