S01.E05: To the Manner Born

[Guest]

Something happens with ladies of London (No Official Description)

[Aim123]

Just watched a little marathon of this show, this being the last episode I watched. My thoughts are this: Noelle: Don't like you. You come off as calculating and phony, and bitchy, Angel. You chose a dude in a complicated situation- why are you surprised that he can't/won't get married again so quickly? And he clearly doesn't want to, after that mess he has just been in. You are just the sort to try and take any money he has left!  So he is also a fool. And can't stand Noelle saying press as "Prass"- no one is interested in your *ss sweetie, have a seat.

 

Marisa: Seems nice enough, like her. Juliet: a little brash, but I can see myself behaving just like her out of boredom and a few drinks when things get stuffy. Caprice: Sort of boring. Sick of hearing about the press. Get over it sister. But she does look great in her pregnancy. Annabelle: Fierce. But a bitch as well.Wouldnt cross her. And last but not least Caroline. Love watching her. Snarky and b*tchy, love her life/clothes/hair/job. She doesnt care about being nice to anyone, is playing the game. Sure I would hate her in real life, but fun to watch.

[HunterHunted]

I don't care what Caroline says, Marissa won this episode style-wise. Losers in the style olympics: it's a three way tie between Julie, Juliet, and Noelle. Yeesh! I would have loved to see more of the gardens in Julie's in-laws' place.

You've got to appreciate the depths of Annabelle's smug superiority. Rather than admit that she acted like a cow at the 4th party and that Juliet overreacted in response, she dug in her heels and missed the fact that Juliet was acting like a rude idiot all weekend.

This show has far too few episodes to be getting into the team bullshit. I mostly blame Carapace for this development. She's spent most of her time trying to establish her English bona fides.

Edited July 1, 2014 by HunterHunted

[candall]

Have these women never been invited to a dinner party before??? 

 

You don't announce that you refuse to eat the main course.  You don't discuss that the appetizer ingredients will make you vomit.  You don't go wandering into the kitchen to see if someone will get you a bowl of soup.  Or vodka.  You don't get up and go trooping out for a smoke while the hosts sit there and hold the next course.  Ack!

 

And who announces, while the dishes are being cleared, "I could really go for a big juicy hamburger right about now"?

 

No wonder Lady Sandwich had to retire early.  She probably had an attack of the vapors.

[aradia22]

 

Something happens with ladies of London

So far, that's every episode of this show. Something happens. Definitely "something." Just nothing terribly interesting or exciting. There are podcasts I follow that love this show and I don't know why. 

[EtheltoTillie]

Aradia, can you link to the podcasts? I'd be curious as to what they were. Always need more time-wasting television bloggage.

Edited July 1, 2014 by GussieK

[shoegal]

I felt right at home during this episode, I am from Arkansas and I grew up going skeet shooting and eating deer meat! ...and having awkward dinners with my "eccentric" extended family.  Who knew that aristocratic British society and Arkansas hillbillies have so much in common!?  Perhaps I shall now claim that I too am from the manor born.  Just call me Lady Hamburger. 

Edited July 1, 2014 by shoegal

[politichick]

Yeah, I'd love to get the podcast link, too.

 

They were boorish at that dinner sharing plates. How bloody rude! And Noelle really is classless. I couldn't believe it when she got up and went into the kitchen looking for a bowl of soup. When they were discussing the venison on the lawn, she might have taken the opportunity to say that she's allergic to shellfish. Not having done that, though, there was a more gracious way to say something when it was put before her. Clearly she didn't, because I'm certain the hosts wouldn't have sent her off to the kitchen.

 

Annabelle bit her tongue a lot at that dinner.

 

Caprise. What a poseur!

[larapu2000]

Caprice would be the WORST if Noelle didn't have such an annoying need to talk like a Brit.

 

I think the Earl and his wife (what's the lady version of "Earl?") are really bummed that their son married such dull ninny.

[Frost]

That dinner had to have been completely staged.  Juliet not only has clients of her own, but if her husband is high up enough in his business to have been sent to London, surely she's hosted some important dinner parties.  Her behavior was absolutely classless, not 'honest.'  I usually enjoy her but the insulting dinner party made me cringe for everybody involved.

