S08.E16: The Countess Bride

[jinjer]

20 minutes ago, ryebread said:

This picture of Beth from the article:

She's probably been a handful and hyper her whole life.  As she leaned in to blow out the candles, she did it so fast and abruptly, it looks like her startled mother thought she was going to fall and grabbed her. Even Lou, while trying to look normal, put out a hand to try to stop her from going in face first. In my career, I've known children like this. So impulsive they're practically jumping out of their skin.

See how she's bracing her hands on the table, and way more into the faces of those candles than she needs to be? While blowing with all her might. This is something a 5 year old does. The two men on the right are either thinking, "Odd. Very odd." or, "Wolf child."   Lou and Mayor Koch look like they had been ready to pose for a nice picture when Beth lunged.  She was abrupt then, and even more abrupt now.

I know I'm reading a lot from this picture but the way Beth's hands are braced on the table tells me she went all in and no one was especially expecting it. She looks feral.    

How many cars did she wreck again?  I don't doubt that she was a huge pain in the ass as a teenager.

Great photo analysis!  Mayor Koch! Lolz Good times!!  He looks like he is going to jump out of the poster and say, "How em I doin'?"  The guy with the tinted glasses. Oy.

[One Tough Cookie]

Quote

I am in the same age group and most of us had fucked up parents. I don't know of anyone who is still so resentful and angry toward their parents, now.

 

My sister turned 70 ! last month and she is STILL bitching and moaning because my parents wouldn't sign off on college loans.  I tried to point out that if she was really serious about education she could have had 3 PhD's by now. I managed toget myself to college because I really wanted an education, and she's stuck in the 60s and is still bitching about our long dead parents.

Bethany can just cry me a river.

[dosodog]

4 hours ago, PradaKitty said:

Okay, two things:

1, Aren't most little girls potty trained prior to their third birthday?  I believe Jules told the "Potty Whisperer" that Rio "will be three next week".

2. Sonja referred to her flawless 2 carat diamond sitting in her safe. If she was as poor as she claimed the past few seasons, why didn't she sell the damn thing?!

There really isn't a "set" age anymore.  IMHO, I think it's taking longer than those of us who were pre disposable diapers.  Back in the cloth diaper era, a kid sat in their mess the moment it happened.  Which again, my humble opinion, spurred kids into using the toilet faster.

Now?  Diapers can absorb a glass of water and lock the moisture away from the kid's skin.  What incentive is there to use a toilet when you can go and not stop playing?  I'm kind if jealous.  Sometimes you just don't want to climb out of a tent at 2 in the morning......

[zoeysmom]

Vulture recap.  So true on so many levels.  http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/real-housewives-of-new-york-city-recap-season-8-episode-16.html

Edited July 22, 2016 by zoeysmom

[Midnight Cheese]

This episode was boring but also just grey and frigging depressing.  I know it's a little more out there and they've already gone, but Atlantic City seems more fun than Mohegan Sun, more out-there bananas, I guess.  It seemed an unusually pointless trip, and Ramona and Sonja trying to make their forced merriment was just a damned bummer.

Ramona you're a dullard and a pile of shit who needs Dr. Sharon Giese to twist the tie on the back of your face a little harder.  Just shut it.  One day I hope justice is served, she accidentally somehow texts something to Naomi Campbell, is rewarded with a phone to the face.

Carole and Adam just bummed me out.  The 'high road' TH was petty but I was kind of happily relieved to see her being gracious to Lu about her engagement.  Lu?  I'm happy you're happy.  I lack the Liz Taylor Eye so I don't know much about jewelry.  If she likes it, I love it.

Sonja.  GOD SONJA.  Okay.  See, the thing is, I hate to think that she feels less-than as just a lover or fuck buddy or whatever to Tom.  I doubt she loved him.  But she pulls this incredibly nasty shit and not even for the first time against Lu -- the Harry Dubin spectacle with her willing co-liar Ramona, acting all slighted when the whole 'abandonment' was a lie.  I hate the 'worthy woman' shit from ALL directions.  I'm sure Tom dated some amazing women - they are not less amazing because he didn't propose.  And I'm thrilled Lu is thrilled, and I think it's intensely vile for Ro and So to be suck dirty dickbags about the whole thing.  But I pity Sonja's envy.  Humiliating.  The fuck is wrong with her, talking all of this mess about carats and murkiness stone-cold sober?  Like, way to highlight your insecurities, insufficiency, lack of perspective and joy to anyone who can watch this, or tell her/his eligible old coot friend that you're kind of a yooge bitch?  It's just sad.  And I think Sonja isn't innocent and is a pretty mean, bad person in lots of ways.  But I feel sorry for her.  She needs to woman up and find out if there's a real person in there anymore.  I don't think there is.  I don't think she organically started off as a giant pile of shit of a human unlike some (RAMONA) but there's no there.  I think her future could be very bleak after her daughter is off to college and takes fewer trips and vacations with her.  She's all front and sham.  It's hard to believe her having a real soul friend let alone a deep true relationship.  Genuinely sad.

The only bright spot was Step Teacher Dorinda!  LOVED IT.  I think Dorinda is very attractive and has a great body - she and Lu have the best figures on the franchise for me, without horrible bolt-ons or scrawniness.  Ramona's overrated and she's just not looking good (...that's as nice as I get with that demon).  Now I know her secret.  I loved how fast she went back into her patter  ("and take it up! two! three!") - I totally buy that she's great at that, that Bethenny would've been the class show-off, and that Do would've gotten her to back that shit up, handstand(ing for attention) or no handstand. 

