S07.E09: Birthday In The Berks

[robroy]

Picking up the off-topic issue form a page ago. I cannot figure out why they never show Heather's apartment. Can it really be that bad? Supposedly Heathers Berkshire's house was supposed to be the guest house so maybe her husband's career stalled out with the recession & their residence is one step behind Ho-Wi status. I'm not judging since I think he a commercial realtor. I work in architecture/construction/took & took a drubbing myself. 

 

I know Aviva supposedly rented that townhouse because their co-op/condo would not allow filming in the building. Ramona and Jill's condo's would not allow them to show the exterior so Bravo always had to use false exteriors for their buildings.  This is why everyone thought Ramona was on Park Avenue a couple of season's ago & the NYC posters were always bemoaning the real building for looking like a college dorm.

 

Maybe Heather is in a similar spot- but it seems kinda odd for them to bring someone on the show who can't play the game. Although they never have shown Luann's NYC apartment event though she has shot photos there for various magazines so everyone can see it with a quick google search. 

 

And Kadooz for calling out the Moaner's shit stirring. She has always been the queen of that game. At some point I came to begrudgingly respect that skill. Although it does wreak of passive aggression & addict tendencies. YMMV.

 

While I think Beth does get a better edit, I also think she knows how to read a room/adapt/engage/disengage much more skillfully. How Heather thought she wasn't giving them every ounce of what they would need to slay her is beyond me. Although truth be told it might simply be a case of removing Aviva and lessening Sonya causing Heather's faults to be more glaring.

[WireWrap]

Picking up the off-topic issue form a page ago. I cannot figure out why they never show Heather's apartment. Can it really be that bad? Supposedly Heathers Berkshire's house was supposed to be the guest house so maybe her husband's career stalled out with the recession & their residence is one step behind Ho-Wi status. I'm not judging since I think he a commercial realtor. I work in architecture/construction/took & took a drubbing myself. 

 

I know Aviva supposedly rented that townhouse because their co-op/condo would not allow filming in the building. Ramona and Jill's condo's would not allow them to show the exterior so Bravo always had to use false exteriors for their buildings.  This is why everyone thought Ramona was on Park Avenue a couple of season's ago & the NYC posters were always bemoaning the real building for looking like a college dorm.

 

Maybe Heather is in a similar spot- but it seems kinda odd for them to bring someone on the show who can't play the game. Although they never have shown Luann's NYC apartment event though she has shot photos there for various magazines so everyone can see it with a quick google search. 

 

And Kadooz for calling out the Moaner's shit stirring. She has always been the queen of that game. At some point I came to begrudgingly respect that skill. Although it does wreak of passive aggression & addict tendencies. YMMV.

 

While I think Beth does get a better edit, I also think she knows how to read a room/adapt/engage/disengage much more skillfully. How Heather thought she wasn't giving them every ounce of what they would need to slay her is beyond me. Although truth be told it might simply be a case of removing Aviva and lessening Sonya causing Heather's faults to be more glaring.

I think most likely it is that her co-op will not allow it at all or it could be Jax's on going health battle. Either way, she has shown her vacation home, her rental home at the beach and her office.

[Crikey]

 

 

I thought it was Carole that caught Sonja, in the garden, with the pirate, not Heather spying on LuAnn.

I think it was Colonel Mustard who caught Ms Scarlett in the ballroom with the Pirate, no?  ;)

[sasha206]

Luann was channeling forties glam. She looked fantastic.

 

 

Hubba Hubba Mama!

Amen! She never seems to miss.

 

I thought Carole looked terrific in this episode as well.

[Trooper York]

I thought it was Johnny Depp that caught Sonja with a sexy J in the keister.

 

That was the word on the street at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

[SFoster21]

Amen! She never seems to miss.

I thought Carole looked terrific in this episode as well.

A few pages back, someone posted the ladies with eyebrows. LuAnn is wearing her party dress in that photo.

[straightshooter]

Maybe some of it is editing, maybe not - but as far as my very humble opinion of both Bethenny and Heather goes, I liked them MUCH better early on - before their heads ballooned, they decided that they are now celebrities and felt empowered by their new identities.   This battle of the egos has got me not liking either one of them. 

[film noire]

Except, as Bethenny noted, there were 20 people at that table and different conversations going on. 

I was responding to (and disagreeing with)  Sincerely saying a guest has the right to verbally take another guest to task-- so we agree:) 

[izabella]

"Alls" I know is I'm going to need Ramona to whisper in Bethenny's ear to "TAKE A XANAX!"

Edited June 6, 2015 by izabella

[Rainny]

John:  We have our gourmet sushi chef......

Bethy:  Fabulous.

John:  .......tonight and I think everyone's going to......

Bethy:  I only eat shellfish.  I will tell you right now, I only eat shellfish.  Only eat shellfish.