 

This show really is boring.  That spat between Annabelle and Juliet would have been old news after about an afternoon's worth of catty comments by all the various participants and hangers on.  It has somehow consumed three episodes!  Now it looks like a baby shower is going to be the next big story.  The producers must be desperate for footage.

 

I watch this for the London/England footage and would have liked to see a lot more of Mapperton.  Getting more in-depth looks at these women's various careers might be interesting too.  I'm curious to see outfits Juliet has picked out for her clients because that dress she wore at Mapperton was ridiculous.

[izabella]

I'm curious to see outfits Juliet has picked out for her clients because that dress she wore at Mapperton was ridiculous.

 

It was horrible and unflattering.  But then, I think lots of high fashion is horrible and unflattering, but women pay lots of money to buy it, so what do I know?

 

So how did Noelle get vegetables instead of venison but Juliet did not?  Or did Noelle get venison and veggies and ate up all her venison right away because she didn't eat the shellfish and was hungry?  I was so confused why some people had different meals. 

[MMLEsq]

In my opinion, and mileage is likely to vary widely on this, I thought Caprice was just as rude as the rest of them re: informing her host in advance of her dietary "requirements."  Unless you have a true food allergy or have to follow a particular diet for religous reasons, I don't think you should be "informing" your hosts of what you like to eat at all.  (And, in this case, Caprice was not suggesting that her "requirements" were because she was pregnant -- if that had been the case, it might have been a bit more understandable.)  If you're asked if you have any dietary requirements, you could say something like, "I'm a vegetarian, so I'll just fill up on anything that's non-meat."  (If it was me, I don't know if I'd even do that because once you've said it, then there's the chance that the host will feel compelled to change their menu to accomodate you.)  I just don't think a guest should be dictating to a host what should or shouldn't be served. 

 

From a host's perspective, it may very well be a big deal to be asked to create a special menu to suit one guest.  In addition, if the chef prepares something special for one person, there is the concern that other guests may wonder why that one guest has received special treatment.  Or, the host may feel like his or her kitchen is being turned into a diner with everyone placing their particular food order.  At the end of the day, IMO, being a vegetarian or being a picky eater (other than as I said before in the case of allergies or for religious or medical reasons) is a food preference, not a dietary requirement. 

 

And, I'm saying this as a true picky eater myself ("Picky Eater" was, in fact, my screen name on TWOP).  But, if I go somewhere and I don't like what's being served, I'm 100% gracious about it, I eat it (if I can....there are some things that literally make me gag...like seafood) and if I can't, I cut things up, move stuff around on my plate, take small bites of what I am willing to eat (to make the appearance of eating last longer), etc., so that no one notices that I'm not eating something in particular. 

 

I just disagree completely with Caprice's opinion that she had behaved perfectly properly. 

 

Of course, Juliet and Noelle were worse.  As has been stated above, you don't announce -- to everyone -- that you don't like what's being served.  Even my 10-year-old has known for as long as I can remember that you don't do that.  And if Noelle has a shellfish allergy and couldn't eat the appetizer, she should have waited until the main course was served.  It's not like she couldn't wait 20 minutes or so for the next course (which would have probably been served a lot quicker if the ladies hadn't taken the smoking break).  They had afternoon tea, so it's not like she hadn't eaten in that long.  Although, to be fair, if I was the hostess and I noticed that someone wasn't touching their plate at all, I would probably ask them if something was wrong and if they told me that they were allergic to something in that dish, I probably would have gone in the kitchen and found something else for her.  And, finally, I call foul on there being no more soup.  Really....?  They only made one bowl's worth of soup?  I think they just didn't want to accommodate a special request. 

 

Whew...!  I'm glad I got all that out of my system.

 

Despite my ranting above, I really am enjoying the show.  :-)  

Edited July 1, 2014 by MMLEsq

[lisalionheart]

I'm curious to see outfits Juliet has picked out for her clients because that dress she wore at Mapperton was ridiculous.

 

It was like some sort of perverse Alice in Wonderland costume. I just kept thinking that it looked really itchy.

[Writing Wrongs]

Juliet's posture didn't help the dress. She walks around slouched all the time.

 

 

what's the lady version of "Earl?"

Countess

[applecrisp]

I like Julie, I thought she looked good this episode.  She does not seem snotty at all.  I liked that she is still very American.  She is attractive in her own way.

