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Real Housewives of New York City as Fake as Their Flaunted Assets
PUBLISHED MARCH 6, 2008
The Real Housewives of New York City is marketed as a sophisticated show about being a socialite in Manhattan. In reality, the show is nothing more than a bunch of annoying wannabes—some working harder than others—who claim to inhabit the upper stratosphere of New York society. The five so-called socialites who star on this program are loud, gawky, and likely on the periphery of the social scene, as the upper echelon of the city would never agree to be on reality television.
The show is based on Bravo’s hit The Real Housewives of Orange County. Unlike its predecessor, the housewives of New York City are dull and frustrating to watch. They are extremely unnatural in front of the camera, and their activities seem scripted. By contrast, the ladies of Orange County are relaxed, fun, and occasionally over the top. The housewives in California are also accessible to their audience as real women with real problems. The show is not just about impressing viewers with how much their homes cost or how much they spend—at its core, Orange County is about a group of women who are trying to be good wives, mothers, and friends.
New York City is the complete opposite. It’s all about showing the lavish lifestyles of housewives Alex, Bethenny, Jill, LuAnn, and Ramona. They do have their struggles, but they are a far cry from the self-esteem issues, divorces, and broken families out in California. Their problems are best exemplified by Jill, a middle-aged women who pronounces the word entrée—as in entrée to the best circles—somewhere between the term for “main course” and the word “enter.” Her trials and tribulations include asking her husband for a private jet to Martha’s Vineyard and wanting to beat her archrival Ramona in a tennis match.
Then there are Brooklyn-dwellers Alex and Simon, who want to move up the social ladder. Every move they make is methodical and designed to help them reach their end goal, which should be expected from women whose creed is, “In New York, status is everything.”
The other three women are similar. LuAnn is a countess, because, as she puts it, “If you marry a count, you become a countess.” She seems to be intelligent and have a bit more class than her co-stars, particularly Ramona. Ramona is a reality star to the core. She blatantly states “I’m proud of being sexy,” and feels that “New Yorkers have a chicness.” She believes that you can never have too many short skirts, as long as they’re Ralph Lauren. Lastly, there’s Bethenny who is trying to be a “modern, healthy Martha Stewart.” She seems the most grounded of the five women—she had a tough life growing up. Bethenny is the complete opposite of the other four, which adds a nice contrast to the constant blabbering about New York society.
Although these five women may sound fun to watch, they’re not. Yes, they crack some great one-liners, especially Ramona, who says that she plays tennis because “It’s just so easy, the tennis court is right outside my door.” However, these moments are not enough to sustain the show. Bravo, like these women, cannot cut it amongst the upper echelon of Manhattan.
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I'm fascinated by this train wreck!! And New Yorkers think they're so great!? Why doesn't that skinny, skanky Alex get her teeth fixed and put a leash on that child? Bethany is the only decent one of the bunch.
Well... i watched the reunion.... And it showed that none of these women have any class what so ever. They were all viciously throwing Alex under the bus. Because she aspires to be like them. Youd think they would be flattered. Countess shmountess... what a crock shes wife #4 and hes never home. She spends her nights out clubbing with school age girls, while her kids are left to a housekeeper. Bethany Martha stewart??? Give me a break. Shes too busy drinking to taste her food. And shes forcing a guy who doesnt seem that interested in her to commit. Ramona is a loud mouth idiot. the redhead with her old sugar daddy. i thought she was cool. but shes not. shes a hipocrit. constantly bragging about her social circles . and attacking someone who aspires to be like her. Alex, funny demeanor, too worried about what other people think. but at the end of it all ,her and simon are the only ones with class.. their priorities are strait. their family comes first and their love. at the end of the day they dont care about their stupid floors. And they never said one unkind word to any of those others. That is what class is all about ladies.
With all of Alex's money, why doesn't she get that grill of hers fixed along with a decent hair style?
Guilty of watching, just so I could judge........it was sad and funny, somewhat unrealistic. I am from Oklahoma where we have every variety (as does Texas and lots of places) of regular rich and poor, as well as regular rednecks, rednecks with money, regular white trash, and white trash with money. What I saw made me think of what used to be called Hillbilly Rich. LuAnn displayed better manners and a little more grace than the rest. Did anyone but me notice that Jill and Ramona were very ungraceful in heels? When they would walk across a lobby or room, get out of a car, their stride was like a linebacker? They all needed some lessons in how to dress, talk, walk......I suppose I have seen TOO
many movies and seen too many REAL LADIES.
