'The Hills': Lauren breaks up with yet another friend

Don Conrad strikes again, leaving the budding romance between Doug and Stephanie in her wake. (It also looks like she's down another pal. The next won't be far behind.)

I still don't get it. Lauren dumped the guy. Which was for the best -- it's well-known that she really does have the worst taste in guys. And Stephanie, Doug was beneath you.

All this fuss. Over Doug. Over Doug-What-are-you-doing-tonight?-Reinhardt.

When all was revealed in last night's episode -- and by all, I mean the fact that Stephanie and Doug are the biggest scaredy cats in Beverly Hills -- one wondered why this was ever a big deal for Don Conrad? Yes, she doesn't like to be crossed. But let's back up a sec: Not only did Lauren dump Doug, she told Whitney that, indeed, he's not worth much. Certainly not her friendship with Stephanie. She's correct -- but then why grill Stephanie at all? (Because she's Don Conrad.)

Just look at how Doug describes himself on his personal site:

Strikingly handsome, athletic, and intelligent, Doug Reinhardt is a gentleman with a strong drive for success in all aspects of his life. His sense of humor is contagious and his charm is breathtaking. Doug has always had strong morals and set his goals early in life.

(Yeah, and that's just the intro. There are four more paragraphs and a gallery full of glamour shots where that came from.) That intelligence and strict moral code of his were in fine form Monday night, when he continued to court Stephanie, make fun of her to Brody and deny ever dating her to Lauren -- all in one episode!

Of course, watching both Doug and Stephanie squirm after Lauren inexplicably demanded the truth about their relationship was somewhat understandable -- LC is scary -- but awful to watch. Especially when Stephanie, our favorite pot-stirrer, crumbled. Lauren's one thing, but succumbing to the taunts of Brody? Unacceptable.

(I couldn't tell if Lauren ended things with Steph right then and there, but fingers crossed that that wasn't a break-up stare.)

Speaking of unacceptable, what's up with Heidi's mom letting Spencer push her around?

I suppose you can't expect much from Mama Montag. She did rear Heidi.

But letting Spencer back her into a corner? I don't think audiences would have been opposed to seeing her smack that condescending grin off of Spencer's face.

And Mama Montag, if you're reading this, there's still time. I'm sure you could slap him anywhere west of the Mississippi and the paparazzi would capture the moment for the rest of us.

As for mourning the loss of your daughter, and wondering where you went wrong -- you reap what you sow. It's never too late to kick in some good old tough love.

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: MTV

Comments

[Richard Rushfield]

Denise Martin:

I must take deep offense exception to your characterization of last night's episode of THe Hills. You wrote:

Of course, watching both Doug and Stephanie squirm after Lauren inexplicably demanded the truth about their relationship was somewhat understandable -- LC is scary -- but awful to watch.

Excuse me, Denise. Since when is it out of bounds for someone to want to know what her friends are up to behind her back? Since when is it out of bounds for the star of a show to demand to know what her supporting characters think they are doing on HER air time?

I would find your sympathy for the lowly roadkill of The Hills touching, if it were not so tarnished by your vicious vendetta against the most compelling star of young Hollywood, the beautiful and inspired Lauren Conrad. I honestly dont know how you can call this journalism while you continue to pursue this witch hunt against her.

Thank you for your work.
Richard

[Lola]

Reading the LA Times recaps I feel like I am watching a completely different show. According to this blog Lauren is never justified in her anger or hurt over any of the dubious actions of the supporting players around her. When her best friend Heidi abandons their friendship for a douche like Spencer who treats her friends and family like crap then goes on the media trail spreading sex tape rumors, Lauren is supposed to grin and bear it and welcome her back to the fold? When her best friend of 15 years Jenn Bunney ditches her at birthday gathering to hook up with a guy Lauren recently dated --this after Lauren gave her a diamond bracelet-- Lauren is once again supposed to suck it up and pretend everything's okay.? Now we have Stephanie Pratt hooking up with Lauren's still warm leftovers and lying and sneaking around behind her back to do so rather than being up front.

Martin seems to be hung up on the fact that Lauren ditches her friends rather than on the very justified reasons why she does so. Equating the actions of a young woman reacting to negative behavior by others to a mafia lord is a bit over-the-top and shows perhaps there is some bias on the part of the author against Conrad.

[Sofie]

Why all this hatred for Lauren Conrad? I don't get it? Are you on Spencer and Heidi's payroll? If my so called friends tried to go behind my back to try to make a fool of me on national tv, just so they could gain more air time, I'd be kicking them to the curb. Lauren was way too nice to Stephanie Pratt.

Heidi's mother is a joke. She's always joining Spencer and Heidi when they do those stupid staged candids and goes out on town with her kids and Joe Francis of all people. However, she's a much better actress than Heidi is. I wonder if she already has an agent?

Lauren's not the scary one. You are. It's scary that you've got a vendetta against a 22 year old girl.

Sincerely,
Sofie

[Sofie]

Also, can the LA Times please hire an unbiased freelancer to do the Hills recaps? Ms. Martin's too busy bashing Lauren Conrad to write up a mediocre piece even.

[Kate]

Are you watching the same show as me? Lauren has these people in her life that totally screw her over and you turn the blame on Lauren? Your recaps ALWAYS trash Lauren. I have no idea why you hate Lauren....is it jealousy? Are you getting paid by Spencer.

Lauren was not upset at Stephanie for going out with Doug. She was upset because they lied and were being shady about the whole thing. Who wants a friend that lies and sneaks behind your back.

[Janette Robrets]

Lauren has the right to see who is saying what both Doug and Stephanie are shady, its not that she cares. but its like you don't mess with friends bo's(like the boys bro's before ho'es) I have been their you just want to see who's lie is worst,or will you own up to the wrong?Lc has been kind and straight to both doug and she pratt. and as for doug was you trying to get lc jealious? wrong way to go about that. lc just have fun go on dates don't expect to much, i really hope you and brody get back as a couple you both love each other but your afraid of getting turned down. now as for mom montag she did what she should let them know she is on to spencer and heidi know what spencer is doing to the family you have to turn a cheak and let kids make thier own mistakes and hope they listen so they don't make the same we did. if you tell kids they cant do somthing they will sneak this way they know moms on to them. heidi will come around or she's stupid, by the way does any one know what spencer does? hes allways home or reading or stalking heidi whats the deal? ive watched this show since its started i love it keep it real... a mom