S05.E14: Surprise!

[Lisin]

Just a reminder to please be respectful of each other and the fact that everyone is allowed to have their own opinions and no one is wrong. Lets all just remain friendly and nice to each other please. I know this show can cause some major disagreements with regards to who is wrong etc. but lets keep it about the show and not calling each other out for various things. Thank you. 

[msblossom]

A friend of mine has been in the program for 30+ years.  I lived with him for nine years.  I don't know who is sponsor is, only that he has one.  I went to open meetings with him.  I asked permission to have a glass of wine in front of him and kept none in the house.  It even got to the point that, at a company Christmas function, I warned him away from the penne that was served as an inter-course, because it was loaded with vodka.

 

Here's the thing:  unless one admit there's a problem, the problem cannot be solved.  There is no 'support' system that will help with that.  Kim clearly believes she is fine, so then she is.  Until she admits that she's not, she is fine and is managing.  If she chooses to hang out with certain people because they validate her 'fine' condition, then that's what it is.  It doesn't matter how toxic that 'support' system might be, it's what gets her through.  It is admirable that the ladies want to 'intervene', but there's an old joke out there that goes like this:

 

How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?  The answer is two, but only if the lightbulb wants to change.

 

That's the key.  Kim doesn't WANT to change.  This is her story line; this is what gives her life relevance both on and off the show.  Kyle has long since accepted this.  Until Kim hits bottom, Kim will not change.  Will. Not.  Bottom for many is not pretty.  My friend went on a bender 30+ years ago and it was his brother who asked him the question, 'have you had enough?'  He went to a meeting with his brother that afternoon and has been sober since.  It will take that kind of epiphany for Kim and nothing less.  Until she acknowledges the problem and wants to change it, nothing and I mean NOTHING, will improve her situation.

 

Bravo would do her a lot of good by simply dismissing her from the show, but there's ratings here and it's just too good to pass up, so they are as much an enabler as Brandi is.

Thank you! I agree with your entire post, very well said, b2h! I can add nothing to this except to say you have articulated this better than anyone on the show and on this thread.

[Umbelina]

It can take awhile too to sort some of this stuff out.  One thing I've noticed with Kim when she's wasted and at an event is that she can get really, really aggressive and provocative, taunting and insulting, pushing her sister's buttons for sure, and then once the inevitable conflagration occurs, with folks inevitably fighting over her and because of her, she calms down and the tears begin.  It's like the arc of a climax for her -- She can't settle down until all those stages have been achieved--and the fact that others end up totally upset doesn't seem to matter once the dust settles.  Kim got off and that's what counts!

 

I see a LOT of anger in both Kyle and in Kim.  It's always right there, ready to erupt for their camera moments.

 

They both have many moments of neck bulging screaming tear-filled RAGE, and I think drink brings it out in both of them, but Kyle can consume more drinks without most effects showing (other than the anger/rage that usually surfaces.)  Of course, Kim has more than just alcohol issues, so combining pills with booze just amplified the booze effect.  Even properly prescribed pills for her anxiety/depression or whatever can mix together to make you stoned.  

 

That's Brandi's problem as well, mixing her anti-anxiety prescribed meds with drink makes her drunker much faster. 

 

[Giselle]

I try to avoid discussing any mental illness Kim (or any other housewife, really) may or may not have, because, besides social anxiety, it's never been addressed or even mentioned (to my recollection) on the show so I try to stick to what we've been made privy.    

 

She's admitted to addiction issues and they've been (lord knows) front and center on the show for sometime, so I'm more comfortable in sticking to that aspect of her obviously whacked out behavior.  

 

So I guess what your saying is that until she's diagnosed and her sister outs her in the back of a limo for now Kim  is just a drunken, selfish bitch and not and not a  drunken, selfish, freeze dried whack-a-loon bitch.

 

Have I got that right? 

[talula]

Interesting what Brandi says in her blog about Lisa's B-Day party:

 

Excerpt from Bravo RHOBH Brandi's Blog:

 

"It was nice and a bit shocking to have Ken invite me to Lisa V.’s surprise birthday party. We all had a lot of fun. Kathy Hilton and my friend Mark Hasche also came with Kim and me, which made it even more fun. Laughs were had by all. I drank loads of lemon and water as prescribed by Yolanda. I was certainly missing my toxins in this party atmosphere but had a great time despite it, because when I set my mind to something, I stick with it. I can’t sing to save my life (I can rap a little), but like a trooper, I got up to sing per Lisa’s request. I was game to do anything to help make Ken’s party a success. They really love each other, and the party was a sweet idea. Lisa R. and I really wanted those rose centerpieces, but we didn’t get them, because Lisa V. was too quick. Kim and the others were cute singing. Lisa. R continued the BJ theme and created a BJ ballad as an added birthday touch (if I had done that--the pearl clutching would last for DAYS). As you saw, yes, I was asked to sing. But, like Cameron Diaz, in My Best Friend’s Wedding, I. CANNOT. SING. EVER. But hey, I tried and had fun. (Apologies to anyone who lost a speaker in their entertainment systems.)"

 

 

Edited February 19, 2015 by RealityTVSmack1

[Sincerely Yours]

Even if Kim does not expect Kyle to be at her beck and call daily, how is Kyle supposed to know when Kim will spontaneously need her sisterly services? Like, if I called my sister right now and said, "Emergency--get here now!" and she has her phone off because she's in a meeting or at home with a cold or driving...well, what a bitchy bad sister she is, I guess! 

There is no proof that Kim reached out to Kyle, and Kyle was all, "Wellllllllll...nope. I'm lounging poolside right now. Shove it." And I think if anyone gets the greedy cake analogy, it's Kim...who doesn't want to be viewed as an addict but does want to do all the addict things she can cram into a day and/or her body. This whole "too busy" argument is silly, IMO, when no one here knows how unavailable Kyle is. Having other priorities sometimes does not mean that a person completely doesn't care about whatever other thing is not a priority at that very second. 

And now that I think about it, what exactly is the "cake" in Kyle's situation? In what world is a drug-addled albatross "cake"?

Of course there can be excuse after excuse made but I'm going by vibe. And what is possible considering how I've seen Kyle behave and also I do have a high standard when it comes to these things. It may not seem fair and it may seem like a real crazy idea but sometimes when your sister calls you and says Emergency come here now then, in my book you end that conference call meeting that your having in your car and drive your sick, runny nosed self over. My point is that Me, Myself and I can easily believe that more often than not Kim has had relevant instances that was in desperate need of Kyle which Kyle picked and chose what she thought was and wasn't relevant enough to act on. Now the reality is Kim is an addict. Kim needs support. That's not Kim being selfish that's just the reality of Kim's situation as an addict. You either choose to be there completely or you make it clear that you cannot always drop everything because it's just not possible but you don't ride the fence. Kim deserves better than that? Why? Because she's an addict and if there is true concern of creating the support she needs to battle her addiction then those that feel Kim should throw Kyle a freaking parade need to reevalute what really goes into recovery and what the expectations are for those that continue to be a part or claim to be a part of that recovery.

 

I don't condone the concept of demanding Kyle not take Portia to the hospital and hop to Kim's aid for a hangnail but I do think that if she's going to be so offended at the idea of Kim not rushing to her defense when anyone questions just how supportive she is to Kim then ummm, yeah these drop everything moments come with the job description Kyle's so eager to keep alive and well in everyone's mind. And honestly maybe Kim isn't coming to Kyle's defense so readily is because she can't truly assign that level of support to Kyle. I see it as Kyle wanting this absolute declaration to be made when in all actuality Kim doesn't feel like Kyle has really been as dedicated at she's trying to convince everyone else.  That's the vibe I get from Kim. She can't in all honesty defend Kyle with half truths. Kyle's declaration is that she's always been there for Kim and let's be real. Who can truly make such a declaration? It's not true and that's why Kim can't just right out the gate defend the idea so completely.

 

I believe that Kyle has been there in levels. Her involvement as best as she can muster. But was it enough, I'm guessing no which is nothing to be ashamed of.  If that was the only way she could survive and what she had to give still fell short on occasion then fine I can understand that but I don't think Kyle owns up to her reality either.  I'm sure Kyle spent a lot of time pretending it wasn't a problem, not just for the families privacy but because it made it easier to ignore and assign other reasons to Kim's behavior and easier to blow off Kim when she wasn't in the mood to be bothered. If there isn't an addiction or a problem then it's easier to just say oh, Kim's just being a pain in the ass, don't feel like dealing with her, guilt free. I think a lot of the pretending that was done definitely benefited Kyle as well. That's why I can't stand Kyle's whole "how could you not defend me spiel" when I'm sure she too was more than happy to ignore the "problem" just as much as Kim when it suited her. And now looking back Kyle wants those brownie points.  The earned AND unearned ones cause hey, who's to know right?

[Higgins]

Everyone has had an addict in their life. Some may not know it because some addicts live functional lives. Kim does not at this point but she may, still.

