It’s the day we thought would never come. The final episode of the reunion marks the end of RHOA season four. Thank the chocolate baby Jesus! Speaking of the chocolate baby Jesus, do y’all reckon the guests at the bizarro church thing for Ayden got to eat Jesus at the post-investiture luncheon? After the blasphemy of the whole ordeal wore off, I wondered about those sorts of things. I want to know if baby Jesus was hollow like a cheap chocolate Easter Bunny or if Phaedra spared no expense. He was probably a solid baby Jesus don’t you think? If so, that’s enough chocolate to give everyone in attendance diabetes. I’m just saying. Anyway, this is the season that would never end. I’d like to think Bravo executives somewhere are sitting down in a room evaluating what worked and what didn’t. I have a few things I’d like to share with them…
Your cast of drama queens on every iteration of the franchise tweet. a lot. This is your fault. Half of these women didn’t even know how to use a computer before you told them all to get a twitter account. When you give random nobodies their own TV show, it has its benefits to you. You don’t have to pay them much, especially at first. This is because they are willing to expose the crazy, imbalanced people that they are, on national television, for a paycheck. This double edged sword is also the reason they get drunk and tweet things about each other on the same day they film it. Even if they don’t blatantly violate their contracts, they give us more than enough information to know exactly what is going to happen and when on the upcoming season. So you really need to learn to write the scripts better so that you can make an entire season without pulling things out of order. Enough of us know the true order for it to be very frustrating.Twenty episodes in the same season is probably at least five too many. I get that this is a way for Bravo to pay the housewives more with subsequent seasons, but be honest. you didn’t have enough interesting stuff for twenty episodes. Which left you tossing in a bunch of stuff haphazardly at the end. This season should have either ended in South Africa or had a one episode wrap-up. perhaps with a staged dinner event where the whole cast sits down together and acts civilized.
The cast needs to be able to all shoot together. This of course is why we couldn’t end with a big fake dinner event.You guys are great at making these women fight for our enjoyment. It’s gotten to the point that fighting is the only interesting thing that happens.But that is because you all encourage it. We notice that when a particular housewife becomes “boring” they tend to cause a big commotion in order to hold on to their paycheck.When you put a bunch of women in the same room and force them to interact as part of a job, they will fight and gossip and backstab. It’s not necessary to disrupt this natural process by firing the ones who don’t become combative. The way actual women who share an workplace is interesting enough without turning it into an MMA event. We need less over the top screaming and physical attacks and more reality which is nuanced insults, backstabbing and manipulations. Especially in the south, we don’t brawl.We can cause way more damage in a much more civilized way. Bless your hearts.
Stop forcing the cast into ridiculous misogynist stereotypes. The white trash whore with a heart of gold, the black neck-rolling buffoon, the child R&B star with a sex drive in overtime, the NFL groupie wife still digging for gold after the divorce, the brainless model, the “black southern belle,” all of these a harsh caricatures. Only a Jewish gay man from New York could even conceptualize a black southern belle. Someone should have at least researched that one. The manner in which you encourage each of the housewives to use these labels against each other and yet wear their own as if it truly represents any of them is cruel. It also suggests that actual women who were not being encouraged to degrade themselves would be somehow less interesting. Your producer tweeting after the finale that is was his best work ever, speaks volumes.Select some women with educations, interesting lives and personal integrity. Felons, strippers, prostitutes, and gold diggers are not what we want to see. I suppose you will never care or understand that until we stop watching. The blame lies with us for accepting your image of us.
Now if y’all will excuse me, I need to have a come to chocolate baby Jesus moment with myself about why I watch this show.
Correction I think Kim was giving Sheree money. That is why thy stuck together!
Well, I keep reading this business of, it the housewife is boring, and doesn't bring drama, they are let go. Then how do you explain Sheree's firing? The montages they showed proved her "cute face" could bring the drama, but it was more to it than that. She has fought with everybody on there. I just think her financial situation and her shadiness got her canned. I think Bravo was embarrassed for allowing her to put her kids through all that shame of floor mattresses and no home. I still think the reason Sheree and Kim stuck together was because they no too much about each other and I still think Sheree was giving her money. I wish Sheree's real story would come out!
