The Real Housewives of Orange County fans have been craving some drama from Season 13 and they finally got it during the last episode. Unfortunately, it was just such an awkward viewing experience watching Shannon Beador unravel in a marathon argument session with every cast member.
The combination of the Jamaican heat (and lack of air conditioning at the hotel), Shannon’s nasty divorce, and her propensity to focus on herself were just a recipe for disaster. Everyone had some bone to pick with Shannon and the fact that they all did so at once really escalated the already tense cast trip.
During the episode, Vicki Gunvalson claimed to be Switzerland and she pretty much was- for once. Out of everyone in the cast, she was definitely Shannon’s least offensive opponent that night in Jamaica. The most offensive thing she did was shade Shannon’s shirt size at a souvenir shop, but at least she was trying to cheer Shannon up with a gift. This is one of the few times in the show’s history when Vicki was the least offensive person in a conflict, so I don’t blame her for reveling in it. You be Switzerland, Vicki.
In a Bravo blog post, Vicki declared, “We are all in a different place now, as this was taped over six months ago. I love Shannon, and I feel this situation was not handled right with her, and I will take responsibility for anything that I said that may have been hurtful.”
Vicki alluded to the legendary cancer scam from Season 10 when she said, “I think we should have calmly discussed our concerns or issues with Shannon, without going on the attack mode. I’ve been on the receiving end of this type of argument when people go after you, and it’s not fun by any means.” It’s Vicki’s world, we are all just living in it.
Vicki told the rest of the cast that Shannon was self-medicating with vodka and admitted that it’s something she regrets, writing, “When I said that I saw her drinking in the kitchen alone it was a concern of mine. She told me afterwards that she wasn’t drinking alone, but that is what I saw at the time and that is why I said what I said as I was concerned.”
And then Vicki got back to discussing Vicki. Shannon told Vicki she was there for her “until the f*cking” end in reference to the cancer scam, which was true. Shannon did have Vicki’s back until the end of the season, or at least the “regular” episodes. Shannon defended Vicki up until the reunion episodes- after all of the questionable behavior and footage.
Gina Kirschenheiter Doesn’t Regret Putting Tamra Judge On The Spot With Shannon Beador
Vicki shared her version of events: “I had to defend myself to Shannon when she said; she was there for me’….(a few years ago), because when those ladies accused me of things I did NOT do and turned their back on me at one of the most difficult times of my life, it was devastating. The truth is she was NOT there for me, nor was anyone in this group of women. No one ever reached out to me to see how I was doing when I was at one of the lowest places of my life.” That’s because they felt like she was in on a scam.
Vicki returned to her Switzerland mindset, writing, “Time does heal and life goes on, but during that time I felt very alone. We have come full circle with our friendship, and I don’t want to jeopardize it again. I told Shannon just today that she is in a much better place than she was six months ago when this was filmed, and I’m proud of her strength and accomplishments.” That’s all well and good. Vicki and Shannon are cool these days. They’ll probably sit on the same couch at the reunion as well. Good for them, but Vicki’s blog wasn’t all sunshine, rainbows, and optimism.
Vicki wrote, “I don’t know why Gina [Kirschenheiter] and Emily [Simpson] are so obsessed with ‘being friends with Shannon.’ It’s clear that they don’t have an authentic interest in her life or what she is going through, nor do I think it’s fair to continue to talk about it.” That makes a lot of sense in real life, but on a reality TV show, it’s these women’s jobs to talk about each other’s lives.
Vicki continued, “Friendships happen naturally and are never good if they are forced. It’s like they are obsessed with talking about it. Just because they are hanging out with Shannon doesn’t mean they have to be BFF’s. My feelings is to let it flow naturally. Shannon and I don’t see much of Gina and Emily, so I don’t know why they are so focused on it.” Because they want to get asked back for a second season. If they don’t integrate themselves into the cast they will be one and done Housewives.
During Seasons 11 and 12, Shannon and Tamra Judge wanted nothing do with Vicki. They hugged it out during the Season 12 reunion and now they’re insistent on trying to make “Tres Amigas” happen…most likely with the hopes of putting it on a message t-shirt or coffee mug. With that said, Vicki used her blog to declare that Tamra was “prodded” into arguing with Shannon. Really? The biggest pot stirrer on this show was tricked into arguing with someone? Please. Tamra is no amateur.
Yes, Gina is the one who called out Shannon for not checking on Tamra when her husband was in the hospital, but Tamra put Gina on the spot first. During the last episode Shannon declared “I’m never not fun. Let’s just be clear”- a sentiment that many viewers would disagree with. In response, Tamra pointed to Gina and said “You might want to ask this one” and that is when the whole argument kicked off. Who prodded who?
Vicki continued to suck up to Tamra to stand up for Tamra, writing, “For some of the girls to continue to prod Tamra on her friendship with Shannon when they knew it was issue is just plain mean. It is disingenuous of Gina to purposely try to drive a wedge between Tamra and Shannon and then claim to be some victim is frustrating. It’s like she thinks she is going to win Tamra over if she is friends with her and not Shannon? Are we in grade school? Is this a game? Gina does not have the history Tamra and Shannon do, and my advice is to leave them be and let them sort this out on their own. They sure don’t need Gina’s advice on this.” Do they “need” Gina’s advice? No, but again, this is a reality TV show and they are required to talk about each other’s lives.
Considering that Vicki and Kelly Dodd are not on speaking terms these days, it’s not at all surprising that she used her blog to call her out. Vicki wrote, “Kelly stirred the pot by telling Shannon that Tamra thinks Shannon isn’t a good friend. That’s not being a friend at all. She threw that out there and then walked away smirking, which is extremely mean.” When did she smirk? She was just trying to get Shannon to see Tamra’s point of view so they could resolve their issues and genuinely move forward.
Vicki continued, “It is NOT ok talking ‘crap’ on your friend behind her back, and when Kelly said ‘David [Beador] must have been a saint’ is wrong and NOT ok. She owes Shannon an apology as they are very good friends still.” Kelly definitely does owe Shannon an apology for that remark, but Vicki didn’t seem too offended during that conversation. Oh that’s right, she and Kelly were “cool” then and they are feuding now.
Aside from addressing all the drama within the cast, Vicki stood up for herself against Tamra’s accusations that she got butt implants. She emphatically stated, “And no, Tamra…..I DO NOT have butt implants. I have always had a booty. And yes, Tamra, I have been working out more. I don’t know what I was thinking. If Tequila makes Tamra’s clothes fall off, I guess Red Stripe brings my inner twerker out…”
TELL US- DO EMILY AND GINA HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN SHANNON’S LIFE AND FORMING A RELATIONSHIP WITH HER? WERE THE HOUSEWIVES JUSTIFIED WITH THEIR GRIEVANCES TOWARD SHANNON? DO YOU THINK VICKI GOT HER BOOTY VIA COSMETIC ENHANCEMENTS OR FROM WORKING OUT?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