[Persnickety1]

So I guess what your saying is that until she's diagnosed and her sister outs her in the back of a limo for now Kim  is just a drunken, selfish bitch and not and not a  drunken, selfish, freeze dried whack-a-loon bitch.

 

Have I got that right? 

 

Pretty much.

 

Until Kim discussed in detail any mental health issues she may or may not have as she has discussed her addiction issues, I'm not going to sit here and armchair diagnose that aspect of her life.  

 

Plus I'm a firm believer that not everyone who is a raging bitch, sober or not, needs to have a clinical diagnosis to explain away their behavior.  

 

Sometimes a nasty bitch is just a nasty bitch.

 

That being said, I didn't need Kyle to out Kim in the limo for me to drawn my own conclusion that she was under the influence of something.  

[LotusFlower]

Brandi's blog was interesting. At the party, she looked left out, sulked, and was on the receiving end of lots of jabs. Her TH's were all nasty snark. Yet her blog is all "a fun time was had by all!" WTH? Is it because she wasn't drinking? Does she not want to give anyone the satisfaction that she can't have fun without drinking? Is it insecurity? Even her new bff Kim was hanging with the Menopausal Mommas. Curious what you guys think....

[zoeysmom]

I see a LOT of anger in both Kyle and in Kim.  It's always right there, ready to erupt for their camera moments.

 

They both have many moments of neck bulging screaming tear-filled RAGE, and I think drink brings it out in both of them, but Kyle can consume more drinks without most effects showing (other than the anger/rage that usually surfaces.)  Of course, Kim has more than just alcohol issues, so combining pills with booze just amplified the booze effect.  Even properly prescribed pills for her anxiety/depression or whatever can mix together to make you stoned.  

 

That's Brandi's problem as well, mixing her anti-anxiety prescribed meds with drink makes her drunker much faster. 

I don't believe the tear filled rage has anything to do with alcohol I just don't think Kyle knows how to express herself when she gets rattled.  I may correct myself I think Kyle is not all the great at expressing herself.  She does a good job communicating with her kids.

 

The Richards' sister don't need joint therapy for mom issues because they clearly remember the childhood very differently.  It is about time to stop blaming Big Kathy for everyone from Kim to Paris' problems.  These are people who have had money for a very long time and could well afford the best therapy.  Just because Kim, Kathy and Kyle don't publicly bash their mother doesn't mean they suffered at her hands.  I know very few people I like that bash their dead parents.  So much of what we read came from the a third wife to the Ken Richards. 

 

The constant in this situation is Brandi.  Initially, it was Kyle would be happy for Kim to fail at sobriety so she could retain control over her,  now Kyle  won't support Kim.  I am only guessing but I think Brandi probably should have investigated a little further before throwing out these diagnoses.  I found it interesting that when asked what her fantasy was Kim said she wanted to  be alone on a deserted island.  You just can't have it both ways in life-you can't shun people because you want to be alone and chastise them for not being there for you.  Same with the jealousy thing, Brandi claims Kyle is jealous because was a better actress.  One thing we have never seen Kyle try and compete with her sister's childhood success.  Another one of those truths Brandi throws out there and is always wrong.

Edited February 19, 2015 by zoeysmom

[Persnickety1]

Brandi's blog was interesting. At the party, she looked left out, sulked, and was on the receiving end of lots of jabs. Her TH's were all nasty snark. Yet her blog is all "a fun time was had by all!" WTH? Is it because she wasn't drinking? Does she not want to give anyone the satisfaction that she can't have fun without drinking? Is it insecurity? Even her new bff Kim was hanging with the Menopausal Mommas. Curious what you guys think....

 

It's quite a contrast to how she appeared to be feeling on camera, isn't it?

 

She could have stayed up there with the other women and had fun, but instead we see she's sitting at a table by herself, where she appeared to be absolutely miserable and pretty much pouting, for lack of a better word, like the kid chosen lost for the kickball team.  

 

IMO, she was probably regretting having agreed with Yo to that cleanse.  

 

All of that available liquor and she couldn't indulge.

 

Hell, even wacko Kim seemed to be sober and having fun.  There was no reason that I could tell for Brandi to isolate herself from the others instead of just jumping into the fun.

 

Of course, with Bravo, there's always the possibility this was the editing monkeys at work cutting in random clips of Brandi to make her look bored and miserable.

 

Nah, I'm thinking this is probably how Brandi really was while everyone else was having fun.  I have great difficulty ever giving Brandi the benefit of the doubt.  

Edited February 19, 2015 by Persnickety1

[walnutqueen]

Brandi's blog was interesting. At the party, she looked left out, sulked, and was on the receiving end of lots of jabs. Her TH's were all nasty snark. Yet her blog is all "a fun time was had by all!" WTH? Is it because she wasn't drinking? Does she not want to give anyone the satisfaction that she can't have fun without drinking? Is it insecurity? Even her new bff Kim was hanging with the Menopausal Mommas. Curious what you guys think....

 

Brandi is a lying fucking liar who lies.

[talula]

Brandi's blog was interesting. At the party, she looked left out, sulked, and was on the receiving end of lots of jabs. Her TH's were all nasty snark. Yet her blog is all "a fun time was had by all!" WTH? Is it because she wasn't drinking? Does she not want to give anyone the satisfaction that she can't have fun without drinking? Is it insecurity? Even her new bff Kim was hanging with the Menopausal Mommas. Curious what you guys think....

ITA...the edited party Bravo showed us seemed to show her miserable...her blog is so different. I was also thinking WTH?   I found a photo including Brandi with some of the ladies.  Has Yolanda and LisaR been influencing her and or is she putting up a happy face to deflect negativity toward her? 

[LotusFlower]

Hell, even wacko Kim seemed to be sober and having fun.  There was no reason that I could tell for Brandi to isolate herself from the others instead of just jumping into the fun.

I remember at a party once on RHOA, Nene had alienated herself against everyone in the cast, and she truly had no ally to hang with. You could feel how uncomfortable she was, so she left. It feels similar to here -- both Nene and Brandi are bullies, and without a supporting cast, or liquid courage, they're alone and defenseless. But because bullies are insecure, they fight back by making fun of others; hence the menopause jabs.

[zoeysmom]

Of course there can be excuse after excuse made but I'm going by vibe. And what is possible considering how I've seen Kyle behave and also I do have a high standard when it comes to these things. It may not seem fair and it may seem like a real crazy idea but sometimes when your sister calls you and says Emergency come here now then, in my book you end that conference call meeting that your having in your car and drive your sick, runny nosed self over. My point is that Me, Myself and I can easily believe that more often than not Kim has had relevant instances that was in desperate need of Kyle which Kyle picked and chose what she thought was and wasn't relevant enough to act on. Now the reality is Kim is an addict. Kim needs support. That's not Kim being selfish that's just the reality of Kim's situation as an addict. You either choose to be there completely or you make it clear that you cannot always drop everything because it's just not possible but you don't ride the fence. Kim deserves better than that? Why? Because she's an addict and if there is true concern of creating the support she needs to battle her addiction then those that feel Kim should throw Kyle a freaking parade need to reevalute what really goes into recovery and what the expectations are for those that continue to be a part or claim to be a part of that recovery.

 

I don't condone the concept of demanding Kyle not take Portia to the hospital and hop to Kim's aid for a hangnail but I do think that if she's going to be so offended at the idea of Kim not rushing to her defense when anyone questions just how supportive she is to Kim then ummm, yeah these drop everything moments come with the job description Kyle's so eager to keep alive and well in everyone's mind. And honestly maybe Kim isn't coming to Kyle's defense so readily is because she can't truly assign that level of support to Kyle. I see it as Kyle wanting this absolute declaration to be made when in all actuality Kim doesn't feel like Kyle has really been as dedicated at she's trying to convince everyone else.  That's the vibe I get from Kim. She can't in all honesty defend Kyle with half truths. Kyle's declaration is that she's always been there for Kim and let's be real. Who can truly make such a declaration? It's not true and that's why Kim can't just right out the gate defend the idea so completely.

 

I believe that Kyle has been there in levels. Her involvement as best as she can muster. But was it enough, I'm guessing no which is nothing to be ashamed of.  If that was the only way she could survive and what she had to give still fell short on occasion then fine I can understand that but I don't think Kyle owns up to her reality either.  I'm sure Kyle spent a lot of time pretending it wasn't a problem, not just for the families privacy but because it made it easier to ignore and assign other reasons to Kim's behavior and easier to blow off Kim when she wasn't in the mood to be bothered. If there isn't an addiction or a problem then it's easier to just say oh, Kim's just being a pain in the ass, don't feel like dealing with her, guilt free. I think a lot of the pretending that was done definitely benefited Kyle as well. That's why I can't stand Kyle's whole "how could you not defend me spiel" when I'm sure she too was more than happy to ignore the "problem" just as much as Kim when it suited her. And now looking back Kyle wants those brownie points.  The earned AND unearned ones cause hey, who's to know right?