Kay tee, not sure but maybe in alot of ways I have outgrown the housewive's series. When New Jersey came on Sunday night, within 2-3 minutes, I turned it off and tuned into my kjazz radio station. Arguing, fighting, shallowness, stupidity, grandstanding, bragging and being hurtful…a reality show about this foolishness having my attention, is sort of embarrassing. I ask myself why? I guess, once pulled into their lives and the curiosity of how their lives pan(ed) out and liking certain characters and pulling for one more than other, I do watch this stuff. I become quite irritated as a viewer though. Like Nene said, off the cuff(after season one), "these women are no friends of mine…who in the world acts this way and calls themselves your friend?" Especially knowing alot of this stuff is ampted and magnified for the camera, why do I continue to watch? So in that sense, it's all foolishness. Not just one aspect or dimension of the show that you have labled as garbage "the smalls vs talls" being of a gang-like mentality, nonetheless, that all the characters embarrassed thanks to Nene. With that said, there is absolutely nothing about the faux housewive's series especially RHOA, after season one, makes any sense other than to exploit foolish lying-ass dysfunctional women. There's no enriching moral purpose to any of it. Lannette
P, I am not a high strung fan of any of the housewives in particular. They all seem to have strengths that I admire including Sheree and weaknesses typically found in the norm of society. I look at them and see just regular folks…liars, braggers, whores, inappropriate misbehaving women; I don’t see anything special about this group of women. Now Sheree, I think, would get much further along if she dropped the air of entitlement as Nene said, and show more gratitude and humility. She has her hand out way too much for me and no desire to do anything involving grunt work and good work ethic, not cool! Other than the wedding shower, a party, a couple of dinner outings with Kroy, black baby and firing Sweetie, mainly the fun stuff, Kim was mostly absent from the Bull-crap this season, like she said, “the camera people are hardly ever around anymore”. Kim’s heart and happiness is with her family now and less with fighting with and flaunting for these women. And besides, the last mess Kim was embroiled in or angered by, is regarding Nene and because she misses their fun times, it makes sense Nene topics would evoke a strong response. But yeah that muttering and tailgating was irritating no matter who was doing it. Also, it was very evident that both women really missed each other. Nene went on and on about the producers liking Kim beyond just being nice or maybe it was Nene’s attempt to throw the contrast of Kim being “so liked” and Sheree being such “a bore”, in Sheree’s face. As well, Kim’s very sincere enthusiastic response about Nene attaining the role on Glee; It was more than obvious these two women missed one another. Kim on Glee would be great! Lannette
Phaedra – she is funny … but she is bordering on boring … I’d hate to see her go.Kandi – well, I’ll always be biased about Kandi, LOL…but I think she finally had to just get down and dirty with Marlo – and I’m glad she did. It’s funny how everyone wants to be able to “move forward and GROW”…but then they try and tag Kandi with the things she has done in her past – so far as relationships…if everyone else is to be allowed growth from their mistakes – then Kandi should as well.I think out of all of them, Kandi will continue to maintain her growing empire … and I’m hoping that next season will be her last on RHOA. I don’t like some of Kandi’s machinations – but honestly – when it blows up in her face it makes for popcorn viewing… and she never LIES about her 2-faced ways…she comes clean. The sugar momma label – she isn’t a sugar momma – she’s too cheap as evidenced by her style. I think people are hypocritical in this day and age…if a woman makes a certain amount of money – if she wants to “take care of her man” … why not? No one questions when a man does it … why is it one rule for men and another for women? Also, the man that Kandi is seeing – he’s no deadbeat. he has a good profession … makes good money … he’s handsome … so I don’t see the problem.I see good things on the horizon for Ms Burress …but I’m glad the season is over – way too long.Talls vs Smalls – ridiculous made up via BRAVO. It sets up a gang mentality … and I for one am glad that "the smalls" fought their own battles … Kandi didn't need ANY help in squaring off against Nene, Marlo or Sheree … and I hope that Talls vs Smalls garbage has a very short shelf life.
