S10.E14: The Telephone Game

[snarts]

  Quote

Back in Charleston, Craig and Austen rekindle their bromance. Madison finally gets some good news. A wicked game of telephone threatens to undermine Venita and JT's situationship.

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Airs 3.13.2025

Not sure why JT is claiming vindication, the barber clearly confirmed he'd referred to Venita as a "black girl". Plus, at the time, no one was aware there was anything going on with them so it's hard to fathom Ryan just making up the "trying to ruin things with my girlfriend" comment. It sounds like he was bragging, got caught and is now trying deflect blame onto Ryan, the messenger. I'm not saying he's racist but describing people solely by their race is disrespectful. 

I was worried about Taylor's pug out in that heat. Instead of pup cups, they should've got water.

 

Edited March 14 by snarts

[nexxie]

Yikes - this new JT storyline is really ugly.

[ZettaK]

I'm traveling and I recorded this at home. I'm not sure I can watch tonight where I am (I was busy, and I need to sleep), and it seems interesting. 

  On 3/14/2025 at 2:30 AM, snarts said:

I was worried about Taylor's pug out in that heat. Instead of pup cups, they should've got water.

 

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Taylor didn't spay Penelope in time either (the dog was menstruating and in diapers in a previous season). She looked a little older back then, not a younger puppy. I don't have any more information though. For example, my rescue girl who passed away in November 2023 had to be treated for heartworm after I adopted her, we had to wait for about 6 months until she was healthier (and had two heartworm negative tests), and she was then spayed at a little more than a year old.

Edited March 14 by ZettaK

[dancingdreamer]

This thing with JT, just makes Venita looked desperate,  she likes him, she knows he has a girlfriend,  although nobody  else does, she needs to keep him in the friend zone,  if she must.

I decided  tonight,  I don't  like Paige, she has been good for Craig,  which he has said himself.  Paige  thinks she's funny, and special,  when she isn’t. 

Poor dogs, lying in the shade and still panting, they needed  water. 

JT was talking  about a black girl, he wasn't  cleared of anything  in my eyes, obviously  he has been  talking  about Venita.

[JenE4]

  On 3/14/2025 at 2:30 AM, snarts said:

Airs 3.13.2025

Not sure why JT is claiming vindication, the barber clearly confirmed he'd referred to Venita as a "black girl". Plus, at the time, no one was aware there was anything going on with them so it's hard to fathom Ryan just making up the "trying to ruin things with my girlfriend" comment. It sounds like he was bragging, got caught and is now trying deflect blame onto Ryan, the messenger. I'm not saying he's racist but describing people solely by their race is disrespectful. 

I was worried about Taylor's pug out in that heat. Instead of pup cups, they should've got water.

 

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I think the distinction was “some black girl” vs “a cute black girl.” The former definitely comes off as derisive and racist while the latter is descriptive but with a positive connotation—like that’s a feature he finds attractive. No one would bat an eye over “a cute blonde.” Though agreed her race wouldn’t seem relevant to specify. But, regardless, yeah, he was spreading his business all over Charleston. Though, I’m sure JT doesn’t exactly have many opportunities for “locker room talk” bragging over having a girlfriend and then another “cute [black] girl” also throwing herself at him and climbing into his bed. Considering he spent the rest of the short trip either fighting with others or leaving to avoid a fight, his interaction with Venita was surely a highlight, albeit with mixed feelings since he seems to have feelings for both his girlfriend and Venita. Venita is all-in on trying to break up his relationship and win him over, so if he said that, that’s not inaccurate either. I think JT’s problem is that he has a lot of bluster so it’s hard to want to agree with what he’s saying. But sometimes if you can overlook his grandstanding delivery, the core message is fine, but no one can get past how he’s delivering it because he seems to give speeches rather than have a conversation. Seems like another instance of him getting caught up in his own rhetoric that the listener is picking up on a few key words that seem odd and overlooking the intended message. This seems to happen to JT all the time with this “friend group” as he calls them.

Edited March 14 by JenE4

[snarts]

  On 3/14/2025 at 10:16 AM, JenE4 said:

Seems like another instance of him getting caught up in his own rhetoric that the listener is picking up on a few key words that seem odd and overlooking the intended message. This seems to happen to JT all the time with this “friend group” as he calls them.

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Referring to her as black was impactful enough that the nameless barber repeated it to Ryan. If you're Ryan or Leva, who are both married to people of color, black is the word they heard & took issue with.

Whether JT said "cute" or "some" or most likely "some cute", it's still bad form. He was bragging all over town, so I don't see how they missed his intent.