What Brandi said that night is Kyle had been there zero for Kim.  Brandi also said that Mauricio didn't want Kyle.  Kim should have stood up to Brandi over those comments-instead she gives Brandi a pass because when Brandi gets mad Brandi goes below the belt.  Amazing she will give a former enemy such a wide berth and yet not say one thing to defend her sister.  There is nothing to indicate Kyle has ever blown off her sister.  Brandi seems to be painting this picture that neither sister agrees with.

 

Again I see all those who are related or involved with someone in recovery as being there for the addict, conditionally.  No one should ever expect or promise to be there for the addict at the addict's whim.  Supporters have jobs, families, friends, charitable and church commitments for all of those to take a back seat to Kim is feeding the addict's issues.  The support I think Kim is alluding to maybe her stance on a third party.  It could very well be that Kyle does not support the stance Kim has taken with the third party.  Even in cases of threatened suicide if you the supporter feel it is a real threat you are told to call 911.  The distance between Kim and Kyle's homes is such that if it is serious and requires immediate attention 911 should be called.  Realizing that one's confidentiality will be breached once the authorities are brought in.

 

From what Kim said is she wished Kyle spent more time with her.  So is Kim acting out by partnering up with Brandi to alienate her sister or does Kim not realize that by chasing her girl crush on Brandi she is in fact alienating her sister?  Sadly, when Kyle said they are getting to the age that the sister relationship may not survive many more of these "down" cycles the dog bite had yet to occur.  The dog bite might be bigger than the both of them

[Umbelina]

 

The constant in this situation is Brandi. 

 

I remember Kim and Kyle having these same issues long before Brandi joined the show.  It's just 'round and 'round for these two, same stuff, different day.

 

I don't believe the tear filled rage has anything to do with alcohol I just don't think Kyle knows how to express herself when she gets rattled.  I may correct myself I think Kyle is all the great at expressing herself.  She does a good job communicating with her kids.

  Adult communication and child communication is very different though, and frankly, Kyle's histrionics while taking her daughter to school seemed selfish and not healthy to me.   

 

The Richards' sister don't need joint therapy for mom issues because they clearly remember the childhood very differently.  It is about time to stop blaming Big Kathy for everyone from Kim to Paris' problems.  These are people who have had money for a very long time and could well afford the best therapy.  Just because Kim, Kathy and Kyle don't publicly bash their mother doesn't mean they suffered at her hands.  I know very few people I like that bash their dead parents.  So much of what we read came from the a third wife to the Ken Richards.

 

They both idolize their mother.  Again, as I said in my post, it's not about "blaming" their mother.  It's about looking at their childhood realistically instead of burying it under the nearly slavish devotion to her memory.  Just for them to get to a point of saying "yeah, some stuff really SUCKED, but mom loved us and did what she thought was best for us."  would be a healthy thing. 

 

We've watched the "competitions" between these two for years now.  I think that stems from childhood, from acting, from the way they were raised, and I feel that they aren't going to fix that until they FACE that, with love, forgiveness, but most of all, with honesty.

[LotusFlower]

 Has Yolanda and LisaR been influencing her and or is she putting up a happy face to deflect negativity toward her?

That's a theory. Maybe she's realized that she's received nothing but negative feedback, so she's changing her strategy. It just seems so unlike her.

[Umbelina]

If Bravo wants a few moments of facial expressions on screen, they will find them, especially at a notoriously long "party" scene.

 

They wanted those "uncomfortable" Brandi moments, so they found them, and displayed them.  I'm sure they had shots of ALL of those women without smiles, because really?  Who is smiling or talking every single minute of a 2-6 hour filming schedule. 

 

They have a narrative, and are cramming it down our throats.

[TattleTeeny]

It may not seem fair and it may seem like a real crazy idea but sometimes when your sister calls you and says Emergency come here now then, in my book you end that conference call meeting that your having in your car and drive your sick, runny nosed self over.

 

Yes, you sometimes do. We do not know that Kyle doesn't sometimes do just that. We do know that Brandi is saying that Kyle never does this. 

 

That's not Kim being selfish that's just the reality of Kim's situation as an addict. You either choose to be there completely or you make it clear that you cannot always drop everything because it's just not possible but you don't ride the fence.

 

Did Kyle not clearly say that sometimes she cannot drop everything? And Kim seems to have said this as well. And what adult with a family can ever "be there completely"? It is not a younger sister's job to dedicate her life to caring for her older sister's inability to function. And I have to disagree; I think it is the epitome of Kim being selfish.

 

Kim doesn't feel like Kyle has really been as dedicated at she's trying to convince everyone else.  That's the vibe I get from Kim.

 

I don't feel that Kim is the right person to be evaluating anyone's dedication to anything. Partly because she claims to be dedicated to sobriety, and partly because she doesn't even know what day it is when Kyle is there. But also, other than Kyle's (very common in conversational vernacular) usage of absolutes like "always," I don't really see anything she says as trying to convince anyone of her presence; looks more to me like she's trying to absolve the notion of never being there for Kim.

 

Kyle's declaration is that she's always been there for Kim and let's be real. Who can truly make such a declaration? It's not true and that's why Kim can't just right out the gate defend the idea so completely.

 

Again, I disagree. I think it's not that Kim can't defend it; maybe it's that she won't for fear of losing her "support": Brandi. And, by support, I mean cheerleader that Kim does no wrong ever (semi related: I wonder if Brandi likes to keep Kim around to take the focus off Brandi's own fucked-upness; at least when there's a Kim, Brandi isn't the most unhinged. And maybe she'll even get "poor put-upon Brandi" points--the very same kind she faults Kyle for trying to get).

 

I'm sure Kyle spent a lot of time pretending it wasn't a problem, not just for the families privacy but because it made it easier to ignore and assign other reasons to Kim's behavior and easier to blow off Kim when she wasn't in the mood to be bothered.

 

I'm not about to say "I'm sure" about this stuff. I am not and neither is anyone just from watching this show. And, when Kyle didn't ignore it, lots of people seemed to hate her for it.

 

And now looking back Kyle wants those brownie points.  The earned AND unearned ones cause hey, who's to know right?

 

Again, I don't take it as wanting points as much as not wanting whatever the opposite of points are.

Edited February 19, 2015 by TattleTeeny

[LotusFlower]

They wanted those "uncomfortable" Brandi moments, so they found them, and displayed them.  I'm sure they had shots of ALL of those women without smiles, because really?  Who is smiling or talking every single minute of a 2-6 hour filming schedule. 

So you think Brandi was telling the truth in her blog - that she had a great time at the party? Even though she made fun of everyone in her TH's and laughed at how they were enjoying themselves.

[Umbelina]

They wanted those "uncomfortable" Brandi moments, so they found them, and displayed them.  I'm sure they had shots of ALL of those women without smiles, because really?  Who is smiling or talking every single minute of a 2-6 hour filming schedule.

 

So you think Brandi was telling the truth in her blog - that she had a great time at the party? Even though she made fun of everyone in her TH's and laughed at how they were enjoying themselves.

 

 

 

No.  Brandi WAS ostracized, and I think her blog is probably just putting a stop to BRAVO's game here, and putting a good face on it.  There were many rude comments to her, starting with Ken's, but she sucked it up and behaved.  I'm not even saying she didn't deserve the rudeness, but I didn't admire the others for it either. 

 

I'm just saying, with editing, they CAN tell any story they want.  I'm sure there were moments of Brandi having fun and smiling, but those didn't tell the limited story BRAVO is bent on telling this season.

 

I'd say the same thing if it was Kyle, Lisa (either) or any of the wives frowning or looking bored at one of these "events." 

 

It wasn't really a party, at least not while the cameras were there, it was work, a filming schedule.  We've heard a several of the "wives" talk about how long they shoot, for example, wasn't Camille's "dinner" with Du Bois filmed for something like 7 hours?  We've also heard from people like Alex (RHNY) that Bravo seriously pushes the booze, limits the food, and delays shooting as long as possible to increase fireworks, and issues.  They have them "re do" scenes as well.  I'm trying to think where I just read, maybe about this show, maybe a different RH show that "the real party starts after the camera's leave."  Anyone? 

 

I'm just saying, this is not a documentary, it's not "real" although some moments of it certainly are.  When I see those insert shots rather than on-going action I tend to be skeptical.  Filming goes on forever, if they want a shot of someone looking bored, or not smiling?  They will easily find one and plug it in.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Umbelina

[WireWrap]

Of course it does. It's never too late. She is only 50 years old. We have no idea why she does or doesn't do what you think she should. Do you know that 75% of people just eventually quit on their own with no treatment. That is compared to a 3%-8%  success rate at 5 years with institutional rehab using a 12 step type program. 

