Eileen Davidson: Queen Eileen, Bold and Beautiful

[Umbelina]

The show doesn't need more than one Eileen; the one they have is working out very nicely, IMO. One thing I also appreciate is how well-written her blog is. Clear, specific, detailed. I don't mind the stream-of-consciousness rants of the other blogs or even LisaV's regurgitation of the OED but I found Eileen's so much easier to read.

Exactly.

 

One Eileen is plenty.  Imagine this show with all measured conversations, women making dinner for the family, we could watch polite, sedate card games!  In between seeing kids off to college and jewelry shopping for charity, with everyone getting along and being careful about their words. 

[ryebread]

Imagine this show with all measured conversations, women making dinner for the family, we could watch polite, sedate card games! 

 

Sounds like my life.  Boring. Nobody wants to see that. LOL  Nope, I need a little drama with my Hos.  Not the kind Brandi keeps bringing, but a little disharmony between the ladies is a good thing. 

[hypnotoad]

 

One Eileen is plenty.  Imagine this show with all measured conversations, women making dinner for the family, we could watch polite, sedate card games!  In between seeing kids off to college and jewelry shopping for charity, with everyone getting along and being careful about their words.

 

I don't know what this means. Eileen hasn't been careful with her words in TH or in other conversations. She told VVP that Brandi was toxic. That certainly isn't holding back. She said other things too. She isn't screaming those things, but why should she? She is over 50, a wife and a mother. Being a grownup doesn't have to mean boring. It also doesn't mean there can't still be dust-ups and dramas going on. Oh and generally speaking Poker isn't a sedate card game especially when actually betting is going on.

[Cranky One]

I buy my dog Dick VP's dog food! It has really helped with her skin issues. I am pretty sure she started reacting to peas / pea protein. It's hard to find food that dosent have that in it. His was the brand she seemed to like best

[zoeysmom]

I decided Eileen probably needs the equivalent to an Emmy just for the way she handled Brandi.  It was quite a stroke of HW genius to decide after being doused with wine to write Brandi's behavior off as super fan.  Everyone gets tired of hearing how someone is trying to be relevant, a stalker, center of attention, jealous and insecure or being called a mean girl, bitch, c-word but to say someone is a too obsessed with someone's fictional character. . .brilliant.  Almost as if . . .isn't that Brandi fortunate enough to get an invite to the subject of her obsession's home.  How kind of Eileen to take time out for Brandi.  Oh look at Eileen giving Brandi another chance. 

 

I am enjoying her and I think as the Grand Dame we will probably see more of her level headed approach.

[Umbelina]

I like this tweet from Eileen:

 

Eileen Davidson @eileen_davidson  ·  Feb 3

After seeing the show 4 the 2nd time, I just feel sad. 4 everyone. Kyle & Kim and Brandi, too. Just really sad. #RHOBH none of this is good

 

I believe her.

[ryebread]

Imo, Eileen will be back next season because I really think she and Vince need the money.  I hope so because I'd like to see what makes her tick.

 

Does anyone know if either of her soap gigs are steady?  Trying to make sense of her Wiki page is impossible.  She's been hired and fired and feted and defeated so many times I can't make heads nor tails.  Her career needs a flowchart.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_Davidson#Career

[lunastartron]

Imo, Eileen will be back next season because I really think she and Vince need the money.  I hope so because I'd like to see what makes her tick.

 

Does anyone know if either of her soap gigs are steady?  Trying to make sense of her Wiki page is impossible.  She's been hired and fired and feted and defeated so many times I can't make heads nor tails.  Her career needs a flowchart.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_Davidson#Career

 

Although Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless are on different networks, both programs are owned by Sony, so Eileen has basically had the same employer for the past twenty-twoish years regardless of with which show she's been associated. She's a major player on both - the primary heroine on one and the chief villainess on the other - so, since 2012, the production company has shuffled her between the two depending on which needs her more creatively/narratively. I think the double duty is attributable to the fact that Days is struggling, and she's one of the few actresses who could pull in viewers by virtue of her presence. When she first got reassigned, her pay got cut because, I assume, the shows don't have the same budget. Since Days has since lost several marquee names like Alison Sweeney, there's probably no difference now (ie she would have gotten shares of the money opened up by their departures).