I know JT has garnered some sympathy this season but I do not see him at all sympathetic. His words and actions are why most people do not like him. He's overly righteous, arrogant & boastful. A petty little man, with seemingly a bit of anger under the surface.

Edited March 14 by snarts
grammar, too early

[JenE4]

  On 3/14/2025 at 10:44 AM, snarts said:

Mentioning her as black was impactful enough that the nameless barber repeated that Ryan. If you're Ryan or Leva, who are both married to a person of color, black is the word they heard & took issue with.

Whether JT said "cute" or "some" or most likely "some cute", it's still bad form. He was bragging all over town, so I don't see how they missed his intent.

I know JT has garnered some sympathy this season but I do not see him at all sympathetic. His words and actions are why most people do not like him. He's overly righteous, arrogant & boastful. A petty little man, with seemingly a bit of anger under the surface.

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Oh, yeah, if I didn’t make it clear, I do not like JT and I have never liked JT. Everything I said about how he pontificates is why I can’t stand the guy and don’t blame anyone else for not wanting to be around him, either. I’m just trying to point out how his core message may have been misconstrued and why, like Leva, I agreed that the conversation with the barber cleared up JT’s intention. Black is not a “bad word.” How he used it matters. Sounds like it was complimentary. 

[nexxie]

This Venita and JT storyline is particularly ugly since it involves race, and possibly cheating - but the whole Bravo thing is to cast people with big egos, set them up in clashing “friend groups,” film them bragging, bitching and otherwise talking out of their asses, and then edit for the most sensational outcome. 

[aghst]

Paige apparently kept reminding Craig that she's on a Bravo show, making money herself, so she could always bail.

Looks like they're going to make the breakup or her dumping him into a cliffhanger for the finale.

So instead of her being rid of him, not caring about continuing to appear on SC as well as her main Bravo show -- never watched it but what a dumb premise, she's a little too old to be doing a house share isn't she? --  they're going to make the breakup a major story line for next season?

Hmm, so JT notes that Venita is black, like that's the main attribute she has to him?

Are there a lot of interracial couples in Charleston or the South in general?  Seems like that may reverse, the way things are going.  Conservatives are feeling empowered to be more openly racist or homophobic these days so is Bravo really going to go there?

They just gloss over old men dating much younger women, though they were snickering some this season about how Shep likes them young.  But they've never said anything about Thomas or Whitney dating women who could be the age of daughters, if they had children in their mid 20s.

[swankie]

  On 3/14/2025 at 10:44 AM, snarts said:

Referring to her as black was impactful enough that the nameless barber repeated it to Ryan. If you're Ryan or Leva, who are both married to people of color, black is the word they heard & took issue with.

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Did anyone notice Leva contributing to the telephoning of the barber's comment?  It went from Venita telling her, "...Ryan said verbatim, "some black girl has been coming on to me and my girlfriend is going to be so pissed"" to Leva telling JT, "...Ryan said you said verbatim, "there's some black girl trying to get me to break up with my girlfriend!"".  They both used "verbatim" and then began to misquote him. 🤣  And then they proceed to make Ryan the bad guy for a statement that JT made.  I believe what Venita said is closer to the truth.  I can picture JT boasting, "This black girl is coming on to me and if my girlfriend finds out she's going to be so pissed."  Whether he said "cute black girl", "some black girl" or "this black girl" is of no consequence.  The fact that he referred to her by her race lowers her in his eyes if you ask me.  Had Venita been white, he wouldn't have said, "cute white girl", or "some white girl".  

Edited March 14 by swankie
Correcting guotes.

[snarts]

  On 3/14/2025 at 10:59 AM, JenE4 said:

I’m just trying to point out how his core message may have been misconstrued and why, like Leva, I agreed that the conversation with the barber cleared up JT’s intention. Black is not a “bad word.” How he used it matters. Sounds like it was complimentary. 

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While I agree that black is not a bad word, I don't see how that conversation cleared up JT's intention in using it.

Venita's been on show for 2+ years, Charleston's a small town, they're supposedly good friends. So why would JT describe her as a "black girl" like she were some stranger?

 

[Back Atcha]

  On 3/14/2025 at 6:14 PM, swankie said:

They both used "verbatim" and then began to misquote him.

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Maybe it's just another "filler" word...like LITERALLY.  They've heard the word used, but they're not sure what it means.

[nexxie]

This episode showed how Paige helped Craig (the conversation about his drinking) and why he probably dodged a bullet with the break-up (all the other conversations). 

