October 30, 2011 | 5:31 pm

A Conversation with Simon van Kempen

Posted by Ilana Angel

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I never thought I would ever have a conversation with Simon van Kempen. Truth be told, I was never really a fan of his or Alex on the Real Housewives of New York City. By not a fan, of course I mean I have been rather sarcastic, and somewhat harsh to this couple.  So you can imagine more than my surprise to talk to Simon, how surprised he must have been to find himself talking with me.

Last week on Twitter, Simon was asked if he had come across any of the current cast filming now in NYC, and if he would appear as a guest. He responded that he had not seen anyone, and would never do a housewife type show again.  I wrote that I thought he lied, and of course he would do another reality show.  After 4 years with a steady paycheck, nobody is walking way that quickly.

Simon wrote back to assure me he would not appear on the housewives again. I then asked him if he was up for an interview.  I was shocked that he said yes.  In fact, when many of his followers took to Twitter to inform him of how evil I was, I half expected him to cancel.  In the end not only did he not cancel, but he called exactly when he said he would, and spoke with me for an hour. He is not what I expected.

Simon van Kempen is articulate and non-confrontational.  He is not concerned with the opinions that people have of him, but it troubles him when people lie.  Whether or not I think he is a liar is irrelevant. He answered questions quickly and without hesitation.  I liked Simon, and I don’t think he lied to me.  He speaks easily and there is a humble undertone to him that I found surprising.

This man has been dragged through the gutter.  He has watched the show alter how people think of him, and that he is able to stay positive is impressive.  I’m sure it hurts his feelings, but at the end of the day he is aware enough to know that no matter what he says, it will be interpreted in the same way someone sees him.  I’ve not changed my mind on how I see the show, but perhaps my idea of Simon has shifted.

Think what you want about Simon, and we all have opinions, I appreciate that even after my not so flattering blogs, he has not blocked me on Twitter, which tends to be quite a popular choice by many of the people associated with Bravo.  The “celebs” of reality television like to block people to avoid negative things appearing on their Twitter.  If nothing else, Simon is not afraid of the good, bad or ugly.

When word spread that he had agreed to an interview with me, people wanted to know if he was still smoking.  Yes.  He’s none too thrilled about it, and wants desperately to quit, but for now he is a smoker.  He does not smoke in the house, so maybe a good winter will be the thing he needs to kick the habit.  Heading out in the cold for a smoke, might be enough to finally help him stop.

From the first season, Simon and Alex did not fit in with the cast.  If it was about housewives in NYC, why was this couple from Brooklyn included?  I had the same opinion of Bethenny in the beginning.  She never should have been on this show and I never got why they were there.  To hear Simon tell the story, he was unclear as to why they were there too.  What became RHONYC was not what they signed up for.

Simon opened a hotel a week after the attacks of 9/11.  It was in Manhattan, and the tragedy was hard on businesses.  In order to keep the doors open, Simon turned to filming as a source of revenue for the hotel.  That led to the venue he managed being used as a location for some reality televisions shows.  Through those contacts, they heard of a show about moms in NYC with kids applying to private schools.

Simon and Alex auditioned for that show. They thought it would be fun, they would meet other young couples, and make a little extra money.  Simon looks back on those early shows and he admits it was a little mortifying, as they were presented in a different light than their real lives.  They were painted as the wannabes, when they were always happy with their lives in Brooklyn, and were not aspiring to be anything else.

It’s interesting that we all watched the first season in NYC and judged Alex and Simon based on a life that clearly was not theirs.  Granted one can blame editing on every unflattering moment on television, but the truth is that we see Simon and Alex in the exact way Bravo wanted us to see them.  The only thing that is clear, is that you need to have a very thick skin in order to survive being on a reality television show.

Simon told me about how he met Alex on match.com and it’s a great story. It’s a whirlwind romance of travel and love.  It seems rather fated that they met, and surprised them both that they got married.  It was a fortunate colliding of two worlds, and to hear Simon tell it is sweet.  He is in a little awe of his good fortune, and how he talks about his wife is enough to make even a jaded blogger’s heart flutter.