The Girl's Night Out was supposed to be just that. Alex and Simon should have had better manners.
I also know that we all have our regional accents, but........PUHLEASE! Everyone wore their skirts
too short for women of their age......(ladies, please watch "What Not to Wear"). Alex's "cleavage"
was painful to look at, as was Simon's hair. Bethenny's boyfriend looked like a mobster. As for Jill,
wouldn't a woman of her means used American Express Black or something when shopping vs. cash?
I could go on and on. It was entertaining just to watch and think that just a hick from the sticks, like
myself has more class and better manners than those women. How pretentious to name your children
Francois and Johan, teach them foreign lanquages, then allow them to disrupt dinner and destroy
someone else's food like that? Maybe the rich really ARE different........
Well, this show is a little addictive. Loved Bethanny, and could relate to her as well. Her comments were hilarious. Jill is genuine. I was touched by her devotion to helping her daughter with arthritis. LuAnn is correct in wanting to be addressed as 'Mrs.'...that is old school; my mom is the same way and there is nothing snobby about it.
Alex is not a good mom. That child was terribly behaved. Miss Manners was once asked "What is the most definite sign of being 'high class' " and her answer was 'good manners'. Apparently no one told Alex and Simon that.
Ramona is simply trying to assert her status...people of that station feel entitled to behave that way. Very different from the 'have a nice day' psychosis one encounters in California. Most New Yorkers find Californians to be stupid and odd.
She was correct in her assertion that Simon did not belong at that party.
How much money does a hotel manager make anyway?
The two of them (Alex and Simon) were somewhat pathetic. I almost felt sorry for them.
I think Bethanny could do better than Jason. She may find someone better, is my guess. She deserves better than a guy who would walk out on kids.
LOL - I have to agree with comment about addictive. I have not been as addicted to something since I was recovering from surgery during the whole Anna Nicole debacle. I couldn't stop watching that train wreck either.
These women are a hoot - some real, some fake - I'd recommend a group discount for therapy for the lot of them.
Ramona has to be bi-polar. She says she is a strong woman but she really is nothing more than white trash with an uneducated mouth who is absolutely homely. She has a crazy piercing look out of her eyes and her nose is lop sided. And the way she walks looks like she just got off a horse. I mean really...I want to know how she got such a good looking, sweetheart of a husband. It's really sad that her daughters friends look at her as a role model. She is ugly inside and out. I am amazed she has friends.
Love Jill and Bethany. At least they have personalities and lives. Luann just didn't do enough where I could get a since of who she is but at least she has some class. Alex and her husband were just fake. They are wanna-be's to the extreme. Alex is stiff and cold. Even at her surprise party she had a fakey surprise reaction. And her husband just gives me the creeps. Hope the show comes back and they replace Ramona with somebody who is interesting to watch.
Bethanny is the best: She's funny,articulate and,beautiful. She deserves so much better than Jason who brings absolutely nothing to the table.
Jill seems so stereotypical until you see that underneath that hard-edge shell,she's really nice.If I were in trouble at 2:00 in the morning and needed a friend, she's the one I'd call- and I think she'd come.
LuAnn is well-mannered ,confident and is adept at quelling awkward social situations. She also- with the help of her adorable housekeeper, keeps a close watch on her children's activities.
AlexandSimon ( deliberately one word) are the oddest person ( persons) imaginable. How people could even tolerate their pompous behavior- which is always more offensive when the pompous behavior is unworthy is a mystery.They are such hypocrites.They think their son is bright and so charming and in fact, he has been taught virtually no manners or even the most simple courtesies.He is like a wild animal. Alex is so mousy and Simon is such a phony.
Ramona is just ill-mannered,crude, self-absorbed, ignorant,devoid of social skills, oblivious to her daughter and husband- not to mention an embarrassment to them- and is so unattractive ( but she would never believe that) with that horrible bleached blond hair and skin tight teenage clothes.Her daughter was right when she said she looked like a Barbie doll- which seems to be her objective.She has no idea what a fool she portrays. It's laughable that she's always talking about people with-or without class as if she has any concept of the attribute. Her husband and daughter should divorce her and find someone who's actually real - and maybe even cares about them a little more than she does herself.