 

Juliet is starting to get on my nerves.  We have all been around brutally honest people who like the brutal part.  If she wants to be so honest and "right" then she better develop thicker skin.  Why does Caroline always say she is right, she is not.  Sometimes neither party is right. JMO.

[larapu2000]

At the end of the day, IMO, being a vegetarian or being a picky eater (other than as I said before in the case of allergies or for religious or medical reasons) is a food preference, not a dietary requirement.

 

 

I get your point, but I do think that for many, being a vegetarian is based on a set of internal values, which is different from being a picky eater, because it's based on morals/standards, rather than taste (for the most part, because I think Caprice is a vegetarian because she is a douchebag).  I think that letting your hosts know up front and in advance that you don't eat meat is polite and thoughtful, because the alternative is showing up and telling your guests you won't eat any of their food, NOELLE AND JULIET.  LOL

[RealityGal]

The rudeness at the dinner party was unparalleled IMO....

 

1. If you have a violent distaste for a certain type of food and/or you're allergic to it you should say something BEFORE the day of the dinner party.  Its why a lot of invitations to events will give you options, because not everyone can eat meat.  I certainly think you should say SOMETHING, because its going to hurt the host's feelings if they just see you sitting there not eating the food they are serving you, or even more simply, the food waste that could be avoided if someone just told you that you couldn't eat meat.  If Juliet and Noelle had said something before the day of the party, I'm positive that their dietary preferences could have easily been accommodated, and I don't think anyone would have been offended.

 

2. Juliet is perhaps the most annoying person ever - sorry, but you are living in the UK, and when in Rome, just try to do as the Romans, its a little disrespectful to a culture to insist that "I'm an American, this is who I am, and I'm going to be myself no matter what!"  To sit around blurting out that she is "not going to eat bambi" is perhaps the rudest way to assert that she doesn't want to eat venison.  And then to be annoyed that you've only made this preference known at the very last minute and no one could change your dish is silly to me.  She could have just as easily have said "hey, you know, sorry, but I don't feel comfortable eating venison, if you can make a change, thats great, if not, thats fine"  You can't tell me that she couldn't survive on a meal that included an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert without a meat option.  Or that it couldn't at least hold her over until she got to the hotel and ordered room service.  And then her "talk" with Annabelle was ridiculous to, IMO.  To me, you don't have to hash out EVERYTHING in the world, sometimes you can have a tiff and get over it naturally.  If someone that you've had a tiff with is acting nicely towards you, why do you feel the need to discuss the fight, especially when both of you feel you were right.  And you were both wrong.  Her bluntness is just annoying to me, and her voice annoys me, and her clothes annoy me.  Tonights dress would have been fine....in a play...as a costume.

 

3. Leaving for a smoke break in the middle of dinner - is rude.  Especially when its so obvious, and you're gone so long that people notice.

 

4. I would like to see Julie's husband, where was he?

[MMLEsq]

I get your point, but I do think that for many, being a vegetarian is based on a set of internal values, which is different from being a picky eater, because it's based on morals/standards, rather than taste (for the most part, because I think Caprice is a vegetarian because she is a douchebag).  I think that letting your hosts know up front and in advance that you don't eat meat is polite and thoughtful, because the alternative is showing up and telling your guests you won't eat any of their food, NOELLE AND JULIET.  LOL

I also see your point -- I said mileage would vary widely on this one :-).  In most situations, when going to someone's house, one could say something like, "I've become a vegetarian and I've got a great [insert name of vegetarian dish here] dish I'd love to bring so that everyone can try it."  (So, the vegetarian is assured of something to eat and the host isn't that put out because they aren't required to do anything extra.)  Although I could see how that wouldn't have really worked in this particular situation.

 

However, I still feel that it's somewhat impolite to receive an invitation and turn around and immediately dictate to the host what you can/will and can't/won't eat. 

 

On the flip side, there's a reason why chicken is considered a universally safe dish (for most, other than vegetarians).  If, as the host, you opt to serve something on the slightly more "unusual" side (venison, veal, etc.), you can't be all that surprised if some of the guests aren't overly enthusiastic about your choices.