Simon was only 5 when his father passed away.  I was 35 when my dad died and I have still not recovered.  To lose a father as a child is crushing.  His dad’s name was Francois Johan, thus his children’s names.  He speaks about the boys in a kind but funny way.  He loves them, and is entertained by them. They go by their formal names, but living in Brooklyn, Simon says the days of Frankie and Jonnie might be near.

Sidebar:  We spoke of Jill Zarin, cyber bullying, anti-Semitism, and Lynn Hudson.  I’ve opted to talk about those things in a separate blog, as this is about Simon, not RHONYC.  I will say that Simon has a love of Israel, and has been there.  He says he is not anti-Semitic and has never made an anti-Semitic remark.  Of course he would never admit it, but in my opinion, Simon does not hates Jews.

Simon does not care if you love him or hate him, just be honest.  He understands that we are all allowed to have an opinion, and those opinions are based on a television show that is based very loosely on reality.  You don’t have to like him, just don’t lie.  So many reality television personalities work hard to control what is said, and Simon was not like that.  He does not sweat what is said, but stands up against the lies that are spread.

I asked Simon to tell met three words to describe himself.  He chose honest, misunderstood, and tall.  When asked to tell me three things to describe what he is not, he went with gay, controlling husband, and bad dad. The Simon that I see on television annoys me.  The Simon I spoke with on the phone is lovely.  The key to reality television viewing is to know the difference between the two.

I stand by all the blogs I have written about the Real Housewives of New York City, as it was my reaction to what I saw.  I write about a non-scripted, scripted television show, not “real” people.  To the real Simon van Kempen however, I want you to know that I thought you were lovely in real life.  As a television personality, you make for fun blogging, but as a man, the love you have for your wife and children is wonderful.

I figure we will see Alex, Simon and the chums on television again.  If they come back talking about how they met online, their kids, his wanting to be the dad he never had, her undying support of the man she loves, and somehow can undo the damage Bravo has done, I think we’ll all be surprised that they are actually a very entertaining couple.  That said, I will still blog, and it may or may not be a love fest.

We’ll see what happens.  In the end I liked Simon.  He could be full of crap, but truth be told, aren’t all celebrities, whether reality or not, full of a little crap?  Don’t they all want fame and glory?  Don’t we all? It’s all perception and whilie I stand by mine, I could be a little off when it comes to Simon and Alex.  I could be wrong, as I’ve been wrong before, but right or wrong, I’m keeping it real.

October 25, 2011 | 2:14 pm

The Bitchy Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Posted by Ilana Angel

These women continue to embarrass themselves on national television and it’s fascinating.  I said I would not blog about them anymore because they were so pathetic, but there is just too much good stuff.  I have no respect for any of them and if I had to pick one that came off good last night, it would be Brandi.  What does that say about this group?

I’m going with a list of observations rather than a blow by blow recap because I can’t bear the thought of paying such close attention to each minute of this painful hour.