[Crazydoxielady]

I’m a white woman married to a black man. At no point have I referred to him as my black husband or before that my black fiancé or boyfriend. JT was being salacious with a racist twinge. Make no mistake about it. He was trying to act like the big man he isn’t with a girlfriend and a silly little black girl throwing herself at him. GTFOOH. 
How clear to all of us was it that Paige was  done with Craig. It’s blatantly obvious and her ragging on him with Austen went a bit too far. Does he have it coming? I suppose. I like Paige. She’s a smart girl. But at this point I’d love to see Craig move onto a doting southern girl who will have his babies. His attraction to strong willed women with a side of mean remains his kryptonite. 
I was so repulsed by that plastic surgeon staring at Sally’s naked augmented breasts and telling her how great they looked.  Just as she’s about to get them removed. I’m giving him side eye, and I’m glad mom and a female staff member were present. Not cool. Beyond that though, if she didn’t want the judgements the big fake tata’s  bring, why on earth was she constantly bra less in tiny crop tops with the nippy nips at attention? 

Edited March 15 by Crazydoxielady

[Sweet-tea]

  On 3/15/2025 at 10:56 AM, Crazydoxielady said:

I was so repulsed by that plastic surgeon staring at Sally’s naked augmented breasts and telling her how great they looked.  Just as she’s about to get them removed. I’m giving him side eye, and I’m glad mom and a female staff member were present. Not cool.

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It was a bit awkwad. I noticed they cut to her mother and she didn't look thrilled. I've wondered how male plastic sugeons deal with it when they have a really attractive, young half-naked woman in their office. I expect them to act professionally. Maybe this guy was commenting on the aesthetics of the work she'd had done, but it didn't come off that way. 

I haven't read the blogs so I don't really know what happened with Craig and Paige. However, I don't think she was very nice to him. I've not a fan of sarcasm as someone's main form of humor, especially to a partner or spouse. She seemed to make fun of Craig a lot, and I thought some of it was mean spirited. I could tell by his expression he was hurt. (Full disclosure: I may have a bias here as my daughter-in-law does this to my son constantly, and it rankles me.)

I'm glad Craig ackowledged his addiction problem, and I noticed he didn't just characterize it as pills. He specifically mentioned alcohol. If that's the case, it's best for him to abstain from alcohol. He's been drinking a little in the last few episodes, and this concerns me. I hope he doesn't go down that road again. 

I'm over the Venita/JT storyline and wish they'd move on. JT obviously doesn't go over well with this group. If there is another season, hopefully he won't be asked back. 

Shep seems to have recovered quickly from his broken heart. 

 

 

Edited March 15 by Sweet-tea

[1011101010001]

I think the combination of Black girl to refer to an adult is condescending at the least.  You wouldn’t refer to an adult male as a Black boy.  I don’t know why JT is so quick to blame it all on Ryan when the barber admitted he may have misspoke when recounting the statement.  If Ryan did accurately repeat what the barber said he did not lie.

[Back Atcha]

  On 3/15/2025 at 10:56 AM, Crazydoxielady said:

But at this point I’d love to see Craig move onto a doting southern girl who will have his babies. His attraction to strong willed women with a side of mean remains his kryptonite. 

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I don't think we saw his women's "side of mean" until they were fully exasperated.  Craig received more patience than he deserved. And now we know about both Adderall AND  alcohol.  Maybe the women are candidates for sainthood.

I wonder if we'll see a more humble Craig. He'll definitely be on the show since Andy's such a fan.

  On 3/15/2025 at 4:55 PM, 1011101010001 said:

 I don’t know why JT is so quick to blame it all on Ryan when the barber admitted he may have misspoke when recounting the statement.

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Then what's all this "verbatim" bidness?

  On 3/15/2025 at 11:48 AM, Sweet-tea said:

I haven't read the blogs so I don't really know what happened with Craig and Paige. However, I don't think she was very nice to him. I've not a fan of sarcasm as someone's main form of humor, especially to a partner or spouse. She seemed to make fun of Craig a lot, and I thought some of it was mean spirited. I could tell by his expression he was hurt. (Full disclosure: I may have a bias here as my daughter-in-law does this to my son constantly, and it rankles me.)

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It's possible that Craig was hurt by snarky comments, but HE DOES NOT LISTEN. How many times has Paige said she doesn't want to live a country housewife/ mom life.  Because that's what HE wants (and doesn't listen), that's what he kept pushing.  Cast members tell him what irks them about his behavior.  If he doesn't like it, he goes on his merry way. He wonders what's wrong with everyone else... and shocked that his girlfriend is gone.  Eventually everyone is pissed off.