Dorinda:  Oh, god.

Bethy:  We'll deal with it when it comes out.

 

Might have been nice to allow the host to finish, no?

I'm confused. I watched the episode and I thought I missed something because I never heard Bethenny say she was allergic to fish. I thought she just said she only eats shellfish. Then Heather told Carole that she was allergic. Did they cut Bethenny saying it, or did Heather just assume that's why she didn't want to eat it? I wish they could show these arguments in slow motion. I never can keep up with who is saying what. 

[ryebread]

I'm confused. I watched the episode and I thought I missed something because I never heard Bethenny say she was allergic to fish. I thought she just said she only eats shellfish. Then Heather told Carole that she was allergic. Did they cut Bethenny saying it, or did Heather just assume that's why she didn't want to eat it? I wish they could show these arguments in slow motion. I never can keep up with who is saying what. 

 

Bethenny didn't say she was allergic.  Heather mentioned it first and I also thought she was making an assumption because....well....Heather.  But it's true that Bethenny is allergic to fish..."DEATHLY allergic!!" according to an interview she did in 2012.

[aradia22]

It's weird to be watching a show with snow when it's the beginning of June.

Was no one filming or did they just cut all the stuff with Ramona and Luanne in the car?

Dorinda's house seems kind of nice... except for those atrocious purple couches.

 

Oh, lord, Heather. You are not "co-host."

 

I don't know if I like Kristen and Carole getting along with Ramona. It's a bit disturbing.

Ramona's right. That was dumb, Kristen. You talk behind someone's back. You don't actually admit what you were talking about when they come in the room. *eyeroll* Dorinda is so reasonable. Why is she on this show?

Crows are carrion birds so Ramona wasn't entirely off base. She didn't mean vultures, Heather.

I think Bethenny probably has friends. Let's not be dramatic, ladies.

 

Heather was pretty callous about people surviving without good relationships to the parents. Lots of people grow up on the south side of Chicago without a ton of advantages. You don't have to criticize them because they fall short of Michelle Obama. I don't think you can use her upbringing as justification for all of her actions but at the same time you can't be like, oh, she's fine, she should just get over her horrible childhood.

[QuinnM]

I realize that no one pointed out Heathers most serious insult. She told Bethenny to lighten up. That's fat shaming! Bethenny does not need to lose weight.

[Rainny]

Bethenny didn't say she was allergic.  Heather mentioned it first and I also thought she was making an assumption because....well....Heather.  But it's true that Bethenny is allergic to fish..."DEATHLY allergic!!" according to an interview she did in 2012.

Thank you!

[ryebread]

Dorinda is so reasonable. Why is she on this show?

 

Wait until next season.  :-) 

 

I can't get on board with blaming a good or bad edit on how these ladies are perceived.  Imo, each and every one of them has a negative personality trait that makes them capable of participating on these shows in the first place.  Along with a myriad of other character flaws.  Bad edit?  Nah.  Those flaws are just finally coming to light.  It's what they were hired for.  Andy and crew knows how to pick 'em.

 

So that's why I'm afraid of liking Dorinda. (and Eileen Davidson)  Because I think there's something lurking under their shiny surfaces. With these types of 'performers' there always is.

 

But for now..."TO DORINDA!!  SAKE MaaKEE!!"

[lunastartron]

Kristen's account of her discomfort during GrindingGate is pure revisionism, in my opinion. She is perfectly free to disengage from any incident of physical contact at any time if she feels unnerved. However, she went beyond those statements in framing the situation to Dorinda. "My husband was right there!" Well, yes, Josh was also right there when Kristen was rubbing up on John from behind . . . and he said nary a word that we saw. So Kristen is okay with Josh seeing *her* grind up on a man, but not vice versa? And that sets aside the fact that, from what I saw, she backed up into John for a full several seconds before he grabbed her/slapped her on the hip. It's totally understandable and fine that Kristen wants to draw the line somewhere, but her articulation of the circumstances did not reflect that reasonable position but, rather, her insatiable appetite for feigning shock/being scandalized. When you say someone was excessively "touchy feely" and omit the germane/salient detail that *you* were just being touchy feely on *them*, you paint a very different picture about consent than what really occurred. And Kristen has agency; she's almost forty years old. She can very well not reply to Ramona's heavy-handed pot-stirring; she can take time to find precision in her language to Dorinda over a topic that is obviously going to elicit strong emotions. But she didn't do any of that; she presented a sensationalistic version of events that was not corroborated by video and then decided it was appropriate to act shocked/horrified that Dorinda got upset. It's just like her behavior toward Ramona at the Inn (and her own husband last year). Sure, Ramona probably does cry "crocodile tears," but don't be surprised that mud gets slung back at you when you start shit.

