Memory Lane: Seasons 1-5

[Sheenieb]

 

To me, that scene defines just how cruel & heartless Moaner can be.  She justifies this crap by saying she has no filter & she's just being honest.  It was awful, but it's who she is.  Glad I didn't see this again cuz I hated it.  I'd like to see Moaner get a good dose of this "honesty" thrown back in her fuckin' face by B this season.

Ramona has always been insufferable.  The nastiest scene of her awfulness to me wasn't even with a fellow cast member, but with a young woman who was either interviewing for a job with her company, or for an internship.  She had acne, and Ramona made comments about her skin, on camera.  She even went as far as to give her skincare products. I'm sure when that aired I called Ramona a twat.

[Maharincess]

Certain strains of weed smell like cat pee. The really, really good stuff.

Not that I'd know from experience or anything.

[glowlights]

8 million seems to be a huge bargain in the Hamptons.  It was probably in a bad area?

 

I'm not a realtor, but I just did a quick check of the current comps in Bridgehampton and it looks like she didn't do too bad? Probably better than Silex did:

http://observer.com/2014/12/ex-real-housewives-stars-simon-van-kempen-and-alex-mccord-drop-bk-pad-for-2-67m/

 

Back on memory lane... one of my favorite moments with Housewives' families was when Kelly's daughter said, "Talk to the booty, cuz the hand's off duty."

[comatoast]

Back on memory lane... one of my favorite moments with Housewives' families was when Kelly's daughter said, "Talk to the booty, cuz the hand's off duty."

 

 

Wasn't that when the Genius was asking her daughters how they felt about the Playboy spread? What I most remember about that scene is that the younger daughter (which I believe is also the one who said the booty/duty bit) said that Kelly worked hard for them. You know, a very positive thing to say about your mother! But then  Kelly's reaction was something like: "Oh jee, thanks a lot!" It must be so weird being smarter than your mom when you're not even TEN!.  

[BucFan]

I've blocked from my memory what an annoying twerp Kristen is. Her stupid "O" face that she always makes looks like a cat's butt.

[One Tough Cookie]

Certain strains of weed smell like cat pee. The really, really good stuff.

Not that I'd know from experience or anything.

 

 

 

You read it on the internet, right?  :)

[SCS]

I've blocked from my memory what an annoying twerp Kristen is. Her stupid "O" face that she always makes looks like a cat's butt.

On the Bravo site there are the usual clips. The one that focuses on some of the ladies meeting and discussing Soynja's meltdown at Molly Ringwald's caberet, rolls on Kristen's "O". It's her go-to look to demonstrate shock and awe.

[theironwoman]

Just want to say that the best thing about the season 3 reunion is watching the other housewives try to hash out an issue and then there's Kelly, constantly interjecting while missing the entire point. Jill and LuAnn look embarressed that she's supposed to be on their "team."

[Box305]

I forgot how insane Kelly was during the Scary Island episodes. 

[swankie]

Am watching the reruns of Scary Island.  Kelly is really and truly having a nervous breakdown in front of our eyes.  She breaks out crying because Bethenny gave everyone gift bags!  Wow!  What a crazo!!!

[crgirl412]

I can't believe there aren't more people on here talking about Scary Island that is on RIGHT NOW!!! 

 

Watching it again after so much has happened and years have gone by, it really, really confirmed what I knew then- Kelly is a crazy bitch. 

 

She is very, very, very controlling.  In my opinion, it is due to her issues with low self-esteem, her deep, irrational fears of how people will perceive her and in general poorly formed social skills. 

Edited April 21, 2015 by crgirl412

[ryebread]

They're just sitting down to dinner now.  I'm feeling all squirmy.

[crgirl412]

They're just sitting down to dinner now.  I'm feeling all squirmy.

Me too!!! 

 

Kelly even looks very unwell sitting there- bags under her eyes, shiny face and dark long stringy hair in her face. 

[KFC]

Years later, what I find staggering about Scary Island is how lucid Sonja seemed back then.

 

Just want to say that the best thing about the season 3 reunion is watching the other housewives try to hash out an issue and then there's Kelly, constantly interjecting while missing the entire point. Jill and LuAnn look embarressed that she's supposed to be on their "team."