- Adrienne cooking is stupid
- Selling chickens does not qualify you to cook chickens
- Washing the chicken with soap is scripted
- Can anyone really be this dumb?
- Who keeps onions pealed on a plate in the fridge?
- Chef Bernie is hilarious
- Adrienne looks like Barbara Eden
- Lisa is not funny
- Taylor’s mouth is simply too big
- Kyle is a bitch
- A million sorry tweets are lame
- Dana is underused and wasted on this show
- Mohammed’s house is stupid
- Mohammed’s hair is stupid
- Mohammed’s girlfriend is stupid
- Adrienne’s spa is fabulous
- Strawberries on a plastic fork looks silly not fancy
- Kyle is evil deep down inside
- Just kidding
- Not really
- Adrienne would not have stopped the fight between Brandi and Kyle
- Who goes to the spa in full makeup?
- Do any of these women have real eyelashes?
- Why did Camille peek around the corner before going upstairs?
- Why did Lisa take a friend?
- Kim does not use crystal meth
- She is clearly a coke head
- And also an alcoholic
- And probably has a medicinal pot card
- Kyle went on the trampoline so her sister would not look lame
- Kyle protecting her sister makes me like Kyle
- I’m over liking Kyle now
- I like Brandi
- Brandi has balls to go anywhere with these chicks
- I don’t mind a chick with the vocabulary of a sailor
- I have been known to speak like a sailor
- I like Camille
- Camille and Brandi should be friends
- Camille is trying to gain weight
- I don’t like Camille anymore
- I want a tanning machine in my home
- Adrienne as the peacekeeper is lame
- Discussing your children’s therapy on television is not cool
- Brandi did not need to apologize for anything
- The bullying of Brandi is crazy
- Kim is high
- Kim is always high
- Kyle is two faced
- Lisa likes to stir the pot
- If we can put men on the moon, can’t we shrink Taylor’s mouth?
- You can fight with crazy
- Brandi is a sweet girl, shame she agreed to this show
- Brandi apologizing is sad
- Kyle needs to stop defending her sister
- Adrienne needs to stop interpreting for Brandi
- Kyle is still not apologizing
- Kyle is a bitch
- Why is Lisa standing there?
- Kyle is a hypocrite
- I’m on Brandi’s side
- Lisa is ridiculous
- I love the F bombs

These women are embarrassing to women.  It’s high school all over again.  To see that they are showing Russell next week is heartbreaking.  He’s dead, cannot defend himself, and on Halloween they are going to bring his ghost back?  Can he not rest in peace?  I’m over this show and of all the housewives, in all the cities, these people don’t know how to keep it real.

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October 25, 2011 | 11:00 am

Dancing With The Stars – Broadway Week - UPDATE

Posted by Ilana Angel

I love this show.  Truly love it. It is because I love it so much that I am annoyed that Brooke Burke Charvet is ruining it.  Her voice is annoying, her questions are ridiculous, and she does not need to be there.  Tom could totally do this show by himself.  The contestants can get their scores standing on the dance floor with Tom, instead of going upstairs to talk to the robot.  Seriously, enough already.  Fire her.

The show starts with the cast of Sister Act and they are fabulous.  I can’t help but be a little sad that Carson is not dancing, as he would have done something really great.  Watching him cheer everyone is bittersweet and you know he wishes it was him and not Rob Kardashian, who is not a star, but simply the boring brother of a porn star and her sisters.  His mom comes by to say hello, and tell him she is proud of him.

Rob does okay, but I don’t really care about him so it’s not that big a deal.  I know dancing is the goal, but I find myself pulling for the best entertainer more than the best dancer, and Rob is not entertaining.  The most interesting thing about Rob Kardashian is that he has the same bottom as his sister Kim, and seeing it on a man is fascinating.  He copies Kim, so next step should be porn right?  Why is this kid here?

Nancy Grace is next and she’s such a bitch.  I really like her, love that she is donating her fee to charity, but she has been mean to Tristan from the very first day and it’s just not cute.  She is there because people love her on her own show, which is great, but she is her own worst enemy and I am no longer voting for her because she is rude.  She’s trying, and God bless her, but I’m over her.  That said, I don’t think she’s going home this week.

David Arquette is adorable.  I like him so much, and really want him to do well.  He danced to Grease and I loved it.  I dig how his family cheers him on, and I loved his spot on Travolta impersonation.  I hope he’s in the finals because I think his freestyle will be crazy good.  I’m voting for him tonight because he’s entertaining, and dancing well. I think he’s earned a shot at greatness, which he has not yet hit, but is very close to.

Ricki is up and I must say that I’m disappointed she did not dance to Hairspray.  I know it would have been an unfair advantage, but it would also have been really fabulous.  She did the quickstep, which is my favorite dance, and she was phenomenal.  She looked beautiful and there was nothing wrong with her performance.  The judges agreed because she got a standing ovation and a score of 29.  Bravo Ricki.