This is not Kim's first time at the rodeo, she has been an addict most of her adult life and has chosen not to do the hard work required to get well. Not even her children mattered enough for her to get the help required or to stick with it for the long haul. Do I wish Kim would get that help, of course I do, but I really believe that she doesn't want to get healthy, be it physical health/getting sober or mental health/stability because she will have to face the damage she has done and her inner demons to get there. Kim is all about getting lost in some fantasy world where she is the center of the universe, where she is never held accountable for her actions in anything unless it bring her praise/admiration. She needs to get off this show either way, to get healthy, truly healthy she needs to remove the stress and scrutiny  this show brings even healthy people and/or she needs to get off because no one wants to see someone spiral downward like she is doing by abusing whatever she can get her hands on and then expect everyone to buy into her lies. JMO

[zoeysmom]

I remember Kim and Kyle having these same issues long before Brandi joined the show.  It's just 'round and 'round for these two, same stuff, different day.

  Adult communication and child communication is very different though, and frankly, Kyle's histrionics while taking her daughter to school seemed selfish and not healthy to me.   

 

They both idolize their mother.  Again, as I said in my post, it's not about "blaming" their mother.  It's about looking at their childhood realistically instead of burying it under the nearly slavish devotion to her memory.  Just for them to get to a point of saying "yeah, some stuff really SUCKED, but mom loved us and did what she thought was best for us."  would be a healthy thing. 

 

We've watched the "competitions" between these two for years now.  I think that stems from childhood, from acting, from the way they were raised, and I feel that they aren't going to fix that until they FACE that, with love, forgiveness, but most of all, with honesty.

Watch the first episode Kyle gives a description of her mother and it is not all that Pollyanna.   I think I tend not to simplify the relationship as others do maybe because I am friends with someone who grew up with the Richards.  I think they are respectful of their mother's memory, which is something I don't find bad.  I think Kyle enjoys Palm Springs and held on to the family home and now she and Mauricio have bought a much more lavish home in PS. 

 

I will say it again I know Kim was not the sole support of that family, her father and mother built the house in Bel Air before Kim got the "Nanny and the Professor" gig, I know all three girls went to a very nice private school-in spite of Kim claiming she never went to school.  These are pretty easy myths to bust of Kim's, just listen to someone like Neil Patrick Harris, who was the lead in an hour long series, you don't film year round. (he was on Inside the Actors Studio last week).  When child actors aren't filming they are in school-their school.  The work they bring to the set is from their school. I don't know what anyone expects these women to say about their mother-Kim has certainly thrown dirt on her parents grave but that is just Kim.  I don't see how that is working out so well for Kim-publicly berating her folks.  Kyle seemed very upset her mother put in her charge of Kim on her death bed.  So these are things I heard from the show, I think it is only natural to remember some good times with your family growing up.  To me Kim needs to skip past the mama years and jump to the past 12 years.  Mom was gone and Kim chose to live in a drunken stupor for the vast majority of those years. 

 

I don't know that the Richards sisters have any more or less sibling rivalry than anyone else.  I do know no one is moving forward talking about whether or not Kathy and/or Kyle were certifiably jealous of Kim's acting career.  Kyle claims that their mother raised them to support each other.  I still find it hard to believe that a 10 year old Kim would get away with wailing on her 5 year old sister.  If I were giving advice I would tell Kyle to move on.  Kim doesn't like her, won't back her and resents being put in the position of being asked to so it is time to move on.  Kyle needs to stop trying to paint a rosy picture of the three sisters.  I would also tell Kyle to focus on her girls and fostering a happy, healthy relationship between the sisters.  If they both stay on RHOBH enjoy their time filming together but neither of them should allow themselves to be used as the main event as the dueling Richards' sisters. 

 

To me what divides Kyle and Kim is they just have very different interests.  Kim is kind of the outdoorsy BBQ in barefeet, toss back a box of Franzia and have the ex over and gather round the pool.  (In all fairness Kim doesn't drink any longer.) Kyle is more prissy.  Chanel dog bowls and four hired hands to put together a BBQ for 10 people.  So it might be what divides them is they don't really have common interests.  When Kyle tried to push that Kim's kids were like her own children, and her kids were like Kim's, Kim stopped the conversation and said, no they aren't.  Kim knew she hadn't devoted anytime to Kyle's kids.  I thought that was a good place to start down the honesty path.

[talula]

{snipped post}

 

From what Kim said is she wished Kyle spent more time with her.  So is Kim acting out by partnering up with Brandi to alienate her sister or does Kim not realize that by chasing her girl crush on Brandi she is in fact alienating her sister?  Sadly, when Kyle said they are getting to the age that the sister relationship may not survive many more of these "down" cycles the dog bite had yet to occur.  The dog bite might be bigger than the both of them

ITA,  why didn't Kim stick up for Kyle...she is her sister...both pledge their love for each other on camera.  Is Kim using Brandi because she desperately longs for more attention (even negative attention) from Kyle and is therefore using Brandi as a lure? And is Kim letting Brandi shame Kyle with negative rhetoric in order to get more of the attention she craves from her.  

 

Right, throw the aftermath of Kyle's daughter being bitten by Kim's dog...and it makes one wonder if the sisters will ever be able to resolve their formidable issues.

Edited February 19, 2015 by RealityTVSmack1

[LotusFlower]

No.  Brandi WAS ostracized, and I think her blog is probably just putting a stop to BRAVO's game here, and putting a good face on it.  There were many rude comments to her, starting with Ken's, but she sucked it up and behaved.  I'm not even saying she didn't deserve the rudeness, but I didn't admire the others for it either. 

 

I'm just saying, with editing, they CAN tell any story they want.  I'm sure there were moments of Brandi having fun and smiling, but those didn't tell the limited story BRAVO is bent on telling this season.

 

I'd say the same thing if it was Kyle, Lisa (either) or any of the wives frowning or looking bored at one of these "events." 

 

It wasn't really a party, at least not while the cameras were there, it was work, a filming schedule.  We've heard a several of the "wives" talk about how long they shoot, for example, wasn't Camille's "dinner" with Du Bois filmed for something like 7 hours?  We've also heard from people like Alex (RHNY) that Bravo seriously pushes the booze, limits the food, and delays shooting as long as possible to increase fireworks, and issues.  They have them "re do" scenes as well.  I'm trying to think where I just read, maybe about this show, maybe a different RH show that "the real party starts after the camera's leave."  Anyone? 

 

I'm just saying, this is not a documentary, it's not "real" although some moments of it certainly are.  When I see those insert shots rather than on-going action I tend to be skeptical.  Filming goes on forever, if they want a shot of someone looking bored, or not smiling?  They will easily find one and plug it in.

You seem to be saying two contradictory things here: First, Brandi was ostracized at the party, but she decided to "put a good face on it" in her blog. Then, it was a long night of shooting, and it was just edited to look like she wasn't having fun.

[Avaleigh]

Is it terrible of me to admit that when Kim talked about watching TV alone in her room that I picture her having marathon viewings of her old films and TV appearances with breaks for AnimalPlanet whenever she gets too emotional?

 

Regarding Brandi's comment about the Menopausal Mamas--I was glad that she was included in the MM singing segment on WWHL. More than anyone actually lol. She really isn't as young as she thinks she is. It takes me back to her comments with Eileen and Lisa about how she stopped watching Days in high school and then she randomly throws out the year 1995 at some point in the conversation and she's totally trying to imply that this is when she was watching Days but moments before she says that she only watched it in high school. She definitely has age issues IMO and I shudder to think what she's going to do to herself surgery wise by the time she's in her sixties. 

[walnutqueen]

No.  Brandi WAS ostracized, and I think her blog is probably just putting a stop to BRAVO's game here, and putting a good face on it. 

 

Because she can't possibly put a good face on herself anymore, what with all the shit she's had done to it.  ;-)

[Umbelina]

The whole dog thing is really an untold story here, and probably a huge cause of Kim's "stress."   Maybe Bravo avoided it because they were named in that lawsuit.

 

Kim should have never had that dog, and I really detest her for being so irresponsible with it, and using that Pit Bull's devotion to her in such fucked up ways. 

 

Here's the BUT.

 

BUT, I  have no doubts she really does also love that dog, and facing putting it down, or even not having it live with her, and the financial and legal messes it's caused, and possibly even part of the alienation between Kyle and Kim because it bit her daughter?  Had to be tough.  Totally her fault, because pit bulls are notoriously devoted to their owners, and will be what their owners want them to be generally. 

 

Anyway, it's a missing and strong part of why Kim may have felt extra stress.  Filming.  The two weddings.  Recovery.  Monty dying and living there (and he WAS dying then, and is now, his temporary remission was after filming.)  Losing her dog, one way or another.  Lawsuits.  Hell, no wonder she can't sleep~!

You seem to be saying two contradictory things here: First, Brandi was ostracized at the party, but she decided to "put a good face on it" in her blog. Then, it was a long night of shooting, and it was just edited to look like she wasn't having fun.

