Bravo TV (and frankly the bloggers that make their livings blogging about Bravo TV) have been worried for quite awhile. The public is getting sick of The Real Housewives franchises. For the past ten seasons, Bravo has been adding new franchises while ratcheting up the ratchet on the old ones. After all this time, they see the end coming. It’s Sunday night and most of us will chose NOT to watch Bravo tonight. Why? Because most of us didn’t invest in the second show they tried to replace the success of black women brawling for no reason on TV. The connection to “medicine” didn’t make the ratchet any more interesting. We’ve been hate watching housewives for a long time. There is not much left to love. A glimpse of a fancy refrigerator here, beautiful ocean view there, nice things like that have morphed into Rosario being told she should be grateful for her handmedowns and to quit her bitching, Heather going on and on about $7,000 sinks, Bethenny whining about her homelessness in the penthouse of the Four Seasons or wherever. We are no longer allowed to simply notice the nice things, they are shoved down our throats in a way that turns us into hate watchers. We may like their things but we no longer like them.
And if they aren’t shoving their lives of (often pretend) excess down our throats, they are shoving each other. Or screaming at each other for the smallest things. They are being held back at reunion episodes, pushing Andy back into his seat, storming off the set in hysterics or whatever else it takes to get attention. And it works. Each year, Bravo brings back the table flippers, the screamers, and the religious hypocrites. And we hate it. We hate production. We hate the show. We threaten never to watch again, but we do.
It’s not entirely Bravo’s fault. When they cast normal women with manners, they either quit like Lydia, get axed like Joyce or agree to come back sparingly like Lizzie. And most of the viewers are thrilled because their expectation now is for a show like Bad Girls or Flava of Love where perhaps someone might take a literal shit on the living room carpet, because most everyone has been so desensitized by the escalating dramatics.
But numbers are dwindling, most people checked out of this stuff long ago. And with the franchise on screen volunteers beginning to march off to their prison cells (yes, Apollo and Teresa and Joe are just the beginning in my opinion) Bravo is scrambling for new ideas. It’s Sunday night and only one show made it on the 100 rated cable shows of the entire day last Sunday. Barely. Married to Medicine barely made a million views, on a Sunday night where we are all still programmed to tune in after the end of the RHOA season. Their latest show, an attempt at scripted drama, Odd Mom Out is not going to help them. So what are they going to do?
Apparently, the new plan is reinvent RHOA. I started hearing about this back in March when the Washington Post (THE WASHINGTON POST!!!! What has happened to hard news media???) Started talking about Bravo bringing back the Real Housewives of DC. That is not going to happen. However, according to the news outlet in a story published March 5, 2015:
On Tuesday, a select group of Washington insiders received an e-mail from Leftfield Entertainment, the production company that’s been trying to mount a D.C. reality show for some time now.
“We’re currently casting in Prince George’s County (and surrounding areas) for the young, the wealthy and the uber-fabulous women who are proud to call it home,” read the notice from a producer fishing for names to drop in the casting pool.
Just what qualifies as an “uber-fabulous” woman ready for reality super stardom? According to the e-mail, Leftfield is searching for “the most outgoing Queen Bee” in Prince George’s, on of the richest African-American counties in the country. When we called Leftfield to get more details, Katherine Scott, the production assistant who sent the original casting notice, emphasized that “everything is still very very preliminary. Nothing has been decided yet.”
Fine whatever. I read about three of these casting calls a week looking for rich fabulous ladies in various cities. The only thing that I know of in the pipelines is a show that appears to be knocking of Married to Medicine in Houston. I know it has been taping lately.
But now, people are starting to pay closer attention to this Bossip Exclusive from June 5th. That story says that filming has been going on for two months and that it is, in fact, an all black cast. The cast according to Bossip.com consists of Katie Rost is a model and TV personality who used to date Russsel Simmons and is now married to Dr. James Orsni , has three kids and runs a non-profit. Gizelle Bryant she has a line of women’s shapewear, three daughters and is divorced from popular Baltimore pastor Jamal Bryant. Robyn Dixon, a publicist who is divorced from yet still living withformer Atlanta Hawks player Juan Dixon. He is part of the basketball staff at the University of Maryland. The “divorce” could be so that he could file bankruptcy (which he did) last year and let her keep the house. I really don’t know enough to speculate. Yet.
Andy has repeated said told fans there will not be any more Real Housewives of DC. Personally, I thought that show deserved a bit more time. But we have a new “Real Housewives” show airing now about a bunch of blond women on Long Island. Check out my thoughts on that show here. I that show was a one and done for me. It looks like Bravo is headed for a huge ratings problem. By the time RHOA or RHONJ comes back will we still even care?
This Maryland, errr… I mean DC show better be good. It may be the only thing they have left. If they decide to pick it up.
It’s Sunday night. What are you watching right now?
I agree. I used to be an avid fan, now I can’t get past the first 10 minutes before I’m changing the channel.
Same script, different town…a bully, a timid one, a smart ass one, and the rest are narcissists.
I just cant any more and expect to retain any brain cell’s.. ..
RHWOA 2.0/ Married to Medicine
Your blog is on point. I’m watching the news.