 

This was really where Kelly lost what few breakdown sympathy points she might have garnered from me. She wasn't just delusional, she was aggressive and dismissive, especially of Alex. For all of Kelly's lollipops/rainbows/nice people jargon, her actions made it clear she reserved such kindness for those on her "level."

[ryebread]

Kelly is crazy.  But Bethenny is horrible for continuing to poke that.  Sonja, SONJA! is the only one with the sense to see that something is wrong and not sit there and laugh and harass. 

 

ETA:  Actually they all came to their senses (sans Kelly) and stopped.  God, that was so uncomfortable. 

Edited April 21, 2015 by ryebread

[crgirl412]

Are we ever going to get the entire story???  Clearly there are scenes that we didn't see and no one even eluded to them.  I want to know about production taking her back to NYC! 

[ryebread]

And.... along comes Jill. LOLOL.  My nerves can't handle the housewives.

 

Hiiiiiiiiiiii

 

ETA:  Alex just turned 50 shades of red and is crying.  I'd cry, too.  So stressful after the night they had.  Man, Jill just can't read a room.  I feel sorry for Bobby.  He's clearly uncomfortable.

Edited April 21, 2015 by ryebread

[MyAimIsTrue]

Years later, what I find staggering about Scary Island is how lucid Sonja seemed back then.

 

I always thought the same thing.

 

Dammit, why do I have to be at work when Scary Island is on?  How come they don't rerun these episodes at night or on weekends???

[ryebread]

Are we ever going to get the entire story???  Clearly there are scenes that we didn't see and no one even eluded to them.  I want to know about production taking her back to NYC! 

 

And was a straight jacket involved?  I'm with you, I'd really like to know who made the call to get her out of there and who escorted her home.  

[crgirl412]

I did feel bad for Jill.  I can't recall why Alex reacted so strongly.  I know that Jill's personality steam-rolled Alex's over the course of seasons but Jill really overplayed her hand on this surprise.  She didn't really realize what had already happened with Kelly and she really did want to make up with Bethenny so that really lead her to be very wrong about it!   

[crgirl412]

Sonja,  "I always dated exotic guys: Chinese, Irish........."  

 

I don't know about you all but those are always the first nationalities I think of when I think of exotic guys.  LOL!!! 

 

Full disclosure:  I'm part Irish!!

[Box305]

I really can't handle watching Kelly. I actually had a nervous breakdown five years ago and it took me a long time to recover. We're talking years. Not sure what she had down in St. John but she definitely wasn't right. Maybe she took something that had a strange effect on her. 

[ryebread]

I did feel bad for Jill.  I can't recall why Alex reacted so strongly.  I know that Jill's personality steam-rolled Alex's over the course of seasons but Jill really overplayed her hand on this surprise.  She didn't really realize what had already happened with Kelly and she really did want to make up with Bethenny so that really lead her to be very wrong about it!   

I felt bad for her, too.  She had no idea what had happened the night before (or did she?) but I think probably not.  So walking into the silence and then basically been asked to leave.  Hurtful.

 

I can't remember what the problem was between Jill and Alex.  But I think she reacted so strongly (hives and crying) when Jill showed up, in part, because the night before had been so awful.  Also, they'd JUST been talking about how the vacation could now begin, and then here comes Jill.  Even though their reactions were hurtful, I think they were some of the most authentic I've ever seen across any franchise.

 

These two episodes are also probably the most disturbing I've ever seen.

 

Luann is now out to lunch with Jill, Kelly and the new housewife, Jennifer.  She called the trip, Poison Island.  Get with the program, Countess...it's Scary Island.  Forever, until the end of time.

[crgirl412]

Clearly WE missed the scene when Bethenny screamed at Kelly the she went out of her way to orchestrate a smear campaign against her.  I'm thinking that's not true since Kelly didn't file a lawsuit. 

 

Notice that at lunch with Luann, Jill and Jennifer, Kelly was sitting there spewing her craziness and all three of those women were confused, laughing at what she was saying and commenting on her streams of confabulations. Who's the common denominator????

 

Even though their reactions were hurtful, I think they were some of the most authentic I've ever seen across any franchise.

