Real Housewives of Orange County Visit Italy and Get Tan
November 13, 2009 by Maria Diaz
Last night’s episode of Real Housewives of Orange County was offensive to me on many levels. I felt this one hard, you guys. I But I’m not disturbed because of the continuation of the Tamra and Gretchen fight. That shit is tired and played out and I am over it. I did find it interesting that Tamra, when storming out with Vicki, mentioned that Gretchen got “1.7″ million dollars from Jeff and not the 2.5 that was reported on TMZ. That just seems like a really specific number to throw out there.
From there there was the tanning party, which I’m glad to see the producers got out of the way immediately. Tanning parties in OC are to independence parties in Atlanta and charity planning get-togethers in New York City. Lynne brought her daughter Alexis who asked if she could have a drink, which frankly is what I would want too, especially after Slade hogged the camera time away from the women by insisting on tanning nude and putting a sock on his junk. But he’s just so WACKY! GET IT!If I were him, I’d be concerned that an underage girl was there while I was running around naked. But then again, Slade doesn’t careabout kids.
Vicki’s storyline is Her Great European Adventure. Unlike the traditional rich kid who backpacks in Europe once done with college, who’s parents give them an Amex and a plane ticket to go discover themselves by sleeping with a Dutch dude in a hostel, lucky Brianna not only gets her mom to come with her, but also her grandma. Man, first she doesn’t get go to Dave Matthews with her boyfriend and now she has to endure this. Free Brianna! I was mortified for them in the restaurant where they couldn’t figure out how to order despite the fact that their waiter spoke decent English. I’d also like to enlighten them to these amazing things called guidebooks and the Internet, where you can read about what hotels are actually like, so you don’t pay $600 a night to stay in a closet.
The true kicker of this episode, what drove me over the edge, was Mommy & Me plastic surgery time. Lynne and her daughter Raquel, who you may remember from last year’s drunk bowling incident went with Lynne to good old Dr. Ambe to get a consultation for a nose job. It also looks like Dr. Ambe may have snuck in a boob job some point in the off season. Not saying she did, but she looked way different in her on camera interview outfit this season.
What was infuriating was Lynne telling Raquel she looked like a “Playboy bunny” and then telling telling the camera that she thought she was setting a good example for her daughters by getting a face lift so they could be as hot as she was when they get old. No wonder these girls are so messed up; Lynne has taught them that their only worth is in their looks and that is all they should strive for. When they all went to lunch post doctor’s appointment, their food looked untouched. Alexa’s crying about the surgery seemed rooted more in all the changes her family has probably gone through since going on the show but she killed it when she brought up the real reason: jealousy that the older sister was getting all the attention.
Speaking of, Jeana and Kara went to H & M to do some shopping for their Authenticity Points, although dropping $200 there is not something “poor” people do, so fail on that. Go hang out in the Target clearance rack and pick up a t-shirt for 2 dollars and then we’ll believe you. What was most confusing about this segment was Kara complaining about her waitressing job and having Jeana ask what she was talking about. My mother interrogates me on an FBI type of level about my life, so how could Jeana not know that Kara had a job?
Finally, TamRA won her authenticity points when she met with her realtor to discuss the over decorated Tuscan splendor that is her home, which is apparently worth exactly one case of Simon’s tequila. By the way, the house is currently in short sale escrow and listed as looking at backup offers (I have NO IDEA what I just wrote, I am just copying what it says on Zillow. What is real estate again?), so Tammy Sue and Simon did not get foreclosed on, much to your chagrin.
The other more disturbing scene in the episode also belonged to Tamra and Simon, when going to dinner with new housewife Alexis and her husband Jim. It may not be obvious but I am a hardcore women’s libber (and lover of old-timey slang) so the entire conversation, with the whole weirdness of Tamra swearing she “obeys” Simon and Alexis buttering her husband’s bread and making him a plate when the cheese course came up, was seriously revolting. Alexis and Tamra are grown ass women and to see their husbands talk about them like they were children who needed to be told what to do and reined in was not okay.
Images: Bravo/Evans Vestel Ward
That tanning party was seriously the most revolting thing I have ever seen. The only saving grace was that we only had to see Gretchens hands covering up Lynn’s knockers, and not Slades knocker. Gosh – even rethinking about that tanning party makes me want to vomit. Repulsive.
I guess that Gretchen is thrilled that Tamra mentioned $1.7 million. Now Gretchy Poo is telling the truth when she says she didn’t get $1.7 mil. Since it was $2.5 mil. HA HA HA. And she can go back to her story line that Tamra is telling lies about her. . .
I was also a bit annoyed by the Tamra Alexis dinner. There have been plenty of times I’ve fixed my hubby a plate of food – but it’s when we’re somewhere with a buffet and he has the honors of keeping our toddler entertained. Not when we are sitting at teh table together. Just wondering if Alexis also cuts up Jim’s meat. Or cuts his sandwiches into dinosaur shapes. Does she put Jim’s beer in a sippy cup???
I’m not surprised by the sock covering Slade’s junk. Back in the first season he did a whole ripoff of the hygiene/maintenance scene in American Psycho, completely unironically. Yeah, it was creepy. I’m pretty sure he thought that was the feel-good movie of the year back when it came out.
Gretchen also said something to the effect of, ‘I wish, I don’t have any money’
I have read that a few viewers were so offended by Slade’s desperate attempt for attention in the sock scene, they have contacted authorities and brought to their attention a minor was present at the time. Way to go,
although somehow this will be all Tamra’s fault.
I also love fhe way Gretchen’s mom lied. Who would put their parent in that position?
