'Real Housewives of Orange County': reality check

When we left off last week, a sleepy-eyed Raquel was greeted at the door of her family's home by a stranger and an eviction notice. This week, viewers got to see Raquel multi-task as she angrily phoned her mother while simultaneously flipping off the camera (demonstrating that even a slightly blurred shot still makes for good TV). Now it was the parents that had some explaining to do. It seems Frank failed to inform Lynne about the hefty security deposit (a whopping $10,000 -- wowzers!) on the Laguna Hills rental. Imagine how many cuffs Lynne would have to hawk to pay that off! There aren't enough wrists in Orange County.

An understandably upset Lynne (though, since the surgery, it's getting more difficult to decipher her emotions based on facial expressions), confronts Frank about the matter at a nearby park. Yes, he kept her in the dark. And yes, that probably wasn't the best decision. But Frank's diagnosis explains the predicament: They've been living beyond their means. The champagne taste on a beer budget will eventually leave your wallet hung over. Wonder if there's an adult-ologist to whip them into shape, 'cause that padded envelope certainly didn't serve as a wake-up call as we saw later in the episode.

From financial problems to health problems ... we see things in "Housewives" land get a little too real. In Thursday's episode, we learn that Briana, Vicki's 22-year-old daughter, has developed a cluster of nodules -- "the size of grapes" -- in her neck. The growths could be cancerous. Despite the sarcastic tone of this post, there's nothing funny about that. Sending good thoughts Briana's way.

Back to the ladies ...

Another so-called gals trip is planned, this time a shopping fete in San Francisco. Vicki's going -- despite the drama from the housewarming party. Gretchen's going. Tamra's going. Even Ms. I-can't-be-away-from-my-husband Alexis was on board. Sure, she made sure to check to see if it was OK. Anyone else think she looked like an employee taking her boss' orders in his home office? (Also, a side note: what is up with the fuchsia getup she's rockin' in the one-on-one interviews? I've tried to ignore it for weeks. But when my mom pointed out its hideousness, I knew it had to be bad. It's like a couture muumuu with oddly placed slits.) Jim (gasp!) encourages her to "go have fun." She sure didn't need a lot of convincing because she scurried out of there in her skimpy shorts like someone just told her the gym was open. I'm waiting for the revolution to happen.

Anyway ... Lynne also made the trip, despite her home issues. I get it. The flight was paid for. Hotel, booked. But was buying that leather getup really necessary? When you've just been given an eviction notice, you should be charging your energy (from all the places you won't be going), not your credit card. If the shopping addiction just had to be fed, put on a pair of oversized sunglasses and make your way to Ross or the Dollar Tree. No one has to know.

During the gals' outing (No, really. I'm not being sarcastic. The guys didn't crash this time), my tolerance for Alexis was again tested. I don't doubt that she's a sweet person. Really. But there's only so much I can take without yelling at my TV. Her conversation with Jim in the office: I cringed, but there was no angry twitch. When she brought up the "snoring" incident with Gretchen over drinks, the eyes started rolling (Get over it. Vicki fake-snored. Sure, it was rude. But it's no different from my actual snoring, from hearing the story). The sight of the fuchsia blouse/muumuu/hospital gown: Fists were clenched. But all the phone chitchat at the dinner table drove me over the edge. It didn't help that her cellphone looked like it had been dipped in jewels. Forget the spitting out of the food. All those baby-voiced coos of "honey" and "baby" got my own gag reflex going. The jury is still out on whether her tender encouragement -- "Baby, go take a bath like a good boy" -- was meant for James Jr. or James Sr. Thoughts?

But for some reason, Vicki's phone affair at the table the next day didn't bother me. Maybe because her phone wasn't encrusted with gemstones?

So, Show Trackers, what did you think of this week's episode? What are your thoughts on Frank keeping Lynne out of the loop on their finances? Anyone else shout, "Hey! that's Bethenny's ("Real Housewives of New York") drink?" when Alexis ordered a Skinnygirl Margarita? Though the ingredients seem to be different. And am I the only one who thinks Alexis' fuchsia blouse looks like the kind of Project Runway design that Heidi Klum would have said "auf Wiedersehen" to?

