UPDATED!
I am currently sleeping with Big Brother. What I mean is I am up most every night until the last BB17 houseguest goes to bed because they have not one but TWO sociopaths this season and there is a potential for murder at any given moment. I can’t stop watching. So I have only been up for about an hour and I am trying to collect my thoughts on whatever the fuck Nene Leakes is doing. Because frankly, I don’t get it. And my sources are equally confused it would seem.
Let’s talk about her new “prime time gig with a legend.” Yesterday we were wondering if she knew what “prime time” meant and who she might consider a “legend.” Today, TMZ is reporting that she will be a panelist on yet another rebirth of the 1950s game show To Tell The Truth to be aired on primetime on ABC at some future date. This will be important later. For those younger than a billion years old, To Tell The Truth is a game show where four panelists are presented with three people all claiming to be the same person. One is telling the truth and the other two are lying. The panelists each have a certain amount of time to think of intelligent questions on the fly to contestants two of whom are trying to lie. Then the panelists individually make their final guess about who is telling the truth. One of Betty White’s husband was one of the creators of the original show. Betty White is “the legend” that Nene will be working with. So Nene is two for two with the primetime and legend clues. So far so good.
But, am I the only one who sees a series of red flags here? For a moment, let’s assume everything goes as planned and the show gets filmed. Do you Nene Leakes asking questions on a broad variety of subjects to suss out the truth? This is a lot harder than it sounds. I will add some Youtubes for you to see what I mean. I feel like Nene will just be cracking jokes and talking about herself. That might be amusing in itself. But there are a lot things that have to happen before we find this out.
As of now, this show is not listed on IMdb anywhere because it is not yet in production. To me, this means ABC is in on a few shows but they don’t even have the full cast put together. So far Betty White and Nene are two of the four panelists and Anthony Anderson is the host. There are two more panelists slots, that may be rotating positions, and casting needs to happen for all of the contestants. Aside from the actual interesting person, they need a bunch of imposters and historically those people are not actors but regular folks. This will take some time and hopefully they have already done that.
Because here is the biggest problem. Betty White. Look, everyone loves Betty White. But Betty White is NINETY-THREE YEARS OLD. She seems to be in good health for someone who is NINETY-THREE YEARS OLD; but, people don’t live forever and health issues can come on suddenly. If we ever see this, it looks like multiple seasons may be unlikely. On the other hand, I thought the same thing about Hot in Cleveland and that went on for a while.
I also wonder about the show being on ABC. If Nene is going to be under contract with Bravo for the road trip show with Kim Biermann, she would have to have gotten permission for this just like she did for Dancing With The Stars. It is entirely possible that Bravo told her she had to choose one or the other. Because the filming for TTTT will likely be during RHOA filming. The situation appears be that she comes back for a few episodes of next season as an FOH as much as her schedule allows. My RHOA sources seem…. confused. This happens sometimes due to Andy’s wishy washyness but this is different. It seems that everyone from top to bottom of Bravo fully expected Nene to just sign her contract.
I don’t think a game show gig is going to pay Nene’s bills. Nene is either in the middle of a power play with Bravo, or making some poor decisions. What happened to her clothing store in Atlantic City? Nene seems to be following in the delusional footsteps of Sonja Morgan with all of these plans that don’t go together causing nothing to come to fruition. I still feel like we are missing a big piece of this puzzle and I am not getting any explanations from my sources.
Now if you will excuse me I have to go send Nenetards to the WLS as they rant at me for being a “hater.” 🙂
UPDATED!!
Okay, Deadline has posted the details on the show. It’s a six episode season. It’s a half hour show. This is less than a week’s worth of work. This is not a money maker, it’s a resume boost. It is NOT a reason to quit your day job. Nor would it keep her from filming RHOA, and it would actually give her a small storyline. This is crazier and CRAZIER. I am now leaning toward them actually firing her. After two seasons of my sources telling me she is on the way out, I started to doubt it would ever happen.