 

All in all, I don't think she needs money per se. The Bells, who write The Young and the Restless, helped her out and gave her a spot on The Bold and the Beautiful, which they also manage, when she got cut from Y and R for about a year a while back due to budget reasons. Writers/showrunners seem to like her and be willing to extend themselves in order to keep her employed, and she's an integral part of three of the four soap operas still being broadcast, and the Bell series will likely last the longest among those.

 

But I doubt she'd turn down a second season provided she got a bump on her already generous salary. She's making hundreds of thousands of dollars to attend dinner parties for a couple of months and so far has managed to escape with her dignity in tact.

Edited February 11, 2015 by lunastartron

[ryebread]

Thanks, luna. 

 

I think Eileen was smart to take this gig. ( I think. LOL. There's a side of me that wants her to get out while the gittin's good because I like her and no one gets out alive.)  Soaps in the form that we old folks know and love are a dying breed.  Possibly due to this relatively new thing called reality tv.  So the transition seems natural.  Plus, what a relief to not have to memorize 80 pages of dialogue a day for the same, or better, money.

 

She mentioned that money was an issue at one time with her and Vince.  Last summer, Vince lost a 12 or 13 year gig as a spokesperson for a casino hotel.  I don't know if he has employment other than the poker gig.  Taxes alone on their house must be a fortune and it looks to me, mainly from the exterior shots, that they do the maintenance themselves.

 

I'd like Eileen to flesh out a little more about why she went back to work. That's a subject a lot of families can relate to.  I think it would hit a cord with even the Beverly Hills crowd because a lot of people in BH probably feel the need to keep up certain appearances and are finding it difficult.

 

Looking for a bit more realness on this show that doesn't include boozy bar battles and sisterly hissy fits.

[SoCal4Us]

ryebread, I agree that she probably couldn't turn down the money.  Here's a link to the VVP article re non-renewal of his casino contract:

 

http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/tvradio/vincent-van-pattens-days-are-over-as-potawatomi-spokesman-b99334870z1-272234041.html?page=1#!page=1&pageSize=10&sort=oldestfirst

 

Sorry that I don't know how to make it smaller!

[ryebread]

ryebread, I agree that she probably couldn't turn down the money.  

 

I wonder if she thinks it's easier or harder than she imagined?  750K is a lot for one season.  It would be hard to pass up regardless of financial sitch.  Bethenny got 1 mil for this season and from some reports, it sounds like she's totally disengaged.

 

I love this pic from Vinny's twitter.  Every year the Van Patten's do a penguin dip into the ocean on New Year's Day.  Water temp in the 50's.  That's Dick Van P sitting down with Eileen and Vince behind him.  86 years old.  Looking good. 

https://twitter.com/VinceVanP_WPT/media

[jnymph]

Eileen is so pretty.  I think it's amazing that she is the oldest of the entire group.   Both Kim and Lisa V look older than her.  Maybe even Lisa R.

[ryebread]

Eileen is so pretty.  I think it's amazing that she is the oldest of the entire group.   Both Kim and Lisa V look older than her.  Maybe even Lisa R.

 

Yes, definitely younger looking than Lisa.  I was surprised at the sun damage that was visible on Lisa in the limo.  Up until last night I thought her skin was flawless.  Ah, the magic of a good (and very heavy) foundation.  Also in the scene of Lisa and Eileen, where Vince is scarfing his pre-dinner dinner at VP's birthday party, Eileen's neck is flawless and Lisa's is getting that crepey, mottled look. Tugs up the zipper a little higher on my hoodie....

[PreposterousISTA]

Eileen's Party In The Back

 

[Avaleigh]

Eileen is ALWAYS on a high horse IMO. She gives off an "air of superiority" vibe, looking down at the rest of the wives, except her friends. She has no problem accepting the reported $750,000 from bravo, and then has this " above it all" attitude that just annoys me. You joined a housewives show, Eileen. You should have watched at least some of the previous seasons' episodes to know what you were getting into. But once you sign in, don't expect to be above the fray. At least Lisa Rinna is generally sweet and well-intentioned, warm and tries to be "one with the group". Eileen, not so much.