Chaz Bono was the Phantom of the Opera and while the judges did not dig it, I really liked it.  I like Chaz so much and totally get that he is not the best dancer, but he is trying so hard.  If it was about dancing only, then he would be going home.  If it’s about personality, then Nancy or Hope will go home.  I really hope it’s Hope because Nancy bitching is fun to write about, but I don’t care about Hope and think she is a wet noodle.

Speaking of Hope, she is next and in her taped package she is crying and pulling the sympathy card.  Whatever.  Her dance sucked and she needs to go home.  She is not the worst dancer there, but she is the least entertaining. I would rather watch Rob than Hope.  She is sweet, a great soccer player, but she looks like a tranny, has no rhythm, and needs to go home.  My prediction for Broadway week is that Hope is voted off.

Sidebar:  Maks is an asshole.  He made a fool out of himself last night and was a baby.  This is not “his show”, and Len should not retire.  Maks needs a ego check and to criticize the judges for being “judgmental” is ridiculous.  As for Bruno calling Chaz a penguin, seriously?  I leave the judges alone on this show but perhaps it’s time to start brining Bruno into the blog.  Hard to know who was the bigger Douchelord this week, Maks or Bruno, but my vote goes to Maks.

JR Martinez danced last and he was perfect.  I simply love this man and have now decided that not only should he win, but he will.  He is entertaining, a brilliant dancer, a wonderful personality, a hero, a mensch, and deliciously handsome.  This is his competition to win or lose.  His quick step was flawless and I don’t mind telling you that sitting in my living room, I gave him a standing ovation.  JR is going to be the winner.

Kristin Chenoweth was spectacular and her number was terrific, but if I see that blonde troupe dancer whip her hair into her partner’s face one more time I am going to scream.  I want to walk up to her on the street and cut her hair.  It’s disgusting.  It’s group dance time with Carson as the creative director and he is fab.  Carson Kressley is delicious and I freaking love him. The group dance is very good and was a fun segment.

I liked this week’s show and it will be interesting to see what happens on the elimination show.  I really think Hope needs to go this week.  She is boring and not fun to watch.  It’s getting down to the wire and after tonight we will have only 6 celebrities left.  If they fire Brooke, and get that blonde troupe dancer to cut her hair, this show would get a 10 from me.  I will update tonight after we find out if America is keeping it real.

Chaz Bono was eliminated tonight and it was sad.  I truly feet that Hope should have gone, and Maks had bis crybaby moment because he knew she was going if he didn’t get all dramatic.  I hope Hope goes next week.  Chaz was lovely and entertaining.  I truly believe his being on this show made a difference.  He will be missed and his parting words to Tom Bergeron were: “I came on to this show because I wanted to show American a different kind of man. I know that if there was somebody like me on TV when I was growing up, my whole life would have been different. So I dedicate everything I did to all the people out there like me, especially the kids and teens who are struggling. You can have a wonderful great life and be successful and happy.”

Bravo Chaz.

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October 24, 2011 | 1:51 pm

A Conversation with Dana Wilkey

Posted by Ilana Angel

I had the pleasure of speaking with Dana and she is a fascinating woman.  She called me from home, and did not block her phone number which I thought was unusual, but sweet.  While it was probably an oversight, she could just be cool and figured I was not a stalker, and did not worry because she is an open book and if I called, she wouldn’t mind.

I liked Dana immediately.  She is ballsy and fun, but has a vulnerable undertone that is very sweet.  Of all the housewives I have met and spoken to, she was the most unlike what I was expecting.  She is super smart, accomplished, generous and kind, yet she is painted as a desperate drunk who only cares about being friends with the ladies of Beverly Hills.

Dana has had a rough road to happiness.  Her mother was in a car accident when she was only 10 years old, and lingered in a coma for a couple of years after that.  She died when Dana was only 12, and Dana moved out and was on her own when she was just 15.  She went through high school and college on her own, and graduated with honors from USC.