 

 

Both can be true.   Whenever they jump edit, TO ANYONE, I am skeptical.  My point is, I'm sure, in a long day of editing, they could have found anyone at the party looking unhappy.  They found it with Brandi and showed it.  They wouldn't show the others because it didn't fit their storyline.  I'm sure their were plenty of scenes with Brandi looking happy and having fun.  She was there with some friends of her own after all.

 

They've done this with other wives on housewife shows too.  It's not just Brandi.  NO ONE smiles and looks happy for hours on end.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Umbelina

[Sincerely Yours]

Yes, you sometimes do. We do not know that Kyle doesn't sometimes do just that. We do know that Brandi is saying that Kyle never does this. 

 

Did Kyle not clearly say that sometimes she cannot drop everything? And Kim seems to have said this as well. And what adult with a family can ever "be there completely"? It is not a younger sister's job to dedicate her life to caring for her older sister's inability to function. And I have to disagree; I think it is the epitome of Kim being selfish.

 

I don't feel that Kim is the right person to be evaluating anyone's dedication to anything. Partly because she claims to be dedicated to sobriety, and partly because she doesn't even know what day it is when Kyle is there. But also, other than Kyle's (very common in conversational vernacular) usage of absolutes like "always," I don't really see anything she says as trying to convince anyone of her presence; looks more to me like she's trying to absolve the notion of never being there for Kim.

 

Again, I disagree. I think it's not that Kim can't defend it; maybe it's that she won't for fear of losing her "support": Brandi. And, by support, I mean cheerleader that Kim does no wrong ever (semi related: I wonder if Brandi likes to keep Kim around to take the focus off Brandi's own fucked-upness; at least when there's a Kim, Brandi isn't the most unhinged. And maybe she'll even get "poor put-upon Brandi" points--the very same kind she faults Kyle for trying to get).

 

I'm not about to say "I'm sure" about this stuff. I am not and neither is anyone just from watching this show. And, when Kyle didn't ignore it, lots of people seemed to hate her for it.

 

Again, I don't take it as wanting points as much as not wanting whatever the opposite of points are.

No one should or could dedicate that level of attentiveness. That's the point and yet when you hear Kyle speak on what she's done or describe "the road she's been on before" it's with such conviction. I don't buy it. The same way Kim is supposed to acknowledge her own shortcomings I think Kyle should speak honestly about her role and where she's fallen short which up until her conversation with Eileen I haven't seen her do in any season. I'm saying that the reasoning for Kim not jumping to Kyle's defense so readily is because I think Kim is hesitant to cosign with Kyles version and declarations of always having her sisters back. (Yes Kyle has mentioned always).  Kim tries to explain there are times where Kyle's disappointed her and it gets swung back around to Kyle reinforcing her rock solid presence. It's Kyle's approach that grandstands the point and gives me the impression that she's making this claim of 100% support. I don't need the exact sentence to be uttered by Kyle and she has made comments in the past that pretty much outlines how "involved, supportive and in the thick of it" she's been. To me that means she wants people to believe that she's always been there for Kim. No question.  I get the initial insult was that Kyle was never there which of course was an exaggeration on Brandi's point but Kyle's trying to point out that in fact the opposite of Brandi's statement is true and wanting Kim to back that sentiment up. Or Maybe Kyle isn't trying to get Kim to confirm that 100% but I'm saying that in Kim's mind to me, it seems that Kyle wants Kim to knock away doubt of Kyle's support meanwhile it's the perfect opportunity for Kim to point out that there actually has been time where she doesn't feel Kyle has been there for her. Right or wrong I think that Kim at least trying to talk about it is way better than Kyle quickly derailing the sentiment because of her grievance with Kim and sticking with that one narrative. Boo Hoo Brandi said I've never been there and Kim didn't defend me. Um hello Kyle maybe you should worry a little less about Kim not immediately defending you and explore with why she hesitated.

 

There have been multiple times during different seasons where you see Kim try to have a more in depth conversation with Kyle about their relationship with each other over the years that really goes nowhere and I found the fact that Kim was at least willing to have such a sensitive conversation as signs of some self awareness. Even in the lunch with Eileen Kim clearly articulates that she realized that their may be some things she didn't realize she hasn't let go... etc. etc. and then its swung back around to what Brandi said instead of what Kim is trying to express. To me that sounded like the makings of a deeper conversation but Kim isn't able to get into it. Kim's tried a few times over the seasons to have heart to hearts with Kyle that would express her disappointment and hurt but it never comes to pass. Kyle usually derails it with something more current or a complaint she has about Kim this that or the other. Kyle DOES NOT want Kim talking about anything that Kyle has done that's hurt Kim's feelings. Not having it but it's okay for Kyle to unravel one TH at a time the "embarrassment" she feels, the betrayal, the this the that. The double standard annoys the shit out of me.

[WireWrap]

I see a LOT of anger in both Kyle and in Kim.  It's always right there, ready to erupt for their camera moments.

 

They both have many moments of neck bulging screaming tear-filled RAGE, and I think drink brings it out in both of them, but Kyle can consume more drinks without most effects showing (other than the anger/rage that usually surfaces.)  Of course, Kim has more than just alcohol issues, so combining pills with booze just amplified the booze effect.  Even properly prescribed pills for her anxiety/depression or whatever can mix together to make you stoned.  

 

That's Brandi's problem as well, mixing her anti-anxiety prescribed meds with drink makes her drunker much faster. 

What we have seen is Kim, high/drunk, go at Kyle, whose hands are tied by loyalty to the very sister, trying to destroy her. And she is allowing her good friend to attack that same sister using lies. Kyle then goes into this whine and rage thing because she is not allowed to fight on a level field because of her loyalty.

 

 

Of course there can be excuse after excuse made but I'm going by vibe. And what is possible considering how I've seen Kyle behave and also I do have a high standard when it comes to these things. It may not seem fair and it may seem like a real crazy idea but sometimes when your sister calls you and says Emergency come here now then, in my book you end that conference call meeting that your having in your car and drive your sick, runny nosed self over. My point is that Me, Myself and I can easily believe that more often than not Kim has had relevant instances that was in desperate need of Kyle which Kyle picked and chose what she thought was and wasn't relevant enough to act on. Now the reality is Kim is an addict. Kim needs support. That's not Kim being selfish that's just the reality of Kim's situation as an addict. You either choose to be there completely or you make it clear that you cannot always drop everything because it's just not possible but you don't ride the fence. Kim deserves better than that? Why? Because she's an addict and if there is true concern of creating the support she needs to battle her addiction then those that feel Kim should throw Kyle a freaking parade need to reevalute what really goes into recovery and what the expectations are for those that continue to be a part or claim to be a part of that recovery.

 

I don't condone the concept of demanding Kyle not take Portia to the hospital and hop to Kim's aid for a hangnail but I do think that if she's going to be so offended at the idea of Kim not rushing to her defense when anyone questions just how supportive she is to Kim then ummm, yeah these drop everything moments come with the job description Kyle's so eager to keep alive and well in everyone's mind. And honestly maybe Kim isn't coming to Kyle's defense so readily is because she can't truly assign that level of support to Kyle. I see it as Kyle wanting this absolute declaration to be made when in all actuality Kim doesn't feel like Kyle has really been as dedicated at she's trying to convince everyone else.  That's the vibe I get from Kim. She can't in all honesty defend Kyle with half truths. Kyle's declaration is that she's always been there for Kim and let's be real. Who can truly make such a declaration? It's not true and that's why Kim can't just right out the gate defend the idea so completely.

 

I believe that Kyle has been there in levels. Her involvement as best as she can muster. But was it enough, I'm guessing no which is nothing to be ashamed of.  If that was the only way she could survive and what she had to give still fell short on occasion then fine I can understand that but I don't think Kyle owns up to her reality either.  I'm sure Kyle spent a lot of time pretending it wasn't a problem, not just for the families privacy but because it made it easier to ignore and assign other reasons to Kim's behavior and easier to blow off Kim when she wasn't in the mood to be bothered. If there isn't an addiction or a problem then it's easier to just say oh, Kim's just being a pain in the ass, don't feel like dealing with her, guilt free. I think a lot of the pretending that was done definitely benefited Kyle as well. That's why I can't stand Kyle's whole "how could you not defend me spiel" when I'm sure she too was more than happy to ignore the "problem" just as much as Kim when it suited her. And now looking back Kyle wants those brownie points.  The earned AND unearned ones cause hey, who's to know right?

 At some point, one has to try and figure out what constitutes a real emergency that requires their physical presence or they have to move that person into their home.  I just don't see where Kim is requiring Kyle to be there at her beck and call 24/7.  Brandi is the only one claiming that Kyle has NEVER been there for Kim EVER! Big difference IMO.