I can't think of one thing that Eileen has said or done to indicate that she thinks she's above the other women. She's been polite and friendly to all of the women even Brandi after she got wine thrown in her face. Even when she'd finally had enough of Kim she restrained herself with her comments even when Kim continued to insult her and put her finger in her face. Eileen only called Kim scary and vicious when Kim continued to attack Lisar and Kyle.

As far as Eileen not trying to be sweet, well intentioned, or at one with the group--what exactly are you basing this on? From what I've seen on the show Eileen has been kind, welcoming, gracious, and relaxed with the other women. She has invited the women into her home even after the disastrous Poker Night so between this and the wine throwing incident she certainly can't be accused of holding grudges. With Kim she has tried to see things from her perspective. She has also tried to see Brandi's POV.

She definitely seems like a warm person who has a sense of humor and who doesn't seem to take herself too seriously. All in all I've had a favorable impression of Eileen.

Edited March 5, 2015 by Avaleigh

[msblossom]

Will Eileen return next season? I hope so!

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2015/03/real-housewives-beverly-hills-casting-lisa-rinna-eileen-davidson-return-another-season/

[MyAimIsTrue]

She definitely seems like a warm person who has a sense of humor and who doesn't seem to take herself to seriously. All in all I've had a favorable impression of Eileen.

 

Same here, in fact she is now officially my favorite HoWife ever.  Quite honestly she's too good for this show but I'm still glad she's there.

[Paych]

Something about her screams 'artificial' to me.  It could be that she's been a soap actress for so long that that's her schtick.  But her talking heads are so loud and sweeping. Remember when she did the first one about "Pay attention to me"  "No, don't pay attention to me"  "Pay attention to me"?  I've seen her do that in 3 separate THs - where she's made a statement, then contradicted it - all with the sweeping, dramatic voice.  It's like her thing.  And it annoys me. LOL

 

I dunno. Just can't put my finger on why she rubs me the wrong way.  That said, I respect her work and exercise ethic and I think her clothes are contemporary and age appropriate.

She seems graceful and try's not to take herself too seriously. Everyone has there own sence of humor, I think she's on

point and funny as hell.

[KFC]

I generally enjoy Eileen, although I do see the "artificial" aspect to her that ryebread mentioned. Having seen so many of these HWs shows, I guess I'm kind of cynical to the newbies being the "voice of reason." It's all fun and no games until you wrap your first season.

 

It stuck out to me in that preview where Eileen was upset that Lisa Rinna had made peace with Kim. I agree with Eileen that in real life, she might have an issue with Lisa resolving things so neat and tidy with unhinged Kim, but I'm giving her response a little sideeye in the context of the show. To me it felt like she's creating a persona/storyline for herself as much as the other women. "Kim's not acting normal! It's unacceptable!" or whatever she said. Well, no shit. Of course Lisa isn't gonna wanna engage that crazy. Conflict is basically what makes the HW world go 'round. So I don't for a second think Eileen's above the acting-for-the-cameras that we see from the more seasoned HWs.

Edited March 5, 2015 by KFC

[Susanprof]

VVP twitter is hysterical.  I looked at his running commentary on Academy Awards, and it is a hoot.  I wish the poker night would have given him a bit of respect and highlighted his expertise, his humor, his charm.  As VVP is from an old Hollywood fam, Kim and Brandi should have shown more respect for the home and the evening, and to the family in general. Bravo missed the boat on this one.  I wanted him to really teach me how to play poker, and some inside tips. :(

 

I like Eileen a lot.  I only started watching the show this year because Lisa R and Eileen  were starting.  Her comment on adult peer pressure was self deprecating and calling herself out for not traveling without son was endearing. Also, her blog is one of the best written.  I think that Kim and Brandi are jealous of what she has (husband, Emmy, active career). 

[MyAimIsTrue]

I think that Kim and Brandi are jealous of what she has (husband, Emmy, active career). 

 

Plus actual talent, style, and intelligence.

[ryebread]

Her comment on adult peer pressure was self deprecating and calling herself out for not traveling without son was endearing.

 

When she said that about never flying without her son, I wondered how that worked.  I mean, he's 12.  So unless he's been homeschooled, she's never gotten on a plane during the week for business without him?  No trips to NYC or wherever without taking him?  She's with Vinnie a lot in Vegas. He also had a 13 year gig in Minnesota.  Did Eileen never go?  Or did their son always go, too? 