Glad to see this season come to an end….it was just way too long – and BRAVO’s editing did NOTHING to help the season. Filming out of sequence and then cutting all the best clips to post on BRAVO – big mistake.I also think that parts 1 and 3 of the reunion should have been edited together for a 2 hour finale – and then call it a day. Everything in Reunion Part 2 – could have been posted on BRAVOs site.Nene – good to see she had a sense of humor about a lot of things … but I noticed that although SHE demanded kudos for her accomplishments – she never wants to give the same kudos to anyone else. I liked her is Season one … but after that – not so much. I hope she is successful in her jump to mainstream/primetime and leaves RHOA behind.Cynthia – she is a very striking woman and its easy to see how she was a successful print model for so long. That being said, I think her husband brings more drama than she does – and that isn’t a good thing. Cynthia looked stoned/drunk throughout the reunion … and it would have been nice to see more OOMPH from her … but who knows … maybe next season she will. I hope she takes Russell Simmons advice and makes a real effort with her business .. and hopefully she has also learned that if she is going to bash “twitter people” , don’t turn around and advertise all your venues on twitter expecting people to support your efforts at being successful.Sheree – a fool. She had 4 seasons to make SOMETHING happen … I still say should would have been extremely successful with a line of workout videos and clothes/accessories to match. Sadly, I think her lack of education had a lot to do with her poor choices. I didn’t like her, but I hope she is able to do something and support her little ones.Kim – never liked Kim – but I got the feeling from watching the reunion that she would not be adverse to mending her friendship with Nene. Did anything ever come about with her wig line? I don’t have any plans to watch her spin off … but I’m sure her fans will give her a boost in ratings.Marlo – she blew it. If she wanted to secure a spot on the show, she made major mistakes – she just showed her hand way too soon. She should have “faked it til she made it”. I never felt she had any true remorse for her slasher incident … she was far more interested in flaunting her labels, her faux lifestyle and her criminal past. Even if she didn’t mean it – she should have come on as more repentant of her actions, maybe having a foundation to show ex-cons how to recover from adversity…but no … she wanted to remind people how much of a bad ass she was by “looking her up on Google”. Okaaay … good luck with that. Her attacks on Kandi – stupid. In one breath these women spout the independent woman mantra but in the next breath tear up and attack the most successful person in the cast who has clearly established herself as a bonafide businesswoman. I would be astonished if Bravo offered Marlo a full time gig on RHOA for the next season … I really think she had one chance to secure it – and she blew it.
P, If you check out the archives here (you can just click on the Sheree Whitfield tag on this post and scroll back a bit) you'll see that Sheree did get a 7 figure divorce settlement. She just blew it all. Lots of it went to lawyer fees as she kept on and on and on (and still is) going back to court and accruing huge lawyer fees, all the way to the supreme court. The original decree was upheld each time.
I think the season was indeed a few episodes to long. I also think the reunion was one episode to long. I think they could have gotten it all into two parts. Lannette,On the first reunion episode, Nene could have said the same thing to Kim "why are you even talking?" as I remember it, Kim only spoke up if Kandi or Sheree brought something up first. If one of them didn't bring something up about Nene, Kim didn't say shiz. She muttered a few things under her breath, but for the most part, she was a wall flower too. It was interesting to discover that Nene introduced the producers to Sheree. Unable to give a simple thank-you is the sign of an ignorant, ungrateful bitch. It is no wonder that NONE of her ventures (failed clothing line, terrible actress, unknown hostess, failed at obtaining a large divorce settlement, horrible job at trying to keep her role on RHOA, etc.) EVER worked out for her, dumb ass. P
Yeah I agree it was a bore and irritating to watch. The weaklings, Phaedra and Cynthia, irritated me the most. Baby Nene-Marlow was offensive and just looked bad bringing up old garbage about Kim when clearly the girl has moved on for the better, when she herself has a horrific past. Everyone else did what I expected. I like the way the talls fight. They are more unified even if it doesn’t come across well. In round three, anytime the talls were fighting, all three of them had something to say. Marlow argued with Kandi then NeNe chimed in while Cynthia tossed her crazy looking weave in Kandi's face, I could have slapped her for that one. Kandi fought a good fight and stood up to Marlow for hers and NeNe. Everything she said I agreed with. And where were her small-mates other than Kim jumping in here and there? Phaedra over there straddling the fence trying to save her image playing nice nice with everyone; Sheree got gusto but she only fights when crap is directed at her. The smalls don’t stick together. And what did Marlow say to Kandi when Kandi asked 'how come when she (Cynthia) say it, it doesn’t come across as horrible? Marlow said "because she's tall and pretty" lol, that was too funny, it left Kandi speechless. Yeah these women fight dirty. The smalls should have been taking notes because if it wasn’t for Kandi standing her ground and sticking it to Marlow where she could; they would have earned a big ZERO on the drama board. That irritant, Cynthia, did nothing but tailgate everyone else's argument/comment made her irrelevant like Kim said "why are you even speaking". I can