[HumblePi]

9 hours ago, StevieRocks said:

Bwah! "Match girl"! Good one!

Man, I wish I had been raised by wolves--looks pretty awesome!

Speaking of matches, did Jules really joke about demonstrating to her daughter how to light a match for her horrible farts? I thought I was hallucinating when I heard that. Jules is the epitome of class, unfortunately it's low-class.

[Midnight Cheese]

n/m - double-post, not sure how I goofed...

Edited July 22, 2016 by Midnight Cheese
whoops!

[Misslindsey]

I was a bit surprised that Jules' nanny was not helping with potty training. Then again, she is probably too busy standing in line at sample sales and blowing out Jules' hair to potty train Rio.

I have never had any official skiing or snowboard lessons when I was a kid. My brothers briefly showed me how and eventually I got it, but there was a lot of falling in the meantime. So maybe that is what Bethenny meant about not having ski lessons and then again maybe not.

Dorinda and her step aerobics saved this episode for me, but I did like that there was not really any fighting in this episode.

I feel like Lu is happy that she is engaged, but I also, feel like she is acting way over the top happy about Tom and her engagement. She is just too on for me to really believe her extreme happiness. I do not think I am making any sense.

[KungFuBunny]

Dorinda used to be an aerobics instructor, now I understand the crazy hand/arm movements

For a while I thought she was a reincarnated pistol whipping cowboy at the saloon

[cuphead]

I loved Luann's ring and she looks so happy.  Good for her.  

Also liked that she is thinking of having the wedding in Palm Beach.  I can see her being very happy being a snowbird during the winters.  

[LIMOM]

18 minutes ago, cuphead said:

I loved Luann's ring and she looks so happy.  Good for her.  

Also liked that she is thinking of having the wedding in Palm Beach.  I can see her being very happy being a snowbird during the winters.  

Plus if they film the wedding for bravo ,it will be great weather and scenery.

Hopefully, Lulu finangle a special episode, the other women will die.

After all, Nene, Bethanny,Laurie, Tamra Cynthia got their freebies, Luanne more than earn her spot, IMO.

[HumblePi]

This is Luann's ring and no big deal I have one just like it. Well, almost like it. See the little diamonds on each side? My engagement diamond is exactly like those. Well, almost like those. Cut one of those in half and yes....that's it exactly. See? I told you that my diamond is EXACTLY like Luann's, so no big deal.

[StevieRocks]

1 hour ago, HumblePi said:

Speaking of matches, did Jules really joke about demonstrating to her daughter how to light a match for her horrible farts? I thought I was hallucinating when I heard that. Jules is the epitome of class, unfortunately it's low-class.

Right? I had to re-wind that.  She makes THE most cringe-worthy "jokes" that are so corny, pedestrian, and juvenile. I loved last week when she pimp-slapped SkinnyCow into the middle of next week, but then, this week, she comes across, <yet again> as a classless nitwit. Ugh. I used to think that people living in Manhattan and travelling in these social circles would have the most fascinating lives and be around the most interesting people. But when I see the likes of Jules and horrific Crazy Eyes, I realize I'd find more intellectual stimulation, sophistication, and culture in the break-room of my local Wal-mart. Sad.  

[ScoobieDoobs]

10 hours ago, Alonzo Mosely FBI said:

I think her stepdad's Uncle was Don Rickles' Manager-again from a Place of Yes which I googled because I am in a place of NO and I did not buy that shit. She mentioned a trip at 13 to see U2 in Vegas and learning to shoot craps (which I learned from Clark Griswold you can do on the TV in your room). All VIP experience lets be honest what a rough life. She would like us to think she was passing burlap bags of dirty money in an alley from the trunk of a car like Mr. Chow and the gang from the Hangover movies. 

So that covers Las Vegas. Let me tell you about the life of a horse trainer on the track and their children because let's just say, I know.... Life on the backstretch is 24/7 caring for expensive animals who cannot talk. You have to have eagle eyes and decades of experience and sense to succeed. No shortcuts to micromanaging their care and well being so you can put food on the table. Horses cannot speak so you become part vet, psychic, animal psychologist and you have owners to deal with- that's where accountant, PR, sales, marketing come into play with a whole lot of human psychology involved. Bethenny wants you to think that life a the track is all dirty "Jimmy the Hat" and railbird stereotypes- and there is some of that. But respect on the track is earned from very dedicated animal care and handling and the work that is involved. There is no shortcut (unlike cutting calories) for cleaning stalls, wrapping legs, walking hot horses, and up all night waiting for a vet. Sorry for the rant (but not really) she drives me crazy. There are big ups and downs with the horse business. One minute you have THE fastest best horse and the next a horse shoe nail makes them founder and you're down again. 

I am no Madam Ruby but I do know there is no basement in the Alamo (ha) but I predict based on the the toy horses in Brynn's room by her playhouse that Brynn will want to ride and when she does we will see another side of Bethenny's childhood. B is certain to re-invent that her dark backside of the racetrack upbringing wasn't so dark and she is THE self appointed guru of horses and has been since childhood. Watch what happens..... The Hampton Classic is in Brynn's future along with the full show circuit..... 

Hey, thanks for sharing this insider POV.  Seriously, this is fascinating!  And it sounds fun.  