I watched a replay of the reunion tonight. I love Jill, Bethany and Luann and found them very enjoyable throughout the series. Ramona is psychotic and has a high need for attention. Simon (and why am I addressing a husband on a show about wives?) is probably a cross-dresser or homosexual and is denying his inner voice;
When Simon crashed the "girls" only evening, I was astonished that Alex's response was "some people don't have good marriages" or relationships - or however she stated it. To the contrary, a successful marriage involves having joint interests/friends and outside interests/friends. Because you've said "I do" does not mean you grew an umbilical cord. Alex needs to get a backbone. And yes, you do want to be a socialite, no matter what you say.
has anyone else noticed bethenny's boyfriend jason is a deaf-mute? he is completely void of a personality or character. and luann was ok until her pathetic night out with her niece. how she can be "best friends" with someone half her age is completely beyond me. alex and simon are freaks of nature, you'd think with all their money alex could get her hair blown out, veneers and wtf is with that long denim jacket? and the yellow maxi-skirt suit? what the hell?!!!
I too am addicted. I can't stop watching. I have seen each episode multiple times- back-to-back. Here are my thoughts.
Unlike the Orange County version where it stays true to reality shows where nothing much happens, this is highly edited for conflicts and entertainment value. Each one of the participants have a hidden agenda, either it be publicity or company advertising.
Bethanny - Love her humor. But her career is bewildering. She is 38 years old. What has she been doing for the past fifteen years? I suspect that we will discover that she is a failed actreess. A natural food chef, for thousands a day? What culinary world is she living in? For one thing, I too attended culinary school and the Natural Food Instutute is a 4-month flaky operation heavy on the new age - light on the cooking. Didn't she just graduate? What makes her a celebrity natural food chef? Business cards. A private chef or a caterer, in order to build a viable career has to work most evenings and weekends. They don't get to run off to Miami to blow off steam or go out to dinner every evening.
Jill - Although I think that she is a nice woman, I think that she is not too bright. She also has an irritating matronly quality to her. How old is she anyway? What is her career? Wife of Zarin Fabrics. I do like Bobby. He seems like a normal slubby businessman. Her daughter if she watches her weight will grow up to be a raving beauty.
LuAnn - The only true natural beauty of the bunch, but a little bunch in a pretty gym teacher way. Agree with the other posts that she probably experimented in younger days. Her marriage is a mystery. Alex looks to be about 70 - over retirement age. Why all the travel? Perhaps he has someone else stashed away. LuAnn does need a good interior decorator. What is with the interior of her brownhouse. What was with the downtown trip with her niece? So clearly an audition tape for Nicole.
Ramona - Meth use aside. She seems to have the most functional life. Her homes are beautifully appointed. Her husband is handsome and decent. Her daughter is well brought up. She is a successful businesswoman in her own right. I think that she agreed to some outrageousness for the camera. Her motivation is clearly to promote her business. Don't know why she walked out of the interview. I do think that that was contrived for conflict. She knows that Alex is a Real Housewife in order revive her failed acting career. The nudie pictures was clearly released by them.
Alex and Simon - They are the ringers of the bunch. Although I think that their relationship is genuine, I do believe that they are both failed actors who are attempting to revive their careers. Their interaction seems the most scripted and contrived. They clearly don't have all that much money, so the trip and shopping spree was probably underwritten in exchange for publicity for Hotel Chandler. They seem like highly educated people, and I would wager that they are much different in private. I imagine that Simon is most likely your typical rough-and-tumble Aussie and not the sexually confused person that is portrayed. The attached-at-the-hip thing I don't buy for a minute - it was a ruse to create the central conflict of the season. The series was their audition tape. If this lasts more than one season, please be prepared for Alex's singing and, right on que, Bethanny's eye roll and commentary.
Here you have it.
This is the first time I've ever offered my opinion, but I just couldn't resist. I enjoyed the Housewives of Orange County and, originally being from New York myself, thought this show would be equally as good. It wasn't, however, due to the lack of content and the fact a few of the people were totally unbelievable.