Edited July 1, 2014 by MMLEsq

[aradia22]

 

Aradia, can you link to the podcasts? I'd be curious as to what they were. Always need more time-wasting television bloggage.

I love Watch What Crappens (available through bsideblog, trashtalktv) and The Right Reasons podcast (via Grantland). A lot of the Grantland pop culture podcasts are good but I quit Do You Like Prince Movies because I can't deal with the way they talk about women.

[shoegal]

I don't believe that Juliet is a vegetarian, when the dinner was being discussed, she said she didn't eat "dark meat".  Which I am guessing translates to "red meat"?  I am guessing she's a fish and fowl eater.

 

Like I said, I grew up eating deer meat (it always makes me giggle when it's called venison, we were never that fancy!) so it does not seem that odd or "gamey" to me.  It's not like they were serving squirrel! (which may or may not have been served in my childhood home....once). 

Edited July 1, 2014 by shoegal

[larapu2000]

On the flip side, there's a reason why chicken is considered a universally safe dish (for most, other than vegetarians).  If, as the host, you opt to serve something on the slightly more "unusual" side (venison, veal, etc.), you can't be all that surprised if some of the guests aren't overly enthusiastic about your choices.

 

Oh, yes!  And actually, it would have been one thing to have venison as the main and something meatless or chicken/beef as the appetizer, but both the appetizer and the main were potentially either allergens or "unusual" choices for proteins.

 

I've always thought that people who were allergic to shellfish must lead miserable, horrible lives.  Now that I know Noelle is allergic, my theory has been proven.

[stcroix]

I loooove this show.  I don't know why.  Maybe because we get to see London and a famous estate and inside some of the homes I'd never be able to see in real life... Plus I find the women interesting in their own ways.   I hope the ratings are good so it can get another season. 

 

I can't believe no one ever comments on Juliet's greasy and lanky hair!  I don't dislike her, I don't think we'd be close friends here in the states-- she seems a harmless and sometimes clueless person.  But that hair!  Having extremely straight and thinnish hair myself I can sympathize with any bad hair day issues she has, but honestly it looks awful even on fancy dress occations.  It looks like she's given herself a hot oil treatment that didn't properly wash out and styled it anyway.  I wonder what gives there? 

I also thought Annabelle redeemed herself somewhat in this episode.  I don't know if it was because she felt comfortable with the 'Sandwiches' having known them so long but she seemed much more relaxed and likeable. 

 

I was surprised the family let the show be filmed at their home.  I know it's open to the public so maybe it's hard times for them, and I know upkeep on a place that size must be murder.  I noticed the mattress cover or dust ruffle was torn in several places on the bed in the room Annabelle used. 

[rustyspigot]

I still don't know how Juliet asking the Countess about "The Breakfast Club" and "Ferris Bueler's Day Off" came up in conversation.

 

Was she expecting the Countess to answer "I'm more of a "Pretty in Pink" fan myself."?

 

And how many doilies had to die to make Juliet's dress?

[izabella]

I loooove this show.  I don't know why.  Maybe because we get to see London and a famous estate and inside some of the homes I'd never be able to see in real life...

 

I have to give credit where it's due - Julie brought some awesome real estate porn to the show in this episode.  Loved seeing the gardens and grounds - beautiful. 

[OnceSane]

I could spend days in those gardens.

[MMLEsq]

Some excerpts from Julie's "blog" (Q&A really) on Bravo's site:

 

Bravotv.com: How did you meet your husband?
Julie: I met him at a party -- a bit boring -- but what’s a great story is that I didn’t really know who he was! He told me for months his name was Luke Montagu but when he paid for something on his credit card, I sneaked a peak and it said Viscount Hinchingbrooke! And I was like, are you an imposter?! You told me your name was Luke! Then, what made it worse was that I thought Viscount was said the same way as Discount! Which… I’m afraid it’s not! The "Vis" is pronounced like "Vy" or rhymes with "my." The English sure do have a screwed up language -- the American language of pronunciation is the RIGHT way in my book!