From Deadline:
“Anderson hosts, his mom Doris will be the official scorekeeper and will ask questions of her own, (not to mention embarrass her son every chance she gets). The celebrity panelist who performs the worst will have to tweet a lie about themselves to the world. There’s even a house band — Cheche and his Band of Liars. No premiere date has yet been set. The show will tape in front of a live audience in Los Angeles.”
I think that Betty White will outlive all of us. I remember her on Life with Elizabeth a billion years ago.
I remember this show back when I was a kid. But back then, there was no Google. If the guests are in any way notable, viewers can simply google them to see who is telling the truth. Then, they can change the channel. If they are no one special, who will care?
As for Nene, I don’t see her fitting into the format. Her “classic” one liners won’t fly. And she will be at the mercy of Betty White’s sharp wit. That may be the only reason to watch.
I agree with you Betty White for her age is very quick witted ! I don’t think NeNe will be able to keep up (even though she is very educated LOL) nor do I think NeNe’s sense of humor will mesh with Betty’s!
I’m with Tamara Tattles on this one. Red flags are all over the place.
Cat, that’s exactly what I was going to say. I also remember watching a version of it as a kid, and thinking it was kind of…dumb…because it was just the same thing over and over. Although it did add the phrase, “Will the real ____ please stand up?” to the lexicon.
A new version would have to have some major re-structuring to work. The world has changed immensely since the rise of the internet. All anyone need do is Google someone, and bingo, there’s the real contestant…so I wonder how far along these plans really are.
I can’t imagine that Betty White will put up with the dreadful, illiterate, inarticulate, crass Nene long enough to actually complete production. She doesn’t have to, and I don’t think she will. Betty White is a professional.
HEY! I’m only 65 not a billion! I always watched TTT as a little one and really liked it. I just can’t see Nene having any of the charm or intellect to be a panelist (or anything else, really). Having enjoyed Betty White for a good portion of her career, it makes me sad to think of her sharing her space with … that.
Thank you, Siri! I’m also not a billion, and I, too, regularly watched TTT as a child. Original panelists such as Dorothy Kilgallin (sp?) and Kitty Carlyle were so sophisticated and chic – traits Ms. Leakes will never possess – and asked thoughtful, intelligent questions. Considering Nene’s grasp on the Queen’s English, she’s already out of her league. I’m appalled that the national treasure that is Betty White will be subjected to the loud poseur that is Nene. I doubt Miss White will be charmed by that vile woman.
I call power play.
I was thinking that also…she might wanna be very careful it may back fire
thats a hell of a powerplay. didnt she tell people (or some other ) magazine?
Yes and People pays for stories and that is where RHOA go first to sell a “big” story. 2nd is actually Daily Mail.
Either Nene FINALLY got told she is not getting any more money and she “quit” thinking she has other options or they FINALLY pulled the plug they were supposed to pull two seasons ago.
On Thu, Jul 2, 2015 at 12:05 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Unless Nene is fed the lines and questions, she’ll be useless on this show. How many times can she ask, “Are you rich bitch like me?” before everyone grows tired of her worthless ass? Please just let this loud-mouth moron fade away into the sunset. How did she ever get popular?
Other possible Nene questions:
Are you fabulous?
Did you say what you said?
How nasty and rude ARE you?
Have you been on Broadway?
Have you played Vegas?
Did you work as a subpar replacement for a performer vastly more talented and experienced that you on Broadway and/or in Las Vegas?
What is your “New Normal”?
Are you a stripper? Do you love it?!
Any mugshots?
Are your legs closed to married men?
Have you ever worked with Kim Kardashian or any other legends?
Cash any Trump checks?
Is the thirst real?
Bloop?
Girl, bye?!
Haha!!!! I’m in tears after picturing Nene on the panel saying those phrases.
KMSL Oh Minky, you slay me! You’ve hit the nail on the head with this one. :0
And the impostors will all be referred to as low down dirty monkeys in wigs.