On a positive note, Jill is a warm, caring, real, and intelligent person, and it shows. It appears she didn't just marry into money; she has her own history of being a successful businesswoman. LuAnn certainly appears to have class and intelligence, too, but perhaps this experience showed her that she could devote more time to nurturing her children rather than focusing on herself. Bethenny is a sweetheart, and I hope things work out with Jason because she wants it so much. If it doesn't, if he cannot commit, I hope she realizes she's worth more than that and moves on without too much angst. I'm looking forward to seeing her book when it's published.
Ramona has absolutely no class whatsoever. Her superficiality is nauseating, and I don't think she's at all attractive. She looks, sounds, and acts hard and cheap. In spite of all her efforts on the outside, the inner lack of beauty and substance shines through loud and clear.
Alex and Simon are legends in their own minds. In the final show they both spent their time denying everything that was said about them. Do they really believe their garbage to the point of thinking the viewers lack intelligence and perception? They are beyond shallow and egotistical, and Alex especially is unattractive and appears cold and hard. It's a good thing they have each other as most likely any intelligent person would have little or nothing to do with either.
I'm amazed at this mix, how Jill, LuAnn, and Bethenny would have anything to do with the likes of Ramona and Alex. Makes me wonder if it's for real.
Love Bethenny, even if she may at any moment skewer my eyeball. Gotta love Jill, I think she has her heart in the right place, and she bagged an old rich dude. Same can be said for LuAnn (or shall I say The Countess De Lesseps). Alex is lucky to have a husband to be connected by the hip to, also filthy rich.Cut poor frahhhnk and Johan some slack, but do teach them to behave well in restaurants, no more stabbing 21 Burgers. JUST FIX UP THE HOUSE! I despise Ramona. She is an ugly person with an ugly heart. You gotta know her husband has honeys on the side. Hopefully her daughter learns from this experience and is not so cruel next season. Doubt it. Not much hope for Avery.
okay, I wasn't going to say anything until I read this one. Most everything is correct except - no need to take a shot at the kid (Avery). She's just honest. As for the dad - I thought the same thing, then I realized - he actually likes how freaking nuts Ramona is.
Just to add... Bethenny and Jill are hilarious! Is a really fun and entertaining show. Even worth watching more than once!
I like the New Yorkers better that the OCers. They are a little more real for me.
Bethany: Love her! I would love to hang out with her. Soooo Funny
Jill: For someone who thinks talking about money is tacky she sure does it a lot. What was with the 2K in cash to pay for her daughter clothes. Is her husband in the Jewish Mob or what?????
Alex: Way annoying and pretentious. Please fix your house. I would be so embarrassed to have anyone over with such a mess. They had lived there for like 2 years. Hire a contractor instead of spending money in the boutiques in Saint Bart (God bless Jill for pointing out they go to St. Bart in the off season-I had the exact same thought)
Luann: She is okay. Plays the "countess" role well. Sounds like she has it made with a rich hubby who is in europe all the time.
Ramona: She is obviously so uneducated. She is the NY version of OC`s Tamra. It is almost painful to watch her make a fool of herself. Even her 12 year old is embarrassed. He husband is as saintly as the Catholic idols his family business manufactures
Where to begin. My girlfriend got me watching the show. Once I started, I couldn't stop. It was like heroin. This show is an unmitigated natural disaster. This show is hurricane Katrina transmogrified, it is the adult version of 'Mean Girls'. It's almost hard for me to believe that these small-minded, petty, superficial softheads knew there were cameras present. This is the image they wanted to portray of themselves and their families??? W.T.F!?? What a bunch of cognitive hermaphrodites. LuAnn del leSux, who is married to Ralph Lauren's taint, has added a new element to the periodic table Arrogance. There is hope for her however, I think a dick slap and a crack addiction could possibly get her straightened out. Ramona is schizophrenic and she dances like shes on crystal meth and electricity. Jill gives you that typical New Yorker that won't shut up vibe. I feel bad for Jill because she has to have sex with Bobby who looks like a jewish mafia yetti car dealer. Who's left, ummm? Bethanny a.k.a. "Jaws of life". She is the "strong", "career oriented" insecure wouman who's apparently hiding a shoe box in her mouth. Her bottom jaw looks like a goddamn shovel on a back hoe. Bethanny could bite the Earth. Finally, Alex and Simon who really suck, but you almost feel bad for them. They want to be upper crust so bad they can taste it, but they are a couple of really creepy knock offs. Alex looks like a dead white man and her husband is about as gay as you can be without exploding into pieces of candy. I personally hope to see the whole cast of this show in hell one day soon!!!
yes yes yes! that was just too good and so right on.