 

I suppose it could be true but I'm still not buying 100% of what she's selling so that's probably why I'm cynical.  It's no big deal really but your post reminded me that when she said it, I was like, 'Huh?'

 

That said, I totally respect that she was a very hands on mom when she was working full time and he went to work with her to the set every day.  That her employers were so accommodating was truly a gift.

Edited March 6, 2015 by ryebread

[Avaleigh]

That said, I totally respect that she was a very hands on mom when she was working full time and he went to work with her to the set every day.  That her employers were so accommodating was truly a gift.

 

 

I get the impression that Eileen knew she was probably only going to give birth once and so she really wanted to savor the experience. I felt this way when she mentioned breastfeeding her son for two years. I'm not judging, I acknowledge that nursing is different for every woman, this just seemed like it was on the longer side to me and my guess is because she was conscious of the likelihood that this would be her only time to have this sort of bonding experience. Add in not using the services of a nanny with CBS really going out of their way to accommodate her and the comments about her son having grown up at the studio, I don't have that much difficulty believing that Eileen and Vince would take their kid with them when they would travel.

 

I agree about how awesome CBS sounds when it comes to accommodating its employees wrt stuff like this. They really do sound like a large family in some ways. 

[psychoticstate]

Soaps in the form that we old folks know and love are a dying breed.  Possibly due to this relatively new thing called reality tv.

 

 

So true.  I think the soaps started to wilt when SAHMs began to disappear.  With the majority of folks working outside the home, there were less people to watch the soaps.  Yes, we have DVRs now but I think the soaps began losing their audience pre-DVR and the trend just continued.  Sad because I have fond memories of watching the soaps when I'd be at home sick or watching them over the summer when I was out of school.

 

I absolutely adore Eileen.  I love every part of her life, from her style to her "American Psycho" (thanks, Brandi) house to her relationship with VVP.  I think she's very genuine.  And I say this as someone who knew her from her earliest Y&R and DOOL days and didn't think much about her.  I was thrilled over Lisa R joining RHOBH but fairly indifferent when I heard Eileen had signed on.  I am glad she has proven me so wrong with her addition - - she and Lisa R bring new, fun life into the show.  It helps that both of them are actually living the Bev Hills lifestyle, being working actresses. 

 

I hope she returns next season.

[zoeysmom]

When she said that about never flying without her son, I wondered how that worked.  I mean, he's 12.  So unless he's been homeschooled, she's never gotten on a plane during the week for business without him?  No trips to NYC or wherever without taking him?  She's with Vinnie a lot in Vegas. He also had a 13 year gig in Minnesota.  Did Eileen never go?  Or did their son always go, too? 

 

I suppose it could be true but I'm still not buying 100% of what she's selling so that's probably why I'm cynical.  It's no big deal really but your post reminded me that when she said it, I was like, 'Huh?'

 

That said, I totally respect that she was a very hands on mom when she was working full time and he went to work with her to the set every day.  That her employers were so accommodating was truly a gift.

Adrienne and Paul said they had never spent a night away from their kids during Season 1.  My how things have changed for those two.  I think Jessie lives a charmed life. 

 

I am guessing but I don't think every actor on a soap is there everyday they film.  Granted Eileen worked on two but my guess is she works more like two days a week.  Still very nice that CBS allows its employees to bring their children and nannies to work.  Of course 30 years from now we may have him in a Kim Richards situation blaming his mother for making him go to work with her and the horrors of The Price Is Right wheel.   

[Umbelina]

They say soaps began to die during the OJ trial, and reality TV was born at the same time.  I think there is a lot of truth to that, since the trial ran during "soaps" time.

[psychoticstate]

They say soaps began to die during the OJ trial, and reality TV was born at the same time.  I think there is a lot of truth to that, since the trial ran during "soaps" time.

 

Good point.  Seems like I remember the soaps airing at 1 am or 2 am, something crazy like that since case coverage was hogging the spotlight.

[harrie]

The same thing happened with the Watergate hearings - but I guess they were so boring, they didn't catch on like reality TV as we know it.  C-SPAN is there for those who want it, but it didn't start a change in viewing tastes like the OJ trial. 

 

Re Eileen specifically, Y&R is one of the few (4?) remaining soaps on the air; and it has long been CBS's powerhouse.  So, while I'm pretty sure they've let other actors bring their kids to the studio too, if I were CBS, I'd want someone of Eileen's stature to be happy. 

