I am kind of excited about this season of Southern Charm New Orleans. I like that there are four guys and only two girls. That was how the original franchise was supposed to be. I’m behind from the RHOA reunion recapping, so let’s just get right to it.
We start with Tamica who is married to Barry. She’s a co-host for an ABC show of some sort. Local News maybe? They have been married ten years and have an eight year old daughter and a son. They live in Old Metairie, an upscale part of New Orleans. Tamica and Barry are off to visit Reagan and Jeff who live in Covington which is about forty miles away across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. The causeway it the longest bridge in the US and is about 24 miles long.
Reagan is not one of those people who thinks family name does not matter. Her family has been in New Orleans since the city was founded and one of her relatives, invented bitters and the official cocktail of New Orleans, the Sazerac, which is made with either cognac or whiskey with bitters and lemon. It’s not a drink for pussies. I am starving and really want to eat what Reagan is cooking. I have red snapper filet and mango salad to eat as soon as I can get a break.
Barry goes to meet the boys a restaurant. Jon Moody is a 24-year-old artist who has already sold a painting to Obama. He’s big time. Jeff is there, he used to play for the Saints. I didn’t quite have time to sort all the guys out in that super quick scene, but they seem quite impressive. Jeff says he is happy that he a Reagan are moving to the city.
Tamica and Reagan for to Nicelle’s house to discuss the Mardi Gras plan. Nicelle lives in a historic house in Treme that is supposed to be haunted. She has a personal chef whose main duty in this scene is to keep the cocktails coming. Nicelle has costume room and the girls select their outfits for the parade. Reagan announces that she is moving into the city while she finishes up the last part of law school. Jeff thinks he is coming with her but he is not. Well that is interesting.
Justin goes to visit his mother who is a consultant and also a philanthropist. Justin is a lawyer/Sports agent. Justin is a mama’s boy. He lives in the house he was raised in and he is still renovating it after damage from Katrina. Justin wants to move with his mama while renovating. He might even bring his girlfriend to live there. Mama laid down lots of rules.
It’s time for Mardi Gras! Justin and Tamica went to high school together. He seems to still have a slight crush on her. The guys all gather at 1 pm to wait for the girls to finish their parade, but the girls are already shit faced and the parade was delayed by two hours already. Between all the drinks and jello shots, Tamica is already wasted. It’s super hot too. Over five hours later, the parade ends. Tamica announces that she and Barry have not had sex in months. Seems like there are issues in both marriages. Nothing speeds along a divorce like getting on a reality show. Tamica and another girl go buy a love powder for her.
Tamica is having a housewarming party so everyone can come see her house. We meet the son who as it turns out is 15 which is longer than they have been married and possibly white? Or maybe he is just Tamica’s shade? I dunno. Lots of Creole happening here. Tamica’s mother might be white. Hell, I dunno. The only reason I am trying to figure it out is because I thought Tamica said she had known Barry of 12 years and they had been married for ten. So was she a single mom when they met? I’m just confused about that whole damn marriage. One of the girls brings a priestess to bless the house. Jon gives them a painting. Reagan gives them the love powder. To distract from her martial issues, Tamica ask Justin if he is going to marry his girlfriend. He gets pissed.
The Priestess wanders around with Tarot cards. People pull one for a reading. She tells Reagan,”Somethings are too good to be true. look before you enter.” I think it was Barry who got, ” There is new business coming and you won’t be juggling any more.” Ah, so there are financial issues and before the guests arrived, Tamica was having a designer dress flown in from LA for a housewarming dinner, and hiring chefs to cater the event. Interesting. Jeff is reluctant to pull one, but he does. His says “You look too much in the past. Don’t look back. The past has done nothing for you. Now you have to look to the future. Anyone in the past that you did business with, they are tapped out.” Jeff and Reagan both say that is spot on. Reagan announces at a dinner table on national television that Jeff’s mom is not a nice person. Wow, both of these marriages suck. Jeff admits that his own mother apparently listed herself as his wife of some accounts and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars. When he found out, his family just cut him off. Jeff says, “How do you trust anyone in life if you can’t trust your mother?” Well, sometimes you don’t. The Dad has told him to go to hell and he’s not his son anymore.
Next week, after all we now know about Jeff’s family, Reagan decides to tell him she is moving to the apartment without him. Jon teaches the guys how to paint two female nude models. Tamica and Reagan show up to the painting party and come for Jon.
This episode delivered. I’m all the way in!
I’m loving this show already, I have some questions about Jon and Barry 😏 but I’ll keep it cute.
I’m going to use this new show to jump in. I’ve been reading for awhile but never commented. I enjoyed the show and will be back for more. That said, I feel like you could take these 6 people and put them in any other city andI would have no idea where they were from. NO has so much flavor and I have my doubts that this group of people are going to do a good job of representing that.
The large gatherings with so many non-cast members made it difficult to figure out who was really “starring” on the show. I actually thought Nicelle’s chef was her husband. I was uncomfortable with them disccussing the non-sex of Barry & Tamica in front of parents and children. Jon may turn out to be a real jerk but I can always hit the mute button and just look at him.