You know, whenever Bethenny even slightly refers to this, when discussing her father, mother and/or step-father, it's always accompanied by a sneer & a just-smelled-poop look on her mug.  It's like she's ashamed of this track stuff in her background -- or it's too low rent or not glam enough to fit with the image of herself she tries so hard to throw out. 

I'm still bugged by what she said about gambling.  It rang false to me.  Now, is it possible to be into gambling when you're broke, & then lose interest when you have money?  Sure, it's possible.  The thing is, I just don't trust her now.  She's been riding on this "brutally honest" shtick & yet she's bullshitted us plenty.  She did seem bored & disinterested with the gambling.  But once again, I suspect she wasn't being straight with us.  Maybe it reminded her of the old track days & she was turned off?

[HumblePi]

2 minutes ago, StevieRocks said:

Right? I had to re-wind that.  She makes THE most cringe-worthy "jokes" that are so corny, pedestrian, and juvenile. I loved last week when she pimp-slapped SkinnyCow into the middle of next week, but then, this week, she comes across, <yet again> as a classless nitwit. Ugh. I used to think that people living in Manhattan and travelling in these social circles would have the most fascinating lives and be around the most interesting people. But when I see the likes of Jules and horrific Crazy Eyes, I realize I'd find more intellectual stimulation, sophistication, and culture in the break-room of my local Wal-mart. Sad.  

As the soon-to-be-ex-Countess sang...."Money can't buy you cla--ass"

[jumper sage]

1 hour ago, Misslindsey said:

I have never had any official skiing or snowboard lessons when I was a kid. My brothers briefly showed me how and eventually I got it, but there was a lot of falling in the meantime. So maybe that is what Bethenny meant about not having ski lessons and then again maybe not.

I joined the ski club in 7th grade and the school paid for our lessons each week.  I continued on to high school with the same arrangement.  Best thing I ever did.  You learn a lot about safety and build a skill set with lessons.  Living in Michigan, we have crappy snow.  I attained my advanced patch in high school which included skiing the wall at Pine Knob which is basically an ice wall.  I got to take skiing as my gym requirement in college and got my expert patch.  I am all for lessons.

As nuts as Bethany is Bryn is probably better off with lessons from a stranger.

Ramona thinks she is all that and a bag of chips.  I think she is the worst looking, had the most plastic surgery and is the most brain damaged of the bunch.

[zoeysmom]

6 minutes ago, ScoobieDoobs said:

Hey, thanks for sharing this insider POV.  Seriously, this is fascinating!  And it sounds fun.  

You know, whenever Bethenny even slightly refers to this, when discussing her father, mother and/or step-father, it's always accompanied by a sneer & a just-smelled-poop look on her mug.  It's like she's ashamed of this track stuff in her background -- or it's too low rent or not glam enough to fit with the image of herself she tries so hard to throw out. 

I'm still bugged by what she said about gambling.  It rang false to me.  Now, is it possible to be into gambling when you're broke, & then lose interest when you have money?  Sure, it's possible.  The thing is, I just don't trust her now.  She's been riding on this "brutally honest" shtick & yet she's bullshitted us plenty.  She did seem bored & disinterested with the gambling.  But once again, I suspect she wasn't being straight with us.  Maybe it reminded her of the old track days & she was turned off?

This is Bethenny who has twice in the last couple of months gone to Las Vegas, once with her daughter.  My guess is the cameras won't follow her into casinos so she begs off.  It also made me wonder with her previous eating disorders and gaming when she is broke and can't pay her bills if perhaps she has a bit of an addictive personality disorder.  She sure is addicted to fame.

[100PercentPain]

6 hours ago, PradaKitty said:

Okay, two things:

1, Aren't most little girls potty trained prior to their third birthday?  I believe Jules told the "Potty Whisperer" that Rio "will be three next week".

2. Sonja referred to her flawless 2 carat diamond sitting in her safe. If she was as poor as she claimed the past few seasons, why didn't she sell the damn thing?!

Re: potty training, it varies. I have a daughter who will turn 3 next month and she's still in diapers too. Among her peers, one or two are mostly trained/day trained, some are in the process but not consistent and some haven't really started yet. 

Don't get me wrong - Jules seems pretty hapless as a parent, but her almost 3 yo daughter not being PT'd yet in and of itself isn't terribly unusual.

[jumper sage]

28 minutes ago, 100PercentPain said:

Re: potty training, it varies. I have a daughter who will turn 3 next month and she's still in diapers too. Among her peers, one or two are mostly trained/day trained, some are in the process but not consistent and some haven't really started yet. 

Don't get me wrong - Jules seems pretty hapless as a parent, but her almost 3 yo daughter not being PT'd yet in and of itself isn't terribly unusual.

I believe kids will potty train quite quickly when they are ready.  My sister tried every method on her daughter (who is now 28) and it was a disaster.  She has had life long bathroom issues.  I think it goes back to the trauma of potty training.  My sister's son is 8 years younger then her daughter and she let him tell her when he was ready.  She told him it was time to sign up for preschool but you have to be potty trained.  He was almost 3, he said ok let's do it.  He was trained in 3 days with no accidents and took to it very logically.  They also had him in and out of bathrooms with his parents since he could crawl.  He has no issues.

In my experience with friends with eating disorders, and Jules is in the midst of it now.  Eating, bathroom issues seem to go hand in hand.  I have known at least 4 people with disorders and they all also had bathroom issues.  Just my observation.