I am back to PBS on Sunday night. But then again I never could stand Nene so I checked out of Atl. Ditto for NJ, OC, and a number of other Bravo offerings.
I’m watching DATELINE: Robert Durst, The Lost Years, on Roku. I never watch any of the Housewives of Anywhere. I quit many seasons ago. But I love your blog and read it every day. I haven’t missed a thing.
Thanks! Robert Durst is Fascinating. I want more shows about him.
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 11:39 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Nothing! I’m reading your blog. What you wrote is very true. My sister and I were talking about it at dinner. There’s nothing to watch on Sunday nights now. Personally, I’d love to see some sort of luxury travel show. The Housewives episodes I’ve enjoyed have been the trips.
Have different wives from different franchises travel in groups and do mini series. I would watch.
GOOD POINT!
Bravo has Below Deck Mediterranean in the can. Put it on now! In fact I am going to go Tweet that now. Done. RT me if you are on Twitter.
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 8:58 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I don’t even know what to sarcastically call this show … Mother funders episode 2.
Love and Hip Hop Atl reruns. I’m not interested in anything on Bravo tonight until Trey Songz is on WWHL.
Food Network Star and the new PBS shows Poldark and The Crimson Field. Maybe watch Bar Rescue after the Ambient kicks in.
me too- PBS has a great line up on Saturday and Sunday nights.
I quit Bravo cold turkey after the craziest RHONJ season, and I hope lots of other people did too. I’m back for RHONY just because of Bethenny, and I feel guilty haha.
I’m watching Greta’s special report on the two escaped convicts in NY state.
PSSSHT! I forgot to say that if you’re looking for something to watch on a Sunday night, you could always watch my daughter’s show “Garbage Time” on Fox Sports 1 @ 9:30. (shameless plug)
Wait, your daughter has a show? Why the hell have you not mentioned this? remind me to look into it when I am not pretending like I am taking a break for my birthday month. (addicted to checking in)
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 9:18 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I’ve watched your daughter’s show, she is hilarious, smart, cute and on point.
Hope she gets a better time slot.
Wow! Just watched the Katie Nolan Father’s Day video. That looks like a good show. She has lots of spunk and I guess she gets it from her father!
Thanks ladies!
Considing a former HWoDC snuck into a State dinner at The White House, Bravo wants nothing to do with DC.
Imagining how the Secret Service was all over the production company and the tapes.
I could be wrong.
See THAT WAS THE BEST THING ANY HOUSEWIFE EVER DID!
And they cancelled the dam show.
Husband kills himself? Keep on filming. Folks go to prison? Keep on filming. A little party crashing? /sigh.
🙂
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 9:25 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I would love to know who’s head rolled on that one.
A housewife embarrassed the Secret Service and had access to very important people plus The President.
I am imagining how unpleasant the Secret Service and FBI treated Bravo production.
Guessing they were told they were not welcome in DC.
Crashing a Whitehouse party embarrassed the Secret Service and the social secretary. No innocent children were involved or exploited. The 2012 Secret Service Colombian tour was like somthing scripted out of the Real Houswives. Maybe Bravo ought to film them. The Real Agents of the Secret Service or The Wild Wild West Redux.
This Sunday we watched baseball and True Detective. Vicki and Brooks keep me watching RHoOC. Wanting to see Sonja succeed at business keeps me watching RHoNYC. NJ should be put out of it’s misery. BH might be worth watching with out the train wrecks Kim and Brandi.
My understanding was that the reason DC HWs was cancelled had more to do with the fact that the other HWs (rightly) disliked the Salahis and banded together and told Bravo they would not film with them. Instead of re-casting around a shady, corrupt man and his easily manipulated wife (who would soon leave him for a member of the band Journey), they just cancelled and cut their losses.
@xanadude I wonder why that tactic didn’t work with other hated housewives such as Brandi and Tamra?
Oh gawd that was hilarious. The cameramen knew exactly what was happening and she was trying to play it off like she couldn’t find the tickets. She seemed really uncomfortable, a little bit lying to herself but she wasn’t quite believing it. Lol.
I always felt that stunt by the Salahis had a huge impact on the decision to cancel the RHODC. My assumption was Bravo may have been “encouraged” to pack up and leave DC after televising the Salahi clowns in the early stages of their white house adventure.
The DC cast was an interesting mix of women/couples.
Salem and Poldark. I loved the original Poldark series and hope this is as good.
After the RHOA hair-yanking reunion, I decided not to watch that show again. Gross. And likewise to Shahs of Sunset after their last reunion.
I find I have no interest in RHOC either.
I agree. I lost interest after the hair pulling reunion and specially how Kenya was treated. I only watched a couple of shows all the way through and I will not be watching the upcoming season. I’ll read this blogs updates but it has become way too repetitive and uninteresting.
I don’t even know why Bravo is straying from the Housewives brand. Has any show other than Shahs and Ladies of London done as well? Viewership may be going down, but it seems like it’s still the best they can offer.
Working, so reading your blog on my break. Will catch up on John Oliver, when I get home. Doesn’t True Crime start tonight? I have it saved. I am so tired, I might just crawl off to bed when I get home. Bravo needs to stop with the crazy/boring. The best shows and best people can be eccentric (Lisa Rinna) or passionate (all the guys on MDLNY) or both, but they need interesting and busy. Crazy sad people with nothing better to do but scream at other cast members, pretend they have found Jesus, or drag their poor spouses and or kids into on air fake therapy sessions are not entertaining.
