Gaily

As much as I like Shannon, I think she is driving a calculated move with the weight gain. You know she will lose the weight and go back to being slim again -- just at the time that she opens a restaurant focused on healthy, low-calorie yet great-tasting food (which I think is a great idea). Shannon is way too smart to just play the victim here. Something tells me that she knew all along that Tamra would likely betray her and go running back to Vicki -- mostly because Tamra is loyal to no one, only herself (just ask Gretchen). If Shannon has to stand-alone with no friends at the reunion or even next season, I'll bet she finds a way to make herself look good or at least show off the weight loss and some other form of moving on. As much as I also appreciate Vicki's long time role as the "OC of the OG," her behavior is despicable. At her birthday party, she did not shut down Ricky when he was spreading rumors about Eddie. She could have said "oh I don't think that's true" or "Hey, Eddie and Tamra seem really happy together so lets just leave that rumor alone" or something to that effect. But she cackled right along with them and even egged Eddie on a bit. It's kind of too bad because I miss the Vicki/Tamra friendship -- yes, they were vulgar but sometimes very funny and endearing. We have about 4 or 5 more episodes to the three-part reunion so that next couple of weeks should be interesting to see where things go -- who turns against each other, who unites, etc.

Bravo is currently running "Tamra's OC Wedding" and I have to say I think Tamra and Eddie do love each other. Honestly, he's one of the nicest husbands across the entire Housewife franchise and he's a good influence on Tamra -- I feel like she's not as mean and awful as she used to be. So funny watching this rerun -- it wasn't from that long ago (maybe four or five years ago?) but the ladies look different. Heather had really long hair back then and Tamra's face looked much softer and rounder.

I may be in the minority here but I was kind of hoping that Vicki and Tamra would make up and be friends again. Yes, the gruesome twosome were vulgar and obnoxious at times but they were also funny and had a genuine rapport. I miss those old days. I don't feel like any of the women in the current cast have real friendships with one another. I will say that I am really liking Brianna this year --she's a great foil to her mother. If they took Vicki off the show, then the Alpha HW would either be Shannon or Tamra. I like Shannon a lot but would like her more if she got a divorce from David. Watching Shannon as a newly single fifty-something navigate the OC singles scene as the Alpha HW is something I would watch. I was sad to see what Gretchen and Lizzie -- two natural beauties -- have done to their faces. These ladies aren't even 35 years old yet for heaven's sake. What are they doing plumping themselves with filler when they don't need it to begin with?

I may be in the minority here but wouldn't it be nice to have a not-so-skinny housewife for a change? Most women in the 50s gain weight -- that is just a reality. Shannon may be heavier but she is not gigantic and is still a very lovely lady. I agree that her sadness and pain IS painful to watch -- no doubt. But wouldn't it be nice if a bit of middle-aged, menopausal weight gain wasn't viewed as a catastrophe? Shannon is smart, resourceful and wealthy -- she WILL lose this weight. My money is that she may have gained the weight deliberately to have a good storyline that will appeal to the RHOC audience base. Then she will showcase a glorious before and after trajectory that will have her in size 4 leather pants in no time. I hope that's the case. I like her.

I've always loved Lydia -- she's beautiful, funny and not afraid to speak to her mind. However, so far, this season, I am a bit upset with her shit stirring, especially when she tries to mask it as a Christian Friendship Whisperer endeavor, which it clearly is not. During her first season on RHOC, another astute poster from this board discovered that her brother tried to come on to some underage girls in Scottsdale, AZ (where he lives) and had to register as a Level 2 sex offender in the State of Arizona: http://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=1737405&AgencyID=55583 Level two is not that bad -- it is a pretty mild sex offender level (hubs works in Legal) and I think he was flirting/trying to get close to some teenage girls so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. At the time, we speculated that Lydia did not return to RHOC after the first season for fear this would come out. I would not judge her for it. She is not her sibling. Lydia is from a fabulously wealthy Canadian family -- grandfather was a huge media mogul who owned TV stations and newspapers throughout rural parts of Canada and he was the first to build a 24 hour station in Canada. Now her family is trying to buy up U.S. media properties. They are all very Christian so I wonder if they enforce their Christian beliefs on these media properties? Who knows. Lydia's REAL stories are so much more interesting than all this manufactured housewife drama! I wish we could uncover the fabulous happenings within the Stirling Family!