Jules issues permeate her household.  She had tons of food and eats nothing, she keeps cooking for her kids but there is no dining routine.  Hovering over them while they eat is not participating in meals.  It is all very strange.

Jules asking about the match, in front of her daughter and then saying she smells.......Is just terrible.  She is already passing on her issues to her daughter.  Everyone poops!  That should be the message.  The whole family needs help.

Edited July 22, 2016 by jumper sage

[100PercentPain]

15 minutes ago, jumper sage said:

I believe kids will potty train quite quickly when they are ready.  My sister tried every method on her daughter (who is now 28) and it was a disaster.  She has had life long bathroom issues.  I think it goes back to the trauma of potty training.  My sister's son is 8 years younger then her daughter and she let him tell her when he was ready.  She told him it was time to sign up for preschool but you have to be potty trained.  He was almost 3, he said ok let's do it.  He was trained in 3 days with no accidents and took to it very logically.  They also had him in and out of bathrooms with his parents since he could crawl.  He has no issues.

This is what I've heard from our doctor and friends with older children too (my almost 3 yo is my oldest). I've put her on the potty a handful of times (and some of those times she asked to) but she's only actually gone a couple times. She's just not super interested yet so we haven't been rushing her.

I hadn't thought of the connection between bathroom issues and eating issues but that makes sense. 

[Knuckles]

25 minutes ago, jumper sage said:

there is no dining routine.  Hovering over them while they eat is not participating in meals.  It is all very strange.

I'm with you on this...though I found the whole situation crass and exploitive for her young daughter, I was also shocked at the remarks of her young son. How is a child allowed to say that and not be disciplined? Worse, Jules laughed and thought it amusing. The editors did include a shot of the poor nanny working at the sink...she did not look charmed by the goings-on.

If Jules does not want to pass along her issues to her daughter, then bringing in an outside consultant and an entire film crew is not a smart move. And just making a simple meal and eating with your children at a regular time...I thought that was pretty basic. their health, and gives the mom time to talk with her kids and to instill good manners. Or it used to. 

[MerryMary]

I'm surprised the casino let them film inside.  Casinos are sacred!  Seriously though, casinos are very tight about security and if anyone takes out a phone near a gambling table to take a pic they get reprimanded.  I couldn't help but notice that Dorinda and Jules were playing with red chips ($5) and Carole was playing with green chips ($25).  Maybe Carole is as loaded as Celebrity Net Worth says. 

Of course Brynn is going to ski in Aspen and show horses in the Hamptons.  It's her destiny.

I didn't like LuAnne's ring but maybe I would like it if I saw it in real life.  There are rumors that Lu paid for it, who knows... 

Love that Ramona had Tom's number in her phone.  Boyfriend's been around. 

[jumper sage]

26 minutes ago, Knuckles said:

If Jules does not want to pass along her issues to her daughter, then bringing in an outside consultant and an entire film crew is not a smart move. 

Hadn't thought of that!  So right.

41 minutes ago, 100PercentPain said:

This is what I've heard from our doctor and friends with older children too (my almost 3 yo is my oldest). I've put her on the potty a handful of times (and some of those times she asked to) but she's only actually gone a couple times. She's just not super interested yet so we haven't been rushing her.

My sister let him pick out his own potty chair and they put it in his room at about 2 1/2.  He sat on it with clothes on to look at books, he put his stuffed animals on it.......When he finally would use the potty he used his potty chair to climb up on the toilet.  Go figure.  Have you been visiting preschools?  That seems to be a great incentive.

[motorcitymom65]

21 hours ago, breezy424 said:

But isn't kind of sad when someone says 'if' we're together next year?  It's like we know we're not forever so let's enjoy each other for now.  I wouldn't want to be in that place. 

But it is so strange? If it is strange, wouldn't all relationships end in marriage, or at least with the people being together forever? I know all kinds of people who are/have dated people and had zero idea if they were the "one" or if they would be together forever. I would assume that most people have been in relationships where they were unsure if it would last. i just got back from a work thing with a couple of girlfriends who are dating guys they really like, but both have no idea if there is a future. One is considering taking a job in a different city, and both she and her boyfriend acknowledge the relationship wouldn't survive that. The other is dating a guy who isn't sure about having kids. In both cases they are in love but aware there is probably a "sell by" date stamped on the relationship and they are completely open about it. 

Edited July 22, 2016 by motorcitymom65

[Misslindsey]

Quote

I joined the ski club in 7th grade and the school paid for our lessons each week.  I continued on to high school with the same arrangement.  Best thing I ever did.  You learn a lot about safety and build a skill set with lessons.  Living in Michigan, we have crappy snow.  I attained my advanced patch in high school which included skiing the wall at Pine Knob which is basically an ice wall.  I got to take skiing as my gym requirement in college and got my expert patch.  I am all for lessons.

As nuts as Bethany is Bryn is probably better off with lessons from a stranger.

I agree. Bryn is probably better off with proper lessons. I started asking around Bryn's age, then later snowboarding. I am from Michigan also, after college I moved to Chicago. I agree about Michigan's crappy snow. 

Quote

I believe kids will potty train quite quickly when they are ready.  My sister tried every method on her daughter (who is now 28) and it was a disaster.  She has had life long bathroom issues.  I think it goes back to the trauma of potty training.  My sister's son is 8 years younger then her daughter and she let him tell her when he was ready.  She told him it was time to sign up for preschool but you have to be potty trained.  He was almost 3, he said ok let's do it.  He was trained in 3 days with no accidents and took to it very logically.  They also had him in and out of bathrooms with his parents since he could crawl.  He has no issues.