Commenting, even though I know I’m banished to WLS (or to Banjo as a chew toy if Cat is to be believed) and no one will see my comment, other than TT. I’m watching a movie on ION – “A Few Good Men”.
You got out of the WLS? Hurumph! I’m still here… and it’s getting a little lonely.
I’ll keep you company!
🙂
When RHOA came on back at the end of last year, I watched the first few episodes, got bored at the lame scripted storylines, and then I pretty much stopped watching Bravo every week after that. All of the reality shows Bravo has running, Shahs, Real Housewives, Below Deck, etc. They all got really reductive and are basically the same show and I’d rather watch MSNBC than Bravo right now. I miss the old school reality shows like Kathy Griffin’s Life on the D-List, Tabatha Takes Over, Being Bobby Brown…
When RHOA came on back at the end of last year, I watched the first few episodes, got bored at the lame scripted storylines, and then I pretty much stopped watching Bravo every week after that. All of the reality shows Bravo has running, Shahs, Real Housewives, Below Deck, etc. They all got really reductive and are basically the same show and I’d rather watch MSNBC than Bravo right now. I miss the old school reality shows like Kathy Griffin’s Life on the D-List, Tabatha Takes Over, Being Bobby Brown…
Next Food Network Star is all I’ll watch on TV tonight, followed by Masterchef Australia online. I only watch RHOBH with one ear at this point and nothing else on Bravo.
We are watching free HBO and Cinemax channels that Direct tv gave us for 3 days. Finished watching Cake with Jennifer Aniston and it was very good. She has turned into one fine actress. Plan to watch Gone Girl again here directly. Even watching a movie that I just watched a few months ago beats the hell out of anything Bravo.
Gone girl is magnificent! Just finished it and was laughing at the joy of being bravo free on a Sunday night! I will watch BH and NJ if they return but the rest, yawn. Enjoy Gone Girl! Must see psychological thriller!
Please y’all don’t spoil me on Gone Girl. I am the last person on earth not to see it. Will watch after my unplugged time is over. Not sure when that will be.
On Mon, Jun 22, 2015 at 12:21 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I didn’t enjoy the movie as much as the book (which was awesome, btw). You should read it during your unplugged vacay. >
It great if you can ignore the obvious plot holes scattered throughout the movie.
I would rather be watching a current RHW then see that movie again.
Read the book. Better than the movie. Fun read.
Currently watching Game of Thrones finale from last week which I haven’t seen yet.
True Detective starts tonight too. Will be watching that.
Even if the whole reality world and Bravo franchise folded, there are many Netflix and Premium channel shows that you could recap, Tamara. I am sure there will always be TV junkies to read your blog.
Also, I know not everyone necessarily has the funds for HBO, Netflix, etc. but HBO is only $20 a month (that’s like 3 or 4 beers at the bar). And Netflix is $8 a month. Pretty affordable for all of the enjoyment I get from them!
I do agree that the Housewife shows have become stale. But I still enjoy NY, BH, and OC.
I think PG County is kind of an odd choice though to be scouting for the DC franchise. I’m surprised they didn’t choose Montgomery County (Bethesda, etcetera.). Very affluent area.
Also, that cartoon at the top pretty much sums it up. Am I right? That needs to go on my fridge! I love it!
I agree. MoCo is way better. PG Co is the worst county I can imagine. I had NO idea any rich people lived there! All I know about is the crime…
Having grown up there, I wondered the same thing. But it’s rife with corruption, so maybe that’s enough? 🙂
Good blog, TT. By putting menopausal, shallow and thirsty women together on TV, and rewarding their bad behavior, Bravo producers come off as misogynists and carnival barkers.
That’s what I was thinking. From what I saw of PG County when I lived in DC, it was not even close to wealthy.
Netflix is affordable. I enjoy Grace and Frankie, and omg Bloodline is amazing!!! And of course Orange is the new Black.
The Fall! You must watch The Fall on Netflix!
And House of Cards!
I agree, PG County?? Why not Bethesda? Chevy Chase or Potomac MD? Ugh PG? Reading Game of Thrones again. I haven’t seen Gone Girl. Was it good? After my Mom called it porn I decided to pass. Happy Birthday Tamara!!
Dee I read “Gone Girl” and I enjoyed the first half more then the second half. I don’t want to tell you why because I don’t want to spoil your read. I can’t remember for the life of me what parts might have been pornographic? I read it last September.
I really enjoyed the book. The movie, not so much. And the movie had some unnecessary (I thought) sex scenes. I wouldn’t call it porn but it felt strangely graphic for a psychological thriller. >
I had to laugh out loud when I read P.G. County. I lived there most of my life and was unaware there was anything uber-fabulous about any of it. If there are any rich areas, you’ll have to travel through some trashy spots to get to them. Montgomery County, right next door to PG, however, is one of the richest counties in the country. . .think Congress, attorneys, doctors.
Howard County, another neighboring county to PG also has the Benjamins. PG is where you move “from,” not “to.”