Thanks for compiling the crazy, Minky
I just don’t understand this either. As Tamara pointed out Betty White is 93 years old and Hot In Cleveland just ended it’s run a month or so ago despite it still being TVLand’s highest rated original series because Betty told them at them upfront at the beginning of the season that she would not be extending her contract because she was finally going to retire. It’s plain to anyone who watched that although her mind is as sharp as ever she’s getting increasingly physically frail. The last couple of seasons she was always either searing or holding onto someone if she was standing. The only way I see it working is if instead of some sort of weekly gig it’s one of those game show things that gets trotted out for a couple of specials every sweeps period but even still I can’t see that paying money. Most all celebrities who appear on game shows either do it for charity or just get paid scale and only do it for the fun of it. I have to admit it would be fun to watch Betty put Nene in her place. She is a master in the art of the deep cutting comeback while appearing sweet and innocent at the same time. She’d be making fun of Nene’s ignorance all the while giving her smiles and doe eyes and Nene wouldn’t even know she what was happening. Plus, Betty has a reputation as a tough old broad with the mouth of a sailor. I’d love to see backstage footage of what happens when Nene throws one of her fits and Betty puts her in her place.
Just as an aside, do you think the road trip thing is still happening? Wasn’t it supposed to air at some point this summer so shouldn’t it already be filming? Kim hasn’t mentioned it in ages and I know there were lots of rumors from people in attendance at the upfront that she and Nene appeared to not be getting along and at one point were both refusing to have their photo made together. I just assumed it was quietly dropped.
id love to see NeNe get put in her place by Betty White or Barbra Walters mmmm hmmm that would be great
Tim, Nene would not understand Betty’s quick wit even when directed at herself.
Agree.it would go straight over Nene’s head..she is not clever enough for Betty’s wit.
Thinking about if further though, if the show is to air weekly rather than daily, it might be doable for Miss White.
30-minute game shows shoot 5 episodes per day, so one week of shooting would produce 25 episodes – a full season. More likely though, it would be a 13-episode “season”, and therefore in-and-done in 3 days. This may be a more realistic commitment for her.
ABC has ordered only 6 episodes. Anthony Anderson will host and his Mother will be the Scorekeeper! She’ll get to ask questions too
@Debs:
There you go. Six episodes would be, like, what? Two shooting days max? Probably not a strain for Betty White, but also not much of a payday for Mrs. Leakes. Doubtful it’ll cover one month’s electric bill for the new “mansion”.
And 6 episodes does not mean all will air. Networks have pulled shows after 2 episodes.
Nene is going to get handed so much shade that will go over her head until someone explains it to her. Then I’m sure she will pay someone to blog about it.
Nene is incapable of asking an intelligent question.
I agree NeNe needs advisors to help her with her finances , business decisions, etc. although, it seems highly unlikely she would listen anyway! She seems the type that lives like tomorrow isn’t coming like her gigs will flow in blah blah someone needs to say look NeNe you’re no Jennifer Anniston you won’t likely have that type of income you had better save save for a rainy day! I know saving is tough but after buying a house like she did Gregg is her minion and doesn’t have a job …..the deal with Kim is iffy NeNe needs the income more than Kim does it would be in NeNe’s best interest to be cool to Kim even if it is fake! Oh well I guess we shall see!
I see some repossessions and or foreclosures in her future. Nene seems like the type who spends everything she has, that doesn’t bode well for all of these freelance hodge podge checks she’s getting. Rich or not something is going to mess up.
Cat, I was thinking the same thing. Times have changed with Google and entertainment news.
Guessing if the guests story’s were not news worthy just unusual then it might work
I don’t want to hear Nene’s uncouth uneducated remarks. I don’t even like looking at her anymore.
Interesting. This must have been a recent development, as I think Nene would’ve loved showing off her new digs on rhoa. Or maybe she thought she could work at both?
I think her manager and/or Greg convinced her that besides the money, RHOA isn’t a good look for her anymore because of her sour, stank attitude. And if she continued on the show she wasn’t going to do anything but bring down her stock as well as the show, in which she would of been completely irreverent and jobless. So this is her chance to try to make some coins outside of RHOA, but if it doesn’t work out she will be able to return because she hasn’t killed her all her fans YET, if she would of came back this season, she definitely would have.