I concur about potty training. My niece was in potty training mode, because she had to be potty trained to go to pre-pre-school. She is on the younger end because of her late August birthday. She watched an episode of Daniel Tiger about using the bathroom and that made it all click for her. It was like a light switch. I always think Jules seems so scattered as a parent. Raising kids can make you have crazy days, but Jules acts so helpless and like she is doing everything for the first time, when she probably is not doing it for the first. I guess it is not surprising she hired someone to potty train her kid in two days. I am amazed at the no accidents part. My niece rarely had accidents, but it did happen a few times when she misjudged how soon to get to the bathroom.

In one of the earlier episodes of this season didn't Carol say that Adam wanted kids? I can see that being an issue in the future if that is in fact true or he does not change his mind.

[breezy424]

27 minutes ago, motorcitymom65 said:

But it is so strange? If it is strange, wouldn't all relationships end in marriage, or at least with the people being together forever? I know all kinds of people who are/have dated people and had zero idea if they were the "one" or if they would be together forever. I would assume that most people have been in relationships where they were unsure if it would last. i just got back from a work thing with a couple of girlfriends who are dating guys they really like, but both have no idea if there is a future. One is considering taking a job in a different city, and both she and her boyfriend acknowledge the relationship wouldn't survive that. The other is dating a guy who isn't sure about having kids. In both cases they are in love but aware there is probably a "sell by" date stamped on the relationship and they are completely open about it. 

But I didn't say it was 'strange'.  I said it was kind of sad.  I stand by that.  In Carole and Adam's situation, they've been together for well over a year.  That's a good amount of time to get to know one another and to have a feel of where a relationship is going, or not going.  As you said, a relationship can have a 'sell by' date on it and those involved can realize and accept it, but to me it's still sad.

[breezy424]

According to Jule's blog her daughter 'attained' potty training in two days.  Let's face it.  Some kids are potty trained at 18 months (and you have to hear the mother mention it any chance she gets) and some are by three years.  Maybe it's me but I don't know of any kid who isn't 'trained' by the time they start kindergarten or pre kindergarten.  Showing your kid on the potty...WTF are you thinking.  Jules went from up here to down there so quickly I almost had air sickness.

Apparently, Beth's mother gave a number of pictures of Beth as a child to show that life wasn't as bad as Beth portrays it. 

http://radaronline.com/photos/exclusive-bethenny-frankels-childhood-photos/photo/119962/

She does seem so unhappy.  Not many smiles going on for moments that she should be happy.  It's very confusing for me.  But then again, looking at Beth over the years on Bravo, there's so many scenes where she not very happy either.  Obviously, her childhood was not the worst but it but she's so haunted by it despite her success.  The only insight to me is that because she still demonstrates her unhappiness on Bravo shows over the years, she's just one of those people who thinks she's so different from other people and that she is a special snowflake.   She's admitted to being a perfectionist.  I guess she expects her life to be that too.  Life doesn't evolve around you.  You evolve around the world and what it presents... No one is perfect, nor  is life.

[OhGromit]

28 minutes ago, breezy424 said:

Apparently, Beth's mother gave a number of pictures of Beth as a child to show that life wasn't as bad as Beth portrays it. 

http://radaronline.com/photos/exclusive-bethenny-frankels-childhood-photos/photo/119962/

 

Ugh, I'm sure this was an impartial selection of photos picked for the purpose of accurately portraying life inside their home.  Riiiight.  Anyone's life can look amazing if you just choose a few select pics.  Facebook envy is built on just that.

Anyhow, the mom is relentless, IMO uber messed up, and now so is Bethenny. I do feel sorry for Bethenny even though I don't like her much anymore.  I wish she would get real help from a competent therapist.  

[breezy424]

45 minutes ago, OhGromit said:

Ugh, I'm sure this was an impartial selection of photos picked for the purpose of accurately portraying life inside their home.  Riiiight.  Anyone's life can look amazing if you just choose a few select pics.  Facebook envy is built on just that.

Anyhow, the mom is relentless, IMO uber messed up, and now so is Bethenny. I do feel sorry for Bethenny even though I don't like her much anymore.  I wish she would get real help from a competent therapist.  

Is it her mom that is relentless or is it Beth?  Beth's mom  was mum (correct me if I'm wrong) until Beth decided to relay her portrait of her childhood via her books and her Bravo shows.  Continuously.

Edited July 22, 2016 by breezy424

[ScoobieDoobs]

Remember when the girls would be screaming at each other at Fashion Week?  Ah, good times, eh?  Sweet memories, right?  Now, urp, it's Mohegan Sun.  And Bethenny can't even be bothered to gamble?  Oy.  I mean, shit, if even Bethenny looks bored outta her mind, why the fuck should we be interested either?  Sheesh, 'nuff said on where this show is at now.  Just wondering, given the now shitty travel, has Satan Andy blown the budget for this show on Bethenny's inflated salary?

Btw, I don't believe for a second Carole's $25 chips were any indication of her having dough.  Nope, I don't believe that at all.  I'm sure Bravo paid for every chip shown.  Please.  Carole is now financially dependent on this show & that's why she's living in the assholes of Bethenny & Satan Andy.  Her cramped place with the ratty leopard couch spells that out to me.