I just saw a preview for house wives in Potomac MD, now that makes sense. That’s where the money is vs PG
Bravo’s problem is that they let NJ and ATL get too out of control. I lot of us still enjoy OC, BH, and NY. Think about why OC has been on so long. It’s not too ratchet. Vicki and Tamra have been on it for along time. People are invested in the twists and turns of their relationships. BH would die without LVP and Kyle. Ramona and LuAnn have been there from the beginning. I think bringing Bethenny back is a good move. To me, and yes my opinion is in the minority, ATL took a dive when Kim left the show because viewers were invested in the rollercoaster relationship with NeNe. The NeNe/Cynthia friendship might have saved it but, oh well. NJ became a lost cause when Tre became “The Star” and Caroline got disgusted. I only watched to see just how much of a fool Tre could make out if herself. I think the problem with Bravo shows is when the friendships go toxic, people loose their investments.
I agree Bravo has went too far with bad behavior. That’s the same reason I can’t watch Love & Hip Hop.
But people say shows are boring if there is no fighting. I like WE’s Cuttling It In The ATL for the business aspect but stupid fighting keeps ruining it for me.
I loved the pacing of Girlfriend’s Guide. It was so slow that I got a chance to process what I was watching as I watched it. Soo good.
Sundays usually are Madame Secretary, The Good Wife, Naked And Afraid, OWN. I try to avoid Bravo anytime quality TV is on.
P.S. Good Op-Ed piece Tamara. Like New York Times worthy.
I love/hate GG2D. I felt it had a negative attitude towards women (literally every “insult” the main character received be it from her husband, daughter or whoever was about making her feel old – plus the way Janeane Garofalo’s character treated her ex – ick). But for some reason I was intrigued and watched til the end? And am eagerly awaiting next season? I can’t explain it.
Great blog. I agree with you. Honestly I don’t think you need the housewives. Your blogs regarding other shows are awesome. They will stay awesome. Bravo is turning into trash I feel icky watching it most of the time. I am loving rhnyc right now but that’s about it. I am currently in bed watching an old crime type of series on Hulu. I had a talk with my husband today about totally getting rid of cable because we hardly ever watch it anymore and its close to $200 a month. I could be completely wrong but I think I remember when Bravo started with queer eye. That show was hilarious. The network just kind of went down hill a few years ago.
On point as always, i decided to read your blog. Maybe maybe Bravo may need to reinvent “life twirls on” as a sitcom with a few episodes and see the viewers reaction. Married to Medicine is sooo scripted and i stop watching professional “doctors” acting ratchet. Am questioning their integrity as professionals (side eye).
When I turned the tv on tonight, it was on Bravo so I figured I’d give Married to Medicine a chance. No. Nope. Uh uh. I enjoyed reruns of Below Deck more than that crap.
I just wish they’d stop the production interference. It’s taken all the fun out of it. I need a little more “real” in my reality programming. And less Nene. Always less Nene.
I second that – less Nene. I think Bravo is guilty of thinking people won’t watch the shows without people like Nene or Teresa. They get to thinking they are indisposable. Yes those two have many vocal supporters, but is that really Bravo’s bread and butter? I think those people would still watch, and the shows would be much more enjoyable for the rest of us.
Funnily enough, I’m not much of a TV watcher. I love this blog and started watching more Bravo too keep up with the recaps. I’m not gonna lie, I enjoy RHOA and BH. Can’t stand NY or any of the other ones, really. I wish to the heavens that Bravo would bring back all the wonderful independent films they used to run in the good old days. I loved that shit.
TV in general just keeps getting worse and worse. There’s very little history on The History Channel, I haven’t discovered anything in a long, long time on the Discovery Channel, and I’ve learned absolutely nothing from The Learning Channel. I used to love the medical oddities shows about very rare diseases, and then those devolved into shows centered around mocking the morbidly obese, and then came the little girl pageant shows, and then TLC made a Boo-Boo, along with 19 more boo-boos. I now mostly watch documentaries about history on youtube, and Columbo, Murder She Wrote, The Twilight Zone and the Alfred Hitchcock show on Netflix.
TLC and A&E used o be my favorite channels….but no more. When Dog the Bounty Hunter and V. Gotti with her horrible sons came along, I got truly discussed. How does Gotti and the brats constitute Arts and Entertainment? I am sick and tired of people being paid boatloads of money for breaking the law and bad behavior, which is Bravo in a nutshell.
I’m watching PBS whilst coloring in my new Alphonse Mucha coloring book. I subscribe to an online site that shows British tv shows…crime/mystery series and watch that a lot. I dig HW shows because it’s like going to the zoo to see the strange creatures in their habitats. But a person can only take so much dreck. As you said, Tamara, Bravo is dying out and I am not that hooked. My dad died a month ago tomorrow so this Father’s Day is especially poignant. I think I do quite well finding things to keep me from actually feeling the pain of this loss. Thanks again for this blog and all you do to bring the goss. It’s much appreciated.
I am so sorry for your loss, JeJune.
That is so recent, you must be hurting.
Peace and love to you.
Thank you everso much 😀
Condolences to you JeJune. I adore Alphonse Mucha. The lady in his cigarette ad, I want her hair. I like his stuff better than the Pre Raphaelites even. Take care.