[SFoster21]

Wait until next season. :-)

I can't get on board with blaming a good or bad edit on how these ladies are perceived. Imo, each and every one of them has a negative personality trait that makes them capable of participating on these shows in the first place. Along with a myriad of other character flaws. Bad edit? Nah. Those flaws are just finally coming to light. It's what they were hired for. Andy and crew knows how to pick 'em.

So that's why I'm afraid of liking Dorinda. (and Eileen Davidson) Because I think there's something lurking under their shiny surfaces. With these types of 'performers' there always is.

But for now..."TO DORINDA!! SAKE MaaKEE!!"

No one is of a piece; no one is only good or bad. Sometimes even generally nice and kind people act in ways that are not stellar.

[ryebread]

No one is of a piece; no one is only good or bad. Sometimes even generally nice and kind people act in ways that are not stellar.

I agree.  But I'm speaking more about the people who are fame hungry enough to do these shows.  Someone could be the nicest person in real life or a terrible person or a mix of both - but either way they might not have what it takes to sign up for this gig.  It takes a certain something.  And I don't think that something is a good something.

[autumnh]

Amen! She never seems to miss.

 

I thought Carole looked terrific in this episode as well.

 

 

Luann is stunning...she doesn't look fake or filled...I love her ability to just go with it and laugh at herself. I do see how Carole might be doing a SATC channeling but I like her too...I like REAL people...if you cannot tolerate the heat of the RHONY kitchen, you should probably not be on the show.

 

Luann, Carole & Dorinda are winners for me this season....

 

Kristen, Heather & Sonja who?

Edited June 6, 2015 by autumnh

[AnnaMayWong]

I think this goes back to the self-satisfied comments by both Satan Andy & Bethenny on WWHL that she is "polarizing" -- which I now take to mean that they think you can either love or hate Bethenny. I disagree with this strenuously. I neither love nor hate Bethenny. And I've always felt this way about her. I think many viewers feel the same way. Sometimes I like her & find her funny & sometimes I find her annoying & extraordinarily nasty & absolutely draining & exhausting.

But it's an easy way for the Bethenny uber-fans to discount & dismiss any criticism of Bethenny, by saying it's from a hater. Way too easy, and usually off-base & just plain limiting.

EXACTLY ScoobieDoobs!

[sasha206]

Luann is stunning...she doesn't look fake or filled...I love her ability to just go with it and laugh at herself. I do see how Carole might be doing a SATC channeling but I like her too...I like REAL people...if you cannot tolerate the heat of the RHONY kitchen, you should probably not be on the show.

 

Luann, Carole & Dorinda are winners for me this season....

 

Kristen, Heather & Sonja who?

 

I agree -- I love Luann. I didn't like her much during the season where she's at the school with young girls teaching ettiquette.  That was embarrassing.  But I love this Luann.   And Carole can bug me but in general, I love her.  I bet she is a blast to hang out with.  

 

I think I'd like to have a drink with all of them.  Even crazy Ramoana.

[autumnh]

I agree -- I love Luann. I didn't like her much during the season where she's at the school with young girls teaching ettiquette.  That was embarrassing.  But I love this Luann.   And Carole can bug me but in general, I love her.  I bet she is a blast to hang out with.  

 

I think I'd like to have a drink with all of them.  Even crazy Ramoana.

 

Me too! I am born and raised in NYC so I get it....I live iin the Great Lakes now but RHONY makes me miss home! lol....plus? who doesn't want Lu's Sag Harbor "cottage" lol

[AnnaMayWong]

I don't know. Carole IS irritating. One of Carole's irritating aspects is attempting to make outrageous remarks... sound cute/funny. Although I do not begrudge anyone's ATTEMPT at humor, when you are not adept at it, the attempts do irritate. Some people can use wording in straight forward fashion, twist wording, be sarcastic. .. and are always humorous. However, some people just cannot pull off humor much less cutesy humor no matter how hard they try. It is what it is.

[aradia22]

When Ramona was trying to give her little motivational speech at dinner I flashed back to the Learning Annex. That happened, right?

LOL @ Ramona throwing shade at Heather's taste. I wonder if that'll come up again... maybe at the reunion. She does have a fashion brand after all. *eye roll*

I enjoyed Ramona and Luanne squashing their tension pretty quickly. I'd rather see them move from issue to issue organically instead of rehashing the same things all season.

I did like how quick John was with the "I know a good dry cleaner" line when Sonja was worried about spilling wine on the dress.

So the fashion... Kristen would have looked good if not for the colors she chose to put together. Ramona's dress was terrible. Luanne looked OK. Heather's dress was ugly. Dorinda's dress was a lot of print but for that look it wasn't too bad. Meh on Carole. It looked kind of rumpled. I couldn't get a good look at Sonja's outfit. 

Luanne preening for Bethenny's photo made me wonder why there aren't more photo shoots and that kind of thing. It would probably make them happier than all these dinners. Why don't we see them giving interviews or other things that would make them the center of attention?