You Are A RockStar. Wow.
awesome.
YOU are freakin' hilarious!!!! I read this sitting in my office and lost it. I laughed so hard I cried and my boss inquired about my condition. You are dead on target with your description of these women and their poor mates, except for Simon (I don't feel sorry for him), who creeps me out. Yes, I believe he's gay and probably makes Alex dress up in a rubber mouse costume before they have sex. You could write comedy for Robin Williams!
Hey thanks. I appreciate it.
Totally agree that Francois has all the makings of the next Jeffrey Dahmer! The parents, though, should do the time if he does turn that bad. What's with Ramona? I lost all regard for her after last night's reunion. She is totally insecure and quite childish. Her husband should get the award for the most tolerant man alive. Jill is great, but was disappointed that she was not honest about the fashion show seating arrangements. Why not just say that she could not handle having Ramona in front row and her sitting behind. Bethany drinks too much - too much into needing that "buzz" and it will get her in trouble. LuAnn is doing her thing.
Simon is gay. Alex and Simon are social climbers. They are not misrepresented at all. Poor Francois, he is groomed to be a social climber like his parents. I like Jill and Bethany. Ramona is a white trash. LuAnn is natural and classy.
There is nothing "classy" about LuAnn, only "classist" perhaps. The only evidence of her aristocracy is her title. She is the epitome of nouveau riche trash, which was nicely disguised until quite recently when she made the mistake of insulting that poor driver with her pompous and quite frankly unacceptable behaviour. Welcome to the 21st century, Mrs De Lesseps!
What's with that snob Ramona? She walks off the stage because Alex has nude pictures but she has no problem with dry humping a man at a bar, kissing another woman in front of her kid etc. This woman needs help NOW! And Children Services should take her kid out of that kind of situation.
I totally agree with you re: Ramona! She is in denial of approaching mid-life. She is very immature-- her 12 year-old daughter acts more mature than Ramona. Her husband should get rid of her and raise their daughter himself. I'm a pretty good judge of character being a licensed social worker. Also, her behavior SCREAMS potential drug use and/or abuse.
The housewives are nothing compared to orange county the only one that seems to have some sense is bethenny and she is kinda crazy to the others need serious help alex and her husband are co-depended and Im glad Ramona put it out there and Jill is nothin special she has to ask her husband for everything and Luann is just a playboy model who was saved by a money having count and she is no diffrent cause of where her husband came from. Ramona tells it like it is bbut she does need to learn how to shut up and act like she has some class.
I watched the "reunion" tonight, the question arose, have they had any facial surgery.....ha! There are at least two nose jobs and some lip work there......and the Van dersomethings couldn't recognise themselves if their life depended on it!
I found them to be a guilty pleasure.
http://www.masslegalinfo.com/S...
Me too. Even though I thought Alex and Simon to be pretentious people. They spend thousands of dollars in front of the cameras and their house in Brooklyn is almost in shambles. Of the five, I thougt that Bethemy was the most honest. She says how she feels and is honest. Ramona needs a shrink, LuAnn needs a life, Alex and Simon, oh well, not sure that I can help them, and Jill is fun.
I cannot wait to get Bethemy''s book. I bet it will be great.
In spite of it all, I will miss them. I did not like the California women.
I agree 100% ..........Alex is a wannabe. Her kid ended up in public school. He'll definitely have some issues for sure. These heffers are cluess about the world. And by the way, who the hell still calls themself a 'countess'? Someone please introduce that woman into the year 2008!!!!!!!!!!
These woman on this show are horrible role models. All they care about is Money and Keeping up with the Jones. Alex and her husband are crazy in the respsect they cant be apart for more than 5 minutes and the poor kid. Francois, please he will end up getting his ass kicked daily in any private school. These people are whats wrong with america. Put some real people on TV, not all these showy crazy people.
Francois will probably end up being the next Jeffrey Dahmer...
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