Sorry about your Dad. The hurt never goes away, but it does lessen over time.
Thank you! My sister’s been going to grief share group for 4 years after her husband died. I might try it. I’m still in a haze.
Please do tell what the online site that has British shows. I love Graham Norton and used to watch Eastenders for years on PBS until they cut it. I also find Peep Show mega-hilarious, but I don’t think that’s on any longer. They have re-runs of that show on Netflix. I like BBC way better than US networks.
It’s called acorn dot tee vee. Hope I don’t get in trouble for that. 😀
/sideeye ALWAYS WATCHING! 🙂
On Mon, Jun 22, 2015 at 9:55 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I’m not watching anything. I’m sitting out on my screen porch, drinking a gin and tonic, enjoying a very rare nice night here. I am already mostly done with these shows. However I eagerly anticipate and read your recaps. If I read one and think the episode sounds like it might be good, them I will go ahead and watch it. I still DVR them. But rarely watch. So, I guess if there are others like me Bravo does have a problem.
There definitely are others. Your night on the screened porch with a gin and tonic sounds divine. With Nene still in the RHOA lineup, I definitely plan to go the DVR route and TT recaps, watching only maybe when something sounds interesting that does not involve Nene.
Reruns of Modern Family.
Hah – that’s what I’m watching right now! Generally cute and harmless…
Funny! I love Modern Family! Didn’t discover til last year. Like he Twilight Zone and AH. I guess I’m going to Netflix
I watched HBO’s newest edition of True Detective, very well put together. I will be giving my time to that program for the summer. Only thing I’m looking forward to on Bravo anymore is Flipping Out. Been to long, needing a Jeff fix!
I’m with you — huge fan of Flipping Out! I think Jeff is hilarious…
Yep. True Detective was excellent. Looks like we’re getting another great season!
Don’t forget though, BBers. You now have that to look forward to on Sundays!
I have to be honest (gulp). I have been bored with BB the last several seasons. Except the summer of racism, because those people were ridick. I have to admit, watching them made me cringe, but I couldn’t not, NOT watch. I really hated Aryan and Amanda… I’m talking HATE!
And I really liked stinky McCrae- except he ended up being a pussy-whipped d-bag. (He was a huge disappointment for me).
Last year though, I really had a difficult time staying interested.
I hope this year we get a lot of action. I’m glad you are recapping it, Tamara. This will help me stay interested (especially since we can all rag on the hampsters here afterwards).
Yes, True Detective. I like Flipping Out because Jeff is smart and actually is running a business. No more RHOA…so less interested in RHONJ and RHOOC. If Vanderpump comes back, and there’s no more Kim Richards and Brandi, then I’ll give RHOBH another chance. No Married to Medicine or those idiot Yankee housewifes in Long Island — so dumb and obvious formula to all of them now.
I’ve been walking from more and more Bravo shows lately, Sundays are for HBO and PBS now (I’m watching MotherFunders though). The problem with the Housewives shows is that they’re now about fake drama and selling products. I also think it’s pretty low to keep giving them a paycheck when they’re getting federal fraud convictions.
I’m surprised that Bravo isn’t keeping Porsha. She plays well to the morons and since they demoted the fuck out of her she is practically working for free.
Bravos crucial error was paying the RHOA so much when they brought in good ratings. I won’t spill what they made during season one, because I need to figure out something more to say than “this is what they made on season one.” Maybe I will this month during my not really time off, but working less month.
Once they paid those brokeass fools like people with money, they were fucked across all seasons. These people would have continued to work for nothing indefinitely.
They tried to make up for all of that with product placements and that has brought us to the shitfest we have now.
Someone at Bravo really dropped the ball.
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 10:32 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Watching fucking Married to fucking Medicine. Because, wife. Fuck.
LOL!
An example of the power of love, to be sure. It’s a horrible show.
She’s a lucky lady.
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 10:51 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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So you could be actually fucking your wife, who is in the medical field, but you are watching Bravo.
I see this as a possible crack in the marriage. Let me get my crow bar. :)
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 10:37 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Oh I realize my misinterpretation now. I blame my lack of reading skills on my personal um feelings. I do have a Master’s degree in reading. But sometimes late at night, all alone…
Please disregard last post. I don’t really have a crow bar. Um literally. Metaphorically? Well I should delete both of these comments, shouldn’t I?
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 10:37 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Lmao!
Watching Arrested Development (again) on Netflixs. Very much done with The Housewives of XXX.
You can NEVER watch Arrested Development too many times. One of my all time favorites!
I’m watching Columbo on the Hallmark channel, so 70’s loving it
So am I.. next up is Mission Impossible…
I canceled my cable, so I’m watching ALL the great old shows. Loving ion channel, with the “Criminal Minds” and “Blue Bloods” marathons.
Actually, I’m finding I don’t miss cable as much as I thought I would. Escape channel is a lot like A & E with the true crime shows like “Forensic Files”. And Movies! has great old, old movies like TCM. I can even watch reruns of “The Walking Dead” on KSMO if I need a zombie fix.
Nope. Not missing Bravo at all. I keep up by reading recaps here.