She has been with her fiancé for several years, and they are together, happy, and planning their wedding.  They have a young son that they both adore, and Dana lives with her man, her boy, and her 92-year-old grandmother.  It is her maternal grandmother, and Dana loves her and has taken care of her for years.  Dana is fiercely loyal to her family.

She grew up alone, with the pain of losing a parent, and it’s unfortunate that she was painted as being desperate to make friends, when really it’s simply a sincere attempt to be friends with women that she has nothing in common with, and would never be friends with under any other circumstances, than taping a reality television show. (I use the word “reality” loosely.)

Dana shed some light on a few things from last week that were odd to me. Why did she invite Brandi to her house for game night when she had been so rude at Adrienne’s by saying her fiancé was cheating on her?  She did not want to invite her, but Taylor said it would be the nice thing to do, so she invited her to be kind, not because she wan’t mad about what Brandi said.

Why was she begging the girls to go on a “healthy” vacation together?  That scene was at the end of the night and she was a little tipsy.  The second Kim arrived she knew she was in trouble.  Kim was clearly fragile and Dana wanted to be sensitive to her.  When she suggested a “healthy” trip together, it was gentle way of discussing rehab for Kim.

Why does she appear to be desperate to be friends with all the crazy? Turns out she never really sees these girls.  While she is good friends with Taylor, she does not know the others, and shooting together is the only time she sees them, so she tries to cram in a lot of stuff while they are together. They are nice, but not particularly friendly or accepting.

Dana is different from these women in a lot of ways.  She is independently wealthy, and did not marry into her money.  She did not quit her job, and still runs her companies on her own.  She does not need the money.  She does not need to prove anything. She is a sweet girl, who thought this would be fun, and is not too concerned with how Bravo is editing her.

She is fiercely loyal to her friends, and while I imagine some of the editing has hurt her feelings, she mostly laughs at all of it.  When you sign on to do this type of show, you never know how you are going to come off to the audience.  From watching I thought Dana was ditzy, but after speaking to her, I think she is smart, philosophical, genuine and a complete hoot.

Dana is not desperate for friendship, or fame.  She has built a life for herself, has longtime friends, a loving fiancé, special grandmother, a beautiful son.  She is fun, and people need to be a little less harsh with her because what Bravo is giving us, is not the whole story.  I suppose that’s true of all of them, so must I take my own advice and be kinder?

Probably not going to happen my darlings.  Part of what is so fun about blogging about the housewives is that we are able to comment on what Bravo gives us, so none of it can be taken too personally.  All is fair in love and reality television.  Dana is on Watch What Happens Live with Andy and Brandi tonight, so check her out and let me know if you think she is keeping it real.

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October 20, 2011 | 4:10 pm

Bethenny Frankel Defends Herself With a Gag Order

Posted by Ilana Angel

I wrote a blog a couple of weeks ago about Bethenny Frankel and her therapy session off the coast of Nantucket.  Apparently Bethenny thinks my take on the story is “irresponsible journalism” and has taken to Twitter and the press, to assure her fans she would never lie to them, which is not true.

Bethenny Frankel has bent the truth about her life for a long time.  She has spun so many tales that I imagine she doesn’t even remember how things really happened in her life.  She is wildly popular, and very successful, but that does not mean she does not lie, or distort the facts.

In terms of her tale about being lost at sea, I stand by what I wrote, I stand by Tim Russell, and I stand by my opinion that Ms. Frankel has twisted the facts of her story. There is simply no way it happened as she told the press.  The facts do not match up with what she is saying.

Bethenny told Matt Lauer on The Today Show that a gag order has been placed on Mr. Russell, which makes no sense.  Why is he not allowed to tell his side of the story?  He was there and knows exactly what happened.  He told me, and I know everything, so where is my gag order?