Edited March 6, 2015 by harrie

[rho]

When she said that about never flying without her son, I wondered how that worked.  I mean, he's 12.  So unless he's been homeschooled, she's never gotten on a plane during the week for business without him?  No trips to NYC or wherever without taking him?  She's with Vinnie a lot in Vegas. He also had a 13 year gig in Minnesota.  Did Eileen never go?  Or did their son always go, too? 

 

I suppose it could be true but I'm still not buying 100% of what she's selling so that's probably why I'm cynical.  It's no big deal really but your post reminded me that when she said it, I was like, 'Huh?'

 

That said, I totally respect that she was a very hands on mom when she was working full time and he went to work with her to the set every day.  That her employers were so accommodating was truly a gift.

 

I'm a little skeptical as well. I think she might be lying by omission. Maybe she 'doesn't have a nanny' but she did have babysitters on rotation, family helping out, assistants or an au pair. Just because the studio is accommodating enough to not yell at you for bringing an infant on set (which is a huge liability), doesn't mean they provide childcare as well. Who is watching the kid for a couple hours while she's filming on the sound stage?

 

I do believe that she's more of a hands-on mom than most ladies in show-biz. In fact, I would probably say that about most of the BH wives, but I don't buy that she's spending THAT much time with her kid. Even my parents who were a regular ol' middle class couple, didn't cart me off to work with them once and they certainly took advantage of dropping us kids off for the weekend and taking a vacation.

[psychoticstate]

I believe Eileen mentioned in her first or second episode that her sister's daughter was living with her.  She was running lines with Eileen so my guess would be that she helps out with Jesse too. 

[thewhiteowl]

I'm liking Eileen but my like is cautious because she is reminding me a bit of how I liked Adrienne at first. Kind of sensible, not too involved with the drama but taking no shit, cute and funny hubby, nice home but not to my taste. She is like Adrienne, if someone scrubbed all the tack and glitter off her. lol

[BlackMamba]

LOL Why do I feel like this is what Eileen is thinking

 

[ryebread]

Moved from the Reunion thread:

 

The thing with Phaedra though is that she was a liar straight out of the gate - if you watched the show, you would see that she conducted this whole charade around her son's expected birth date because she didn't want to simply admit that she conceived him out of wedlock. It was played for light comedy at the time - and it was funny - but Phaedra pretty much let us know right away that there was a big discrepancy between what she was selling and what she actually had to offer. Eileen seems more legit to me (so far).

 

 

Well, Eileen said she's never flown anywhere without her son in 12 years so....

(actually, this could be true but if I'm honest, that's what instantly sprung to my mind when you mentioned the lie about Phaedra's son.)

Just as Phaedra concocted that about her son's birth because she didn't want to admit she had him out of wedlock, I think Eileen is concocting something, too, because she doesn't want to admit there are financial problems at Casa Davidson-VanPatten.  I really, really feel like Bravo is setting the scene for that to come out.  Like Phaedra, I think there is also a big discrepancy between what Eileen is selling and what she actually has to offer.  But I hope and believe that Vinnie isn't a shyster like Apollo.  Vince looks, to me, a little shady but I don't really believe, other than maybe a love of gambling that may or may not be problematic, he's like Apollo.

 

[Umbelina]

Well, Eileen IS a home wrecker, so what's the issue?

 

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2014/08/eileen-davidson-vince-van-patten-rhobh-soap-star-affair/

Davidson’s husband of three years, Port Charles soap star Jon Lindstrom, filed for divorce from her in November 2000. Not long after, Davidson and tennis pro Van Patten were spotted embarking together on a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas — even though he was still married to Betsy Russell, the mother of his two children, Richard and Vince Jr., who were 7 and 5 at the time.

 

It sounds like she at least told her own husband, before this incident at least.  Vince's poor wife found out from the media, much like Brandi, with kids about the same age too.

 

She was married to Vince in April 2003, and her child was born in May 2003.