I enjoyed the camera just flashing to Josh. He's so boring this year.

Yes, Heather pushed too much. Bethenny said she was fine and could figure it out. I don't know how you go from that to "she can eating nothing." Also, you're not actually co-hosting, Heather.

[aradia22]

Heather describes it as Bethenny being turned off by her attempts to be nice. What I see is Bethenny just not liking Heather but also seeing through her. When it comes to her interactions with B, I don't think Heather means well most of the time. I just don't.

 

Did Beth say she was allergic to non-shellfish?  To me, it sounded like it was a preference.

I don't know if it makes sense but I guess it could. There are general seafood issues that aren't allergies like mercury or iodine (thyroid issues). Maybe there's something about mollusks and aquatic arthropods that doesn't affect her but something about fish that do. It's not like she said I'm allergic to poodles but not Labradors.

 

Heather likes to stir things up. She couldn't get the rise she wanted out Bethenny at first so she awkwardly switched to Peter all the while with that big fake smile on her face.

 

As for Sonja and Bethenny it seems like there were two separate conversations going on. They were also talking to Dorinda's... brother in law? Just because you're busy interviewing Ramona's date it doesn't mean the entire table has to shut down their conversations for you, Heather. Actually it's awkward to have a conversation with someone that far away anyway. Isn't that the point of seating arrangements? At a long table like that you're mostly supposed to talk to the people around you.

 

Oh, no, Heather. She was making a dig and lecturing in that grating way she has and then when Bethenny was confused she told her oh, I was just making a joke, you need to lighten up. ARGH. 

 

Bingo, Heather is use to taking the lead and not only does she takes the lead, she expects the other person to let it happen and be grateful about it. Under the pretense that she cares so much and is coming from a good place she basically gets to tell other people what to do and how to do it. Case in point last dinner.

YES.

 

How does Heather turn her own bossiness into Bethenny telling her what to do? I can't. Bethenny asks her to back off and Heather tells her to just talk to Sonja then... as if that wasn't what she was already doing.

 

You are suffocating, Heather. And there were no tears in your eyes in that last scene.

[zoeysmom]

Picking up the off-topic issue form a page ago. I cannot figure out why they never show Heather's apartment. Can it really be that bad? Supposedly Heathers Berkshire's house was supposed to be the guest house so maybe her husband's career stalled out with the recession & their residence is one step behind Ho-Wi status. I'm not judging since I think he a commercial realtor. I work in architecture/construction/took & took a drubbing myself. 

 

I know Aviva supposedly rented that townhouse because their co-op/condo would not allow filming in the building. Ramona and Jill's condo's would not allow them to show the exterior so Bravo always had to use false exteriors for their buildings.  This is why everyone thought Ramona was on Park Avenue a couple of season's ago & the NYC posters were always bemoaning the real building for looking like a college dorm.

 

Maybe Heather is in a similar spot- but it seems kinda odd for them to bring someone on the show who can't play the game. Although they never have shown Luann's NYC apartment event though she has shot photos there for various magazines so everyone can see it with a quick google search. 

 

And Kadooz for calling out the Moaner's shit stirring. She has always been the queen of that game. At some point I came to begrudgingly respect that skill. Although it does wreak of passive aggression & addict tendencies. YMMV.

 

While I think Beth does get a better edit, I also think she knows how to read a room/adapt/engage/disengage much more skillfully. How Heather thought she wasn't giving them every ounce of what they would need to slay her is beyond me. Although truth be told it might simply be a case of removing Aviva and lessening Sonya causing Heather's faults to be more glaring.

Sometimes their co-op boards don't allow it.  That was the case with Aviva so they leased a different apartment that allowed filming.  Ramona's won't allow her to show the correct outside of the building and even the cross streets they show are incorrect.  John Slattery said they use to show the exteriors of Bethenny's apartment and he realized Bethenny did not live in his building. 

Edited June 6, 2015 by zoeysmom

[Celia Rubenstein]

Heather likes to stir things up. She couldn't get the rise she wanted out Bethenny at first so she awkwardly switched to Peter all the while with that big fake smile on her face.

 

Heather has no room to complain about Bethenny and Sonja' behavior.  Not when she herself was the rudest, most insensitive person at the table by far.  

 

Bringing up the article Carole found about Ramona's date/business partner, Peter, was extremely inconsiderate of her. Even if she didn't mind throwing some visitor (and Carole!) under the bus just to stir up drama, she showed complete insensitivity to how embarrassing the subject might be for Ramona. I am sure the topic of Mario's mistress is the last thing she would want to talk about at the table during a large dinner party.  But that's tough, I guess.  Heather wants airtime, so manner be damned.  