I feel really badly for Shannon -- menopausal weight gain is no joke. I know this because I've been there. Yes, she should manage her emotions and not fly off the handle but STILL I feel compassion for her. How can you not? I just wish it would be okay for her to be a fat and happy housewife. Wouldn't that be a nice cultural change for the Housewives franchise -- to have a actual overweight housewife who isn't ashamed of it. This season is starting off a bit odd for me because I am not sure if any of these women are friends in real life so it all feels very disjointed and false. Peggy seems too nice and normal to be friends with any of these ladies. Megan seems content being a first-time Mom so good for her. While the Tamra/Shannon alliance is still going strong, why doesn't Miss Personal Trainer/Fitness Model take Shannon under her wing and help her lose weight. I'd rather work out with Tamra/Eddie than that mean, judgmental "doctor." It is obvious that no one will film with Vicki except Kelly and Lydia. Maybe there will be more camaraderie between the cast later in the season but right now it is not quite jelling for me.

Oh good Lord: check this out -- http://pagesix.com/2016/11/03/topless-photo-of-rhoc-star-leads-to-fbi-complaint/?_ga=1.27745788.1370453912.1464525659 Tamra sent around topless photos of Vicki with snarky remarks to the RHOC cast and crew - and it got into the computer of a 15 year old girl so now the FBI is investigating...

I hope you are right, Driving Sideways. I would love to see Gretchen and Lizzie come back. Gretchen really knows how to push Tamra's buttons and make her feel ancient and creaky -- not like the so-called "hottest housewife in Orange County." If the Vicki/Kelly posse features younger and better looking housewives, that will be enough to unnerve the Menopause Mafia of Shannon, Heather and Tamra.

I totally agree with this. Yes, Tamra is a great reality TV star but she's duplicitous and two-faced. I wish she would pick a lane as far as Vicki is concerned. She revels too much in treating people like crap and has no empathy for others. Her black eyes shine with delight anytime someone is degraded, humiliated or broken -- especially if the damage is done by someone else, not her. So she can watch the destruction and not get blamed. Gross. Vicki and Kelly will be back next season, I think, because they bring the drama. Vicki may have a personality disorder but her lack of emotional intelligence often delivers the funniest moments of the entire franchise. I also give her credit because she knows how to make fun of herself -- something Madame Dubrow would never do. Kelly is vulgar but highly watchable. And at least she has a legit BEACH HOUSE which is so much prettier than the Olive Garden McMansions (Vicki), all-brown Coto de Caza townhouses (Tamra) and the Shopping Mall monstrosity (Heather) that we are used to seeing. If they bring Vicki back next season, it will be interesting to see what her storyline will be. Her new boyfriend is a former police detective and current city councilor who has made it clear that he will NOT be filmed on RHOC. That just leaves her with Brianna's illness and whatever conflicts she has with the Three Stooges (Heather, Tamra, Shannon).

The fitness competition looked like a community theatre production of a Victoria's Secret fashion show held in a high school auditorium.* It looked ridiculous but Tamra looked great. Agree that the 2nd runner up should have won. They need to completely revamp this cast. As someone else said earlier, I don't believe that these women are friends any more -- not even those in the Unholy Troika (Shannon, Tamra and Heather). Those three water rats would turn on each other in an instant. And to think that I was a huge fan of Shannon's -- what a shame. She seemed like a really nice, interesting person. *That observation came from the genius that is Brian Moylan of Vulture.

Sorry if this has been covered before but I was wrong about Vicki telling Kelly that Eddie was gay. I guess the explosive thing that supposedly actually happened is that Shannon confided in Vicki that David physically abused her. Apparently he was arrested on a spousal abuse charge and had beaten her previously. Vicki told this to Kelly who says to Shannon on the Bus Ride From Hell to the Airport "your husband beats you." Now I find this hard to believe for the following reasons. Shannon is a well-educated woman with a law degree from a wealthy family. She has the resources to leave an abusive husband. David seems so nice and mellow -- I just cannot imagine him hitting anyone let alone his lovely, petite wife.