Kind of interesting back story on Eileen here.  She dated Jon Voight, she's been married 3 times, (2nd one to Jon Lindstrom, an actor I really liked on GH and PC.)   http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2720474/How-RHOBH-newcomer-Eileen-Davidsons-passionate-relationship-actor-Jon-Voight-80s-saw-Angelina-Jolies-stepmom.html

According to Star magazine, it was during her second marriage that she fell for her Young And The Restless co-star Vince Van Patten, who was married to his wife of 12 years at the time.

The publication claims that their alleged affair resulted in 'bitter divorces' for both parties, though
it all worked out in the end, with the couple going on to marry and having been together ever since.

 

[WireWrap]

Moved from the Reunion thread:

 

 

 

Well, Eileen said she's never flown anywhere without her son in 12 years so....

(actually, this could be true but if I'm honest, that's what instantly sprung to my mind when you mentioned the lie about Phaedra's son.)

Just as Phaedra concocted that about her son's birth because she didn't want to admit she had him out of wedlock, I think Eileen is concocting something, too, because she doesn't want to admit there are financial problems at Casa Davidson-VanPatten.  I really, really feel like Bravo is setting the scene for that to come out.  Like Phaedra, I think there is also a big discrepancy between what Eileen is selling and what she actually has to offer.  But I hope and believe that Vinnie isn't a shyster like Apollo.  Vince looks, to me, a little shady but I don't really believe, other than maybe a love of gambling that may or may not be problematic, he's like Apollo.

Phaedra was married when she had the baby but was not even engaged to Apollo when she conceived! LOL

 

Well, Eileen IS a home wrecker, so what's the issue?

 

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2014/08/eileen-davidson-vince-van-patten-rhobh-soap-star-affair/

It sounds like she at least told her own husband, before this incident at least.  Vince's poor wife found out from the media, much like Brandi, with kids about the same age too.

 

She was married to Vince in April 2003, and her child was born in May 2003.

Kind of interesting back story on Eileen here.  She dated Jon Voight, she's been married 3 times, (2nd one to Jon Lindstrom, an actor I really liked on GH and PC.)   http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2720474/How-RHOBH-newcomer-Eileen-Davidsons-passionate-relationship-actor-Jon-Voight-80s-saw-Angelina-Jolies-stepmom.html

Hmmmmm, I wonder why Brandi has not brought up Kim's cheating during BOTH of her marriages? 

[hypnotoad]

 

It sounds like she at least told her own husband, before this incident at least.  Vince's poor wife found out from the media, much like Brandi, with kids about the same age too.

 

Well then it would be Vince's fault for not telling his poor wife and wouldn't that make him the homewrecker?!? Eileen gave her hubby a heads up!

 

 

Hmmmmm, I wonder why Brandi has not brought up Kim's cheating during BOTH of her marriages?

 

Ha! Kim hasn't cheated for 3 years - she's been cheat-free!

 

The whole homewrecker thing is annoying. Brandi knows nothing about what was happening in either marriage at the time this all went down. Both marriages could have already been in trouble and this was the final straw. Brandi harping on something that happened so long ago is ridiculous and shows her desperation to find dirt on Eileen.

 

Eileen has been in the public eye a long time and I think this whole thing with Vince was probably the biggest scandal about her in the press. I think she keeps things pretty quiet and private overall.

 

 

she doesn't want to admit there are financial problems at Casa Davidson-VanPatten

 

And it might be why she took this job or maybe she just thought it was a way to be employed beyond soaps. All she said during that one TH was that when she was off for a while, they did have some fights about finances. That could mean a myriad of things from 'we were broke and about to lose everything' to 'we weren't able to live the way we were used to' or 'we were having to dip into savings' Who knows for sure?

[BlackMamba]

Eileen coped to infidelity and even felt sympathy for Brandi's marriage ending in the early episodes via TH.  Now are the THs recorded after they have filmed the season or in-between events while filming the season?  That's why I don't understand why Eileen is allowing Brandi to get under her skin with the "homewrecker"  tag. 

[Umbelina]

Well, in reading those articles, apparently it was a messy divorce, and her adultery, as well as Vince's, were tabloid fodder.  Maybe she thought that was in the past.  Then she joined a housewife show, where the past is always present, or will be.

[hypnotoad]

 

Maybe she thought that was in the past.  Then she joined a housewife show, where the past is always present, or will be.

 

How could that possibly be true when she was the one who brought it up at that lunch? She wasn't hiding the information, she explained how she and Vince got together on camera with the other wives.