AMEN!!!

 

 

Luann is now out to lunch with Jill, Kelly and the new housewife, Jennifer.  She called the trip, Poison Island.  Get with the program, Countess...it's Scary Island.  Forever, until the end of time.

This made me choke on my Sprite!!!!!  LOL!!!! 

[ryebread]

I really can't handle watching Kelly. I actually had a nervous breakdown five years ago and it took me a long time to recover. We're talking years. Not sure what she had down in St. John but she definitely wasn't right. Maybe she took something that had a strange effect on her. 

 

I think Kelly is probably on the autism spectrum.  And whatever happened on the island, whether it was drugs or a nervous breakdown - I'm not sure - was separate from whatever she probably struggles with every day.  

[Box305]

I think Kelly is probably on the autism spectrum.  And whatever happened on the island, whether it was drugs or a nervous breakdown - I'm not sure - was separate from whatever she probably struggles with every day.  

 

It also seems like she can't process what some people are saying. Like my brother doesn't get sarcasm or exaggeration a lot of times and it has led to knock down, drag out fights with my mom because it's honestly like trying to talk to a wall. He just doesn't understand it and can't be reasoned with. He will try to shut us down and stop us from talking during arguments, especially when he's not getting what we're trying to say to him. I saw some of that kind of behavior in Kelly when she was at the table in the purple dress. 

Edited April 21, 2015 by Box305

[crgirl412]

I think Kelly is probably on the autism spectrum.  And whatever happened on the island, whether it was drugs or a nervous breakdown - I'm not sure - was separate from whatever she probably struggles with every day.  

I agree!!  I though of that too.  Darryl Hannah has autism so it's not that out of the question. 

 

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/daryl-hannah-reveals-autism-hollywood-20394655

[JenE4]

Today's my birthday and I'm home sick, so it was a gift from the heavens to get the Scary Island marathon PLUS "Money Can't Buy You Class." I hadn't remembered they were in the same episodes. This was truly the golden age of The Real Housewives franchise.

But, wow, watching the 3-4 (the day blurred together!) episodes in a row was ALMOST too much Kelly to handle. I can't imagine how scary Scary Island was for the housewives actually there! I also immediately thought Kelly is on the spectrum when she kept trying to shut down everyone talking about their emotions and just couldn't compute having an actual conversation where you listen to what the other person says and then respond to those words. My son was diagnosed with Asperger's two years ago, so when I originally saw this season, I didn't know what high-functioning autism was (only very severe, as my friend's son who can't even speak). So now I can spot it right away. The very first altercation they had it was like a lightbulb--OMG, Kelly is on the spectrum! She makes so much more sense if you look at her from that perspective! I'm really curious whether she has been diagnosed.

I don't really remember what Jill and Alex had a falling out over. Was it that Jill called Francois (and/or whatever the other kid's name is) wild or something? I have a vague memory of one of those kids climbing up Jill's leg or something and Jill commenting on the kid's behavior and/or Alex's parenting. And didn't Alex's husband have a Twitter war (or whatever social media people used then) with Jill? Was that what started it all?

[KFC]

I thought the whole Jill/Alex beef boiled down to: Jill had always sort of condescendingly tolerated Alex yet got in digs at every opportune moment. Alex, not being particularly skilled at HW arguments or conflict, let it boil over but couldn't do much because she was neither popular nor quick on her feet.

 

And then when Alex started becoming closer/allied with Bethenny, she used the Bethenny/Jill feud as an opportunity to unleash all her frustrations with Jill. (That was when Alex gave the classic/awkward, "You are a MEAN GIRL!... And while YOU are in high school, I AM IN BROOKLYN!" speech.)

 

Because Jill never viewed Alex as her equal, she probably became enraged that Alex dare speak to her in such a harsh tone. And since she already viewed Alex as a "lesser than," it was easy for Jill to blame Alex for not being able to make up with Bethenny.

 

The other women could barely hide their contempt for Alex, and she was just awful at defending herself so I always felt for her in those episodes, even despite the awkwardness of her speech. Yes, she was a pretender, but then pretty much all the women were/are, so their disdain was always a bit ridiculous, IMO.