--Yvonne Villarreal Photo: Lynne Curtin, Alexis Bellino, Tamra Barney. Credit: Bravo

Comments

[B. Forster]

It is ridulous that Lynne got a facelift in the midst of these severe financial problems then tops that off with an unnecessary purchase of a leather jacket. These housewives really don't get it. All of them are fake and incredibility stupid, except Vicki. All of their plastic surgery has zapped the beauty they once had physically while their egocentric personalities make them uglier than hell.

[Sonia]

Omg!!! I've noticed that hideous outfit Alexis has on!!! It's so unflattering on her considering she has an amazing body.
Lynne, where do I start, hmmmm. That woman must be on some kind of prescription meds. She's not all there. Her words take too long to form when she's talking. Her Botoxed face is creepy. Her daughters are horrible, hungover brats. Her husband, Frank is clueless as well.

[HousewifeWatcher]

Every time Alexis and "Big" Jim are together, I want to barf. And on last night's show, they said he was 47. Well, life has not treated him to kindly in the looks department, because he bares a striking resemblence to an old greasy gangster...which he was before the Fed's put his shady "fake" autograph enterprise out of business. They are such a pathetic couple. She obviously has no self-esteem.

On a separate note, does anyone think the Curtin daughters need to have the smirks slapped off their respective faces. They both need to get a job....just like their dear old dad. Thank God the "cuff" business is so robust, so Lynn could spring for that godawful biker jacket which she will wear a couple of times before her kid pawn it for a bottle of booze.

[C.A. HERBERT]

HOUSEWIVES OF O.C. IS JUST ENTERTAINMENT. TRASHY ENTERTAINMENT AT THAT. BUT I JUST HAD TO COMMENT. VICKI IS THE ONLY GAL WHO ACTUALLY LIVES IN THE REAL WORLD. THE OTHERS, FAKES ALL AROUND. LYNNE GET YOURSELF A NEW PLASTIC SURGEON. THE REST .... GET REAL.

[Lisa]

I love these posts! I thought Frank allowing Lynn and Raquel to get plastic surgery w/ their financial affairs that he was well-aware of was beyond irresponsible. My gosh-are they so insecure that they have to keep up with the Joneses to the point of bankruptcy? It appears that Frank just thought the financial problems would go away. I think Lynn and Frank are too permissive with their daughters. I think the daughters are such brats w/ their language- they need their mouths washed out w/ soap. I despise Raquel- she is self-centered and not compassionate and just a biach! Alexa is no better. She stabbed Gretchen in the back by accepting her offer to listen and then turning around and telling her mother that Gretchen was just trying to make herself look good and Alexa look bad. I think Lynn and Frank need Parenting 101. It is pathetic to watch these people. What planet are they living on? Go to Africa to see how these people live. They are not living in the real world. All their excesses are ridiculous. I agree their egocentric personalities make them all look ugly, except Gretchen. She is the only genuine, non-fake one.

[Kenneth Clark]

These women are pathetic! Souless, self absorbed, narcissistic, horrible parents,
(19yr old daughter totally hungover?). Its not how much money you have, it's how good you look spending it? Have you notice they're always drinking?
Show should be called real losers of orange county! Fun to watch though...

[Sane Person]

100% TRASH

[Susan]

I completely agree with the posts by B. Forster and Sonia. Additionally, I cannot believe I'm about to say this....but this season I seem to be Team Vicki. Last Season I was Team Gretchen and Team Lynne, as I felt bad for Lynn and the way the other housewives (except Gretchen) treated her. As for the Newbie Alexis. Gag! I think her annoying ugly husband will dump her bony arse when her looks start to fade. Granted, those days are a long way off, but her husband is all about ego and flash and when Alexis no longer serves as arm candy, he'll kick her to the curb and pick up a new bauble. As for Lynne, shame on her for not being more actively involved in the management of her household. Last night, when she purchased that $1200 jacket, well, that was it for me. I no longer feel sorry for her. And her daughters are DREADFUL! These women live in a fantasy world. Oh and lastly, before I forget, what's up with Simon? Last episode he was a sniveling simp. If I were Tamra, I would have dumped his controlling a-s a long time ago!

[Cris R.]

My husbank thinks I am NUTS for watching this show. I tell him it's like a car wreck.....you don't want to look, but you're compelled to.

Sure, Vicky works & is very successful, but she has the emotional maturity of an 11 year old. When Tamra pleaded, (on her knees), for Vicky to go to dinner in Florida, it was disturbing. Vicky is extremely needy & demands blind allegience from all of her relationships.