I certainly enjoyed this far better than I did the Savannah one, it was like they tried to recreate Charleston in another city, not let that cities flavor shine on its own. I really enjoyed this group, they seem so much more relistic than I though they would be. I really like Justin, could be his voice but I really like him. Jeff seems like a sweet guy, he might look a bit frightening to some but you can tell he is a big sweetie. Even the women seem so much more normal. Thank you Jesus!
Thank you, I thinks it’s a great group! Interesting fact is that the cast and supporting cast were all friends first before the show ever was cast.
Can’t wait to watch this episode again. As usual, someone came into my hallowed area and blabbed their mouth off while I was trying to watch. Sounds fascinating and will catch it On Demand. The one thing sticking in my mind is Jeff Charleston’s awful red beard – it makes him look like a cross between Baron Von Munchausen and the pubic area on an apricot/red Standard Poodle my relatives had in England. Not a pretty sight.
I am ever so glad that I am not one of those ladies who pees when she laughs too hard!
I am ever so glad that I am not one of those ladies who pees when she laughs too hard!
You’re so glad that you pee twice!
Get a god damn DVR! Pause, rewind, record, fast-forward… you will wonder how you were able to live without it within 3 days.
Btw, red beards as sexy AF!
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one that has blabbers in my hallowed space! :/
Doesn’t it drive you crazy? I really have to concentrate or, in my enfeebled and semi-ancient state, I lose track of what’s going on, so I might as well give up and watch it again later. Oh well, something to look forward to. This particular episode definitely needed my attention since it’s all new people and it usually takes me forever to get everyone straight. Good luck with your hallowed space – I’ve thought about booby-trapping the area surrounding mine, but perhaps that’s going a little far.
hahaha, so true!
Reagan may claim it’s “in the blood,” but she does not know how to make a sazerac! Whether using absinthe or Herbsaint, (she used Herbsaint), “washing” the glass means to swirl the liquid, then DISCARD — or pour into another glass — the excess liquid. Whether “expressing” (twisting the lemon peel over the glass so the oils land in the glass) before or after pouring in the main ingredients, one rubs the OUTSIDE of the peel on the rim.
There really is a science to a well-made cocktail. If a reality personality is going to come on portraying themselves an expert, then learn the actual proper way. BTW Nanette, mix me one up, sounds delicious!
I’m too drunk and and it’s too late to actually watch this show. But that tall, dapper ginger with the sexy beard in the photo… PHWOAR! Yeah, I’ll be watching.
I saw on Instagram that Whitney from Charleston is producing this New Orleans one but he did not produce the Savannah one. So maybe that’s the difference? Because this one definitely had a great first episode!
they were all a little boring. Were there no other young, hot, single people in NO besides Jon? I’m not a fan of this yet… and Jeff and his boo look related as hell..it’s weird.
I’ve never watched any of the Southern Charms. I’m from NOLA so this one caught my eye. New Orleans is such a culturally rich city. It’s certainly the 7th cast member. I hope they do the city some justice b/c there’s no other place like it. There’s so much more than Mardi Gras and Voodoo.
I don’t have an opinion on the people yet. I agree with Ark’s comment that it was difficult to determine the core cast with so many non-cast members on the first show. I do know that Reagan’s voice annoys me already.
I am not a Savannah fan at all, but this one is fab! LOVE the cast! Tamica is stunning and I loved Barry’s absolute dedication to hating Mardi Gras. He came across like a nice guy. Jon Moody is WAY talented and while he’s not traditionally good looking, there’s something very attractive about him. Justin seems like a good guy and I loved his mama. Not really sure why he got so agitated when Tamica asked about him marrying his girlfriend. That question always gets thrown out to couples, especially after moving in together. Reagan wasn’t really my favorite and I was ready to hate her when she threw out that info about Jeff’s mom, but he obvs was ok with her saying it and agreed with her about it. I didn’t really think too much of him at first, but when he was talking about his family, definitely gave me a different perspective. He seems like a nice guy.
Excited to see how the season goes!
I think Justin got irritated because she asked it in front of his girlfriend, in front of a group of people, It definitely seemed designed to put him on the spot and just created an awkward situation. Personally, I felt bad for his girlfriend.
I was only able to get 15 minutes in before my power went out but I already am sold. Couldn’t wait for the recap any longer so I’ll finish watching later.
I was half watching as I finally got to the Voice blog.
I am excited that there is actually a cast with some diversity/shades of melanin! Appropriate for NOLA, I think (although I have not been there).
Also, men and women with actual talent other than spending trust fund money! I looked up at the painting – it was AMAZING.
Also, six hours on a float? DRINKING? Did they wear depends? I would have to wear astronaut diapers these days.
Mardi Gras floats have a “porta-potty” built into the float. In Mobile, AL, the makers usually start drinking around noon for a night parade. Being drunk is usualy part of the whole thing!