Funny!. I can picture you beating the haters back while trying to watch the HW’s or BB while typing the latest blog. I can’t believe she would put all her trust in a show that may not go on. I love Betty White, she is amazing! Still working at 93. I can’t see her working with Nene but I would watch it just to hear Betty’s remarks, see her facial expressions in response to Nene. I think you are right, something missing 🙂
You’re an amazing reporter TT! Really good tea.
I’ve never watched TTTT, but I’ve seen old reruns of “What’s My Line?” Don’t these TV execs ever have any original ideas?
RE: Nene’s relationship with Bravo. As our Phaedra would say: Something in the buttermilk ain’t clean. The TTTT gig sounds like a bunch of what-ifs that are dependent upon another bunch of maybes. All of those conditional and contingent upon something else.
My uninformed assessment: Nene done pissed somebody off real good. Andy? Production? Bravo execs? Cast mates? It’s either that or her son’s criminal activity has embarrassed her to the point where she simply doesn’t want to be in a situation where anybody could ever even have the chance to question her about it. For a person like Nene to turn down a chance at being on TV is unthinkable. She’d probably film on her death bed. So many questions!!!
I think it’s a power play and Andy may have called her bluff with his confirming her departure on twitter. I think she knew her stock has been dropping drastically with the public and despite “getting those checks,” the new casting probably doesn’t to do anything to give her minions hang on to her every word.
He had a second tweet that said “It’s a free country. She just wasn’t into it anymore. Couldn’t you tell the last two seasons?” Hmmmmm
Whoa. No he didn’t. Lawdy lawdy lawdy. Ms. Linnethia (or however the fuck she spells her name) has created a fine mess for herself.
Interesting, librarygirl. Methinks somebody was forced to resign.
Have they even shot the pilot yet? If so, I wonder what kind of audience test response it received? This may never make it to air.
NeNe is so fond of herself can you even imagine how she would act if she got a big time movie role?
I am out of town visiting idiots who dont have wi-fi… I have exhausted my data plan an am now drifting from dunkin donuts to starbucks watching these damn feeds, getting fat and obssesing about these hamsters.
And now the story makes even less sense. Official announcement about this show comes from ABC via deadline hollywood and it’s only six episodes. Six Episodes of a game show that most likely pays scale? How is that possibly considered as having “arrived”? It’s certainly not cause to quit your day job.
There are a couple of different ways of getting fired. #1 is a flat out dismissal a la Donald “Hair-Do” Trump. #2 is more polite and courteous, but equally devastating. It’s called being “asked to resign”. Sometimes it’s being “forced to resign” in high pressure situations. It’s the same difference as the one between execution or being given the option to perform hara kiri, like a Japanese samurai. It’s like your captors respect you as a worthy opponent and want you to have the option to die with some of your dignity intact. But you’re still gonna die! I think #2 might be the one that happened to Nene.
Nene knows so much about lying she may be good at this. Also, nene could play a panelist and the lying guest at the same time. I’d give the show a try because of Betty White and I’d tune out because of nene leaks.
Is it true Nene that the oath for the talentless was taken and Greg is not pleased? Explains the strange relationship with KK…we will see more of Nene now and not less unfortunately.
She would sell her soul to the devil for fame just to feel superior to the other girls and there not even thinking about her.
Betty White is an American Icon. I just can’t wrap my head around her collaborating with NeNe Leakes.
People who make decisions and don’t really know anything are under the impression that the public adores Nene. Surprise!! We don’t.
Is Anthony Anderson’s mom a RHOA fan? Maybe she got Nene the job.
I 100% agree with you DJ.
It may be that Betty White is doing this as a ‘tribute’ effort to her late husband who had a hand in the Original show. What bothers me is that for White, its a downgrade, for Leakes, it’s a come-up.