With your phone you can watch film clips of shows and YouTube.
Now that HBO has a new season of True Detective and a new series Ballers, I’m leaving Bravo on Sunday nights. I love the ladies of Married to Medicine, but I just can’t watch grown, educated, successful women act ratchet. It’s just not entertaining to me.
I’m watching “The Last Alaskans” on the Travel Channel. Up until several months ago, Sunday night’s were always reserved for RH’s but just don’t have the stomach for them anymore and apparently I’m not alone. I think the RH’s franchise has passed its heyday, along with reality TV in general, and is on its way out……
I’m watching old seasons of the UK version of Big Brother. I enjoy trash with an accent.
They totally counted out DC way too early. If the original DC had aired today, it would have totally been picked up again. Michale’s shady past, shady husband, and her leaving him for the Journey guy, would have warranted a second season alone, not to talk about Mary’s divorce from her longtime husband. I reckon that Bravo thought itself a little more highbrow back then, hence the cancelation. That being said, I totally hate watch these shows. I wish I could quit you Real Housewives.
I really liked the cast of DC and would watch a second season. I know that some thought that it was boring, but it had a different vibe from the other HW shows and I enjoyed it.
I started watching Grace & Frankie on Netflix.
I’m on episode 5 & NOTHING is better than watching Jane Fonda &
Lily Tomlin together.
It is such a good show!
Love that show, won’t have more until 2016. Give Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt a try. I really like that one too.
Many of the Real Housewives’ families are just a big show of disgusting American greed. The epitome of living beyond your means. The thirst for fame and easy money at the expense of your freedom, privacy and morals. Yet we watch. Caroline Manzo seems real. Bethany went from rags to ritches before our eyes and I have never seen such an unhappy woman on my tv. Shannon and Kandi practically take us into their bedroom and have not a shred of privacy in their marriage. It is getting to the point that no topic is off limits. How far will it go before it just all emplodes….
Implodes..
BTW, welcome back Jen.. I’ve missed you.
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 11:22 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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The season premiere of The Last Ship was excellent. Lots of testosteroney gun play and blowing things up. And they saved Baltimore from the Red Virus!
I think you need to get ahead of the curve and flip to Discovery, where the really fake scripted shit is served up piping hot as a plate of morning grits. Alaskan Bush People. All those gold diggin’ fools. The fake monster sharks. Totally shameless . Actually, a couple of reality bloggers are already on the scent. And most of their stuff is on Friday night, a Bravo dead zone.
Well, it was just a suggestion.
bdee
I heard Alaskan Bush People is really good and getting a lot of viewers. But isn’t it a 8 night docuseries? That I missed most of? Please refer to those couple of good bloggers who are already on the scent and let me know. ET UT BeadyDEE?
Alaskan Bush People better be real! We’ve almost decided to pack it all in and become a wolf pack! Try it, you’ll like it!
I am shamelessly hooked on Alaskan Bush People. And it’s Bourdain for me on Sunday nights. And Botched.
It’s killing the ratings, but you couldn’t really call it good. This family lives in “the bush” (on land leased by Discovery). Except that they don’t live there, they live in a motel in the town of Hoonah and get shuttled to their campsite on days that they film. They supposedly have no resources other than barter, but they buy a new 100K boat every week and are
more heavily armed than the Indiana National Guard.
They also have the worst teeth you’ll ever see on reality TV.
It’s like a trainwreck you can’t look away from. And word is they’ve all been indicted for illegally tapping into the free money drawer that Alaskan residents get to grab from every year.
bd
Way to ruin TRho’s show BeeDEE.
🙁
On Mon, Jun 22, 2015 at 4:36 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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TRho’s a very smart lady. She knows the score here.
I’ve watched Alaskan Bush people from day one. It’s ok but half fake. Billy Brown is a “possible” children’s book author, (means they have city contacts) they have law suits questioning their residency, and their contact with civilization is much higher than stated.
I find it questionable they do not have sons trained as a Alaskan guide, working on a fishing boat, trapper, a logger or many other Alaskan specific jobs. You raise 5 sons to do nothing?
One son wears a motorcycle jacket as his winter coat. Some of their clothing seems like central casting.
The new idea of getting wives is ridiculous. What woman wants to live in a lop-sided tire house with no insulation that the oldest son calls home.
Seems very scripted to me with holes the size of Alaska.
I miss the Real Housewives of Miami. I thought that their homes and the views of Miami was better than watching Beverly Hills.
I watched Nurse Jackie, True Detective and Penny Dreadful. Poldark is recorded for later. I gave up on Married to Medicine. There’s no one to like anymore.
OOPS! Forgot about Anthony Bourdain. Adore him.
I DVR Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown. I have to watch when I am not doing a single other thing. I have them all saved and rewatch. I’ve had the TV off most of the day I’m trying to enjoy my dog and my life.
Now I am trying to catch up with you all.
On Sun, Jun 21, 2015 at 11:37 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Watched Naked & Afraid…. Now wrapping up Orange Is the New Black.
I don’t believe Bravo can get their momentum going again. It seems like they are throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. The demographics they are trying to attract with their scripted shows are very transparent and not going to work.