 

[Grneyedldy]

I did feel bad for Jill.  I can't recall why Alex reacted so strongly.  I know that Jill's personality steam-rolled Alex's over the course of seasons but Jill really overplayed her hand on this surprise.  She didn't really realize what had already happened with Kelly and she really did want to make up with Bethenny so that really lead her to be very wrong about it!

  

I felt bad for her, too.  She had no idea what had happened the night before (or did she?) but I think probably not.  So walking into the silence and then basically been asked to leave.  Hurtful.

 

I can't remember what the problem was between Jill and Alex.  But I think she reacted so strongly (hives and crying) when Jill showed up, in part, because the night before had been so awful.  Also, they'd JUST been talking about how the vacation could now begin, and then here comes Jill.  Even though their reactions were hurtful, I think they were some of the most authentic I've ever seen across any franchise.

 

These two episodes are also probably the most disturbing I've ever seen.

 

Luann is now out to lunch with Jill, Kelly and the new housewife, Jennifer.  She called the trip, Poison Island.  Get with the program, Countess...it's Scary Island.  Forever, until the end of time.

Jill did know about everything that happened that night BEFORE she got on a plane. It was discussed during the reunion. Bethenny called Jill and told her what happened and asked her to meet Kelly and take care of her. Jill admitted that she purposely didn't want to blow her surprise and agreed. So NO, not then and certainly not ever did I feel sorry for Jill. This was just her big plan to be on camera when she realized she fucked up by not going on the trip. Remember, Jill was not just trying to create good tv by having a fight with Bethenny........she actively campaigned with the other women to freeze Bethenny out and possibly ruin the chances for B's upcoming spin off.

[crgirl412]

  

Jill did know about everything that happened that night BEFORE she got on a plane. It was discussed during the reunion. Bethenny called Jill and told her what happened and asked her to meet Kelly and take care of her. Jill admitted that she purposely didn't want to blow her surprise and agreed.

That sounds vaguely familiar.  I know I watched that reunion but forgot about that part.  Jill really is a BITCH then!!!

[crgirl412]

I did feel bad for Jill.  I can't recall why Alex reacted so strongly.  I know that Jill's personality steam-rolled Alex's over the course of seasons but Jill really overplayed her hand on this surprise.  She didn't really realize what had already happened with Kelly and she really did want to make up with Bethenny so that really lead her to be very wrong about it!   

Three sentences and the word really four times!!!  I'm so sorry!! 

[swankie]

Because Jill never viewed Alex as her equal, she probably became enraged that Alex dare speak to her in such a harsh tone. And since she already viewed Alex as a "lesser than," it was easy for Jill to blame Alex for not being able to make up with Bethenny.

 

 

Don't forget that Alex is the one who delivered the news to Jill that Bethenny was breaking up with her and never wanted to see her again.  Jill got more mad at Alex than she did with Bethenny over that one.  Bobby even stepped in and berated Alex over that one.

 

She is very, very, very controlling.  In my opinion, it is due to her issues with low self-esteem, her deep, irrational fears of how people will perceive her and in general poorly formed social skills.

 

 

Kelly also had a hard time distinguishing between dreams and reality.  She kept saying Bethenny was attacking her in her dreams and started yelling at Bethenny because of it.  How the hell did she expect Bethenny to answer for that?  And she kept repeating it.  She even told Jill about it on the phone how she dreamed Bethenny was stabbing her, but she was relaying it as if it really happened.  It's like saying, "I dreamed that you assaulted me so I'm calling the police!"  This really confirmed for me that this chick had a screw loose.

[Bossa Nova]

Moved my post about Kelly and my thoughts on possible Aspergers syndrome over to Ghost of Housewives Past thread.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Bossa Nova

[Bossa Nova]

Moved this one over too. 