Lynne is compulsive about her body & money. Her husband was absolutely right when he said that she didn't want to hear the truth. When Gretchen talked with her about Alexis, all Lynne could do was avoid the subject by putting Gretchen down. She would not face the reality of the situation. Lynne is an adult & is just as responsible for the finances as her husband. Instead of buying that jacket, she could have put that money toward the deposit for the home?!

The only "normal" one in the bunch is Gretchen.

[Diella]

The show was trash good last night! i am soo addicted to REAL HOUSEWIVES lol, but anyway my thoughts:

Lynn - Get real, cuff business is not a real job, go get one, your husband should find out, and your two spoiled bitchy brats should get one too. I have to note that when she was explaining the eviction letter Raquel received to her friends, she said her daughters called her saying "mommy this mommy that" when in all actuallity they were like WTF this and WTF that F F F ...yeah she really needs to slap them into shape.

Gretchen - you go on with your bad self, she's real, she's not fake, a little tooooooooooo prissy but she's smart and beautiful.

Vicki - tooo controlling, she needs to learn how to be a friend. Tamra's divorce is 45% her fault. She shouldn't have opened her trap about what Tamra was venting to her about which resulted in the way Simon acted toward her. And so what if you work Vicki, yes you have a nice lifestyle and you should be proud but seriuosly i don't think you need to repeat it 100 times a day?

Tamra - is trash. She so got the tatoo for the show's sake, she could care less about Simon. I feel sorry for Simon because he DID love her but she was too busy trying to be Vicki's BFF and letting Vicki control her that she got all caught up in it. Oh well, her loss is another woman's win.

Alexis - why do people gag because her and her husband get along so well? And so what if she checked if it was ok with him if she could go? They are married? Should she have just packed and said "cya" on the way out? Thats whats wrong with people these days, they don't know how to treat their man. Men should be treated like kings, and those men should treat their women like queens, and thats exactly what Jim does. And who cares if she called him 10xs a day, they are in love and they have small children. I miss my kids when i'm at work let alone a vacation?! But yes the top really has to go, its like someone from the Golden Girls designed it.

[G. Viol]

I agree - Lynne should have been aware of the situation before it slapped her in the face. Makes you wonder......was she that sheltered from..the mail, phone calls and such that the situation would not have been in her face????? As her husband stated, she doesn't want to hear the truth! Some people are like that and hope that someone will "fix" things before it effects them!!

[bettylou]

Vickie has a weird playdough face

[CotoTiff]

I love the show, but lately I'm getting disgusted! The nicest person on the show is poor Don (who must have the heart of a saint and a good sense of humor). He just keeps to himself and never says a bad thing about anyone. I love the ladies, but damn Lynne get a clue girl. The cuffs aren't going to cut it when your homeless. What are you ladies going to do when life really gets bad, because the economy isn't going to pick up anytime soon. Here's my advice:

Alexis - burn the fuschia dress...it's hideous (I don't care if it's Cavalli or Chanel it must go!) Look up humility in the dictionary...you're spoiled and you act like it and it's not becoming. You never talk about your kids. Why? Because it's all about YOU.
Vicki - Pray for your daughter, be nice to that adorable husband, and who cares if the others don't work, we know you do, you remind us every episode - keep your mouth shut with your critical comments and stop crying like a baby when your feelings get hurt...how old are you?
Tamra - Be nice to Gretchen, stop being phony and hard on yourself and ditch that controlling, short-man complex of a husband, who isn't "all that" anyway...focus on your oldest son...he's craving your love.
Gretchen - You go girl! Sell, Sell, Sell your new line and enjoy Slade. Just make sure he brings in a paycheck. Remember there's no romance without the finance! Don't get taken for a ride (I don't care how good in bed he is).
Lynne - Take a finance class or any class to exercise your brain, marriage and family counseling for sure, give your nice husband a break...you can't keep up with the other ladies in this economy "face it" you know all about that don't you? (Go on a budget it won't kill you!) Kick your girls out or send them to rehab...they're headed for trouble and Gretchen can see it and so can all of the viewers who watch...they're spoiled brats with ugly personalities. Even my 17 year old son from thinks their hideous...pretty sad. (It's not your fault go to Alanon meeting- they need help)

Stop drinking so much...one of you is going to get a DUI soon!