Well, whoever hires her needs to be careful. Both prime time shows she was on were cancelled. Oh vey…
Nene has the nerve. She is just a fake witch. Spotting the liar. That is a joke. Because she has LIED about her real life.. Won’t be watching. I hope she is gone RHWOA
Her move was definitely a power play and probably a little jealousy towards Kim Fields! She is so full of herself and its not warranted. Her bread and butter is RHOA…and she knows it that why she backtracking. I don’t care wether she stays on the show or not..when she shows up thats my time to refill my wine glass and check my phone for any new texts…by the time I do that her scenes are over and I’m enjoying the show again…
i put it on mute or fast forward her parts on the show. The best episodes are the ones she is not in, like the vacation episodes. Unfortunately many people found them boring because their was no drama. What is wrong with having a show about women looking great and getting along, all the while hashing out stuff like grown women?
Its sounds dumb. Sorry for anyone interested. Abc tends to be cheesy with these types of family friendly game shows. I can’t picture Nene on it. I don’t know why. I just can’t. Seems more like a Kelly Ripa gig for example. Anyway, I will stay close dor updates on the tea. I have GOT to catch up on bb tea….
I would watch this, just to see how NeNe acts around Betty. Probably they will provide NeNe with questions to ask in case she is stumped
I can see her doing a lot of that big screamy fake laughing..
Nene would say something deeply stupid to Betty White and/or the other panelists. She would make an uncouth ass of herself on network TV.
The beauty is there will be live audiences and I KNOW some of y’all will go and report back. 🙂
On Thu, Jul 2, 2015 at 1:28 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I think NeNe thought she could get more money when in reality all they are offering now is paycut as a FOH.
Hope she enjoys her new house while she has it, I won’t be surprised if she doesn’t have it for long.
are the chickens finally coming home to roost? The irony of Nene ending up like Sheree….
Those who live by the sword, die by the sword. And the “rich bitch” sword cuts both ways. Sheree’s a Bee too, and I can totally see her pissing herself laughing. She’s been waiting for Nene to get a taste of her own hasty pudding for a long time. But so have all of us here.
I’m sure Nene thinks her threats to leave will have Bravo coughing up some more money for her. She better watch herself cause they might just let her walk and save themselves a whole lot of money. Nene then will be stuck with her other ventures. Who really watches many game shows any more? There are a core few that have been around forever the rest get cancelled quick as they start. That goes for most sitcoms as well. Reality tv has taken over as the most watched form of tv.
Even with blonde wigs, and magical regenerating Oscar Mayer Weinie snazzola I know a Neneanderhal when one rears it’s Felicialess head
I’m with Tamara Tattles on this one. Red flags are all over the place.
Yep. You said it perfectly.
You are cracking me up! ROFWL!
Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb – duuummmbbb!
Well what do you expect??? We’re talking about NeNe….LOL
A broken fish stick, freshness date expired, navigating the ocean of life. Also, if Nene thinks she’s blonde then I’m tall with nortons.
You wish NeNe was fired. TT go back to sleep.
Who said Nene was fired? Glittergurl, read the damn blog before commenting…..
I don’t care as to how or why Nene disappears, just as long as she no longer has Bravo as a platform to spread her ignorance . Her fondness for homophobic, sexual, and racial slurs is repellant. Maybe she could get a job licking envelopes for “the Donald’s” presidential campaign.
It really doesn’t matter – fired, quit.. She said herself she left and most of us are thrilled. ☺️
Oops. Another hole in the fence.
So today TMZ posted a video of a busted and dejected Nene in the airport being quite salty about the RHOA situation. She is not saying she will not be on Season 8 at all but she might pop up in future seasons. LOL. She also says it’s not about money. Because Nene is not someone whose every comment is about money. LOL. I’m thinking she wanted Kenya fired.
This just gets better every day.
On Thu, Jul 2, 2015 at 1:46 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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The best part of “reality TV” is watching karma at work.
I think she is trying to follow Bethenny’s playbook. It is not going to work. Andy loves Nene but he LOVES him so Bethenny!
Mimi – So true…I think Bethenny’s plans backfired on her. She ventured out and had her own talk-show for a while, until it was cancelled. Nowadays, she’s back to the housewife shows eating crow.