Bravotv.com: Why does Annabelle know your husband and his family so well?
Julie: Growing up, Annabelle and my husband ran in the same social circles. Annabelle is a great shot and has been coming down to the Mapperton Estate for 20 years for our shooting parties. The gameskeeper at Mapperton said she’s one of the best shots he’s ever seen! And what’s great is that this is a boys’ sport, so when a girl comes on a shoot... well, the boys are super impressed. She always stays in what she calls the "Ghost Room" at Mapperton -- she swears she’s seen ghosts there at night -- and is probably right as I think it’s inhabited with all of Luke’s ancestors from the 1600s!a

 

Bravotv.com: What did you think was the biggest faux pas of the trip? 
Julie: One word: BAMBI! When Juliet said she wouldn’t be eating Bambi (AKA venison), I thought a) that’s verbal diarrhoea and she needs a filter and b) the one liner I always say to my kids: "Manners before menus!" Maybe I should make a t-shirt for her with a "manners before menus" slogan on it for our next trip down to Mapperton.

[aradia22]

Nope, enough of this. You can't be Miss Manners and also tell people they look like they're relieving themselves when they're shooting or that their outfit makes them look like Cruella de Vil. Shut up, Caroline. Shut up. I do think Caroline is insecure and that's the source of most of her snarkiness. Sorry, dear, but Marisa did look better than you. 

 

The estate seemed quite beautiful but the outer facade doesn't seem to be very well maintained. The sweets at tea looked delicious.

 

In this day and age, you should respect people's dietary preferences. It's rude to say nope, I don't care if you're vegetarian or vegan, you're eating meat. I don't care if you have celiac disease, I made a cake. And concepts like "clean your plate" give people complexes and eating disorders. Also, shut up, Caroline. And I'm saying all this as someone who has no dietary restrictions and will pretty much try anything as long as it isn't too spicy. Someone might have very strong convictions for why they refuse to eat meat and it's inconsiderate to hand wave them away.

 

I like that all of the ladies don't seem to have a problem eating. 

 

Annabelle still has an issue admitting her part in provoking the drama but I do like her... everything is stupid, none of this is important mentality. Because, you know... this show. Is Annabelle in her 40's? She said she started going to Mapperton at 22 and Lady Sandwich said Annabelle had known her husband for 20 years.

Edited July 1, 2014 by aradia22

[RealityGal]

Nope, enough of this. You can't be Miss Manners and also tell people they look like they're relieving themselves when they're shooting or that their outfit makes them look like Cruella de Vil. Shut up, Caroline. Shut up. I do think Caroline is insecure and that's the source of most of her snarkiness. Sorry, dear, but Marisa did look better than you. 

 

The estate seemed quite beautiful but the outer facade doesn't seem to be very well maintained. The sweets are tea looked delicious.

 

In this day and age, you should respect people's dietary preferences. It's rude to say nope, I don't care if you're vegetarian or vegan, you're eating meat. I don't care if you have celiac disease, I made a cake. And concepts like "clean your plate" give people complexes and eating disorders. Also, shut up, Caroline. And I'm saying all this as someone who has no dietary restrictions and will pretty much try anything as long as it isn't too spicy. Someone might have very strong convictions for why they refuse to eat meat and it's inconsiderate to hand wave them away.

 

I like that all of the ladies don't seem to have a problem eating. 

 

Annabelle still has an issue admitting her part in provoking the drama but I do like her... everything is stupid, none of this is important mentality. Because, you know... this show. Is Annabelle in her 40's? She said she started going to Mapperton at 22 and Lady Sandwich said Annabelle had known her husband for 20 years.

 

I will grant that Cruella DiVille was seriously one of the most fabulous Disney villians of all time.  Caroline is one of those friends that is always making cutting remarks and then calling them "jokes."  Friends like that can be toxic, because they will rip you up, and if you tell them your hurt they tell you that they were only joking and make it sound like you're thin skinned, and if you ever make a comment about them, its a problem.  In some ways, I agree with Caroline on some things, and I think if you can take her with a wink and a nod you'll be fine, but I wouldn't want to be her friend because I can be sensitive about my looks and appearance.

 

The grounds were just gorgeous the way that they were, but places like that could be run back in the day because labor was cheap, and people who lived in those places took advantage of the lower classes, and there wasn't a middle class.  I imagine its become hugely expensive to keep up the estate.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Sandwhichs actually lived in a smaller house on the property during the winter months and basically had stuff during the summer when tourists are around.