see why NeNe brought Marlow along because like Sheree, Cynthia is boring. But Sheree is a quiet-storm like she said "don’t let this cute face fool you, don’t let it fool you" I loved how she stood up to Marlow in Africa, while Kandi was sitting silent and Phaedra (lol) was over there putting on her make-up, those smalls are comical but weak for not standing up for one another. Cynthia is out of her league and does not belong on this show and I hope she is next to go. Draw your line in the sand and go for it. Anyway, I am sick of all of these women Kandi included. I have seen them rise-fall, fall-rise and do what they do best…Congrats! I wish them all well, but it’s time for a brand new cast of black women in a different city with a different theme. They tried and did well here and there but mostly gave me laughs and irritation. And I just realized it but I don’t like Andy. The nerve of him setting Marlow up to call Kim a ‘whore'. He is such an instigator but then wants to call them out on their misbehaving bad behavior; shame on you Andy-FAGGOT-Cohen. I am so over this show, I won’t be tuning in anymore. Back to Survivor and Big Brother that's about as much reality as I can take. Lannette
Yeah I agree it was a bore and irritating to watch. The weaklings, Phaedra and Cynthia, irritated me the most. Baby Nene- Marlow was offensive and just looked bad bringing up old garbage about Kim when clearly the girl has moved on for the better, when she herself has a horrific past. Everyone else did what I expected. I like the way the talls fight. They are more unified even if it doesnt come across well. In round three, anytime the talls were fighting, all three of them had something to say. Marlow argued with Kandi then NeNe chimed in while Cynthia tossed her crazy looking weave in Kandi's face, I could have slapped her for that one. Kandi fought a good fight and stood up to Marlow for hers and NeNe. Everything she said I agreed with. And where were her small-mates other than Kim jumping in here and there? Phaedra over there straddling the fence and playing nice nice with everyone; Sheree got gusto but she only fights when crap is directed at her. The smalls dont stick together. And what did Marlow say to Kandi when Kandi asked 'how come when she (Cynthia) say it, it doesnt come across as…? Marlow said "because she's tall and pretty" lol that was too funny, it left Kandi speechless. Yeah these women fight dirty. The smalls should have been taking notes because if it wasnt for Kandi standing her ground and sticking it to Marlow where she could, they would have earned a big ZERO on the drama board. And that irritant Cynthia did nothing but tailgating everyone else's argument/comment makes her irrevelant like Kim said "why are you even speaking". I can see why NeNe brought Marlow along because like Sheree, Cynthia is boring. But Sheree is the quiet-storm like she said "dont let this cute face fool you, dont let it fool you" I loved how she stood up to Marlow in Africa, while Kandi was sitting silent and Phaedra (lol) was over there putting on her make up, those smalls are comical but weak for not standing up for one another. Cynthia is out of her league and does not belong on this show and I hope she is next to go. Draw your line in the sand and go for it. Anyway, I am sick of all of these women Kandi included. I have seen them rise-fall, fall-rise and do what they do best…Congrats! I wish them all well, but its time for brand new cast of black women in a different city with a different theme. They tried and did well here and there but was mostly gave me laughs and irritation. And I just realized it but I dont like Andy. The nerve of him setting Marlow up to call Kim 'a whore'. He is such an instigator but then want to call them out on there misbehaving bad behavior; shame on you Andy-FAGGOT-Cohen. I am so over this show, I wont be tuning in anymore. Back to Survivor and Big Brother that's about as much reality as I can take. Lannette
I thought the whole 3 episodes were boring. I kept hoping it would get better with each one but I was let down. The only bright spot was finding out it was NeNe that got Sherree and Kim on the show. They didn't even want a white girl and NeNe talked them into to. Kim was appreciative but Sheree had too much pride.
They try to cast celebrities. It's the kiss of death for a celeb to do reality TV even if it is their own show about what a big celebrity they are. The truth of the matter is that these shows cast people who are willing to embarass themselves for our amusement. Occaisionally people get in that realize they don't want or need to do that, Like Dina from NJ for example and they get right out. But, for the most part all reality TV people are cut from the same cloth. If you can boil water you can make sweet tean. Boil water in a tea kettle. Turn off the water. Add two family sized tea bags. Let it steep about five minutes. Pour into a huge pitcher, at least a gallon size. Add sugar, try a cup and go up or down from there. Stir to dissolve sugar, add cold water to fill pitcher.(is that how you spell pitcher?) stir and drink!
Ur profile says,"Just a girl from Atlanta sitting on the porch drinking sweet tea and watching all the celebs go by. Got something to dish? Follow me on Twitter @tamaratattles or Email me at tamaratattles@gmail.com"So why didn't they cast celebs then lol What celebs do you see go by?Also do you know how to make sweet tea? I don't, can you tell me.
They are all bad sterotypes of black women. The only ones missing are Prissy, Mammy and their fellow StepinFetchit. I am appalled that we allow these racist portrayals on television. Where is the uproar? Blacks, Persians…what next, Asians? Why does Bravo insist on demeaning others? They will allow the word b_tch to be used but not fag__t? Oh please – where is the sensitivity? I am so sick of Bravo and Andy Cohen making fools of women which they so obviously hate with a passion.