A gag order is an order, sometimes a legal order by a court or government, other times a private order by an employer or other institution, restricting information or comment from being made public. What is it that Bethenny is worried about Mt. Russell saying publically?  Perhaps the truth?

I am not jealous of Bethenny, nor am I paid by Jill Zarin.  I am a fan of reality television who is sick of this woman lying about everything.  I was surprised that more people are not selling her out, but then when someone does, they get a gag order, so why bother?  Why are people scared?

I would happily have a discussion with Ms. Frankel to clarify my story, and if it was proven that what I wrote was not true, I will then apologize, admit I was wrong, and post a retraction.  It’s not that big a deal.  Prove I’m wrong and I will stop.  What does she possibly have to worry about?

She is saying now that she will prove her story when it airs on her show in December.  With two months to edit the footage, I imagine she is correct, and we will see her desperately clinging to life in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, while waiting for the United States Coast Guard.

Bravo stood by Bethenny and publically stated what she said about her ordeal at sea was true.  Of course they will support her claims, she makes them boat loads of money.  Pardon the pun.  Her boat story will make them millions and they are not walking away from that.

I like reality TV, and I used to really like Bethenny Frankel.  I liked her on Martha Stuart’s Apprentice, and I loved her when she was a housewife of New York City.  That all changed when she went off to do her own show, and became a mean girl, who manipulated her fans.

Many of Bethenny’s diehard fans read my blog and have let me know they think I am wrong, and should be ashamed for saying such things about their beloved Bethenny.  Many people also read who have changed their opinion of Ms. Frankel over the years, and do not trust anything she says.

Not everyone agrees with what I write, and not everyone loves Bethenny Frankel.  Personally, I find her advice dangerous to women, and her storytelling to be based more in fantasy than reality.  That said, God Bless her for what she has accomplished.  I get her desire for success.

I believe had she not exaggerated as much, she still would have been a superstar.  The only difference is that I would have respected her, instead of thinking she was duping young women in search of fame, money and power. The truth will set her free and it’s just a matter of time.

Bethenny is spending a lot of time saying that what I wrote is not true, but she has not spoken in specifics about anything I said.  If I lied, all she needs to do is prove I’m wrong and it goes away.  Show that I what I wrote is lies, and she wins.  Instead she shut up the man who saw it all.

I will gladly go through my blog, point by point, and she can show me that it’s wrong, but the simple truth is she can’t.  What I wrote was true and I am not second-guessing one single word. I spoke with Tim Russell, and Bethenny was not honest with her fans about her adventure at sea.

Bethenny tried to deflect all the speculation about her on the Today Show by talking about Giuliana Rancic’s breast cancer.  Really?  When asked point blank about bloggers writing that she was not telling the truth, she changed the subject and talked about Giuliana having cancer.

For Bethenny to lean on this woman’s pain and suffering to distract from her lies is gross.  It was a sad to see her flail around unable to answer the questions.  Nobody can keep so many stories straight in their head and eventually the truth will spill out.  That will be an interesting day.

I will defend my words anytime Ms. Frankel is interested in taking me on. It’s not that big of a deal.  For someone who she does not take seriously, she is certainly spending a lot of time telling people she does not take me seriously.  At the end of the day I feel very sorry for her.

I am not on a mission to hurt Bethenny.  She chose to live her life for the world to see, and I’m just someone with an opinion.  The only question left, is if Bethenny, Jason and Bryn will dress up as MaryAnn, Ginger and Gilligan for Halloween. That would be hilarious, and totally keeping it real.

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October 19, 2011 | 9:56 am

Dancing With The Stars: Carson Kressley Does Not Survive the 80’s

Posted by Ilana Angel

I loved 80’s week.  I was the age my son is now during the 80’s, and it’s a hoot to look back with him.  When I mentioned to him that I thought it was cool that he knew the songs of my generation, he said that he likes the “oldies”. When did the music of the 80’s become oldies?  I suppose right around the time I became old. It was a fun theme and I totally dug it.