Game of Thrones, Empire, The Walking Dead, etc. are capturing a lot of Bravo’s viewers on the nights they air. Orange Is the New Black and other subscription series are now also taking over.
Also, the formula of women fighting, fall outs and acting ratchet is dying.
The reality TV explosion was a fluke. When the SAG writers strike happened, only reality production was able to continue vs scripted.
All good (popular) things will come to an end: Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, American Idol, Real Housewives, etc. It ends.
Bravo needs to focus on exclusive documentary and quality scripted series to succeed.
@ Would you like-
I tend to agree with you. I think reality is on its way out. Aside from The Real World, I think Survivor is the longest running reality series on TV, and I know their numbers are dwindling as well. I haven’t watched Survivor for about two or three years now, and have no interest anymore. All good things do come to an end.
However, TV bloggers will be fine (and especially Tamara, because she has a very loyal readership. Actually, Apparently many readers here have already turned away from Bravo, but still post regularly). There will be more scripted series now and documentaries on Bravo are a great idea.
But yeah, I’m feeling it, too. I find myself less interested in the Bravo shows and more interested in scripted television (REAL scripted television- not trying to pull one over on us scripted television).
I watched the Long Island show, thought your review was a little harsh, went back and watched the second episode and realized you were 100% right. I won’t be watching anymore.
I still like housewives, but I need there to be at least 1 or 2 women who are somewhat likeable. I watch BH because I like Lisa and Kyle (and actually Eileen and Lisa R too!), and NY because of Luann. I just find the OC women sooooooooo thoroughly unlikeable though. ugh.
I’m cruising the web trying to figure out where to go for 5 days in France after a week in the Cotswolds in September. Looking for small charming town. Sarlat is a possibility but the trek from London is pretty hellacious. Problem is, want to be in Sarlat for its amazing Saturday market, but our week in the Cotswolds wraps up on Friday. May need to bail out in friends a day early to make it work.
Charleville-Mézières …. Actually, why not go to Avignon down south?
This is our third trip to France. We did Paris to Normandy and down to Avignon last time, ending in Nice catching the lavender fields in their glory. We’re flying out of Paris so don’t want to spend all of our time coming and going. Will check out Charleville-Mézières.
I watched True Detective on HBO. So far so good.
Hi,TT. First I’ll answer your question. (Was it rhetorical?). I did watch “Married to Medicine”. I really like a few of the women. Dr. Jackie is great and would actually be a great role model, IMO. Dr. Simone is bright and articulate even though she has some rough edges. The woman with the doggy clothing line (whose name escapes me…maybe Quad.) is funny and provides some low key drama.
That’s it for me on Bravo tonight. Then it was PBS for “Poldark” on Masterpiece followed by “The Crimson Fields”. Both were great, and I’d highly recommend them.
I’m sorta’ tired of the housewives, but I continue to watch them. Not like at first though.
TT, great Opinion Page today.
Thank you for sharing your insights.
I think it’s just that RHoNJ was pushed back due to Teresa being in prison. Bravo didn’t plan ahead to have a strong show fill the gap. Married to Medicine probably seemed like an “ok” alternative prior to Purveyors of Pop getting rid of Mariah Huq. Without her, the show is a snooze fest that definitely can not carry Sunday nights on Bravo.
I don’t even bother to watch any of the RH shows anymore- I just read your posts on them. Tonight I binged on the Bar Rescue marathon, finally saw Gone Girl, and then watched Ballers. Twice. (I have a Dwayne Johnson addiction, lol.)
I’m kinda looking forward to that Houston-based show. I want to see where they film and whatnot…
Good commentary today!! Sunday TV keeps going downhill. I found an HBO deal (30 days for free on my iPad), so getting caught up on Boardwalk Empire. I prefer reading your blog to watching the majority of the shows on Bravo right now, keep up the great work!
Hannibal is finally back. I’m torn between watching that every week or saving the season up and binge watching it over a weekend.
I am watching The Way, a movie I recorded, for the 4th time, never fails to bring me to tears, as well as inspires me. The Housewife franchise has been my favorite since the beginning, but the fakeness, the jealousy, product pushing, and the outright unlawful activity has totally ruined it all for me. I mourn the loss of being entertained by these programs, and have had to wean myself from them. I am still hanging on to NY and BH, but I think this year will be my last……saddens me that it has become so negative, with little or no positive entertaining qualities.
Love that movie! A friend was walking the Camino at the time. His life has been blessed since.
I have given them all up, one by one. Aside from unappealing characters (yes, Teresa, Brandi, Kim, bethenny, I am talking to you), the endless product placement put the last nail in the coffin. Looking forward to Jeff Lewis and still love the recaps.
We watched Jaws in honor of the 40 yr anniversary. Then I was trying to get caught up on OITNB. Next will be True Detective but I really don’t think it’s going to be near as good without Woody and Matthew.
eastjames-
You may be pleasantly surprised. Episode one was pretty impressive and it’s getting great reviews.
Tamara,
I am from the Washington DC area and know several of the women that have been cast in the Maryland version and several from the DC version. They definitely started filming this Spring and the women are outgoing enough and have enough scandal to bring a lot of fun and embarrassment to our neck of the woods! By the way, Happy Belated Birthday!!!