[heatherchandler]

  On 3/14/2025 at 6:27 AM, dancingdreamer said:

 

I decided  tonight,  I don't  like Paige, she has been good for Craig,  which he has said himself.  Paige  thinks she's funny, and special,  when she isn’t. 

 

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I can’t wait for her to have a boyfriend who doesn’t let her treat them like shit.  She’s all high and mighty thinking she is amazing and special.  She’s not.  She’s mean.

[bosawks]

It's weird.  I am generally on JT's side with regards to the fact that I think others are misrepresenting the specifics of what he either said or did but I am also never on his side regarding his intentions in these same situations.

Like I said, weird.

[snarts]

  On 3/17/2025 at 1:54 PM, bosawks said:

It's weird.  I am generally on JT's side with regards to the fact that I think others are misrepresenting the specifics of what he either said or did but I am also never on his side regarding his intentions in these same situations.

Like I said, weird.

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Quite likely, this is why they misrepresent the specifics of what he said because they're aware that his intentions are bad.

Rumors that JT gets his info from a cast stalker (restraining orders involved) which resulted in the firing of a showrunner, which would explain a lot of the vitriol against him https://entertainmentnow.com/bravo/southern-charm-teases-jt-mollys-concert/

[JenE4]

  On 3/17/2025 at 3:25 PM, snarts said:

Quite likely, this is why they misrepresent the specifics of what he said because they're aware that his intentions are bad.

Rumors that JT gets his info from a cast stalker (restraining orders involved) which resulted in the firing of a showrunner, which would explain a lot of the vitriol against him https://entertainmentnow.com/bravo/southern-charm-teases-jt-mollys-concert/

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This is wild. I really hope we have a full-circle moment and it turns out the stalker informant is…Sienna’s grandmother.

[Book Junkie]

  On 3/15/2025 at 11:48 AM, Sweet-tea said:

It was a bit awkwad. I noticed they cut to her mother and she didn't look thrilled. I've wondered how male plastic sugeons deal with it when they have a really attractive, young half-naked woman in their office. I expect them to act professionally. Maybe this guy was commenting on the aesthetics of the work she'd had done, but it didn't come off that way. 

I haven't read the blogs so I don't really know what happened with Craig and Paige. However, I don't think she was very nice to him. I've not a fan of sarcasm as someone's main form of humor, especially to a partner or spouse. She seemed to make fun of Craig a lot, and I thought some of it was mean spirited. I could tell by his expression he was hurt. (Full disclosure: I may have a bias here as my daughter-in-law does this to my son constantly, and it rankles me.)

I'm glad Craig ackowledged his addiction problem, and I noticed he didn't just characterize it as pills. He specifically mentioned alcohol. If that's the case, it's best for him to abstain from alcohol. He's been drinking a little in the last few episodes, and this concerns me. I hope he doesn't go down that road again. 

I'm over the Venita/JT storyline and wish they'd move on. JT obviously doesn't go over well with this group. If there is another season, hopefully he won't be asked back. 

Shep seems to have recovered quickly from his broken heart. 

 

 

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I think the plastic surgeon was referring to the surgical work, as in your previous surgeon did a good job as there is minimal scarring and her breasts looked natural. Sally mentioned she didn't like that her breasts went to the side when not supported and the doctor said that breasts don't do that naturally so it's good that her breasts fall to the side. She then asked if her breasts looked OK, and that's when he said they looked great. He wasn't ogling her; he was reassuring her and commenting on how her previous surgeon did a good job. I applaud Sallye for preferring her smaller boobs and regretting changing her body to please a man. I wish we saw more of that on these shows.

[snarts]

JT posts more receipts showing Venita met his girlfriend before filming. https://realityblurb.com/2025/03/18/southern-charms-jt-thomas-shares-video-of-venita-meeting-his-girlfriend-ali-before-filming-and-leaks-text-sent-after-run-in/

If this was producer directed storyline, JT's obviously not playing along & Venita looks utterly ridiculous with all the carrying on, claiming she thought he was the one.

[1011101010001]

She actually taunted in an interview I’m glad I’m not his girlfriend because he’s obviously more into me.  If that wasn’t manufactured storyline, it’s despicable.  I also wonder what her version of the bedroom scene in Nassau is.  He claims she straddled him and he had to tell her no.  If she admits she straddled a guy knowing he has a girlfriend that is tacky as hell.