Hope Solo:  I don’t get her and think her personality does not translate well to television.  She is bland, bitchy, and a bit of a complainer.  I like her, but don’t think she was a fit on this show and I’m ready for her to go home.

Nancy Grace:  I loved her in the beginning and I want to love her now, but I think she is mean and disrespectful to Tristan, and not in a cute and funny way.  She needs to relax and let him be the boss or she’ll be out next.

JR Martinez:  Give him the trophy right now.  He was good when the show started and he is great now.  I love everything about this man and he will be in the finals with Ricki.  He is lovely and watching him makes me happy.

Rob Kardashian:  He is sweet and I get that he wants to come out of the shadow of his sisters, but he is so boring and his voice is so monotone that I just don’t care about him or his dancing.  He’s sweet, but I’m over him.

Chaz Bono:  He was fantastic this week and I’m so glad people voted for him long enough for us to see that he can really dance.  I dig Chaz and I’m so glad he is in this competition and still around.  His being here matters.

David Arquette:  I loved his video package and music this week.  He is coming into his own, and is a great dancer.  Watching his daughter’s reaction to Len’s comments was awesome.  He should be top 3 and has my vote.

Ricki lake:  She is cute, loved her dress, and even though the judges did not totally love her dance, I thought it was good.  Ricki is going to the finals and she will kill it.  Loved seeing John Waters too.  Very cool he stopped by.

Carson Kressley:  I love this guy.  He is so fun and charming and while it was time for him to go, he will be missed.  This week proves that the popularity contest is over, and we are now at a place where the dancing matters.  He was fabulous and it’s a drag that he did not make it to the Broadway theme next week because he would have owned it.

I can’t end this blog without saying that Tom Bergeron is the greatest live host on television, and Brooke Burke Charvet is absolutely useless on this show.  I will never understand why she is even there asking stupid questions.  It’s time for Tom to host this show by himself, and also time he won the Emmy instead of Jeff Probst.  Just keeping it real.

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October 18, 2011 | 10:56 pm

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Dana’s Fiancé Has An Attitude

Posted by Ilana Angel

Dana Wilkey is one of the newest cast members of RHOBH.  She is a little out there to be sure, but there is something sweet about how desperate she is to fit in with a group of crazy people.  I think she is fun, sweet, kooky, and on a mission to get famous.  Important to note that we’ve only just been introduced to her so I reserve the right to totally flip my opinion.

Dana is trying really hard to ingratiate herself to the other cast members, but is she worried about what we think about her?  Is she hoping the audience will embrace her and catapult her to fame?  If not, she better be because fans have clout and blogs have power.  The recent firings at RHONYC are proof of that.  We watch, and Bravo listens.

I read a lot of others blogger’s work because at the end of the day I am a fan of reality television, and I like to see what others think about the shows we all watch.  There is a website called Reality Wives, and they blog about a lot of shows.  One blogger in particular from this site, who I follow on Twitter @Real_Housewives, cracks me up.

We don’t agree on a lot of the shows, but she is respectful and sweet to me, and is open to opinions that do not agree with hers.  Unlike a certain blogger in Chicago who is a hot mess, this chick is cool.  She wrote a piece this week about Dana Wilkey and her fiancé John Flynn.  It was a harmless blog that included a picture of Mr. Flynn.

The following day, Mr. Flynn sent an email to the blogger stating that she needed to remove his picture from her blog or there would be legal action taken.  Really?  Here’s the thing, if you are on the red carpet, at an event, as you are in the photo, it’s fair game.  Your fiance is on a wildly popular television show, and so we are curious about you.  That’s how it works.

Welcome to reality television hell Mr. Flynn.  You are in it Sweetie and your picture is going to be everywhere, including blogs. To Dana, we like you right now so you need to tell your man to relax because if he pushes the blogosphere too far, they will turn on him, and therefore you.  Reality fans are serious, so get him on board, and keep it real.