 

I think its good to respect dietary preferences.  I just had a problem with the way Juliet and Noelle went about it.  If you're violently opposed to eating something, or you're allergic, its something to mention to someone once you get the invitation.  You shouldn't just suddenly go off about how you're "not gonna eat bambi" thats just not necessary.  If I were in either Juliet's or Noelle's position, realizing that my host knew about my dietary preferences too late to make any changes, I would simply eat around the food I didn't want to/couldn't eat, and eat what I could.  Then, when I got back to the hotel it would be all room service, or some 24 hour food mart.  And yes, it was the country, but I can't imagine that they couldn't find SOMETHING to eat after they got back if they were still hungry. 

[jennylauren123]

I just saw Caprice on Watch What Happens Live, and a caller asked if Caprice was the UK's version of Kim Kardashian. I don't think Caprice liked that much. So Andy asked her what she was famous for. She said she was on tons of magazine covers, and she also was in a stage performance of "Rent." Wha? I can't find any evidence of this. Anyway, she made it sound as though she's an actress. I have my doubts.

Edited July 1, 2014 by jennylauren123

[aradia22]

I found these with a quick google search. 

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/73487-Caprice-to-Star-in-West-End-Rent 

http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/12-2002/is-caprice-miming-in-rent_26911.html

 

Caprice seemed pretty delusional on WWHL but I wouldn't want Joe Manganiello to think I was crazy either so... understandable.

[RealityGal]

I just saw Caprice on Watch What Happens Live, and a caller asked if Caprice was the UK's version of Kim Kardashian. I don't think Caprice liked that much. So Andy asked her what she was famous for. She said she was on tons of magazine covers, and she also was in a stage performance of "Rent." Wha? I can't find any evidence of this. Anyway, she made it sound as though she's an actress. I have my doubts.

 

I was "Granny Smith" in our 4th grade stage production of Johnny Appleseed.  I guess I'm an actress too!  sweet!

[jennylauren123]

I found these with a quick google search. 

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/73487-Caprice-to-Star-in-West-End-Rent 

http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/12-2002/is-caprice-miming-in-rent_26911.html

 

Caprice seemed pretty delusional on WWHL but I wouldn't want Joe Manganiello to think I was crazy either so... understandable.

 

Thanks, aradia! Did you check out the second link, in which she is suspected of "miming" while on stage? That had me picturing her actually miming. I guess we call it lip-synching, and the Brits call it miming. At any rate, it doesn't seem as though she set the world on fire. I figured there would be some footage of her singing somewhere. I'm going to keep looking.

 

And….found it! So, not a singer: http://www.bustle.com/articles/28169-ladies-of-londons-caprice-bourret-has-had-a-surprisingly-diverse-career (Scroll down a bit for the video.)

Edited July 1, 2014 by jennylauren123

[Chicklet]

Ok maybe Caprice heard someone call her "Low rent" once and just figured that meant she could say she was in "Rent". I could be wrong.

Because she has one name and all that. Or something.

[AliceGoodDay]

Wait! I've been calling Lizzie by the wrong name all year! I thought her name was Libby! I just realized that. Sheesh, I know Vicki's brother's name and I know Vicki's dog's name, but I screwed up with Lizzie?! I guess she doesn't interest me at all!

Wait! I've been calling Lizzie by the wrong name all year! I thought her name was Libby! I just realized that. Sheesh, I know Vicki's brother's name and I know Vicki's dog's name, but I screwed up with Lizzie?! I guess she doesn't interest me at all!

Interestingly, Julie is vegan and is raising her children to be vegan. I think what shocked and embarrassed her was the shameless gaucherie (Juliet esp) and lack of respect shown towards her in-laws. (Icannot wrap my head around leaving the table and holding up a course. I would have had to hzve words with Caroline about that later. BTW, didn't Lord and Lady Sandwich seem lovely? Talk about exquisite manners!

Sorry about the irrelevant quote in my post above. I don't know how it got there and can't figure out how to get rid of it!

Never mind.

Edited July 1, 2014 by AliceGoodDay

[aradia22]

 

And….found it! So, not a singer: http://www.bustle.co...-diverse-career (Scroll down a bit for the video.)

Oh my God! Why would you do that to me? We're not friends anymore!

 

Kidding.

 

But seriously, she's terrible.