[zoeysmom]

Eileen coped to infidelity and even felt sympathy for Brandi's marriage ending in the early episodes via TH.  Now are the THs recorded after they have filmed the season or in-between events while filming the season?  That's why I don't understand why Eileen is allowing Brandi to get under her skin with the "homewrecker"  tag. 

For someone who gripes so much about the others being judgmental and labeling people why is Brandi thinks it is okay to throw "homewrecker" out there?  Brandi has no idea of what occurred -oh wait she claim to know the moment Vince and Eileen consummated their relationship because Eddie's best friend is a lead actor on Young & The Restless and so of course it would have been very important moment in Brandi's life and had an everlasting impact.

 

When marriages end it is sad unless of course the couples feel as if they are better off apart than together.  Brandi has no way of knowing how their spouses felt.  What is important is that all parties involved continued to provide love and support for the children and there is no drama (until Brandi rehashed it) between the parents-something that Brandi can't wrap her head around.

 

I hope that Lisa call Brandi out on her ageism crap.  I noticed Brandi gushing about how her high school revolved around DOOLs-well they might have but Brandi would have been 20 years old when Billie came on the scene in DOOLs and 21 when Eileen came on the scene.  Since Brandi claims she was modeling in Europe from 19-23-just how is it she was watching these two on DOOL? 

 

A simple label for Brandi would be LIAR.  I just Lisa or Eileen point out that they were not on the DOOLs when Brandi was in high school-unless she attended high school in her 20s.  As far as the homewrecker tag-Brandi get a life.  It is almost as if Kim and Brandi think they need to tag team Eileen because they have nothing better to do.

[AuntieDiane6]

 

So true.  I think the soaps started to wilt when SAHMs began to disappear.  With the majority of folks working outside the home, there were less people to watch the soaps.  Yes, we have DVRs now but I think the soaps began losing their audience pre-DVR and the trend just continued.  Sad because I have fond memories of watching the soaps when I'd be at home sick or watching them over the summer when I was out of school.

 

Me too!  Anybody remember The Edge of Night? I remember when Nicole Drake had that little dress shop and that woman employee was terrifying her …. I had nightmares.

 

ANYHOW, I've been reading that soaps are back on the upswing!  People are tiring of the BORING STORYLINES on REALITY shows. At least the soaps have more than 3 story lines (cosmetic surgery, fake fights, products they are hawking) AND better acting!  

[rubyred]

This is a little OT but one of my favorite things in the previews for next week is when Eileen says "Sue me, Kim, for giving a damn" -- her body language is so relaxed. No finger-pointing, aggressive stance, in your face for our Eileen. I dig it so much, but I don't know why she would ever come back. I mean yeah, the paycheck, but she got a nice chunk this time, probably paid off the mortgage and took care of Jesse's college fund. (Not interested in speculating about her finances or her marriage, tbh.) She's raised her profile beyond soaps without showing her ass and made a nice little nest egg -- probably the most any of the HWs can hope for.

[ryebread]

This is a little OT but one of my favorite things in the previews for next week is when Eileen says "Sue me, Kim, for giving a damn" -- her body language is so relaxed. No finger-pointing, aggressive stance, in your face for our Eileen. I dig it so much, but I don't know why she would ever come back. I mean yeah, the paycheck, but she got a nice chunk this time, probably paid off the mortgage and took care of Jesse's college fund. (Not interested in speculating about her finances or her marriage, tbh.) She's raised her profile beyond soaps without showing her ass and made a nice little nest egg -- probably the most any of the HWs can hope for.

 

I agree . Though I think she's eccentric and a bit phony, I've always liked that she remains calm and appears sensible.  I don't like ranters and ravers in real life or on my TV - well, not all the time anyway - so I appreciate that she has a different style of confrontation.  So she stands head and shoulders above the rest (save Yolanda) for that alone.

 

But I get the same Adrienne vibe as thewhiteowl mentioned, upthread.

[psychoticstate]

Anybody remember The Edge of Night?

 

 

I remember The Edge of Night. I didn't watch it but one of my friend's moms did and I do remember seeing parts here and there when I would be at their house.  I do remember a woman named Renata giving birth to a baby during a fire or something like that and she died, although the baby was saved.   I also remember Lori Loughlin being on Edge.