 

Plus she probably thinks it is fine to delve into the topic in front of a group of people. Ramona has mentioned it before.  To Heather that seems to mean she can discuss a subject whenever she wants to and how the other person feels about it doesn't matter. If Heather needs "clarity" (or airtime) its just too bad if someone else doesn't like it.  

[WireWrap]

Heather has no room to complain about Bethenny and Sonja' behavior.  Not when she herself was the rudest, most insensitive person at the table by far.  

 

Bringing up the article Carole found about Ramona's date/business partner, Peter, was extremely inconsiderate of her. Even if she didn't mind throwing some visitor (and Carole!) under the bus just to stir up drama, she showed complete insensitivity to how embarrassing the subject might be for Ramona. I am sure the topic of Mario's mistress is the last thing she would want to talk about at the table during a large dinner party.  But that's tough, I guess.  Heather wants airtime, so manner be damned.  

 

Plus she probably thinks it is fine to delve into the topic in front of a group of people. Ramona has mentioned it before.  To Heather that seems to mean she can discuss a subject whenever she wants to and how the other person feels about it doesn't matter. If Heather needs "clarity" (or airtime) its just too bad if someone else doesn't like it.  

Heather did NOT mention that article at all. She said that someone "Googled" him, the reporter of the group (Carole) and he replied to "not believe everything they read". Heather never mentioned Ramona, Mario or the mistress to anyone at any time during the dinner. She only talked with him about his restaurants.

[Celia Rubenstein]

Do you seriously think Heather was not referring to the article that Carole found and showed Luann right before they went downstairs?  Which they immediately proceeded to run and tell Heather all about?  

 

What other information about Peter had "the journalist in the group" looked up for Heather to even be referring to?  It was obviously the mistress story.

 

Carole certainly thought that is what Heather was talking about.  As soon as Heather mentioned the journalist in the group looking him up, they cut to Carole's talking head with her saying "ewww ... that was awkward" and she didn't expect "it" to come up at dinner. Luann gets this shocked look on her face and her eyes dart around, clearly knowing what Heather was referring to and she was clearly uncomfortable with it.  

 

Heather was totally trying to provoke a conversation about Mario's mistress, and only Peter's ability to play her off with joking answers derailed where she was trying to drive things.  

[missy jo]

I cannot figure out why they never show Heather's apartment. Can it really be that bad?

 

 

I think it has to be the condo board, because she has no problem showing her other homes and more dramatic aspects of her life.

 

Heather got a lot of heat for the nanny example, but it actually made me respect her more. She could easily trotted out the "sick child" example and trumped all of the other ladies' issues.

 

She could also use it as a ploy for sympathy and as an excuse for being a shitty human being if she so chose, in the same way that Bethenny uses her childhood and divorce for sympathy and as an excuse for being a shitty human being.

[WireWrap]

Do you seriously think Heather was not referring to the article that Carole found and showed Luann right before they went downstairs?  Which they immediately proceeded to run and tell Heather all about?  

 

What other information about Peter had "the journalist in the group" looked up for Heather to even be referring to?  It was obviously the mistress story.

 

Carole certainly thought that is what Heather was talking about.  As soon as Heather mentioned the journalist in the group looking him up, they cut to Carole's talking head with her saying "ewww ... that was awkward" and she didn't expect "it" to come up at dinner. Luann gets this shocked look on her face and her eyes dart around, clearly knowing what Heather was referring to and she was clearly uncomfortable with it.  

 

Heather was totally trying to provoke a conversation about Mario's mistress, and only Peter's ability to play her off with joking answers derailed where she was trying to drive things.  

She did NOT bring up that article at all. Yes, she said that someone (Carole) Googled him but she never mentioned anything about any 1 particular article then she asked him about his business's. When did she mention that article, when?  She steered the conversation to his restaurants not to the mistress. Had she wanted to bring up that article, she would have but she did not and saying that was her "intent" is ridiculous IMO.

[breezy424]

So can editors influence us and our reactions to people on a reality show?  Absolutely.  Case in point - Beth and Heather's conversation about Beth's custody.  The scene opens in the middle of a conversation between Beth and Heather.  Heather is asking Beth about clarification of something Beth said.  Beth clarifies.  The conversation continues on both their parts.  Beth is not acting uncomfortable at all.  Then they throw in a Beth talking head about how she doesn't want to discuss her custody with anyone.  The whole presentation of the scene is changed....even though Beth never gave any indication that she was uncomfortable or upset during the scene.  That TH changes how the scene is interpreted by many viewers. 

 

Beth arrives at Do's house.  Insert Heather making a sour face.  Commercial break.  Beth is shown entering the room.  Heather has her head turned to Beth and to me appears smiling.  Changes the whole presentation of what actually happened.  The sour face presents something that wasn't there.