 

 

I don't believe the tear filled rage has anything to do with alcohol I just don't think Kyle knows how to express herself when she gets rattled.  I may correct myself I think Kyle is not all the great at expressing herself.  She does a good job communicating with her kids.

 

The Richards' sister don't need joint therapy for mom issues because they clearly remember the childhood very differently.  It is about time to stop blaming Big Kathy for everyone from Kim to Paris' problems.  These are people who have had money for a very long time and could well afford the best therapy.  Just because Kim, Kathy and Kyle don't publicly bash their mother doesn't mean they suffered at her hands.  I know very few people I like that bash their dead parents.  So much of what we read came from the a third wife to the Ken Richards. 

 

The constant in this situation is Brandi.  Initially, it was Kyle would be happy for Kim to fail at sobriety so she could retain control over her,  now Kyle  won't support Kim.  I am only guessing but I think Brandi probably should have investigated a little further before throwing out these diagnoses.  I found it interesting that when asked what her fantasy was Kim said she wanted to  be alone on a deserted island.  You just can't have it both ways in life-you can't shun people because you want to be alone and chastise them for not being there for you.  Same with the jealousy thing, Brandi claims Kyle is jealous because was a better actress.  One thing we have never seen Kyle try and compete with her sister's childhood success.  Another one of those truths Brandi throws out there and is always wrong.

As I have said before, Kyle's saving grace has been Mauricio's mom. I believe that Kyle turns to her for advice when needed. Sadly, Kim never had that and never felt compelled to deal with her issues, be it addiction or mental illness and that is on her and her alone. As grown ass women, they have lived long enough to know what is acceptable in society, they have had the benefit of being able to seek help, IMO, Kyle has and Kim has not.

 

Also, Kyle has been very vocal about Kim's acting career, she always points out that Kim is the real deal, I have never heard her down play Kim's acting career/ability. On the other hand, I do not remember ever hearing Kim sing Kyle's praises about her acting career.

 

 

No.  Brandi WAS ostracized, and I think her blog is probably just putting a stop to BRAVO's game here, and putting a good face on it.  There were many rude comments to her, starting with Ken's, but she sucked it up and behaved.  I'm not even saying she didn't deserve the rudeness, but I didn't admire the others for it either. 

 

I'm just saying, with editing, they CAN tell any story they want.  I'm sure there were moments of Brandi having fun and smiling, but those didn't tell the limited story BRAVO is bent on telling this season.

 

I'd say the same thing if it was Kyle, Lisa (either) or any of the wives frowning or looking bored at one of these "events." 

 

It wasn't really a party, at least not while the cameras were there, it was work, a filming schedule.  We've heard a several of the "wives" talk about how long they shoot, for example, wasn't Camille's "dinner" with Du Bois filmed for something like 7 hours?  We've also heard from people like Alex (RHNY) that Bravo seriously pushes the booze, limits the food, and delays shooting as long as possible to increase fireworks, and issues.  They have them "re do" scenes as well.  I'm trying to think where I just read, maybe about this show, maybe a different RH show that "the real party starts after the camera's leave."  Anyone? 

 

I'm just saying, this is not a documentary, it's not "real" although some moments of it certainly are.  When I see those insert shots rather than on-going action I tend to be skeptical.  Filming goes on forever, if they want a shot of someone looking bored, or not smiling?  They will easily find one and plug it in.

No one "ostracized" Brandi at the party, no one. Most likely Ken did not want to invite Brandi but was pressured by the producers, so he did invite her with that caveat, which was warranted IMO.  As for Yolanda's invitation, it may have been part of an email invite sent to all of them, we do not know how the others were invited. 

[Umbelina]

"How did you make the cut?"

 

"What is SHE doing here?"

 

Go sing by yourself, then we will all join together without you to sing more.

 

I am so bored with Brandi's menopause crap.  Also with her lame and icky, lamely provocative sexual innuendos.  She needs a new schtick.  Or several of them.  This season might be a wake up call for her.  She may sound like she's in denial now, but she's realizing what editing can do, what BRAVO can do, and hopefully, what her own actions really look like.  She'll either adapt to the game, or continue to fail at it.  Right now there is some bravado in her reactions, but this week's blog shows some hope for her.

 

Is she smart enough to play Bravo's game?  Or even to grow up a bit?  We shall see.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Umbelina

[motorcitymom65]

It is easy to speculate on how much Kyle has/has not been there for Kim, but at some point we have to look at what we have seen on the show. There have been many instances over the years where we have seen Kyle anxious to include Kim more in her life and Kim resisting. Remember Portia's birthday party at the beginning of S3? Everyone was coming, but Kim threw out that she wanted to spend the day with her kids instead. Kyle was hurt and begged her to bring her kids and come for just an hour or so. She said she wanted to spend time with Kim's kids and have Kim spend time with hers. Kim was unapologetic in the fact that she didn't want to celebrate Portia's party with everyone and would prefer to just be with her family.

How about S1 and S2 when Kim was constantly moving? Kyle was helping her find a new place to live and was encouraging Kim to move closer to her and Mauricio. She seemed very anxious to get Kim and her kids closer to her. At the time, Kyle was criticized heavily on the Bravo blogs for being a nag to Kim. Why can't she live where she wants? Who cares if she doesn't want to live close to Kyle? Maybe they were all right, but the point was that Kyle seemed to want to be close to Kim. It was Kim who kept pulling away from Kyle.

The extended scene after the Gay Mixer was interesting. Brandi is saying that perhaps Kim needs to distance herself from Kyle because she is not good for her. Kim said that she did that before a few years ago (we know that was after the Limo reveal), but that since then they have gotten much closer. She concludes with Brandi that perhaps she should distance herself again. I had no understanding of what was being said here. Kim acted like she and Kyle had been much closer over the last few years and that perhaps this wasn't a good thing, but then in another breath she is acting like Kyle doesn't have the time to "protect" her. Don't even get me started on the fact that Kim believes that Kyle's role in their relationship is to protect her.

To me it seems like Kim doesn't know what she wants. Does she want Kyle in her life, but only if Kyle does it in exactly the way that Kim wants? Which probably means not nagging her to renew her drivers license when it expires or properly manage the dog that is biting its way through Beverly Hills? I have no idea how Kyle is supposed to win in this situation.

[LotusFlower]

Both can be true. Whenever they jump edit, TO ANYONE, I am skeptical. My point is, I'm sure, in a long day of editing, they could have found anyone at the party looking unhappy. They found it with Brandi and showed it. They wouldn't show the others because it didn't fit their storyline. I'm sure their were plenty of scenes with Brandi looking happy and having fun. She was there with some friends of her own after all.

Then why do you think she was indeed ostracized and yet tried to "put a good face" on her time at the party in her blog?

[Umbelina]

I've already answered that, at I am not on a witness stand here. 

Edited February 19, 2015 by Umbelina

[WireWrap]

"How did you make the cut?"

 

"What is SHE doing here?"

 

Go sing by yourself, then we will all join together without you to sing more.

 

I am so bored with Brandi's menopause crap.  Also with her lame and icky, lamely provocative sexual innuendos.  She needs a new schtick.  Or several of them.  This season might be a wake up call for her.  She may sound like she's in denial now, but she's realizing what editing can do, what BRAVO can do, and hopefully, what her own actions really look like.  She'll either adapt to the game, or continue to fail at it.  Right now there is some bravado in her reactions, but this week's blog shows some hope for her.

 

Is she smart enough to play Bravo's game?  Or even to grow up a bit?  We shall see.

Kyle's comment WAS snarky but Lisa greeted Brandi first and held her hands as she made her comment and BOTH Lisa and Brandi were laughing. That had the feel of the 2 of them together 2 season ago. The song was something Lisa thought Brandi would enjoy and it seemed she did have fun singing it. That Brandi chose to not join in with the others singing, which included her BF Kim, was her choice. No one excluded her, well....except herself. Sadly, I don't hold out any hope for Brandi in future episodes this season but that is just me. I give you credit for defending the HWs you like, that is not always easy to do.

[zoeysmom]

No one should or could dedicate that level of attentiveness. That's the point and yet when you hear Kyle speak on what she's done or describe "the road she's been on before" it's with such conviction. I don't buy it. The same way Kim is supposed to acknowledge her own shortcomings I think Kyle should speak honestly about her role and where she's fallen short which up until her conversation with Eileen I haven't seen her do in any season. I'm saying that the reasoning for Kim not jumping to Kyle's defense so readily is because I think Kim is hesitant to cosign with Kyles version and declarations of always having her sisters back. (Yes Kyle has mentioned always).  Kim tries to explain there are times where Kyle's disappointed her and it gets swung back around to Kyle reinforcing her rock solid presence. It's Kyle's approach that grandstands the point and gives me the impression that she's making this claim of 100% support. I don't need the exact sentence to be uttered by Kyle and she has made comments in the past that pretty much outlines how "involved, supportive and in the thick of it" she's been. To me that means she wants people to believe that she's always been there for Kim. No question.  I get the initial insult was that Kyle was never there which of course was an exaggeration on Brandi's point but Kyle's trying to point out that in fact the opposite of Brandi's statement is true and wanting Kim to back that sentiment up. Or Maybe Kyle isn't trying to get Kim to confirm that 100% but I'm saying that in Kim's mind to me, it seems that Kyle wants Kim to knock away doubt of Kyle's support meanwhile it's the perfect opportunity for Kim to point out that there actually has been time where she doesn't feel Kyle has been there for her. Right or wrong I think that Kim at least trying to talk about it is way better than Kyle quickly derailing the sentiment because of her grievance with Kim and sticking with that one narrative. Boo Hoo Brandi said I've never been there and Kim didn't defend me. Um hello Kyle maybe you should worry a little less about Kim not immediately defending you and explore with why she hesitated.