I was READING. The Sunday paper. In print. Holding it in my hands. Clipping coupons. I used to do this religiously every Sunday (no pun intended). When did I stop doing this? I so enjoy it. So I am going to pick up and start doing this again because it brings me joy. There’s liberation from being unplugged once in a while and walking through grass, fussing with the garden, and just taking the time to really look around and appreciate what’s around me. Hope y’all had a great weekend.
Well written and thoughtful commentary. i have zero interest in any new housewives franchise, no matter what they name it. Thank goodness True Detective is back for Sunday nights viewing pleasure.
Well said
If you have Netflix, check out Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Hysterical. Written by Tina Fey. Really funny. My kids turned me onto it. I’ve also started watching Deadliest Catch again. Other than that…it’s a pretty quiet TV season for me.
That show is hilarious!
I liked DC. They should’ve just cut the Salahis and kept the rest of the cast. I liked that the women were willing to discuss things other then themselves, such as their views on gay marriage, and race in America. It doesn’t sound like this new casting is looking to do that. All of these shows are becoming the same. There is very few features left that make them culturally distinct.
My sunday nights used to be filled with The Game of Thrones. Now I am just reading the books and waiting on The Walking Dead.
If you have any wealth and live in Maryland, why would you live in PG count? unless it was a great commute to work or a hell of deal on a house
I am binge watching Orange is the New Black, Senses 8 & Rita on Netflix. All original programing from Netflix.
Senses 8 is good. From the Matrix folks, and the cinematography is breathtaking. We’ve been watching that since finishing with OINB. If HBO Go becomes available without an HBO subscription, I could do away with cable altogether.
Check out HBO Now. That might for you.
Sorry. That might work for you.
To aid in my self imposed HW withdrawl, I watched anything on the SYFY network, a lot of Netflix movies and series (OITNB). Bravo has lost me as a customer. There is life after Bravo.
Hi TT
Been a long, long time reader of your Blog, but never before a commenter. Until now…Thank you so much for your outstanding Blogs. You are far above the rest!
I don’t miss Bravo, at all. Maybe they could do a “Real Politician’s Wives of D.C.”? That might be interesting. But also annoying.
I’m watching M2M, grudgingly. Supremely disappointed to see a physical altercation in the FIRST EPISODE. This is not why I tune in.
They still have Ladies of London I suppose. I think that did well didn’t it?
Lost interest in all things Bravo many seasons ago but still read at those sites where the blogger has expanded beyond the HW gossip into other areas, other programs, or even encourages examination of the human condition. TT’s place is a regular stop because, like all of my favorite spots, she has fostered a sense of community that appeals even when (or perhaps because of) the occasional fall off the deep end.
True Detective
RH is on the decline but as long as you are recognizing that, you should be able to adapt and still maintain a following. People like you, and that’s what it boils down to.
I only watched a couple of the first episodes of the last season of RHOA. I never watched any of the other reality shows.
I have given up because the people on RHOA are just hateful now. In the beginning there were arguments, but they seemed to actually be friends. Now the cast is endlessly being mean to each other and the negativity just isn’t worth it any more.
Besides, everything is faked for storyline anyway. It is insulting to our intelligence.
I don’t watch Bravo. I found you back in January when Bobbi Kristina died; have stayed to read everything you write. You are a great writer, I enjoy reading you and all of the comments. Love your rules. Bravo should pay you ;).
Happy Birthday!
I agree. I couldn’t watch them anymore because of vile and hateful they started treating each other, except for Kandi. I don’t know how their consciences don’t bother them.
First, let me say how well written this post was! Great points from a viewers perspective. I tweeted a link to this article and made a custom image for it. Retweet it if you’re on twitter and help grow this blog. Next, let me say I agree that fancy and fab are not enough to keep us watching. Neither is ratchet. I vote for ANDY COHEN to step in front of the camera. Let’s see his business negotiations, his hilarious parents, adorable Wacha, and his quest for romance. Now THAT would be awesome TV!
I enjoyed the very first couple of seasons, but all of the bitches have grown too big for their britches. I can’t even stomach watching any of them, anymore. The reunions are downright nasty with Andy the Instigator. Rich housewives are proof that “Money is the root of all evil”. Cancel all of them.
I love the cartoon strip….as for the show, I hope it has a swift death.
Okay- now I just feel like an asshat! Did I miss your actual birthday or did you just announce that June is your birthday month?
If I missed your actual birthday, I feel bad!
Happy Birthday, my friend. Thank you for the blog… I get so much entertainment here! Hope your birthday was awesome!
They should give Kenya’s show a chance. If that Odd Mom out zCrap was picked up, why not Life Twirls On? It was so much better. Plus, with a network actually backing it, it could be even better.
Food network star, cutthroat kitchen, and naked and afraid
Love UNreal on Lifetime. Perfect for any of us burned out on the fakery.
Fire NeeNee not Claudia.
I finally watched the first season of True Detective. To quote Lydia Schiavello of Real Housewives of Melbourne, “wow.” Dark & creepy & amazing. I’m not sure if the 2nd season will be as good but if it is, “wow.”
You outdid yourself with this piece.
Sundays the DVR is set for True Detective. I will also tune into Sunday night baseball.