Jules, you seem like a nice enough gal & I kinda feel bad for your shitty marriage to that greasy little meatball sleazebag & the crappy position you're in now, but sheesh, hun, your story is really not fun to watch.  It's pretty unpleasant, TMI & a downer.  Do us & yourself a favor, Jules, and say buh-bye to this show.  Idk, I wouldn't be surprised if she wants to come back, given the uncertain financial position she's probably in now.  Would Bethenny allow her back?  Maybe.  She could see Jules as the new Kelly, for her to obliterate & destroy.  Ugh.  Yet another thing NOT to look forward to next season.

[ScoobieDoobs]

Wait, did I hear right, did dopey Moaner call Joanne, um, "Joanna's"?  Oh, Moaner, you dumb-dumb!  Go get her, Gaga!

[LIMOM]

4 hours ago, OhGromit said:

Ugh, I'm sure this was an impartial selection of photos picked for the purpose of accurately portraying life inside their home.  Riiiight.  Anyone's life can look amazing if you just choose a few select pics.  Facebook envy is built on just that.

Anyhow, the mom is relentless, IMO uber messed up, and now so is Bethenny. I do feel sorry for Bethenny even though I don't like her much anymore.  I wish she would get real help from a competent therapist.  

Yes, however she can miss me with her narrative of poor little girl. Her mother did what she could at the time and Beth needs to realize that her mother eating disorder was not  about her.

If it is even true, her mother suffered from a mental illness and Beth will be well advised to be kind toward her mother as she is repeating her own childhood (minus the alcoholism as far as we know)

My mother drank and was depressed most of her life and much like Beth I was resentful and angry, then one day I watched Oprah and she was talking about how her parents did the best they could and as cliche as it sounds, it made sense to me.

How being so angry benefit Beth and her daughter?

This is why imo she is not able to enjoy her success. She is stuck and needs to let go for her own well being and more importantly Bryn's.

Damn her mother was a looker.

[motorcitymom65]

Why didn't Bravo show us the conversation that Carole had with Jules? Such a big deal has been made about how she feels about C and B, yet we don't get to see that talk. I would have liked to have seen it. It must have ended well, since we saw them having fun together at the Blackjack table. Their body language was good, with them leaning into each other a bit, and Carole touching Jules arm a couple of times. Since the narrative is about how horrible Carole is to Jules, the only indication we get of the talk is when B and C are talking about Jules later on. Frustrating to me. 

[Baltimore Betty]

Jules is kind of an idiot, she drags out the same blessing for everything and now she is giving the table a blessing (which I am pretty sure she was blessing the wine with that prayer, I will watch that scene again) and guess what, Rabbi's frown upon gambling.

[Crankybroad]

I'll admit it. I've always harbored a bit of affection for Sonja; I think she is stunning and reminiscent of a Tennessee Williams heroine. I've never been a Luann fan since the condescending countess days. But that comment about the ring? Why is her ring all about YOU? Who cares what's in your safe deposit box? I now officially can't stand Sonja either. I don't think I like any of them. 

[trimthatfat]

11 hours ago, HumblePi said:

This is Luann's ring and no big deal I have one just like it. Well, almost like it. See the little diamonds on each side? My engagement diamond is exactly like those. Well, almost like those. Cut one of those in half and yes....that's it exactly. See? I told you that my diamond is EXACTLY like Luann's, so no big deal.

 

This is gorgeous! I love it! The way it looked on television does not do it justice.

[jinjer]

8 hours ago, breezy424 said:

According to Jule's blog her daughter 'attained' potty training in two days.  Let's face it.  Some kids are potty trained at 18 months (and you have to hear the mother mention it any chance she gets) and some are by three years.  Maybe it's me but I don't know of any kid who isn't 'trained' by the time they start kindergarten or pre kindergarten.  Showing your kid on the potty...WTF are you thinking.  Jules went from up here to down there so quickly I almost had air sickness.

Apparently, Beth's mother gave a number of pictures of Beth as a child to show that life wasn't as bad as Beth portrays it. 

http://radaronline.com/photos/exclusive-bethenny-frankels-childhood-photos/photo/119962/

She does seem so unhappy.  Not many smiles going on for moments that she should be happy.  It's very confusing for me.  But then again, looking at Beth over the years on Bravo, there's so many scenes where she not very happy either.  Obviously, her childhood was not the worst but it but she's so haunted by it despite her success.  The only insight to me is that because she still demonstrates her unhappiness on Bravo shows over the years, she's just one of those people who thinks she's so different from other people and that she is a special snowflake.   She's admitted to being a perfectionist.  I guess she expects her life to be that too.  Life doesn't evolve around you.  You evolve around the world and what it presents... No one is perfect, nor  is life.

I found Bethenny to be smiling in several of the photos and some the posed ones she was actually giving what she thought was a sultry pose when she was in the teen years.  The first photo though of the series does lead one to believe that it is a poor unhappy child.  What struck me is the fact that Bernadette or her husband took so many photos of Bethenny in ordinary, everyday, ho hum poses.  Not just at Xmas.  Kind of shows me they were attentive to her. These were the days when parents actually had to have photos developed.  I have very few photos of me from my childhood that weren't on holidays/birthdays or a vacation.  They took her to the park to go on swing sets even.  It wasn't like they just sat around and drank all day and fought or left her at the track unattended which is kind of the story she spun or the impression I got.  