 

There have been multiple times during different seasons where you see Kim try to have a more in depth conversation with Kyle about their relationship with each other over the years that really goes nowhere and I found the fact that Kim was at least willing to have such a sensitive conversation as signs of some self awareness. Even in the lunch with Eileen Kim clearly articulates that she realized that their may be some things she didn't realize she hasn't let go... etc. etc. and then its swung back around to what Brandi said instead of what Kim is trying to express. To me that sounded like the makings of a deeper conversation but Kim isn't able to get into it. Kim's tried a few times over the seasons to have heart to hearts with Kyle that would express her disappointment and hurt but it never comes to pass. Kyle usually derails it with something more current or a complaint she has about Kim this that or the other. Kyle DOES NOT want Kim talking about anything that Kyle has done that's hurt Kim's feelings. Not having it but it's okay for Kyle to unravel one TH at a time the "embarrassment" she feels, the betrayal, the this the that. The double standard annoys the shit out of me.

No Kim does not want to talk about anything but her hurt feelings.  That is all Kim wants to talk about.  Rewind last year's Reunion.  She was so butt sore over Lisa not coming to her daughter's graduation. The best example was Kyle trying to have a discussion about Brandi and hurting Adrienne and Paul and Kim kept interrupting about how hurt she was and then Kim attacked Kyle for not recognizing just how much hurt she was than anyone on planet earth.  Another example in Puerto Rico the table is discussing the tabloids and Kim totally blows up the conversation with Lisa not being at her daughter's graduation.   The fact that Kim was not at Brandi's when Lisa allegedly picked the tabloids up was lost on Kim but it sure didn't detour for asserting such a stupid defense of her new girl crush Brandi.  I think Kim was totally lost over why Kyle challenged Brandi's statement about the phone calls-but once again Kim's feelings should not be hurt nothing was revealed.

 

I can only imagine the discussion over the dog bites.  Kim reverts back to when Kyle outed her in the limo, was an hour and half late in Amsterdam and the dog issue never gets addressed.  Kyle is at fault because she loses it and Kim quite frankly wins. 

[Umbelina]

I don't like them.  None of these women mean anything to me.  I like parts of them, and detest parts of them.  They are just people, good and bad, and I don't like letting Bravo lead the storyline, so I remain skeptical of many scenes.

 

I don't like Kim, although I do feel some pity for her, and applaud her taking in Monty.  She's basically a mean girl to me, with a really fucked up childhood.  I don't detest her because she's an addict.  It's a disease.  She was vicious to Lisa last season, to Brandi when she joined the cast.  I hate what she did to that dog.

 

I don't like Brandi.  She bores me with the inappropriate sexual talk, and agism.  She needs to grow up about the drinking, and to get over the despicable things Eddie, Sheannaeaanna, and Leann did to her.  She's funny sometimes, and outspoken is always good on these shows.  That doesn't mean her children should be taken away, or that she's an addict, or that Kyle is a saint.  Throwing wine?  Ugh.  She was a fool to trash Lisa last season, so beyond stupid.

 

I don't like Yo's 50's version of housewife.  I do like her house, her calmness most of the time, and her attitude towards her kids.  "Earn your own money."  for example.  I hated what she did to Ken. 

 

I don't like Kyle.  I think she's a fake, wanna be queen bee, mean girl who never grew up and who is using her sister's problems for a storyline as "the good, put upon sister."  With Kyle, I draw a blank on things I do like.  I used to like her with her youngest daughter, but now she's pimping her out, ala Milania, so I don't even like that side of her anymore.  I think she's a snake.

 

I don't like Lipsa, because I think she's Kyle's mouthpiece in the attack against Kim this season.  If her concern was real and genuine, she wouldn't do this on camera.  She has potential, but I'm not a fan so far, maybe when she gets a story other than Brandi and Kim suck?  Then.  I do love her relationship to Harry.  So far.  Then again, I'm a Mad Men addict.

 

I don't like or dislike Eileen, because we've really seen so little of her.  I don't like that she's an adulterer who broke up two marriages.  Her relationship with her husband seems a little off to me.  She may or may not bring the housewife drama this show needs.  Too early to tell.  I loved her trying to talk to Kim and Kyle.

 

I probably like Lisa the best, but I see her manipulations as well, and I'm more on her side this year than usual, because she was so viciously ganged up on last season.  She seems less effortlessly mean-while-looking-innocent this season.  It feels like a "anyone but me" pile on.  I think eventually she'll get even with all of them, but for this season, she'll just do Brandi and Kim.  Kyle and Yo won't escape though.  Yo may, because of illness.

 

I just enjoy examining them, and looking at edits, and exchanging different ways of looking at them ALL on message boards.  For fun.  For popcorn.

 

What I really don't like is saying things like "this one is bad, so that means that one is good."

 

Nah, as I said before, they are ALL assholes.  Dancing on strings for our amusement.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Umbelina

[njbchlover]

So you think Brandi was telling the truth in her blog - that she had a great time at the party? Even though she made fun of everyone in her TH's and laughed at how they were enjoying themselves.

In my opinion, any fun that Brandi may have had at Lisa's party was while she was thinking in her head "Okaaay....how can I slay these women in my talking head comments for the show?"

I find Brandi doesn't seem to be able to enjoy herself unless she can make a party Brandi-focused....and, she usually does that with a whole lot of "liquid courage", so since she wasn't drinking (and probably cursing Yolanda for that, along with Ken, who planned the party for the time while she was doing the cleanse), she kind of fell to the background and felt out of place.

[becauseIsaidso]

The thing I don't understand about the bitchard sisters avoidance of genuine apologies (like, they seem to think a sincere apology uttered with NO conditional phrases is akin to the Black Plague) is how they must know such behavior marks them as emotional midgets who have zero respect for their fellow humans.  Apologies given when one is a child don't have the same understanding or impact as when it must be done as an adult. I've only had to do it a couple of times as an adult...both times, it was I who recognized that, (shit, shit, SHIT) I really did owe someone an apology. So, I sucked it up and at the very next time I saw my victim, I first asked for a moment of their time - also giving them time and opportunity to deny it, since I had been the offending a**hole in the first place - then simply said, I did xyz, I was wrong, I am sorry and I apologize....NO excuses, NO justifications, just acceptance of wrongdoing...and DAMN! it may have been REALLY hard to do, but I felt so powerful afterward!  Before this, I had presumed that I would feel humiliated at having to humble myself to another person - but quite the opposite was true.  The other person, in both cases, accepted the apology and we (in each case) remained on cordial terms for the rest of our associations. So, having been there, done that, I simply can not understand either of the bitchards...unless, of course, they are so completely arrogant as to think they NEVER do ANYTHING that requires forgiveness....come to think of it, that's exactly the vibe I get from the both of them - and it's been there since the beginning of RHOBH....sad, really, really sad...

[Avaleigh]

"How did you make the cut?" to me was the equivalent of the usually good natured way a person might say "Hey, who let these two in here?" The reason that saying something like that seems like more of a sting when it comes to Brandi is that she really has no business being there based on her past behavior towards the person whose birthday was being honored. Coming from Lisa it comes across as an honest question in a way even though they both know she's joking and they both know that Brandi still makes the cut because she's still officially on the show. 

 

I don't like Lipsa, because I think she's Kyle's mouthpiece in the attack against Kim this season.

I haven't seen an attack on Kim this season. The worst thing Kim has had to deal with was Kyle telling her fuck you while giving her the double fingers. Apart from that there has been no attack on Kim from what I've seen. It isn't Kyle's fault that Kim showed her ass to LisaR so that LisaR would have a legitimate reason to think that Kim might have a problem. If Kim wants to blame someone for why LisaR thinks she has some sort of substance abuse problem I think she needs to look in a mirror.

Edited February 20, 2015 by Avaleigh

[Umbelina]

"How did you make the cut?" to me was the equivalent of the usually good natured way a person might say "Hey, who let these two in here?" The reason that saying something like that seems like more of a sting when it comes to Brandi is that she really has no business being there based on her past behavior towards the person whose birthday was being honored. Coming from Lisa it comes across as an honest question in a way even though they both know she's joking and they both know that Brandi still makes the cut because she's still officially on the show. 