 

Dinner scene.  Heather says something to Beth while you can hear a whole lot of other conversation going on.  Cut to a head shot of Kristen.  Who by the way is at the other end of the table.  How she could have even heard anything is beyond me.  We also had head shots of others that may well never even hears what was happening creating more drama to the scene.   The editors are cutting and splicing.

 

Atlantic City - A comment is made by Beth about Heather being late as they are ready to leave for dinner.  She also said something in her blog.  The truth was that Heather lent Beth her hairdresser and let Beth use her first.  Beth fails to mention this or even thank her in her blog.  No TH from Heather to explain that.

 

So, if viewers don't think that the editing monkeys are working to portray a story they want tell, just watch the editing.  Notice the cuts to TH's.  Notice the reactions that not always match the scene.  Notice the splicing of scenes that are not seamless.  They play the viewers for sake of the story. 

 

And yes, Heather can be somewhat more of a take charge person at times.  A lot of this, IMO, comes from running a company that, because of the type of company it is, she has more people who work for her than the other women and that she has had to be the advocate for a child with serious medical issues).  Because of my own experience, I get that. 

 

But IMO, she is very much getting the bitch edit. 

[breezy424]

Do you seriously think Heather was not referring to the article that Carole found and showed Luann right before they went downstairs?  Which they immediately proceeded to run and tell Heather all about?  

 

What other information about Peter had "the journalist in the group" looked up for Heather to even be referring to?  It was obviously the mistress story.

 

Carole certainly thought that is what Heather was talking about.  As soon as Heather mentioned the journalist in the group looking him up, they cut to Carole's talking head with her saying "ewww ... that was awkward" and she didn't expect "it" to come up at dinner. Luann gets this shocked look on her face and her eyes dart around, clearly knowing what Heather was referring to and she was clearly uncomfortable with it.  

 

Heather was totally trying to provoke a conversation about Mario's mistress, and only Peter's ability to play her off with joking answers derailed where she was trying to drive things. 

Producer driven - just like the Carole googling Peter.  A camera happens to be in the room while Carole happens to come in with her computer to show Lu the story. That's not by chance.  Heather bringing it up at dinner?  That's not by chance.  Producers telling her to bring it up.  This is part of driving the drama on a 'reality' show.  Carole also said she expected it to come up after a few drinks. 

 

Ro and Lu have a conversation at Do's house about the caviar party.  They spent how many hours in a car together going up to the Berkshires and now they discuss it.  Producer driven.

 

While I don't think that the housewives are given scripts, many of the 'scenes' are scripted to tell the story the producers want to tell. 

[AnnA]

 

Plus she probably thinks it is fine to delve into the topic in front of a group of people. Ramona has mentioned it before.  To Heather that seems to mean she can discuss a subject whenever she wants to and how the other person feels about it doesn't matter. If Heather needs "clarity" (or airtime) its just too bad if someone else doesn't like it.  

 

YES!

 

Heather made that perfectly clear when she told Bethenny "I can tell you what I want to f---king tell you."

Edited June 6, 2015 by AnnA

[Celia Rubenstein]

She did NOT bring up that article at all. Yes, she said that someone (Carole) Googled him but she never mentioned anything about any 1 particular article then she asked him about his business's. When did she mention that article, when?  She steered the conversation to his restaurants not to the mistress. Had she wanted to bring up that article, she would have but she did not and saying that was her "intent" is ridiculous IMO.

 

I think she did her best to bring it up, expecting Peter or someone to ask what had been found out about him online.  But Peter seems to have known what Heather was trying to do and deftly headed her off.  Kadooze to Peter for smelling a rat in an ugly bouffant dress and not taking the bait!

 

But it's not like Heather let the topic drop entirely either, saying the good stuff was "for desert."  The girl just can't wait to stir up the shit.  She's not about to let go of something that will get her some airtime.  She seems to have realized she's not going to get any courtesy of Bethenny, so it's on to the next housewife for her.  I just hope Ramona puts her in her place.

 

A camera happens to be in the room while Carole happens to come in with her computer to show Lu the story. That's not by chance.  Heather bringing it up at dinner?  That's not by chance.  Producers telling her to bring it up.

 

And Heather is more than happy to, alas.  I guess Carole refused, lol.  I mean, being the one who "found" the story, it seems like she ought to have been the one to bring it up.  But that's not Carole's style.  She has her faults, but being a complete social toad  doesn't seem to be one of them.  But Heather feels that apple slipping from her grip so she is going to do whatever the producers ask, no matter how shitty it makes her look.  

[WireWrap]

I think she did her best to bring it up, expecting Peter or someone to ask what had been found out about him online.  But Peter seems to have known what Heather was trying to do and deftly headed her off.  Kadooze to Peter for smelling a rat in an ugly bouffant dress and not taking the bait!