Andy said she could always come back.
Yeah – I bet Andy said she can come back for the ‘camera’s and image of Bravo. They don’t want to appear salty. It gives the impression that Bravo was not the decision-maker, when I believe NeNe played a power move and is ticked because they didn’t “back the Brinks money truck” up her driveway.
Thanks TT for the update, now i can sip on my wine and laugh out loud. I hope Nene & her nenetards will understand every one is replaceable. The decision Nene is making to leave a well paid job into an unknown destination is more than a leap of faith, she’s oblivious to issues affecting entertainment industry. Nene’s pride has clouded her judgement and am weeping for her (side eye)
Yep. You said it perfectly.
My theory is that maybe she is banking on the Kardashian app to cover her approximately $5k a month mortgage payments and she is gambling on making up the rest of her household expenses from side gigs….
I wonder if Bravo is shooting a Hunger Game type reality show where they throw all of the worst housewives on an island and make them fight to the death for a chance to renew their contract. I’d watch that.
JustJenn, you’re on to something
I would definetly watch that.
I will take Power play for 5000 Alex!
I remeber that show when it came on in the early 90’s then again in the early 2000’s. It didn’t seem to fare well witht he ratings, but maybe they have something different up their sleeves.
My theory is that she asked for more money for less work and was denied it. She then when to social media as a power play but it back fired because she didn’t expect Andy to say goodbye but beg for her to return. I doubt her pride will let her return in a FOH capacity. Porscha doesn’t have a peach, and unless they recast Phaedra then who is her friend? Their are so many people willing to coon for cameras, she is not special. Bravo should have a farewell montage on Andy’s show and say good riddance.
Manic Monday – I TOTALLY agree with you ! Well said…
Looks like she’s saying she’s not coming back in any way. Makes no sense. As everyone said, what are the chances TTTT is going to be successful or run for any length of time? Not much unless she figures it’s a payday and she’ll just ride it out until something else comes along. I always thought Fashion Police would take her. I don’t get it but the show does need the friction between Kenya and her. I think the show does need her.
I just had a conversation with someone who is a Nene fan. Apparently Nene has a booming clothing line, a lucrative acting career on tv and broadway, and is now a talk show host? Is she now having a talk show in addition to this game show? If so good luck on that one. Wendy is covering the gossip and Tamar is covering the coonery, so what is she going to do?
Oh there is no way that Nene will be able to think on her feet and ask probing questions on a wide variety of issues or areas. No, the questions will be written, probably in her form of Ebonics “uh Mystery Person, did you have a lot of bridesmaids in yo wedding?” and fed to her on a hidden teleprompter. Hopefully, she’ll be able to read her lines smoothly and make it look natural.
Sailing off into the sunset on Sonja’s yacht with Elvis. So yesterday’s news
Takes one to know one. Flip! Real hair not broke ass, bride of frankelstein, my finger in stuck in the toaster, dollar discount wig.
I just saw a clip on TMZ with Nene saying she definitely will not film for Season 8 but she is open to filming in the future. She was also very careful to compliment Bravo and call Bravo her family.
I think she is banking on Season 8 flopping without her so she can make bigger demands for Season 9 – not only for more $$ but more control over who stays and goes.
I am not a Nene fan but I have to admit that she (or someone on her team) is great at using the media to bolster her negotiations.
If Nene had any sense she would have stayed another season and tried to win back the fans, THEN made her threats and walked. Nene hasn’t been enjoyable to watch in a long time. If they find the right people to mesh with the girls and it flows well, its going to make Nene’s transformation into the unlikable rich bitch show how much she really is a non factor.
I saw a great new interview with Kenya on some Chicago show, she looks great, she’s engaging and she’s giving me signs that the feisty Kenya is going to return next season (she even threw some subtle shade towards Kim Fields whom she worked with on “Living Single”).
Kenya is no fool, I’m betting on her to bring it next season.
On Periscope tonight Andy said that ‘Nene left the show’.