It doesn't negate the fact that they also probably drank and fought a lot.  But Bethenny needs to put some closure on her past and move the fuck on. It was over 25 years ago. She has a daughter to raise and her behavior is so poisonous.

[One Tough Cookie]

I will forever hate Jules for showing her daughter's bathroom issues.  That will undoubtedly follow her around for years to come. What a cruel thing to do to a child.

Shame on her.

[Duke2801]

8 hours ago, breezy424 said:

Apparently, Beth's mother gave a number of pictures of Beth as a child to show that life wasn't as bad as Beth portrays it. 

http://radaronline.com/photos/exclusive-bethenny-frankels-childhood-photos/photo/119962/

Thanks for sharing those.  Looks like Beth's affinity for uber-chunky turtlenecks started decades ago.  

http://i0.wp.com/radaronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/bethskitrip19yrs.jpg?zoom=1.5&fit=700%2C615

[eurekagirl mOo]

On 7/21/2016 at 0:00 AM, Bronzedog said:

My dog was trained to use his dog door while I was at work by getting curious, going thru it, apparently thought he fell out of the side of the house, freaked out, my neighbor noticed him, climbed the fence and got him back thru the door.  Don't know if that would work for a kid but you might want to incorporate it into your training if you want to start a potty training business.  My neighbor moved though so you can't use him.

I can't stop laughing. You win the internet today. Congrats!

[Yours Truly]

13 hours ago, LIMOM said:

Take this with a grain of salt but someone who grew up with Beth on Long Island told me that she was exactly the same as she is now.

They were in school together in elementary btw.. 

While I have sympathy for kids who grew up with an unstable mother and in a divorce situation, it would be nice for Bethany to finally shut the fuck up and look back on her childhood with a tiny bit of appreciation for those who raised her.

I am in the same age group and most of us had fucked up parents. I don't know of anyone who is still so resentful and angry toward their parents, now.

It is nuts.

Although,  I suspect that from now  on,she is going to bitch non-stop about Jason and his family. 

They never had a real chance. Will Brynn fare better?

Me too.. I mean to be honest we came from a different time. The problem is that society now give us a new "normal" and everything from our childhood and upbringing is either, neglect, abuse, traumatic, etc. etc. and there are those who LIVE for the excuses modern times are giving them in order to be a victim. Hell, my mom was an alcoholic and had a gambling problem. I was lucky that I had a normal, stable, loving dad that balanced things out and my mom had some awesome qualities as well but I could tell you stories that rival the raised by wolves Beth. When I hear her stories I can't help but feel very strongly that she has made it a point to tell the stories that are the most out there in order to paint the picture she wants out there that explains why she is the way she is. To me I feel like it's one big manipulation so that she gets pass on shit and I don't know where this bitch is from that she honestly expects to get away with that narrative or use it at an excuse.

To me she lived a life that A LOT of us lived. Our parents were from a time were they smoked while pregnant, drank alcohol. Seatbelts weren't a requirement. Kids rode in the backs of station wagons etc. etc. She's had some extreme experiences, I won't deny her that but when I look back at my childhood I hear some of her stories and think that wasn't just your mom sweetheart. It was THE TIMES (with of course her parents own special blend of dysfunction mixed in) and I believe that bad moments were littered throughout her childhood the same way they were littered all over mine and all over a lot of people's from that time (I'm from NY too so that also plays a part)  but most people gain the perspective as they get older while our Beth just latches on to the modern world definitions of "proper child rearing" and then goes to town raising her hand saying "that's me, that's me!" and then claiming "abused/neglected child" happy to categorize herself as such a special case. It's all relative. She knows that her history compared to today's "standards and revelations" is pearl clutching and gasp worthy and she feeds on those reactions. Meanwhile the rest of us sort through our muck but also understand that some of it wasn't due to lack of love from our parents but them being a product of how they were raised and on and on. Even for the most brutal of cases, as adults, a big part of the healing comes from understanding that parents are people to and that mistakes and bad decisions are a part of eveyone's life. Having a child doesn't automatically make every parent a saint that's 100% selfless.

I mean hell back then kids went out to play on their own at 5/6 years old. Go to the park, ride their bikes go rolling skating hit the community pool. Shit when I was ten me and my girlfriend would take my ONE YEAR OLD niece to the outdoor community pool (in The Bronx) 5 blocks away from the building I lived in. That wasn't wrong back then but NOW I've read how that's considered "free range" parenting. A couple had their kids taken away cause a neighbor saw a 5 and an 8 year old walking alone to the park 3 streets away from where they lived. Big difference from what was "allowed" back then.  Things change but our Beth is using todays standards as a gauge for behaviors back then and it's just very unbalanced. I resent it because it feels like she's deliberately manipulating the narrative to garner sympathy and it's annoying.

Sure in today's world with all the education, knowledge and focus on proper parenting etc. etc. I can see (but still don't agree cause parenting is just on a whole different level) how people can be more reactive to bad child practices because we know a lot more now about a lot of different things. Ignorance can't be an excuse anymore cause there are so many ways to be informed about what goes into the well being of a child but back then it was more about winging it than anything. Especially since back then were the times where we had a generation of women who were breaking away from traditional values and were not necessarily being "trained" to be a wives and mothers anymore so to hear the stories Beth tells, to me just coincide with what the times were like.

