'Real Housewives of Orange County': Where's the drama?

Dear Bravo,

Are these two-part reunion shows really necessary? Don't get me wrong. I'd gladly watch an hour of Lynne's shackled wrists over anything else on TV, but that doesn't mean it's good for me. Still, I tuned in anyway. And each time I fast-forwarded through commercials, wondering when is this supposed to get good. Pause. Pause. Jim is on? Drama! Oh, wait, it's just a preview of Part II. Of. Course. 

Instead I was left watching the possibility of drama. Most of good stuff from Part I came from the packaged footage from the season. It was like taking a trip down memory lane. Aw, the limo ride when Tamra told Simon what she really thought of him. Oh, and Alexa using a colorful term of endearment toward her mom. Wait. There's footage of Tamra receiving her divorce papers? That was awkward. 

Sure there were glimmers of hope. Here were my highlights:

-- Gretchen learning the meaning of karma. Psychology majors can't know everything, right?

-- Lynne trying to justify getting plastic surgery in the midst of her financial situation, calling it a business decision. Right. Because the people who are buying her cuffs are doing so because she no longer has excess skin under her neck. I mean, I know that's why I'm going to buy one.

-- Lynne saying she think she looks like a wrestler on TV.

-- Alexis and her conversations with God about the show. So glad to hear the big guy approves of this season! Now I don't have to go to confession every time I watch.

-- Alexis revealing that her pastor and his wife fasted in honor of her and Jim's appearance on the show. Um, wow.

-- Any cutaway to Vicki's reactions to all of the above. 

But it wasn't enough. Even Alexis seemed bored, taking more interest in making sure she was sitting up straight and sticking her chest out.  

So, Bravo, please, when it comes time to reunite "The Real Housewives of New York City," consider making one really awesome reunion show, not two average ones.

Thanks,

Yvonne Villarreal

So Show Trackers, were you just as dissatisfied with Part I? What were your highlights? And are you ashamed, like me, to be excited for Part II with appearances by the husbands (and Slade)?

Photo credit: Bravo

Comments

[i hate vickie]

this show, which i once loved, is making me sad. very sad.

the women seem to have been stripped of all joy. while tamara's transformatoin can be explained by the trauma of being released from that creep simon, the others seem to have been ground down by fame. even my effervescent gretchen seemed sad and drawn.

ultimately, last night's show revealed a simple truth: no amount of plastic surgery can replicate a smile infused with joy.

now, let's clear these haggard gals out and bring on my precious bethany!

[kathy]

I was hoping for more something too, although I'm not sure what. Certainly not more makeup or boob, that's for sure. Too many clips from the season and not enough cat fighting on the set.

It doesn't look like Simon will be there tonight. I'd love to see him and Tamra go at it. I suspect that smarmy Jim might offer the most entertainment out of the men.

The biggest tragedy is that Lynne actually THINKS she's a good mother. I suppose that's what drug addiction will do to you; tends to skew your perception of reality.

[sara]

Yes, too many clips, (we've already seen those clips many times, as they like to replay them on the show too). Watching these women talk really makes my face hurt, their stretched and leathered skin looks painful.

Another complaint - too much focus on those boring, smarmy, slimy (that's you Slade) men! Enough of them, I'm sick of watching them mope and mumble, they don't need to be included in the reunion show too.

[Erica Stephens]

I guess it was a lot better when their reality was better,now it seems since their reality has changed into something closer to our own the show is dull.

[Shawn]

Alexis, PLEEEEEAAAAASSSSSEEE get over yourself. Just like in your opening statement to the show, you state, "just look @ me", VERBATIM. I choose to watch the show no longer because you are such a hypecrite. You say that you are a Christian? How long have you had God in your life Alexis?I have had God in my life since I was a child, thanks to my conservative Christian family, also from a small town, both of which hace instilled great beliefs in my life. You, in my opinion, are a diservice to the show. Please try and get over yourself and be a little bit kinder.

[ronda]

Boy oh boy for the O C Women what a bad reunion ! Andy you made things worse with Slade and Vicki. Vicki should have left the studio, it was uncalled for on how you treated her. Especially the plot notes you gave Slade to add false information to upset the whole group.

I will miss Vicki and Donn; Gretchen and Slade these couples overall are still good friends etc...Slade and Vicki will resolve any issues off camera.

Tamara deserved everything that came her way this season/Talk about a looney bird. She can not even remember on what she said that made the others mad. Mainly the Divorce.

Lynne and Frank smoked to much of the sixties after watching their interactions with their own kids. No Parent of the year Award for them.
Both of their children are over spoiled and are under disciplined. The children have no respect for their parents! Lynne definitely tunes out when she is listening to them. The whole family needs counseling!

Alexis and Jim are plain hepocrits!! Alexis has no friends; she is not that beautiful. Her children will not have the same connection with her compared to Vicki and Donn.

That is in my opinion! Please pass on kudos to Vicki and to Gretchen.

Thanks

[ronda]

Fair well to the O C Women! We will miss you Vicki and Donn.

[Kevin on Earth]

dang, i'm still loving the OC housewives, they are by far my faves. I can tolerate NYC housewives a little, i watch the show sometimes. Don't even watch any of the others....

Didn't think the reunion show was that bad, it had me laughing A LOT, fer sure.

[Erica Stephens]

Vickey needs to leave the show,whatever perks there were are gone now.She is right,it isn,t any fun.They are too young for her,she has no history with Lynn,Gretchen and Alexis.Tamara is broke,Lynn is broke,Gretchen is broke,and Alexis is taking a job.Vickey is the only one with security.

[sally]

I think all of the housewives need a dose of reality. It was hard to tell who was the most hateful and jealous. To me Tamaras decision to get a divorce had everything to do with $$$$$$....Her constant pointing to the others and telling them they are trying to be victims, wow, have you seen yourself lately, you are a complete hypocrite, all of the whining and victimness make me want to puke! And Vickie with her "own" it comments, maybe you need to own the fact that for your age you are trying way too hard and it shows, cover up, no one wants to see that hot mess, and why is your face so pink? The whole show seems to be about smirking and back stabbing and there is not a true friendship in the bunch...As for Gretchen, still hot and she "owns" it. Alexis and Jim are a little fake, and Lynne is trying hard to make her life work. At least she is sticking by her man for now, and her kids will be out of the house soon enough, they just might be able to make it. In a word: Vickie=Hateful, Tamara=fake, Alexis=overexposed, Lynn=Vague, Gretchen=Fun, Jeanna=Sexy, Jim=Scammer, Slade=clueless, Vickies husband=well, Vickies husband

[Choices]

Tamara, "People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".
She has always accused Gretchen having a boyfriend while she was with Jeff, hmmm. It appears that her husband (simon) who is divorcing her is accusing her of the same thing. Those that accuse others are usally guilty of what they are accusing others of. She doesn't have anyone fooled but herself. I wonder when Tamara needs money if Vickie will still be her BFF??? Lynn needs to teach her daughters a thing called respect. She truly acts like shes on meds.
If I were Frank I would get on the same train Simons on and leave. These women all think they are stars, they just don't get it.

[Susan Anthony]

They all are pretty dumb. Here is what they need. Alexis needs to read a book. Tamra needs to get her GED. Gretchen needs braces. Vicki needs to cover up her out of shape body. Lynne needs to be smacked. Alexa needs to just be killed--she will offer nothing to society other than adding to the compost pile.

[Janey]

Choices, then by your own logic it would mean Simon also cheated on Tamra!