'Real' Entertainment

Well, if I were the editors I would not have known what to cut. They had to do it somewhere! I got off easy this episode, though you can see a few more choice moments in the clips online, should you be missing the sound of my voice.

Kelly was in the hot seat for much of the hour, and she and Bethenny got a chance to rehash their argument. I think that one thing is clear here. When you cast a reality show, you look for people who will create drama, which we all do. Most of us are very verbal – whether they actually were or not Jill and Bethenny definitely could have been, and I was, president of the debate team in high school. Point being, people like to use their words on this show. Kelly is not as expressive a debater as Bethenny or the rest, and it occurred to me while listening that maybe, just maybe she meant something different at that Brass Monkey showdown. So, I asked her. And sure enough, the “up here vs. down here” comment was supposed to mean “I am more mature than you because I don’t call people names,” instead of “I am a higher ranking member of the New York City party scene than you.” And you know what, folks? I believe that.I think Kelly knows that when she gets defensive, she doesn’t express herself as clearly as she would like and people make assumptions. One thing that didn’t make it on the show was that she felt badly about the “oh that’s cute” comment about Ally’s arthritis, and made necklaces that spell “cute,” the sales proceeds of which she donated to research for a cure. I think that’s a fantastic way to react.

Oh, Mario. Personally I think he makes entertaining TV, particularly when breaking his neck to check out legs on the sidewalk or getting red-faced while he argues with Jill. One thing that killed me in both seasons one and two was the perception by some viewers that our husbands somehow control how much they are on the show. Sure, they can choose to not show up to film, or they can decide to stay quiet, but neither Mario nor Simon are quiet guys. However, neither of them camped out in the producers’ office saying “put me on the show or I’ll start singing 'Henry the Eighth, I Am' until you do.” We have no control over what makes the show, and if Mario (or Simon, Brad, Francky, Ginger,) wanted to participate and that made for good TV, what’s the harm? When Bethenny piped up that it was the real housewives, not the husbands, I felt a little déjà vu. If we’re going to split hairs about housewifery, how many gals on the show are not wives? Really, it’s about good TV, and every person who winds up getting airtime gets it for a reason – they are entertaining.

Jill felt I underperformed at the charity, which is a fair comment. It wasn’t because I didn’t like her or didn’t want to or was lazy, but that I had too much on my plate to give any more time. I did the best I could in those circumstances, and with the renovation over and my being self-employed, the next time I’ll be able to do more.

What a day that was. The dress I was wearing was covered in peacock feathers and boy, did was it prickly by the end of the day although beautiful! Thanks to Eric, the fab stylist, for choosing that little confection! It was tense, it was funny, voices were raised and it was hilariously entertaining. Stay tuned for whatever comes next!