[TexasGal]

rustyspigot, since Juliet is from the Chicago area I immediately assumed she was giving some context about where she was from or how she grew up by talking about John Hughes movies. I may be giving her too much credit.

[amarante]

I just saw Caprice on Watch What Happens Live, and a caller asked if Caprice was the UK's version of Kim Kardashian. I don't think Caprice liked that much. So Andy asked her what she was famous for. She said she was on tons of magazine covers, and she also was in a stage performance of "Rent." Wha? I can't find any evidence of this. Anyway, she made it sound as though she's an actress. I have my doubts.

 

 

If you look at Caprice's imdb, she actually has "acted" - what the roles were like or what her talent was, I have no idea. Probably she is closer to Pamela Anderson if Anderson had desperately clung to celebrity via "reality television" as most of Caprice's recent credits are for appearing as herself on reality shows. 

 

At this point, I think Kardashian and Caprice have similar "careers" in that they are famous for being famous although Kardashian is much more successful than Caprice and really managed to ride that sex tape to unprecedented heights.

 

I do wish this show had not instructed the cast members to get into fights because the actual lifestyles of these women would be far more interesting to me. 

 

I can't believe these women actually left the table for a prolonged period of time or otherwise acted ridiculously in terms of passing the food and loudly expressing their dislikes at the table. I have to believe that the Sandwiches realized there had to be some "drama" created in terms of shooting their dinner and went along with it in exchange for the excellent publicity their tourist attraction received on the show. 

 

The dinner may well have been subject to the usual prolonged time frame which occurs when stuff is filmed as I don't think any of these shows are filmed fully cinema verite. There might have been a huge gap which enabled the women to go out for a smoke for awhile.

 

On a different note, I am always shocked by how many of these fashionably Size 0 women smoke. Since the percentage of white middle and upper middle class people who smoke is quite small, it's really striking to me when I see how many of these women smoke - as well as the Size 0 actresses and models. Not that they all smoke but a disproportionately high percentage do as compared even to their peer group who are still slender but perhaps not a Size 0. 

Edited July 2, 2014 by amarante

[LilaFowler]

I'm sick of Marissa's constant sucking up to the Brits.  Yawn.  She's so fawning and gushing and I'm embarrassed for her.

[larapu2000]

rustyspigot, since Juliet is from the Chicago area I immediately assumed she was giving some context about where she was from or how she grew up by talking about John Hughes movies. I may be giving her too much credit.

I think you're giving her too much credit and giving the Sandwiches too little.  The English know where Chicago is.  They might not know EXACTLY where it is ("somewhere in the middle").  I like to think she was telling Mr. Sandwich about her sexual awakening via Jake Ryan.

 

BTW, I love calling them The Sandwiches.

[EtheltoTillie]

The dinner may well have been subject to the usual prolonged time frame which occurs when stuff is filmed as I don't think any of these shows are filmed fully cinema verite. There might have been a huge gap which enabled the women to go out for a smoke for awhile.

 

On a different note, I am always shocked by how many of these fashionably Size 0 women smoke. Since the percentage of white middle and upper middle class people who smoke is quite small, it's really striking to me when I see how many of these women smoke - as well as the Size 0 actresses and models. Not that they all smoke but a disproportionately high percentage do as compared even to their peer group who are still slender but perhaps not a Size 0. 

I say this as a former smoker myself--I never thought I could give it up, but I did--12 years ago.  I smoked in the years where you could smoke anywhere--college classrooms, movie theaters, restaurants, airplanes!---and of course, dinner tables.  After they started changing the rules, It would have been ridiculously rude to go out for that cigarette under those circumstances.  I just would have waited, uncomfortably.  So I still can't believe they did it, but maybe the producers egged them on, or you just realize these are the type of clueless women who are needed to make good reality-show cast members who bring the drama.

 

Now, I'm as shocked as you are to see these women smoking, as it really has decreased in popularity.  NYC, where I live, was one of the first places to restrict smoking in public places, including bars.  Everyone thought the world would cave in--and then it didn't.  The change has really reduced the number of smokers.  I went to England in May, and they now have the same kinds of restrictions we have in NYC and most of the rest of the US. 

