O.C Reunion

I’m not sure what I expected of the Real Housewives of Orange County reunion show, but it was not as interesting as previous reunion shows.

Tamra, was is recently single (if you don’t count her relationship with Simon’s friend Eddie Judge), was a combination of tears and cheers. While crying about the plight of her children she smiled and ranted about her “freedom”. She didn’t take too well to Jeanna’s remarks that she and Simon should be together and the entire encounter was a bit confusing. She was angry one minute and carefree the next. At least Tamra wasn’t as crude as she usually is and that has to be an improvement. She and Vicki obviously had a prearranged agreement that if times got tough during the show they’d clasp hands and “have each others backs”. Sadly, that doesn’t always apply to Tamra’s responses to the comments that Vicki got from the other cast members. She had no trouble joining in on the bashing when she felt it necessary and for that, I admire her.

Vicki was her usual “I can dish it out but I can’t take it” self and proved once again that she is a master at being better than everyone else because ONLY she works for a living. I will also add that Vicki seemed a little more humble during the reunion show and that was an improvement over her usual over-bearing personality. I don’t like her, never liked her and hope that she decides not to return to the show after “much soul searching” on whether or not to continue on the show. She claimed that “the fun was gone” and if that’s the case, why subject yourself and the viewers to her constant bickering and snide remarks?

What can one say about Lynn? She is by far the most delusional human being I’ve ever witnessed. She is just as shallow and stupid as she appeared to be throughout her tenure on the show. The woman defends her nonexistent parenting skills and denies that she knew anything about her money woes. As a matter of fact, Lynn doesn’t seem to reside on this planet at all. There is nothing cute or funny about Lynn and the very fact that the other ladies seem to excuse off her “Lynnisms” as ditsy and cute speaks volumes for their own intelligence. Andy asked Lynn’s husband, Frank, if they were “grifters” and although the claim was denied (sort of), I think that they are. Some one implied that Lynn was a “stoner” and although she denied it I have my doubts. At the very least, she appears to be under the influence of some substance. Her words slur and her remarks are just plain unintelligible most of the time. Lynn is the queen of denial whether she’s sober or not.

Gretchen looked bloated and pasty-faced and I’m not sure what happened to the bubbly, pretty woman that I saw prior to this season. Maybe her make-up line is making her look strange? She handled herself well during the bashing session directed at her and  for that I still like her the best out of all the ladies of the O.C.. I hope that her lovely song gets played on the radio and that she is a success.

Jeanna made a quick appearance, made no sense in anything she said and was gone before I could blink or try to figure out what the hell she was talking about. Her remarks about Tamra being “trailer trash” came out of the blue and were unkind at the very least.

Alexis was fairly normal except for her puffy lips which were obviously recently inflated with some filler. She did a great job of putting Vicki in her place and it’s a shame that Vicki is oblivious to what Alexis or anyone else said to her because a lot of it made sense. I could do without her preachy attitude and she didn’t add much to the series. Perhaps she wasn’t the best choice for the newest addition to the show.

The husbands and boyfriend (Slade) appeared for a short time to squabble with Vicki who refused to be confronted and kept yelling “Cut, I’m not fighting with them on national television”. Don, who is famous for uttering “Whatever” tried to defend Vicki but his personality is passive (how else could he stay with Vicki), and he came across as sort of lame. They are the perfect match, (he’s passive and she’s aggressive). Vicki so may they live happily ever after. Slade was very good at defending his actions and I thought that Andy was horribly hard on him (no pun intended). What difference does it make if Slade dated other housewives? Who cares except for the bitchy wives? They infer that he is a camera whore which is definitely a “pot/kettle” situation. I don’t find Slade attractive but I do find him funny and I like to watch him on the show. He may be the “6th housewife” but at least he’s an interesting and intelligent one.  Jim was much funnier and personable than he came across during the season and I actually liked him for the first time. I don’t think that what we see is what we get with this show (or any other reality series) and I believe that the editors did a number on Jim to make him look more controlling than he actually is.

The worst part of the show was Andy. He was downright mean at times and very bitchy. He threw some hard-balls at some of the cast members which I felt went beyond what the viewers wanted to know and he showed his personal dislike of Slade and Jim. As a host and moderator, he went too far and became the 7th housewife in my opinion. Remember your place Andy, and your job description. I think all of the attention has gone to your head and you are trying to vie with the rest of the cast in the drama department. I usually like Andy but this time he came across as snarky and mean-spirited.

The reunion was rather dull and the season uncomfortable. The shallowness of the women was more apparent and if they were trying to portray themselves as victims of the recession like the rest of us peasants they failed miserably.

Trips to San Francisco and Florida, shopping trips and expensive dinners do not depict the way the rest of us have been forced to live and any resemblance to suffering was purely accidental. I realize that the show pays for much of what they do and where they go but come one, your house in foreclosure or short sale mode and you are buying four figure dinners and throwing catered parties?  I will never forget Lynn purchasing that $1100 leather jacket after her she received an eviction notice and became virtually homeless. Tamra also showed no signs that she and Simon were in financial trouble with her trips and spending either and I would bet that she didn’t skip her regular botox sessions just because they couldn’t afford their home.

The New York season is in full swing and thus far I am enjoying it. The women are just as shallow as the O.C. ladies but show a much more honest and intelligent side of themselves. I haven’t decided whether or not to blog about them yet so stay tuned……