I agree that the tanning party just grossed me out…of course i jump in Lake Michigan on New Year’s Day so i’m not the smartest thing out there, and if “my loved one” was wearing a sock on his junk with a 16 year old running around, let’s say i’d be typing this from jail…the problem at least to me with Tamra was she was so interesting before she became obsessed with Gretchen, it’s simply none of her business, period. Don’t care if someone called her in the middle of the night, hang up. She comes off as mean and obsessed, when she was funny and interesting before.
The one that breaks my heart is Jeana, being from Wisconsin there’s a bunch of us who watch just to see her, and knowing that she’s leaving is almost like a death in the family, without the funeral, crying, and expense.
Daisy, ha! Love the image of Alexis cutting up his steak and serving his beer in a little sippy cup. What annoyed me was when Simon called Tamra out for not making him a plate as if that was just something that *all* wives were supposed to do. it was not cool for him to sell her out like that, especially after all the gloating about how much sex the other two were having.
Since when does a nursing degree take 7 years to complete? Get a grip, Vicki Gunvalson.
First of all, I cannot stand Vicky this season. She’s even more of a know it all this time around. She says her daughter is so smart because she completed her bachelor of science in nursing in three years instead of seven. It is only a four year degree. And if we all had parents who paid for our educations it would be quite simple to obtain in three years. I think Brianna has way more class and common sense than her mother ever will.
And I think it is important to know that the show is filmed earlier than we see it. So Gretchen technically may not be lying at this point about being broke and not getting inheritance. The legal lag time after death, reading the will and actually inheriting the money may have not been completed before these shows were filmed.
Also, I feel no sympathy for any of these people’s financial woes. They’ve all spent beyond their means and should feel partially responsible for the financial crisis caused by living on credit. They set poor examples for their children and should quite frankly get jobs.
I used to love the Orange County housewives but think I’ll stick to New Jersey from now on because those women actually parent their children and attempt to set good examples.
Slade and Gretchen are both skanks…the authorities should be brought in. If I were that kid’s father I’d kick Slade’s a$$ from here to Alaska.
Glad I’m not watching is all I can say….
Hope Slade’s pay from Bravo is garnished to pay for his child’s child support and medical treatment. Scumbag.
did it ever occur to any of you here that slade’s sock scene in the tanning tent happened *before* lynn & her daughter (the minor, who’s not too minor to ask her mother if she can have a beer…) showed up?!? as much of an imbecile as slade is, i’m pretty sure he’s not crass enough to be running around like that with minors present. not to mention bravo’s producers.
Since when is Slade concerned about minors?
Becky, I wonder if Slade is getting paid at all. From what I’ve heard about the NYC housewives only the wives get paid, not any family members.
Slade should be looking for a J-O-B, not on a vacation with Gretchen all summer, carrying her suitcases and running around naked for free. He’s got a seriously ill child for Pete’s sake. Shouldn’t the child come first?
Maria – I would assume (probably stupidly) that after the NJ wives got a token payment for their ho-dom, the rest of the wives sat up and barked for their share of a pepperoni treat.
Where can they travel to and get souls? And how about a shred of humanity? That would be a good trip for them.
@Michael — ROFLMAO!! oh my…..
It wasn’t clear from the episode whether Briana was getting a bachelors degree in nursing or whether she was in an advanced program that included a masters.
I think Brianna got a BSN, I think one of the photos they showed was of a display that said “BSN.” I don’t know where Vicki got that 7 year statistic, 5 years is probably more accurate. It’s funny how people are dogging her about it, though! Nurses are the best and BSN programs are really hard, Vicki should be very proud. Let her have her moment!
Lynn’s daughter is still a minor, albeit an annoying spoiled one. Slade (yech, the sock thing put me over the edge with him) is a grown man with two children, one of whom is terminally ill. That he can goes on air to cavort with the blonde (who i/m/o used a sick, dying man for what she could get out of him) instead of getting a job and being a responsible parent speaks volumes about his character. Does he have a job??????
According to the documents TMZ obtained, Slade is asking for teh judge to reduce the amount of child support he owes because he is “unemployed”. He can find a job if he truly wants to. McDonald’s is hiring.
stick a sock over the face… SO GLAD for TIVO can you say fast forward
Do these two really think they are funny? Or that we think they are? Oh by goss by golly. If they could take their heads out of their butts, they would see that the joke is on them and we are all laughing at them not with them. And Gretchen thinks he is so cute. When all is said and done, he is probably all she can get now.
I would love to see an update on some of the past OC housewives, especially after Bravo aired an old ep today from when Tamra first appeared (and spoke to someone on the phone, referring to herself as Tammy??)
Any new dirt on Laurie, Tammy, Jo, Quinn, etc?
@Jm Just came across this today, an interview with Jo
http://www.realitywanted.com/newsitem/2624-real-housewives-of-orange-county-exclusive-interview-and-photos-with-jo-de-la-rosa
@kel-Wow what a fox he is. She is so lucky she got away from Slimey. Sounds like she realizes that also. They look like brother and sister.
@kat I agree, he is rather *gulp* good looking, and they make a beautiful couple! I’m sure Jo is counting her blessings daily and I’m sure the word Karma has crossed her mind a few times too!
@kel-I went back in to have a look again and I had to wipe the drool from my bottom lip.
I used the picture as wallpaper but had to change it, all I did was stare at my computer. Slade couldn’t hold a sock er candle to this MAN.
Jm, that’s a great idea, I’ll do a post “where are they now?” in the next few days.
Also, Tamra’s friends and family refer to her as Tammy, but since there already was a Tammy I think for the show she goes by Tamra.