[Sun-Bun]

Smoking in Europe and the UK is still pretty acceptable and not as frowned upon over there versus here, I've noticed. Still a disgusting habit and I'm always dismayed when seemingly upper-class women turn out to be smokers---although given how Kate Moss smokes like a chimney, I'm not surprised the "fashion muse" Annabelle keeps her figure stick thin with the gross smokes.

[Satchels of gold]

I say this as a former smoker myself--I never thought I could give it up, but I did--12 years ago.  I smoked in the years where you could smoke anywhere--college classrooms, movie theaters, restaurants, airplanes!---and of course, dinner tables.  After they started changing the rules, It would have been ridiculously rude to go out for that cigarette under those circumstances.  I just would have waited, uncomfortably.  So I still can't believe they did it, but maybe the producers egged them on, or you just realize these are the type of clueless women who are needed to make good reality-show cast members who bring the drama.

 

Now, I'm as shocked as you are to see these women smoking, as it really has decreased in popularity.  NYC, where I live, was one of the first places to restrict smoking in public places, including bars.  Everyone thought the world would cave in--and then it didn't.  The change has really reduced the number of smokers.  I went to England in May, and they now have the same kinds of restrictions we have in NYC and most of the rest of the US.

[amarante]

I just wanted to add that I think it is hilarious that Juliet doesn't eat red meat and is possibly a vegetarian - presumably for health reasons and yet she smokes.

 

I realize that the countries differ in terms of smoking but statistically the UK actually has fewer cigarettes consumed per capita than the United States.

 

However, the rate of smoking among educated professionals is far lower statistically and so it always strikes me as aberrant that a small subset of educated white professional women smoke to remain Size 0.

[ghoulina]

No wonder Lady Sandwich had to retire early.  She probably had an attack of the vapors.

 

Lady Sandwich was darling and those women were terribly rude. I've never been to a formal dinner party in my life - my speed is much more backyard BBQs. But even is a much more casual setting I don't behave half as tacky as these heifers. 

I just wanted to add that I think it is hilarious that Juliet doesn't eat red meat and is possibly a vegetarian - presumably for health reasons and yet she smokes.

 

Did Juliet say she doesn't eat meat, or red meat? I got the impression she was simply opposed to eating DEER meat. I also thought she was under the impression that venison was baby deer, since she kept saying "Bambi" - like it was veal or something. 

[TexasGal]

At least Marissa stopped Juliet (?) from picking flowers in the gardens.  I thought it was funny that she was stealthily good at the shooting and croquet.

[aradia22]

 

So I still can't believe they did it, but maybe the producers egged them on, or you just realize these are the type of clueless women who are needed to make good reality-show cast members who bring the drama.

I think it's awfully convenient that there was a place for them to all sit where they could be filmed...

[sasha206]

Thanks Juliet and Noelle for helping along with the "ugly American stereotype."  Can't stand either one of them  I can't figure out how Juliet ever dressed anyone.  She dresses so oddball. Frump one minute, daisy dukes the net  Nothing attractive about her.  

 

Marissa is by far the best dresser out of all of them.  But she annoys me with her constant kissing up to the Brits.   

 

I actually thought Annabelle looked pretty in the car with not much make-up on.  

 

The other new girl -- Julie? -- that is one harsh looking woman in the talking heads.  She looked better at the yoga studio.  The TH she looks bizarre

[RealityGal]

The other new girl -- Julie? -- that is one harsh looking woman in the talking heads.  She looked better at the yoga studio.  The TH she looks bizarre

 

This is why I want to see her husband.  She seems like a nice woman, but I imagine any man with a title has access to women who are both nice, and beautiful.  Or at least well put together, she always looks a little messy to me.

[sasha206]

This is why I want to see her husband.  She seems like a nice woman, but I imagine any man with a title has access to women who are both nice, and beautiful.  Or at least well put together, she always looks a little messy to me.

Agreed!  I'm thinking he must be incredibly homely or he got tired of banging models!

[AliceGoodDay]

http://cepuk.org/members/

 

A picture and info on Luke Montagu.  Note that Lord Sandwich is also on CEP's board.  Family members and I have been helped by carefully supervised antidepressants and stimulants, so I won't comment on CEP's mission. Whatever one thinks of Luke's looks, he seems to have made his own way, judging by the brief resume.  Both of his parents are impressive in their own rights.

Edited July 2, 2014 by AliceGoodDay