It looked as if every single thing the talls (can we please retire that now?) did and said was scripted in advance. By them, which is why they all sounded so freakin' adolescent.Cynthia laughing hysterically (and alone) to prove to everybody that Nene really WAS funny on Glee was just sad.Nene laughing hysterically (again, alone) while watching herself on the monitor finally drove home for me that she's nuts. As in "I Need to be Medicated" nuts. The nastier her comments, the harder she laughed.I also wonder if she's trying to pull a JZ with the "You all owe me" comments.So happy you're covering NJ, Tamara!
This is not the last season of RHOA. Only Sheree was let go. But Nene continues to act as is she is leaving on twitter. It's odd because she is not.
Thanks for the explanation Tamara, it makes sense. Keep up the great work!Lannette
As a viewer I have to agree with you on some of the things you stated (like the certain staged moments and season being stretched beyond max). But I feel like Bravo did most of this to use their popularity to really get the network shows known (shahs, kathy, etc.)Oh and higher ratings for New Jersey's premier. I feel like these ladies have been responsible for the sucsess for the network and a lot of other things (blogs for example). That's how I stumbled across your great blog through them and other Bravo shows. At the end of the day it's a business and all sides are winning. Hell, it has me actually writing about it. Let's be real if everyone was perfect people wouldn't watch.
Anon, Sheree knew she was not going to be on Season 5 before the season four. That had to be an uncomfortable experience for her.
Lannette, Wasn't trying to be condescending (though I certainly am when I want to be,
this was not one of those cases) Phaedra has done nothing to be disbarred over. The case that Angela was arrested for was very closely investigated resulting in the arrest of all the law breaking parties. Some people are just making up stories. There is also speculation on blogs that she will stop practicing law, which may be what they mean by turn in her licencse, in order to start a funeral home. I don't believe that will happen either. I believe the funeral stuff is something she is doing with her friend the funeral director possibly in exchange for family services (as you recall her aunt died which set off this storyline). Sorry for the misunderstanding. 
I hold a professional license as well so I understand the process of suspension, revocation, however, I am not sure about the process of disbarrement of a law license. And even when a license is suspended or revoked (in my profession), the licensing body that issued the license will ask that the license be surrendered as part of the process. I posed my question to you for what you may have heard on the "streets" but I guess I should have asked my question a little better. I was only inquiring about whether Phaedra was possibly going to be disbarred ( as reported by Sandra Rose) and if so, whether it had anything to do with Stanton's allegation? I wasnt looking for a condescending response as if I lacked basic fundamantals on this process in general other than legal. Anyway, you have completely answered my question; thank you for your response.Lannette
Wondering if Sheree knew she wasn't welcome back to the show before the reunion or did they wait till after to fire her?
Cali, I agree with everything you said. With the only exception being she should just lose the wigs entirely. She has hair.
There is no such thing as "turning in your law license." You either have one or you don't. If you decide not to practice, your liscense is still valid until it expires just like any other professional license. She is not getting disbarred. That Angela person is a non-factor in Phaedra's life.
It doesn't matter if Kim was a whore. It's how she conducts herself, from now on. I suggest she get a complete makeover. Dump the whore look. She needs to change her appearance completely. She will soon be a mother of four. Get rid of that big hair and have Derek J to make you a more classy wig. Dump those hooker clothing, bring in a stylist. Save that low cut stuff with your boobs hanging out, for the bedroom. Stop the profanity, improve your vocabulary. When you come back next season, be Kim Briemann, Kim Zoliack is the whore.
Thanks Tamara, I love your perspective on the show. I read that Phaedra was likely to turn in her law license…is she being disbarred? And is it related to Angela Stanton's allegations? i really want to know, thanks!Lannette
The one show that had a modicum of educated, upper-middle class and people who could enunciate their words was the RH of DC. And we saw what happened to that show. CANCELLED. I only watched a couple of episodes of RHOA this season and was only interested in the ReUnion. But, the general public wants drama. Not intelligence. Hell, RHOBH, had money, but no damn brains, but it had drama.
I dont know if u watch new jersey but id love for you to blog about it!! I really wanna know the scoop in this show!
These are trashy women and not anyone to be proud of in your community or culture. Having an ability to make money or a talent doesn't mean you aren't stupid and a bad role model. These women and Bravo shames our gender.
Maybe the season was so long because of our anticipation on being rid of Shiteree…Just saying…
Great, I so totally agree.
Good job Tam ~ refreshing perspective Llflack