[Must watch]

Where do I start?, Of course I have something to say about all of these women, but let's start with Alexis & Jim, in my opinion this marriage has the markings of potential domestic violence. Jim is extremely controlling and barely allows Alexis to finish a sentence without correcting her. You can tell she wants to talk back to him, but seems fearful to do so. And let's not even talk about the "Happy nails" experience , taking (2) two y/o's to get their nails done, PLEEEEEAAASSSE!!! Lynne & Frank seem to be too busy getting high to appropriately raise their children, and one year before Alexa will be considered an adult, they try to put their foot down and "initiate" a disciplinary plan when they've never had one before??? They are both extremely passive and are probably only interested in establishing boundaries for the kids now because their lives are on display, truly sad. Tamra is a mess all the way around. Totally fake , trying to muster up tears and wanting to avoid every unpleasant situation in her life. Her catch phrase is " I just want to run away and not deal with any of it", sorry, that's not an option. Vic is self-motivated, but also has issues, and Gretchen should have picked a better time to enter the cosmetic industry, but I hope she does well. They all have issues, some more than others, but as a previous comment mentioned, it's like a car wreck that you must watch.

[jane]

My question is where were Lynne and Frank when the eviction notice was being served? Why did Lynne have Frank meet her at a park "near my house." That was weird. Like with Gretchen, Lynne avoided talking to Frank about what happened. Just complaining that he should have told her (clearly she is incapable of asking) and she "won't be a victim" in this. Well, she's making herself the victim.

Definitely team Vicki this year. none of those other women do work and sorry Alexis, yes you are a full time mom and in most instances I would give you this, but you have two nannies for three kids....how hard are you working?

[Valerie]

I never comment on any of these shows mainly because on the whole they're ultra disgusting. I hate every housewife with the exception of Gretchen. Gretchen is honest, sweet, fun and hilarious. She is the only one worth her weight in gold and then some! The others are ugly, self centered, delusional, bloated, alcoholic shrews that are the most toxic beings (note I do not say human) on this earth. They actually believe they're good looking and I am horrified every time I see them. And this is with makeup? Hideous. Also, please keep them out of Northern CA especially San Francisco, Napa Valley and any, I repeat ANY, of our restaurants. Hubert Keller should have slapped that thing that spit out her food and thrown her out to the curb. Trash naturally eats trash and what can we expect? I cannot even comment on the blasphemy that occurred at Domain Chandon in a previous season - just keep them away.
Gretchen, sweetie, you are welcome anytime.

[Stella]

I enjoyed this show much more in the first few seasons. I don't watch it with regularity this season because I don't like the way Jim speaks to his wife or his children. I don't see anything loving and caring about him at all. For that matter, I've only seen Alexis be affectionate toward her chilren one time the entire season, when her son got his hair cut. I believe both of them care about things that are unimportant, like looks and money, more than they care about people.
Alexis should never have said a negative comment about Vicki at a lunch table where her daughter sat. Especially, when Vicki was going through a difficult time with her daughter's health issues. Very inconsiderate and poor timing on Alexis' part. But, I don't think she ever consider these things because she was too interested in getting her point across. A point, that she had to drag the other women into instead of just speaking for herself.
I hope that Vicki doesn't come back for a season 6 because I think she is honestly done with all the bad decisions and the new "cast". I don't find anything personable about Alexis or anything compeling about Gretchen and Lynn so I may be done as well.
BTW-I don't beleive Vicki wants to draged into Tamara's divorice at all. She lent and ear to Tamara when things were difficult in her marriage and I have never heard her bring up these things to Simon or on camera. She simply says she knows to much and Simon feels threatned by this. It shows. He can't stand Vicki and the only good reason why is because she is independent and was a friend to Tamra when she needed to vent. It scared Simon. He's such a child to not take responsibility for his actions in them marriage. To blame Vicki is ridiculous. Vicki is too busy to care!

[mary bround]

I love Gretchen, the rest of the housewives suck

[r u serious]

I'm shocked by how many of these posts single out Gretchen as somehow less horrifyingly wretched than the others. It's like identifying the best-smelling turd.

[J.Ro]

YES! Alexis' futuristic fuchsia garbage is totally distracting, and it makes an appearance every week!!

Lynne should be completely aware of their finances, but at the very least, knowledgeable about the terms of their lease agreement?!