Edited April 22, 2015 by Bossa Nova

[archer1267]

I am watching S6 again, and specifically the Berkshires episodes. YIKES, I'd forgotten how unhinged Ramona got. It wasn't about the boat so much as her "apology" to Kristen, which devolved into her screaming and rationalizing her bad behavior. I don't care what Sonja says, Ramona had a rare moment of self-awareness when she said that she was turning into her father. I come from a family with a mom very prone to angry outbursts (which sometimes got physical) so I'm not being overly sensitive when I say that I was half-expecting Ramona to get violent. And the shouting and getting into someone's face happened at the lunch when the women confronted Ramona. That kind of angry outburst and yelling is like her default, and it is very scary. I completely believe that she grew up seeing that unchecked and thinking that that was a "normal" way to handle conflict, but good God, I hope she figures out a healthy way to deal with this crap.

 

I'd totally forgotten Sonja's apologist tour in the woods afterwards, getting all upset at Kristen for provoking Ramona to begin with, completely not getting that throwing a glass at someone is a disproportionate response to someone splashing you when you're both in a lake. It all became Kristen's fault. Quite a snapshot of the Ramonja codependency dynamic right there.

[jenny2682]

I had always thought the repeated mention of Kelly's room smelling like "cat pee" and the close-up of her orange thumb when she called Jill plus her greasy skin and erratic behavior was someone's not so subtle way of telling us that Kelly was doing meth.

I have always wondered what really happened. The other HoWives said that the viewers saw a fraction of what happened during that stay and her melt down. I'm wondering if something organic was happening to Kelly which she then was self medicating with heavy shit like Meth and then the staff and production on the trip had to call the bigwigs and report what they saw. I am sure that on reality TV camera people and producers see a lot they keep under wraps (I can't even imagine what they saw with The Situation, Jersey Shore and Teen Mom, Backdoor Farrah, Amber and Janelle). For Kelly to be sent home it must have been a dangerous situation, swept under the rug but dangerous. She must have really had a psychotic episode that put her, her cast mates and production in potential harm. Lord, what they all must have seen. I think that was why Andy was so pissed at Season 3 reunion when she was so flippant saying that nothing was that bad, she was forced to grow on trip etc. Andy was seething because he probably was thinking I am covering for you bitch. No wonder Alex was in hives, Bethanny pregnant and crying.

[crgirl412]

 

I have always wondered what really happened. The other HoWives said that the viewers saw a fraction of what happened during that stay and her melt down. I'm wondering if something organic was happening to Kelly which she then was self medicating with heavy shit like Meth and then the staff and production on the trip had to call the bigwigs and report what they saw.

 

Or Kelly was doing heavy drugs in NYC and had to very quickly stop to go on the trip as she couldn't do drugs on the trip. 

[crgirl412]

All of you MUST go over to the Ghosts of Housewives past and read Bossa Nova's post on Kelly and ASD.  It is excellent!!!! 

[QuinnM]

 

Or Kelly was doing heavy drugs in NYC and had to very quickly stop to go on the trip as she couldn't do drugs on the trip.

 

Hence the sugar cravings.  I think you've got something here.

[Beden]

 

I am watching S6 again, and specifically the Berkshires episodes. YIKES, I'd forgotten how unhinged Ramona got. It wasn't about the boat so much as her "apology" to Kristen, which devolved into her screaming and rationalizing her bad behavior.

Not in any way excusing Romona's behavior but I always thought that she was actually reacting to the fact that she'd just learned or seen proof that her husband was banging some other woman and that her marriage and family--which she clearly took pride in, loved and depended on--wasn't the safe haven she'd thought it was. I know from experience that kind of betrayal is tantamount to a form of death, requires a very real mourning period and you may well not be yourself.

 

I can also see--again without in the least excusing--her need for denial, refusal to discuss Mario's straying on the subsequent reunion and obvious and deep seeded sadness this season.

[archer1267]

I always thought that she was actually reacting to the fact that she'd just learned or seen proof that her husband was banging some other woman and that her marriage and family--which she clearly took pride in, loved and depended on--wasn't the safe haven she'd thought it was

 

Maybe, and I agree that a lot of Ramona's craziness last season may have been due to that. But it's still no excuse for getting in someone's face and screaming the way she did. And even if the "making mud pies" scene in the woods wasn't at all real, it's disturbing that Ramona cooked a big ruse of having flashbacks to previous abuse, and used that as a way to get sympathy.

 

Either way you cut it, Ramona's got a lot of pent-up "stuff" inside her.