MotorCityMom, I hope you are right. Eddie is really good for Tamra. She has calmed down since being with him and is not as mean as she used to be (well, she's still mean but just not as much). Vicki probably told Kelly that Eddie cheated on Tamra with some gal from CutFitness. Either way, that is still a crummy thing to do. Who treats their friends this way? I could not imagine gossiping or talking crap about my friends like that and Vicki and Tamra have been friends for YEARS. I wonder what the deal is?

I don't know if this is true but I have a friend who has the scoop on next week's episode. Apparently, Vicki told Kelly that Eddie Judge is gay and that Tamra knew that and still married him anyway. Kelly then throws this in Tamra's face on the bus going to the airport so the fighting gets even worse. Again, I don't know if that is true -- my work friend just told me this today. Personally, I have always loved Eddie and think he is truly one of the nicest of the house husbands across all of the franchises. He has even made Tamra a nicer person. And their rapport always seemed very genuine to me so I was surprised when I heard this. Perhaps it is complete and utter bullshit. But of course I will tune in next week to find out, being the sucker that I am. I would have thought that the rumor would be that Eddie cheated on Tamra with some young, attractive female member of Cut Fitness but hey, you never know. Either way, this franchise needs a reboot.

Trooper York, you and Dos Equis sound like great guys like my husband. I make poor Mr. Gaily watch the Housewives and he does so while we enjoy a lovely dinner (we take turns cooking -- tonight it's grilled shrimp, fresh corn, salad, sauvignon blanc). Agree that the simple things in life make it worth living. Now on to the Reunion Part One. I think they all looked great -- even Carole. Her dress was not my cup of tea but I admire her bravery and really liked her makeup. Jules looked so fabulous -- agree with what the other posters have said. Sonja looked lovely -- great hair and makeup. Plus the blush color of her dress looked wonderful on her. I loved LuAnn's 70s jumpsuit and her makeup was nice. She looked so much better than last year (remember the red face, red chest and fugly green dress with the silver jewelry? So rare to see her make a mis-step). I was not as crazy about Ramona's look but she did not look horrible or anything. The white dress washed Beth out a bit. I still think the whole LuAnn/Tom scenario is a set-up. LuAnn, Ramona and Sonja were the hold-outs last year and did not get signed back to the show until the last minute. I think they concocted the storyline to get more money. The producers needed them -- what else were they going to do? What else did they have? Just Jules' eating disorder, Dorinda's bust-ups with John and Carole's vegan cookbook shenanigans were all they had to work with so they had to invest in this. It is just not believable to me that someone as attractive, vibrant and worldly as LuAnn would avidly pursue Tom and desperately want to marry a manwhore who has already been with her girlfriends and was busted making out with a much younger woman at a very popular and visible hotel bar. Still, I am not complaining. I really enjoyed this season and find the franchise much better than the others (I'm talking to you boring RHOC).

I loved seeing Merv's beautiful home. Bob Hope (of course no one will remember him either, the legendary comedian) also has a gorgeous modern estate nearby too. That was the only thing worth seeing in this boring episode. I will say that Vicki looks great -- the best she has ever looked. Her haircut is really flattering and the weight loss makes a big difference, although she has always had decent figure for her age. I don't like her boobs coming out to play either -- gross on an older woman (I am only a few years younger than her) -- but she does look much better. I also appreciate that Vicki can cook (the salmon and asparagus she served looked great) and do things around the house -- I know that's not a big deal but you see very few housewives cooking, gardening, fixing up the home with the exception of Lisa Vanderpump and a few others. Like everyone else, I am not digging the forced relationships and fake friendships this season. Back in the day, Vicki would never have been friends with Kelly -- she would have picked on her or ostracized her. She's cozying up to her because no one else will film with her and like others have said, Kelly is the convenient scapegoat that deflects their own flaws and mistakes. I miss the old days when at least the friendships seemed somewhat real -- like Vicki and Jeana's and even Vicki and Tamra from previous seasons. Now it just feels like we are watching a bunch of bad amateur actresses at work.