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October 17, 2011 | 11:33 pm

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills High School Recap

Posted by Ilana Angel

I watch this show, because I am an addict, but I cannot give a blow-by-blow recap as it’s simply too excruciating.  What I am able to do however, is go through the list of ladies and share my take on them and their behavior, based on this week’s train ride through hell.

BRANDI:  I love this chick.  She is doing her best to keep it together, while under constant attack.  I give her props for staying at the party as long as she did, because I would have bailed, right after I smacked both the Richards bitches.  When she cried it was heartbreaking.

Sidebar:  I am the mother of a 15 year old son.  He is a remarkable human being with impeccable manners, and when he was young, I told him, on many occasions, to drop his pants and pee on a tree in the park because he could not make it to the bathroom.  That’s the joy of being a boy and there is nothing wrong with what Brandi’s kid did.

Brandi has experienced a very public divorce, from what appears to be a douchelord, and that she chose to do this show makes no sense to me.  She is younger, and prettier than the regulars, so she had to have known she was going to be a target because these fame whores are crazy.

DANA:  This chick is a whack-a-doodle.  Her desperate need for fame is nauseating, which is a shame because I bet she’s a hoot when she is not crawling up reality television star’s asses in order to feel accepted.  I don’t understand half of what she says which is good television.

CAMILLE:  I like her this season and I liked her mom.  I hope she gives Brandi a chance because I think they could be good friends.  She is sitting back and observing the show more than participating, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out with her over the next few weeks.

Important to note that when Camille was talking to the woman in the pink hat and floral dress, she was gracious, kind, and a real lady.  When the MC screwed up her lines, the first thing Camille did was align herself with her.  Camille is a class act and we saw her true self today.

ADRIENNE:  Is it just me or does she look more and more like Barbara Eden, circa I Dream of Jeannie, every time we see her?  She is the kind one of the group.  By kind of course I mean to everyone but her husband.  In a sea of freaks, she is the normal one, which is frightening.

TAYLOR:  Dear Lord, why is this woman on television?  She needs to wash her hair and eat a sandwich.  Her mouth is distracting and her blow up about not hitting, while compelling, seemed fake to me.  She was playing victim and I’m not buying it, which feels horrible.

If I had a small child, whose father killed himself, I would not be playing out the months leading up to his death on television.  In the end, maybe she needs the money, but how much money is worth it now, for her daughter to not respect her later?  Think ahead Taylor, and be done.

LISA:  She started off as my favorite.  I thought she was fun, irreverent, and down to earth.  In the end she is a snob, catty, not that funny, and has undertones of judgment in everything she tries to pass off as a joke.  She is a mean girl who is looking to start trouble with everyone.

Sidebar:  Kevin Lee, the wedding planer, needs to have his own show.  Love the clothes, the make-up, the kiss, the wig, the ideas, love it all.  I want to spend an hour a week watching him put together a spectacular wedding.  I adore this guy.  Let’s go Andy Cohen, he is a keeper.

KIM:  There is no way, on God’s green earth, that this woman is not medicated.  By medicated of course I mean taking drugs in a way that is not prescribed by a doctor, but rather by a guy on the corner.  She is going to hurt herself.  Mark my words, it’s coming, and it will be sad.

KYLE: Oh. My. God.  This woman is a complete and total bitch.  Meow!  She is mean, selfish, delusional, and so desperate for fame that she cares about nothing else.  She was fan favorite after the first season, which is proof that when you fall from the top, you fall hard.

Her older children are able to understand so how must they feel seeing their mother be such a horrible woman?  She is mean to her core so the first season was clearly an act.  Kathy Hilton must be thanking God she has a different name, and cringing when they mention her.

This show is truly horrible in terms of bad behavior, and if I were not a reality television addict, I would not be watching.  It’s like crack and I just can’t stop.  I’m assuming it’s like crack since I don’t do drugs.  Kim, can you confirm?  Come on sweetie let’s start keeping it real.

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