pasdetrois

My favorite ATJ number, featuring an actress playing Nicole and the real Ann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRVv2b-hL_0

Jason is an opportunist and Bethanny is an unstable narcissist. I think the only thing they agreed on was wanting a child and Bethanny's pursuit of money. As my friend says, unhealthy or bad people always find each other.

I found this series so hammy yet boring that I removed it from my DVR. Pretty to look at, but that's about it.

Agree about that - I no longer wear makeup every single day. But I was speaking of being ignored in a more systematic way. As in patiently standing in line at Home Depot, waiting for my turn to get some paint mixed. Trying to get the attention of the male clerk who only deigned to answer my questions in short irritated responses. And having the clerk turn his attentions to a young woman who waltzed up and cut in front of me. Another one is getting proper attention from young hairdressers. They aren't interested in a pudgy graying grandma - they want young fashionable clients. When my long-time hairdresser retired, I had a difficult time finding someone who was really interested in my hair.

Meant to sat that looked like a brown bear (grizzly), not a black bear as speculated in the opening sequence.

I loved this episode. The women's pool-side chat referenced how older women are disappeared in our society, which I touched on in an earlier post. It's a bona fide cultural phenomenon and when one encounters it, it's painful and sobering. We're expected to become Cheerful Grandmas or Dotty Cat Ladies. As played, the returning husband did appear controlling and possibly abusive. However, even if he is neither of those things, he represents the legions of men who perhaps pay lip service to equality in the home but don't really support it. Bottom line, they expect their needs and behaviors to be catered to. I'm enjoying Sam's sweet moments with Duke. However, when Duke chomped into that Grandpa sandwich, all I could think about is how Keith Richards infamously claimed to have snorted his father's cremains. Sam is mourning the fact that more than half of her life is over, and how to face the future.

That moment between Joan and Gwen was astounding. It kind of took my breath away. Gwen was stunned at being confronted with her neglect of her daughter. Superb acting by MW.

I thought Sam was warming to her old friend - wasn't he paying her lots of compliments? It seemed like mutual flirting lite. Then the bimbo walks in and Sam has a hard jolt of reality. She was disappointed a little bit, but also resigned.

A little Raising Arizona, a little Pink Panther. Genius television. I loved it and laughed a lot. Gonna watch it again, which is rare for me.

They are counting on hate-waters too. Bravo doesn't give a rats ass about ethics, except when it suits them. Vicki on RHOC is testimony to that.

I was bored by the Sam/Mare conversation and FFed. Not bored by the notion, just the lengthy conversation. It felt trite. Otherwise I liked the episode because 1) no daughters. 2) Sam is an aging C-List Hollywood actress at this point in her career, reduced to commercials and cheap zombie movies. She's disdainful of the play's director, and has minimal expectations, yet the reading turned out to be a magical event - a rarity for her at this point. Extended by the camaraderie around the piano in the bar. Given that the play might be produced in NYC, she's already thinking "no way can I do it." So her pleasure in the one-night reading is already dampened. Her agent dumps her, and she has to face whether she has feelings for Mare. I think the text to the psychiatrist was an act of giving up, or accepting the limitations in her life.

That's a great question. When the reality TV scene first began, the media talked about how the participants were officially understood to not be actors, and thereby not eligible for SAG and AFTRA membership and not protected by union and acting industry rules. That arrangement was a cash cow for producers and networks. My understanding is those rules still apply today (former AFTRA member here). However NeNe acted in Glee, so I don't know if she became eligible for SAG membership. Seems like she would have shouted it from the rooftops when it happened.

I've wondered if NeNe and Gregg carried health insurance when his cancer was diagnosed. They are self-employed, yes? Which means they had to buy insurance from the marketplace. I don't think either qualifies for Medicare or Medicaid. If they didn't have health insurance, then Gregg's medical bills may have ruined them financially, or made a heavy dent. This could be one source of NeNe's anger at Gregg.

Without question NeNe is a narcissistic delusional asshole, handling Gregg's illness with zero class and grace. However, Gregg is no picnic. I believe he committed multiple scams or frauds in the past. He's been living off of NeNe's paycheck for years. He's shown himself in the past to be a whiny manipulative baby. In their very first scene together he talked to her as if she was a stupid child. There were threads of this behavior this season (the vegan chef). I'm sure he's much worse off-camera. The power has shifted in their relationship because he's sick and she makes the money.

