When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong (kudos to anyone who remembers who said that movie quote!), and I was wrong. At the beginning of this season of Real Housewives of Orange County, I didn’t have time to invest in the new cast members. The OGs (and then some) have enough drama. Why did Bravo bring in new ladies to interact with the hypocritical harpies who need an orthopedic boot to fit into their mean girls group?
That said, I’m reformed. I now enjoy Emily Simpson and Gina Kirschenheiter. They are a refreshing backdrop to Shannon Beador’s insecurities, Kelly Dodd’s tantrums, Vicki Gunvalson’s delusions, and Tamra Judge’s judginess (that’s not technically a word, but work with me). Could this group of many-times divorced ladies relate to or show an ounce of concern for Gina as she navigates a path that most of these broads could walk in the pitch black dark? Why do they want her to stay married when they didn’t? Should she be made to share her soul’s secrets with women who are trying their hardest to force nature’s hand with injections when they are likely the age of her mother? I don’t think so. You know who agrees with me? Newbie Emily. **
Rehashing this week’s latest episode, Emily discusses that awkward altercation between her husband Shane and Kelly on Bravo. The worst part is Emily was way nicer than she should have been. When asked by Bravo if she was nervous to ask Kelly to apologize to Shane, Emily responds, “I wasn’t nervous to ask Kelly to apologize to Shane, but I was very emotional. I think you can see my emotions right there on my face.”
Complimenting her RHOC counterpart, Emily continues, “I became emotional in this moment because it is important that my friends and my husband are able to work things out when there is an issue between them. Let’s be honest, I don’t need Kelly and Shane to be best friends, but I would like them to have a mutual respect for each other so that we can all be around each other without any awkwardness. I give Kelly a lot of credit for agreeing to come to my home and speak to Shane.”
Shedding light on her loyalties during Vicki’s wickedly, and unnecessarily awkward, dinner party, Emily asserts, “Dinner party? Or Spanish Inquisition? I have to say I was disappointed in the evening and left feeling sick to my stomach. I worked that day and ran home quickly to change. I was looking forward to a fun night hanging out with girlfriends, eating Italian food, and having fun conversation, but none of that really happened. I think the other ladies were so hell-bent on criticizing Gina for her decision to get divorced that the evening became dark and contemptuous.”
Expanding on the evening, Emily contends, “Gina is my friend, and so I don’t judge her decisions. When she told me she was getting divorced, I offered some advice, then told her I would be there for her as her friend. I have repeatedly asked that the other ladies stay out of my marriage and not judge my husband, so I would be a complete hypocrite if I judged Gina for her decision to get divorced.” Amen, newbie. Amen!
She explains, “I felt the best thing for me to do that evening was not join in the ‘Inquisition,’ but rather offer support and friendship to her when she got up and left the table. I could tell Gina was deeply hurt, and I just wanted to console her. And let’s get one other thing out there: Religion and morality do not go hand in hand. You can practice good morals without claiming any religion. And you can also claim to be religious, believe in God and attend church regularly, but still be a snake in the grass.” Um, yup.
Emily concludes by describing the interaction between her husband and Kelly. She writes, “I think it went well. I hope the two were genuine in their reconciliation. The past is the past, and I look forward to moving ahead past this unfortunate incident.”
Does this show have a shelf life? I hope not! 🙂
**Despite my rampant judgement, I do adore these folks!
TELL US – DO YOU LIKE THE RHOC NEWBIES? SHOULD VICKI HAVE HAD MORE CONTROL OVER HER DINNER PARTY?
[Photo Credit: John Tsiavis/Bravo and Charles Sykes/Bravo]