 

With regard to Brandi - - I liked her when she first came on because I was in the same boat she was, although clearly in a much less publicized way.  My ex cheated on me and ended up leaving me for his younger, very stupid side piece.  It hurts.  It sucks.  But you cannot let the pain of what someone did to you make you bitter and turn on everyone else. 

 

Yes, I probably am more sensitive to cheating than the average person (like Brandi.)  However, I am not going to judge Eileen and her relationship because I wasn't there, it didn't involve me and I don't know what happened.  Maybe she did cheat on her second husband.  Maybe she told him the truth and ended their marriage before starting with Vince.  Maybe it did end horribly but she and her ex worked it out.  I don't know and unless Eileen wants to share it with us, it doesn't really impact us.  Or Brandi.

 

I don't see the super reserved or "above it" persona that some see (not saying it's not there, just that I don't see it).  In some ways I do think Eileen IS truly above it because she doesn't sink to Brandi-Kim levels of narcissism and hysteria.  

[Umbelina]

Oh hell, I'll judge her.

 

Any "housewife" opens herself up to that.

 

The thing that struck me was how eager Vince was for her to take this job, and how nonchalant he was about the dust up in his house.  I can't help it, that SCREAMS money worries to me.  How much does he really make hosting poker?  I know salaries have really been cut on soaps (Susan Lucci's book was in the dollar store, ha!)  Why else would she even do this show?  Unlike Kyle she doesn't need the "fame."  She has that, and doesn't seem to want it.  I think she wanted to be a serious actress, and now she's reached a certain age, it's not going to happen, but the BRAVO money is good.

 

I like her calm, she reminds me of a Lisa V type more than Adrienne, without Lisa's sense of humor. 

 

Jury is out on her, although I do think she was a hell of a lot more sincere than Lipsa about the Kim stuff. 

[Watermelon]

It could be money worries or it could be the actions of a man who really doesn't give a shit about reality tv. I doubt anything that happens on this show would prevent him from doing commentary on poker.

[hypnotoad]

 

Oh hell, I'll judge her.

 

For something that happened 15 years ago? Good lawd. I think it's fair to say it's probably time to let it go. Honestly, if the only dirt Brandi can manage for Eileen is an affair everyone knew about, that Eileen told them about at a lunch and happened a life time ago ... well then yeah whateverpants.

 

Why shouldn't Vince be eager for her to do the job when she's bringing home that kind of bacon? That's a nice paycheck for very little work in a very short period of time. Certainly soap salaries have gone down, but she ain't exactly bringing home nothing from her 2 soap jobs. He's been the host of that poker stuff for many many years, I'm sure he makes a nice salary from it. I really don't understand the harping about money problems just because she said when she wasn't working they fought about money. She's been back to work for some time. Maybe she decided to do this show because she wants to see what else is out there opportunity wise beyond soaps.

 

 

I don't see the super reserved or "above it" persona that some see (not saying it's not there, just that I don't see it).  In some ways I do think Eileen IS truly above it because she doesn't sink to Brandi-Kim levels of narcissism and hysteria.

 

Completely agree, just because someone isn't shrieking and acting like a drunk idiot doesn't mean they are above it.

[Umbelina]

Everything gets judged once someone agrees to sell their soul on a reality show.  Hell, people have gone back to Kim's first marriage almost 40 years ago, not to mention Lisa's!  Also, Taylor's grifting many years ago, and Camille's hooker in the Sultan's palace days, or the morally corrupt Faye Resnick's OJ days.

 

It's the way things go, and no, Eileen is not immune, especially when the adultery was on the show, and Vince's eye gleam about her taking this gig was as well.

[PreposterousISTA]

 

 

Eileen Davidson ‏@eileen_davidson Nov 29

Celebrating the holidays with all the boys and the moms

 

Moms = Betsey Russell [AKA Vincent Van Patten's ExWife & Mother of His Two Older Sons & Eileen Davidson

 

 

It Seems Betsey Russell Has Moved On From IT...They All Look Very Happy & Enjoying Themselves <:O)

[Umbelina]

Yeah, I think Eileen, and time, made it easier for this family to blend.  I think Eileen made a real effort, which, really, the "other woman/new step mom" in that kind of situation should do.  Good for all of them!  That is nice to see.