I meant to say in my earlier post that I loved seeing Lola being born in that rehearsal hall. Also, the big rehearsal scene, which Joan joins, was marvelous. Before Joan arrived, Gwen was dancing joyously for Bob - you could see it in her face and body. MW was fab. Lola's lacy tights precluded this: http://actorz.ru/anita-morris_87.html (RIP Anita Morris)

The womanizing and general misery are ho-hum, especially if one has seen ATJ. I've always assumed that the primary attraction between the two was that they needed each other to achieve professional acclaim in that moment in time. It would be hard to walk away from that - their partnership was one for the ages and they both knew it. When I saw "Lola" it was a revelation to my small-town dance class kid self; I'd never been exposed to anything remotely like it. At the time I didn't realize why Joe was clutching Lola's clothes so tightly in his lap. Took my little brother to see Dancin' in the 70s and it scared him half to death. We still laugh about it (all that sexuality on the stage).

Erin was unusually perky, I guess because the homeowner is a business partner and also the last episode of the season (I realize they may have shown episodes out of the order in which they were produced). They did a great job on the house. Loved the bath window - having my own large window over a tub/shower, I know it's a challenge to update that area. I hate gaudy painted trim over white walls - it looks like harsh eyeliner - so that was a mis-step for me. Would have loved to see the son's living space. Sad the second season is over so soon. I continue to love this show.

I think they're trying to copy the successful format of Live PD. It's not working. Weirdly, because I watch so many animal vet shows, the two experts don't tell me much I don't already know - other TV vets have already encountered these issues and resolved and explained them. Too much vet-splaining, not enough action. The Atlanta vet is kind of funny however. Agree with the others that the poor suffering bull appeared to need the trocar procedure. As shown, the vet appeared to take forever to treat him. It was the location and logistics that slowed everything down. I hated seeing that poor bull suffer unnecessarily, all while everyone is murmuring to him "it's all right, it's all right."

April 30 new season

Really liked the pilot. Hadn't heard of the movie, so this is something fresh for me to enjoy.

When he was loudly chanting at the crack of dawn, I expected him to be pelted with pine cones, hurled by tired, cold, hungry designers. He needs to go. This episode was otherwise fun to watch, as even the anti-camping ones seemed to rise to the occasion and have a good time. The bonfires were a smart production choice - bonfires lift the heart and soothe the soul. And warm fingers and toes.

Wading through the crudity, which reminds me of annoying middle school "humor," there are great moments on this show. Sam mused something along the lines of how women become invisible once they reach their 50s, and it's very true. One notices it at events, social gatherings, in retail stores, and in business. Society begins to ignore or dismiss you more than when you are younger. My friend, who is so strikingly beautiful that she silences a room when she walks in, commented that now that she's in her 50s, she's getting ignored.

I once lived in an unincorporated desert area and it drew all kinds of misfits who didn't want to be bound by local regulations, and who wanted to be far from police. Nye reminds me of that. The officer who was spit on (McCall?) was already dialed up to 9 and then completely lost his temper. He reminded me a little of the AZ officer who is irritable all the time. Having said that, one of the most irritating things in life is a mouthy drunk. I love hearing the occasional local accent in Slidell. The harassment of the teenager - the notes and the razor blades - was terrifying. I wonder if the police were able to track down and charge the perpetrators. When I was in high school there were some girls who hid razor blades in the soles of their shoes. Officer Zendejas and her husband (and fellow Live PD officer) are divorcing. I guess we know the reason why. Terrible judgment on her part to climb into a truck with a drunk. She and her hubbie had rough edges when they first appeared on Live PD, and they both figured out how to put on a more polished facade for the cameras. It always struck me as odd how easily she used profanity on camera, as most police departments frown on that in terms of working with the public.

I continue to like the direction the show is taking. A better class of designers and production values than on that other channel. I want to see beautiful design. Which leads me to Sebastian, whose dress was lovely. He and Kovid were robbed by the kook who was brought in for drama Hester. Betsy Johnson pulls off kookiness, but with relatable design. Hester isn't there yet. I thought her look was dreadful. Close quarters, no sleep, no routine, dirty dishes - Nadine was just over it. She's probably much happier sequestered with a book and a laptop.

Loved this episode because it saved a piece of history, was in a gorgeous setting, and they worked with a tight budget. I love that the show isn't about trendy, expensive, cookie-cutter monstrosities. I could do without the craft projects, but then what would Erin and her friend do for camera time? I love design but running around looking at samples and shopping is not always interesting to some viewers. And it drives up production costs. Interesting that they mentioned that two of Ben's pals are a developer and a finance guy. I assume they are in a partnership.