 

I haven't seen an attack on Kim this season. If worst thing Kim has had to deal with was Kyle telling her fuck you while giving her the double fingers. Apart from that there has been no attack on Kim from what I've seen. It isn't Kyle's fault that Kim showed her ass to LisaR so that LisaR would have a legitimate reason to think that Kim might have a problem. If Kim wants to blame someone for why LisaR thinks she has some sort of substance abuse problem I think she needs to look in a mirror.

The only topic she has is "Kim."  Oh, and "Brandi."

 

In the limo on the way to the Burbank thing?  Kim and Brandi.

Hell, pick a scene, very, very few that include Lipsa don't have something to do with Kim, and nearly all of her talking heads are about Kim. It's endless. If not about Kim, it's about Brandi.

 

Also?  Boring.

Edited February 20, 2015 by Umbelina

[LotusFlower]

I've already answered that, at I am not on a witness stand here.

Objection! I was just trying to figure out the contradiction.

I agree that the episodes are heavily edited, and it's possible that Brandi had some fun at some point in the evening. But my original post concerned her blog. In her blogs, Brandi usually goes over the episode scene by scene, and uses the blog post to add commentary or her side of things (as they all do), or to throw snark or say "here's what you didn't see..." Stuff like that. She didn't do any of that this time around - in regard to the party scene, or any other scene. The shows are edited, the blogs are not, so I'm questioning her choice(s) in what she wrote, cuz it was so out of character. It's almost like she's throwing in the towel. Or in fear of getting fired. Or sober!?

[Umbelina]

Reread my post.  I answered that too.  My guess is she's over Bravo's game, or changing the rules.

 

Gasp!  Possibly even growing up a bit?  Or getting her Bravo school education, and finally passing a test?

[Avaleigh]

I disagree that LisaR can't talk about a variety of subjects. I know that we've seen scenes where she talks about her husband, marriage, her daughters and other family members, her career, her thoughts on the industry, clothes, her impressions of women other than Kim and Brandi, etc. I actually feel like we've been given a well rounded portrayal of LisaR's life whereas Brandi and Kim are pretty one note. 

[BucFan]

Seatbelts-Ladies-Seatbelts

I only saw LisaR wearing a seatbelt. If any of the other ladies were wearing one, I don't think they were wearing it correctly.

[msblossom]

Watching Yolanda take that bag of vitamins was painful. I can only imagine the amount of money she's spent traveling all over the world searching for alternative therapy and being convinced to add more supplements to the ones she's already taking. I'm all about natural therapy vs traditional healthcare if it works. I'm just hoping that in all of the 20 supplements she swallows twice day that they are harmless, bc I'm not sure they are all particularly helpful to her at this point.

[LotusFlower]

Reread my post.  I answered that too.  My guess is she's over Bravo's game, or changing the rules.

 

Which is possible, but then that's the opposite of saying she likely did have some fun, but it was edited out since it didn't fit Bravo's narrative. The blog was her chance to address the pouty face, or being ostracized, if that's what did happen. But she didn't.

"How did you make the cut?" to me was the equivalent of the usually good natured way a person might say "Hey, who let these two in here?" The reason that saying something like that seems like more of a sting when it comes to Brandi is that she really has no business being there based on her past behavior towards the person whose birthday was being honored. Coming from Lisa it comes across as an honest question in a way even though they both know she's joking and they both know that Brandi still makes the cut because she's still officially on the show. 

I think it also had to do with Ken. Lisa was betrayed by Brandi and really doesn't want anything to do with her, but because thay're castmates, she knows she has to tolerate her, and acts civil and sometimes cordial. Ken feels differently, and Lisa has even talked about how hurt Ken was by Brandi's betrayal, and is unlikely to change how he feels. And he's not a HW, so he has no obligation to socialize with her. That, to me, explains why Lisa was so surprised to see Brandi there - since Ken planned the party. "Ken invited you?!"

[TattleTeeny]

No one should or could dedicate that level of attentiveness. That's the point and yet when you hear Kyle speak on what she's done or describe "the road she's been on before" it's with such conviction. I don't buy it. The same way Kim is supposed to acknowledge her own shortcomings I think Kyle should speak honestly about her role and where she's fallen short which up until her conversation with Eileen I haven't seen her do in any season. I'm saying that the reasoning for Kim not jumping to Kyle's defense so readily is because I think Kim is hesitant to cosign with Kyles version and declarations of always having her sisters back. (Yes Kyle has mentioned always).  Kim tries to explain there are times where Kyle's disappointed her and it gets swung back around to Kyle reinforcing her rock solid presence. It's Kyle's approach that grandstands the point and gives me the impression that she's making this claim of 100% support. I don't need the exact sentence to be uttered by Kyle and she has made comments in the past that pretty much outlines how "involved, supportive and in the thick of it" she's been. To me that means she wants people to believe that she's always been there for Kim. No question.  I get the initial insult was that Kyle was never there which of course was an exaggeration on Brandi's point but Kyle's trying to point out that in fact the opposite of Brandi's statement is true and wanting Kim to back that sentiment up. Or Maybe Kyle isn't trying to get Kim to confirm that 100% but I'm saying that in Kim's mind to me, it seems that Kyle wants Kim to knock away doubt of Kyle's support meanwhile it's the perfect opportunity for Kim to point out that there actually has been time where she doesn't feel Kyle has been there for her. Right or wrong I think that Kim at least trying to talk about it is way better than Kyle quickly derailing the sentiment because of her grievance with Kim and sticking with that one narrative. Boo Hoo Brandi said I've never been there and Kim didn't defend me. Um hello Kyle maybe you should worry a little less about Kim not immediately defending you and explore with why she hesitated.

 

There have been multiple times during different seasons where you see Kim try to have a more in depth conversation with Kyle about their relationship with each other over the years that really goes nowhere and I found the fact that Kim was at least willing to have such a sensitive conversation as signs of some self awareness. Even in the lunch with Eileen Kim clearly articulates that she realized that their may be some things she didn't realize she hasn't let go... etc. etc. and then its swung back around to what Brandi said instead of what Kim is trying to express. To me that sounded like the makings of a deeper conversation but Kim isn't able to get into it. Kim's tried a few times over the seasons to have heart to hearts with Kyle that would express her disappointment and hurt but it never comes to pass. Kyle usually derails it with something more current or a complaint she has about Kim this that or the other. Kyle DOES NOT want Kim talking about anything that Kyle has done that's hurt Kim's feelings. Not having it but it's okay for Kyle to unravel one TH at a time the "embarrassment" she feels, the betrayal, the this the that. The double standard annoys the shit out of me.

I do see what you're saying in many places here. But the bolded part does stick out to me, and it's probably where my disagreement stems from. And it's that I don't think Kyle has a "role" in Kim's problems. Kim is a grown woman who chooses to eschew the proper channels for sobriety -- be they therapy, meetings, sponsors, hiding out from drunken bashes and Brandis, appearing repeatedly in a provocative TV series, triggering situations like deathbed exes or uncontrollable dogs, or even Kyle herself if Kyle is indeed a problem for Kim. Kim puts Kim where Kim is, and it is not Kyle's job to "be there." Of course, sisters (and friends and other family members) usually are "there" in the figurative if not literal sense of the word because they want the loved one to improve and heal. But if Kim won't help herself in a serious and committed way, what is Kyle really supposed to do about that, no matter how often or where "there" is? Kim gets herself into trouble and, IMO, expects Kyle to support it simply based on the fact that Kyle is her sibling, even though it seems to me that she (Kim) has no clue if or what kind of support she wants or needs on any given day. I don't even think that Kim could describe what "be there for" her entails (and if she could, it might sound a lot like "Yes, Kim, you're right -- and technically sober -- Kim. Take that pill, Kim; in fact, here's some bourbon to wash it down with. And you acted perfectly normal and even lovely in the car with Lisa Rinna, Kim"). There would be no "there" to be if Kim would make a legitimate attempt to pull it together.

Edited February 20, 2015 by TattleTeeny

[motorcitymom65]

Watching Yolanda take that bag of vitamins was painful. I can only imagine the amount of money she's spent traveling all over the world searching for alternative therapy and being convinced to add more supplements to the ones she's already taking. I'm all about natural therapy vs traditional healthcare if it works. I'm just hoping that in all of the 20 supplements she swallows twice day that they are harmless, bc I'm not sure they are all particularly helpful to her at this point.

 

That vitamin deal was crazy. And did I see it wrong, or did she have baggies lined up for the others? Was she making her housekeeper take some too? 

[Higgins]

Yolanda needs to understand that everything is toxic depending on dose. Natural substances are some of the most toxic to man.

 

http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/05/19/natural-vs-man-made-chemicals-dispelling-misconceptions/