[Book Junkie]

  On 3/19/2025 at 1:07 AM, 1011101010001 said:

She actually taunted in an interview I’m glad I’m not his girlfriend because he’s obviously more into me.  If that wasn’t manufactured storyline, it’s despicable.  I also wonder what her version of the bedroom scene in Nassau is.  He claims she straddled him and he had to tell her no.  If she admits she straddled a guy knowing he has a girlfriend that is tacky as hell.

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And that interview just made her look way more desperate. Venita, honey, it's not a flex if the guy is texting you a lot while he's with his girlfriend. You're not even getting crumbs because he's denying feelings for you and keeping you on the down low while he's willing to be seen in public with the GF. It is YOU, Venita, that is getting the crumbs. I used to really like Venita, but this is not a good season for her.

[heatherchandler]

  On 3/17/2025 at 3:25 PM, snarts said:

Quite likely, this is why they misrepresent the specifics of what he said because they're aware that his intentions are bad.

Rumors that JT gets his info from a cast stalker (restraining orders involved) which resulted in the firing of a showrunner, which would explain a lot of the vitriol against him https://entertainmentnow.com/bravo/southern-charm-teases-jt-mollys-concert/

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I still don’t understand what is going on.  Ryan’s explanation is clear as mud.  Also who is Ryan??

[Vivigirl10]

  On 3/19/2025 at 3:09 PM, heatherchandler said:

Also who is Ryan??

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I've been confused by him too - I used to think he was Rodrigo's husband but I think he's the husband of the handsome African-American doctor who is a friend of Miss Pat's and who Cam used to take as her plus one to events when Jason wouldn't be seen on camera. 

Nice set-up conversation between Molly and Taylor to discuss SHEP......awkward!!!

JT needs to stop with saying "the friend group" every five seconds.  It's his new "fuck boy exorcism".

Austen being astute enough to see how snarky Paige was to Craig was surprising.  Wonder if that was filmed in real time or after the fact?

I have the koozy that Paige was using from Sewing Down South and I'm not afraid to admit that it's my favorite too 😆

[ZettaK]

  On 3/19/2025 at 9:25 PM, Vivigirl10 said:

I've been confused by him too - I used to think he was Rodrigo's husband but I think he's the husband of the handsome African-American doctor who is a friend of Miss Pat's and who Cam used to take as her plus one to events when Jason wouldn't be seen on camera. 

Nice set-up conversation between Molly and Taylor to discuss SHEP......awkward!!!

JT needs to stop with saying "the friend group" every five seconds.  It's his new "fuck boy exorcism".

Austen being astute enough to see how snarky Paige was to Craig was surprising.  Wonder if that was filmed in real time or after the fact?

I have the koozy that Paige was using from Sewing Down South and I'm not afraid to admit that it's my favorite too 😆

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Yes, Ryan is the husband of the doctor, and they are friends with Patricia, appearing in her events, etc. Ryan has a more prominent role this season. 

This group is not JT's "friend group". Most of those "friends" can't stand him. 

Austen said that he and Paige were snarky at Craig- it was something they had in common/did together. But it might appear more harsh if it is by a girlfriend. 

[Salacious Kitty]

JT calls it THE Friend Group. Not HIS friends. The way he says it is exclusionary. 

[ZettaK]

  On 3/20/2025 at 1:44 AM, Salacious Kitty said:

JT calls it THE Friend Group. Not HIS friends. The way he says it is exclusionary. 

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Yes, he is aware of the situation. He managed to alienate many. Bravo always tries to push the narrative of a new cast member as a friend of one or more of the OG cast members, but only Venita supposedly knew him before his first season, and it seems that Joe Bradley from Southern Hospitality recommended him to the SC producers. I have no idea how well Joe Bradley knew him. 

[ZettaK]

JT was gossiping with the barber, but the barber asked him about the show. The story regarding Venita and JT's relationship is convoluted. JT had a girlfriend during filming (as he told us) that we never saw. 

Taylor and Molly should never have their dogs out in the summer heat (it also looked like it was in the middle of the day) while themselves were talking. 

[aghst]

This whole friend group was a fiction from the start of the show.

They cast some who were on other reality shows like Cameran and managed to get Thomas to join, as he's suppose to be from some old Charleston family.

I'm not even sure Craig and Shep knew each other that well before the show either, though once it hit, they were doing appearances and tours together.

When the cameras aren't running, how often are they in touch?  My impression is that they do their own things, certainly they're not meeting each other at various Charleston bars and restaurants every other day or week like they would have you believe because most of the scenes on the show are just that.