 

But it's not like Heather let the topic drop entirely either, saying the good stuff was "for desert."  The girl just can't wait to stir up the shit.  She's not about to let go of something that will get her some airtime.  She seems to have realized she's not going to get any courtesy of Bethenny, so it's on to the next housewife for her.  I just hope Ramona puts her in her place.

 

 

And Heather is more than happy to, alas.  I guess Carole refused, lol.  I mean, being the one who "found" the story, it seems like she ought to have been the one to bring it up.  But that's not Carole's style.  She has her faults, but being a complete social toad  doesn't seem to be one of them.  But Heather feels that apple slipping from her grip so she is going to do whatever the producers ask, no matter how shitty it makes her look.  

It could also be said that Heather was giving him a "heads up" that they read the article just as much as you believe she was trying to get him to admit to something even though she immediately asked him about his restaurants.  Now, I could see Bethenny asking him right away had she known about the article and taking pleasure in doing so.

[biakbiak]

Googling (or checking out their Twitter or Facebook) someone your about to meet is so commonplace he probably would find it weird if someone didn't. I don't because I am too lazy but I have never assumed someone was talking about a specific story or throwing shade when it's mentioned.

Hell given the story about said mistress broke six months before filming the episode he was probably assumed they all already knew it.

Edited June 6, 2015 by biakbiak

[Celia Rubenstein]

It could also be said that Heather was giving him a "heads up" that they read the article just as much as you believe she was trying to get him to admit to something even though she immediately asked him about his restaurants.  Now, I could see Bethenny asking him right away had she known about the article and taking pleasure in doing so.

 

If Heather wanted to give Peter a "heads up" she would have done it off camera, not sitting at the dinner table with twenty people in front of rolling cameras where she had no control over what would happen.  That's not much of a heads up in my book, more like an "enjoy the view of the bottom of the bus."  

 

Bethenny may do things to please the producers but I've never known her to be willing to just stick it to someone the way Heather was trying to do Peter (and to Ramona, too).  She may engage in a lot of stupid stunts and she may take part in obviously contrived meetings to discuss problems with people like Kelly or Luann ... but just out of nowhere mentioning something to purely embarrass someone?  Just to please the producers?  Nah.  That's not her style.  

[RedheadZombie]

Love, love, Luanne this season.  She is so matter of fact to Ramona, calling her out.  Then the next minute they're like 2 old shoes like nothing happened.  

 

I like how she responded to Bethenny taking her picture.   IMO, Behenny was making Luanne the butt of her joke, and Lu just played along.   It reminded me of how she reacted to Carole's scolding her use of "Indian".

[breezy424]

It could also be said that Heather was giving him a "heads up" that they read the article just as much as you believe she was trying to get him to admit to something even though she immediately asked him about his restaurants.  Now, I could see Bethenny asking him right away had she known about the article and taking pleasure in doing so.

 

In normal circumstances (the 'normal' old Beth) I could see her bringing it up as well. The new Beth is only focused mostly on her 'story'.  But she's not wearing that story..... 

[breezy424]

If Heather wanted to give Peter a "heads up" she would have done it off camera, not sitting at the dinner table with twenty people in front of rolling cameras where she had no control over what would happen.  That's not much of a heads up in my book, more like an "enjoy the view of the bottom of the bus."  

 

Bethenny may do things to please the producers but I've never known her to be willing to just stick it to someone the way Heather was trying to do Peter (and to Ramona, too).  She may engage in a lot of stupid stunts and she may take part in obviously contrived meetings to discuss problems with people like Kelly or Luann ... but just out of nowhere mentioning something to purely embarrass someone?  Just to please the producers?  Nah.  That's not her style.  

IIRC, she embarrassed the heck out of that guy who did the restaurant reviews that was on BEA with her questions.  I don't remember all the details but I do remember cringing for him.  She was the producer. 

[blueeyed]

Oh blueeyed, I am so very, very sorry -- there is absolutely nothing I can say to you -- I can't even imagine the pain you are going through. If something happened to my daughter (who is grown) I don't know how I would deal with it.

 

Just know my thoughts are with you -- I wish there was something I could do . . .

Thank you so much, unfortunately, like Bethany if I talk about it I am truly a puddle on the floor.

That be said, I really would like to thank everyone on this Board. For whatever reason my tablet won't allow me to "like" posts, but reading here always brings a smile or giggle, and for that I am grateful.

[breezy424]

Googling (or checking out their Twitter or Facebook) someone your about to meet is so commonplace he probably would find it weird if someone didn't. I don't because I am too lazy but I have never assumed someone was talking about a specific story or throwing shade when it's mentioned.

Hell given the story about said mistress broke six months before filming the episode he was probably assumed they all already knew it.