Now with that said, all that doesn't change the fact that Beth experience shit that fucked her up. I understand and respect that but it's her perspective that grates. It's this need to present it and display it in a way where I can't help but think she studied up on all the ramifications and resulting dysfunction that comes from all these child psychology analysis and adopts those diagnosis's loud and proud. I don't know, she's just so destructive with it when the whole point of reflecting and acknowledging and revisiting all that crap is for healing but I only see it as her using it as a gimmick. Why be so focused and open if all you want to do is keep feeding and lashing out with that pain? That's what truly disgusts me about her and her antics.

[Juliegirlj]

I realize Bethenny is not allowed to film with her daughter, and think it's wise, but, the scene in Brynn's room with her clothes laid out on the bed looked like a crime scene silhouette. We know you have a daughter, Bethenny, and we know you buy her all the cutest clothes....

When has Bethenny ever sat silent and let someone lecture her?! The scene with the assistant shows exactly what Bethenny wants us to think- which is funny because all the viewers saw right through it. 

For some reason I'm doubting Luann's situation. Something seems off, and it will be interesting to see if an actual wedding occurs this New Years.

Sometimes I wonder if Ramona has Asperger's Syndrome? ! ( no offense to anyone that has it or has a family member diagnosed with it). She certainly seems to have impairments in proper social response and lack of emotional reciprocity. 

Poor Sonja doesn't even try to hide her jealousy of Luann. I really wonder if she is abstaining from drinking off camera? I would love to see her find hapinesss, but have a sad feeling she will be rambling around that wreck of a house all by herself when she is 80 years old.

[Crankybroad]

Is Sonja doing blogs this season? I was looking for hers for this episode and didn't see any recent ones from her. 

[The Mighty Peanut]

I give Jules a bit of a pass for making food but not participating in the meal because it's a fairly classic way for anorexia to present itself. I love putting food in my mouth whenever possible so I can't pretend to understand it, but I know making food for others is extremely common for people who just don't eat. Bulemics and binge eaters are more likely to eat like a normal person in front of people and purge or buy vast amounts of food to eat in secret.

Onto potty training. I'm not a parent so I don't know. All I can say is that I've seen a very young toddler plop her pink plastic My First Toilet (I don't know what the proper name is but it was basically a litterbox for kids) in front of the tv during a football game and proudly take a dump (because every time she went in the potty her parents clapped and made a big deal), and I've seen an extremely well adjusted, intelligent, loving 5 y/o with great parents who still wears pull ups to bed and had a hard time starting the proper school for his age because of potty training issues. In my anecdotal experience it seems to come down to kids are unpredictable pooping lunatics all different.

Edited July 22, 2016 by The Mighty Peanut

[QuinnM]

Quote

I realize Bethenny is not allowed to film with her daughter, and think it's wise, but, the scene in Brynn's room with her clothes laid out on the bed looked like a crime scene silhouette. We know you have a daughter, Bethenny, and we know you buy her all the cutest clothes....

I follow Bethenny on instagram so I recognize this as the stylist thing.  She lays out B's clothes for trips or a work day on her bed.  Cookie likes to lay all over them.  Sometimes it looks to me like choices and other times its like what she needs for the day or the trip.

Quote

For some reason I'm doubting Luann's situation. Something seems off, and it will be interesting to see if an actual wedding occurs this New Years.

That's how I feel too.  I'm not jealous either.  It just seems off.  It's like Luann is trying to talk herself into something.  I personally don't have a problem with Tom's past.  That circle does repeat.  You see it all the time and NYC is a much smaller town that we imagine.  I would have a problem if Tom didn't let Luann in on the fact that he has dipped into the friend pool.

[motorcitymom65]

30 minutes ago, Juliegirlj said:

 

Sometimes I wonder if Ramona has Asperger's Syndrome? ! ( no offense to anyone that has it or has a family member diagnosed with it). She certainly seems to have impairments in proper social response and lack of emotional reciprocity. 

 

I think this might be the case, and I think that the others suspect it as well. I've always thought this is why at the end of the day, they let her get away with so much. Everyone has been irritated and exhausted by Ramona, but in the end they rarely really hold her very responsible. You often hear from others (generally in blogs) that she actually has a good heart and can be a very good friend.  Beth, Dorinda, Heather, Sonja, and Carole have all said this, and they have all been furious with her about one thing or another. I think they believe there is a component of Ramona's behavior that she has little control over. 

[Baltimore Betty]

Did anyone else catch the high tech toilet Jules had her little one use for the potty training scene?  Those things are amazing!

[eurekagirl mOo]

Carolines boyfriend needs to go meet Megan PI's hubby. They can ignore there wives and partners together.

[izabella]

37 minutes ago, motorcitymom65 said:

I think this might be the case, and I think that the others suspect it as well. I've always thought this is why at the end of the day, they let her get away with so much. Everyone has been irritated and exhausted by Ramona, but in the end they rarely really hold her very responsible. You often hear from others (generally in blogs) that she actually has a good heart and can be a very good friend.  Beth, Dorinda, Heather, Sonja, and Carole have all said this, and they have all been furious with her about one thing or another. I think they believe there is a component of Ramona's behavior that she has little control over. 

I sure would like to see that on the show.  In fact, I would need to see a smidgen of that in order to believe it, because I have never seen that side of Ramona.

[FlyingEgret]

On 7/20/2016 at 10:50 PM, SweetPickle said:

Jules doesn't know how to wipe properly?!?!? Even if you don't, and I find that disturbing and alarming, would you admit that on national television? My. God. 

To be fair, Jules probably doesn't eat enough to poop and thus the need for outside help