Yes! Been there done that.There’s usually a porta potty on the float. We were one of the first parades for the day so you’d have to be on the float by like 5 or 6 am. Depending on what’s happening, you can be delayed for several hours. Drinking for day parades starts ummmm early, I’ll just say that. It’s quite common to end up like Tamica. good times, lol
I love learning this! Is the porta potty one of those where it only covers you from the waist down?
Yes we have a bar, a bathroom and a dj! Sometimes when a float breaks down and the line up is stalled we order food to be delivered to the float. We also try to coordinate to bring snack trays, water etc! We really do have a good time. I wish they would of showed more of Mardi Gras, we always throw lots of fun stuff like stuffed animals, and other toys to all the kids dressed up on the parade route!
I’m all in! I hope we get some backstory on why Jeff’s family is so angry with him and cut him off from the family when it was the matriarch who did something horrible. I don’t think we are getting the whole story on this one.
You’d actually be shocked by how many Oreo athletes families look at them like their personal bank and get kissed if they don’t pony up a ton of money. It’s a sad reality.
Pro athletes
Lol, I thought there was some strange racist intent with the “Oreo” comment. But it didn’t make sense in context. I’m glad it was just a typo. 😀
Auto correct gets me all the time. I saw that and about crapped. Sorry
I thought it was funny… at least it did it on the ginger pasty white guy.
Loved the energy, hope the gorgeous NO vibe continues. Think I could really like these people. Excited to see how the season develops.
Can anyone enlighten about the fashion for lapel pins and the matching pendants?
New Orleans is one of my favourite cities from when I have visited the US from Australia – always need an excuse to go back!
So happy I found this show on the new Hayu app – that’s what Bethanny has been here promoting – as not sure we will get this on a Bravo affiliate Arena – I enjoyed it & the people, so much better than SC Savannah. Bring on next week!
I’m in it for all the hotness… All the guys and gals are FIIREEEEE… Daddy Justin and Jon can get it any day of the week 😉
I can’t believe nobody’s mentioned the shot of Barry’s naked ass in the shower. Yum.
Hopefully that was just a preview of a much longer scene to come.
Tamica said they were together 14 years but married 10 but the boy is 15. It’s not making any sense. I’ve not watched any other Southern Charm shows but I just didn’t turn after RHOA. I’m glad I didn’t. I’m all in
I thought she said together 18 years and married for 10.
I don’t know. I was confused. Could have been.
He’s not her son. She’s his stepmother. Barry had a child before they met. I hate that they pass him off as her son, when he has mother that is in his life.
Agreed. I know Hunter’s mom- Annie. She is a sweetheart and yes she is white. I think that they should acknowledge her as his mom and not Tamica. I hope they address it in the new season.
I was excited for this show and not disappointed. Love the diversity and that everyone has an authentic connection and all of these fiery personalities and hot men should make for a great show.
As commented earlier, Tamica’s math does not make any sense regarding her 15 year old son. Reagan’s apartment search does not make sense either. Why would her husband not stay with her?
The little boy is Tamica’s step son. She treats him as if he was her own.
Thanks! I never even thought about that, I don’t know why.
Lol, I’m a Nola native so I know of her and her family. I seen a wholeeee lot of people were confused with her math lol.
I hadn’t deleted the show on my DVR yet so I went back to see how long Tamica & Barry have been together. It’s a bit garbled but it sounds like she either says “for umpteen years” or “for 18 years”. It sounds like a bad splice or something so I can see why people heard “14 years” with the word “for” and the number run together.
After a couple of years, I’ve finally tuned in to a reality show. Haven’t been watching. It’s so different after taking a break. Nothing’s changed. I like this one, but I recall Tamika saying they’ve been together 14 years, married for 10. So if her son is 15, her husband is not the father. I wondered too and thought he looked mixed racial, so that solves that little mystery. But it seems like it could be fun. I have my dvr set to record.
Wrong. The son is actually Barry’s child from a previous relationship. Tamica only has one child, the daughter her & Barry share together. She treats his as if he was her child also.
I want to see this. I think I had tainted lettuce so I was so so so sick last night and missed it. Thanks for recapping
I enjoyed it. Some of the cast seem like they are trying too hard but hopefully that wears off. I notice that when people are new on shows. Anyway I liked the cast. Tamika is great. Like her. Looking forward to the season. Tamika and her cousin made me laugh. Cute. The blonde getting an apartment because they live an hour outside of the city is bizarre….I hope they don’t create conflict just to have a storyline..UKk so 2008 housewives style. Anyway thanks for recapping!
So far Loving All the Southern Charm shows I hope Savannah comes back too .
This show so far has me sucked in. It does take me awhile to get names of people on new shows horrible with names but faces is my thing LOL
The marriages just do not seem very solid like they are just going through the motions. So that is a recipe for fights
I’m excited about this show, too! These kids all seem to have more going on in their lives than just getting day drunk, like some of the SC kids.
A costume room! Anyone who has a costume room is my people.
And the city of New Orleans is a character, in and of itself.
Can’t wait for the next episode!
Normally, I’d say a costume room would be ridiculous. Fun, but ridiculous. But in New Orleans it makes sense.