Yeah, how could he not assume it would come up at some point.  Given the situation and that he was supposedly business partners with Ro was kind of weird anyway.  Also, given that the story came from radaronline, I take it with a grain of salt.  He may be a bit of a famewhore since he was willing to drive how many hours up to the Berkshires for a dinner that that was being filmed for a reality show.  It kind of makes one question what this guy is about.

[WireWrap]

Yeah, how could he not assume it would come up at some point.  Given the situation and that he was supposedly business partners with Ro was kind of weird anyway.  Also, given that the story came from radaronline, I take it with a grain of salt.  He may be a bit of a famewhore since he was willing to drive how many hours up to the Berkshires for a dinner that that was being filmed for a reality show.  It kind of makes one question what this guy is about.

And according to Ramona, he as driving back to NY that very same night after dinner. Long drive just for a dinner IMO.

If Heather wanted to give Peter a "heads up" she would have done it off camera, not sitting at the dinner table with twenty people in front of rolling cameras where she had no control over what would happen.  That's not much of a heads up in my book, more like an "enjoy the view of the bottom of the bus."  

 

Bethenny may do things to please the producers but I've never known her to be willing to just stick it to someone the way Heather was trying to do Peter (and to Ramona, too).  She may engage in a lot of stupid stunts and she may take part in obviously contrived meetings to discuss problems with people like Kelly or Luann ... but just out of nowhere mentioning something to purely embarrass someone?  Just to please the producers?  Nah.  That's not her style.  

 I can see her giving him a heads up if she felt/thought that maybe someone, say LuAnn who has been upset with Ramona, might say something to him like she did Dorinda at the caviar restaurant.

[Celia Rubenstein]

You pull someone aside for something like that.  You don't do it on camera in front of an entire dinner party. 

[AnnA]

You pull someone aside for something like that.  You don't do it on camera in front of an entire dinner party.

Of course you do.....unless you're Heather. ;)

[breezy424]

You pull someone aside for something like that.  You don't do it on camera in front of an entire dinner party. 

The majority of what goes on should be 'pulling' someone aside off camera but it's a reality show. 

[ScoobieDoobs]

My sister gave me a great wedding gift of a basket full of goodies for our honeymoon.  It contained a bottle of SkinnyGirl Sangria.

Now, I am not sure if my sister likes me or not.  ;)  We just returned from our honeymoon and still have the bottle.

 

Aw, give it a try & come back & tell us if you likey -- pretty please?  My supermarket had SG flavored water on sale this week for a buck & I still didn't want to try it.  And btw, the shelves were fully stocked with the stuff.  Wonder how SG sales are these days.  

 

So Moaner brought her wine, but I didn't notice if B brought various SG products.  Did she?  Why didn't Countless bring her home shopping fashions?

 

Oh wait, when B & Sonja were acting silly & B was saying "I luv you" several times & pointing at stuff on the table -- was she saying this to SG products?  I couldn't tell.  Oh B, you really should have demanded much better product placement in your contract with Satan Andy.

Edited June 6, 2015 by ScoobieDoobs

[Vicky8675309]

I haven't finished reading all the comments but I wanted to say (before I forget):

So Jill was full of shit about getting a bad edit and everyone was up in arms about it not being a bad edit and if you didn't say it or do it then they couldn't edit it negatively….but Heather is the exception to the rule?

Both Heather and Bethanny can be bitchy and rude (and they both can be entertaining). Personally I've like Heather in the past (well, was neutral to good on her) but went off her an episode or two ago. However I don't hate her or even really dislike her…just gone off her (more neutral to negative). I like Bethanny even though she is flawed (she is human so flaws are normal). I feel bad for her and know many people with lots of money that have fucked up lives and are not happy. I feel sad for her past and current situation. I don't see her as a victim but I do have empathy for her. Even if she was happy with everything going well, I would still find her entertaining. All of the housewives are on a reality show and so are somewhat fake in what we see and hear but some of it is real. I see it as them embellishing the truth or something similar to that.

Bethanny and Heather are both great compared to Kristen ("I'm pretty" the friend of super villain bg)

[runforcover]

Is it just me or is neither Heather or Beth really that polarizing?  I mean,  B has a shtick that Heather either can't read or doesn't get.  My guess is B would rather hang out with someone who's fast and funny than someone successful and empowered.  There's a nuance here that Heather doesn't seem to grasp  - and not Because She's A Terrible Person - because she's a bit of a blunt instrument  thrashing through a conversation, which given the right topic or person is probably fun.  And, yes B is brutal and mimes a coma mid-conversation, which is not what I could call graceful or even appropriate, but B is also kidding and mean and fucking with you while sort of fucking with herself and she's never quite there But It's Not About You.  I get how that would be alienating for someone like Heather because Heather is probably freaked out by obvious psychological damage and also feels rejected by its force and insistence.     I think this is important - Bethenny is kind of funny or she appreciates funny.  Funny is squiggly and mean and doesn't care about you.  Heather likes access.