[BrendasChoppers]

Just finished season three on Hulu. I was tempted to play a one woman drinking game every time Jill said "She/You told me to find a new hobby! And you know what? I found a new hobby and it wasn't her/you." followed by her affirmation-seeking smirk.

I think I'm skipping season four (saw it once). Can't handle the Alex treatment again.

On to season five....Holla!

Edited April 25, 2015 by BrendasChoppers

[robroy]

Ehh- I really do not think Alex was treated poorly by the 'brunettes.' I think she just kept trying to insert herself where she didn't fit. Most of us have been the 3rd/5th/extra wheel at some point and simply adapt. Alex was trying way to hard to be relevant, assertive or witty. I always pictured Simon sitting in their basement lair giving her hours of coaching like an evil (not-so) genius.

 

What was most uncomfortable for me was her continued insistence on some grand alliance with Ramona and Sonja who either didn't acknowledge her, kicked her out of their homes and basically had not fucks to throw in her direction. It was cringe worthy at best.

[KFC]

I do agree Alex tried hard for relevancy and failed. But I also think that's because the women already looked down on her and did treat her poorly to begin with.

 

I guess it's a chicken-or-egg situation, but I think a lot of her not fitting in was because she wasn't "important" enough to be treated with the same level of respect that Kelly/Jill/Luann would give to someone like Carole who has the Kennedy connections and the best-selling book.

[FozzyBear]

I do agree Alex tried hard for relevancy and failed. But I also think that's because the women already looked down on her and did treat her poorly to begin with.

I guess it's a chicken-or-egg situation, but I think a lot of her not fitting in was because she wasn't "important" enough to be treated with the same level of respect that Kelly/Jill/Luann would give to someone like Carole who has the Kennedy connections and the best-selling book.

Season 4 was just a fail. Epic, epic fail. I think the main problem was how completely transparent it was that none of them were actually friends. Some got along better than others, but it was all at the scale of that person you get along with at work and occasionally eat lunch with, but have never done anything with outside of the office. Luanne and Jill were more "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". Cindy hated everyone, but hated Sonjia and Ramona slightly more. Kelly fell in with the brunettes mostly because none of them had been at Scary Island and a mutual dislike of Bethanny. Alex fell in with Sonjia and Ramona because she didn't like Jill and was scared of Kelly. The only two who seemed to actually like each-other were Sonjia and Ramona, but no one else, not even Alex really, liked them. It was one of those seasons where it was obvious that they were all there only to collect a paycheck. It was just boring to watch because the stakes never seemed higher than petty office politics.

[Beden]

 

Either way you cut it, Ramona's got a lot of pent-up "stuff" inside her.

Oh yeah. I'd be tempted to wonder who has the most baggage--Ramona, Jill, Kelly...the list goes on.

 

Heaven knows we all have our issues but I suppose it's a matter of degree and how much (or little ) it would take us to splay them all over TV for a paycheck or some dubious attention.

[robroy]

IIRC- it was Ramona who called Jill about Kelly going cuckoo. But it is still the same result- Jill hears about The Crazy going down & is too daft to realize that its not the best time for an unannounced visit and someone probably needs to walk Kelly down from the penthouse of crazy towers. Whoever said Jill could not read a room was spot on.

 

I actually think most of these housewives have major baggage except Luann, Jennifer and probably Dorinda. Doesn't make them perfect people but I never so those three refighting past battles constantly, claiming every slight as an excuse for current poor behavior or trying to either embellish or poor mouth their past to suit their preferred image.

 

I actually think that is why Ramona and Bethenney are so skilled at reality television- they know how to weave a tale, drop a bomb, give just the right tidbit of misdirection to build their arc. Its also why Jill, Alex and now Sonja can make watching them so uncorfortable- there is a level of desperation there that is not becoming. 

Edited April 26, 2015 by robroy

[CrinkleCutCat]

Which season and episodes are the four (?) Scary Island episodes?

I have never re-watched any old episodes but would like to track these down. Any suggestions where I can find them on the Internet? (Australian here!).

[CrinkleCutCat]

Ignore my previous post! Professor Google and Doctor Wikipedia helped me!