'Real Housewives of New York City': Reunion recap, Part 2 of three

Ever wondered what witnessing a public stoning would be like? Well, if you tuned in for Part 2 of "The Real Housewives of New York City" reunion, there was no need to wonder. The casualty wore a black dress and teal-colored suede pumps (which, if you happen to know where I can get a pair, please make use of the comments section). Her name? Jill Zarin. Her crime: a season's worth of catty behavior. Host Andy Cohen had a few of the stones -- courtesy of die-hard viewers (and Jill critics) everywhere -- lined up on his handy little flash cards. The ladies sitting nearby supplied the other stones.

And so it was. The miniseries-esque reunion laid out Jill’s many missteps and questionable behavior for all to poke and prod. Whether she contended that she's always her friends' "biggest cheerleader" in the face of accusations that she tried to sabotage Bethenny’s spinoff show or tried to justify -- and apologize for -- how she dealt with news of Bethenny's father's death, it provided minute upon minute of cringe-worthy and "who is she kidding?" moments. And a few attempts by Jill to walk off the set. If I could roll the tape as evidence, I would.  I don't know if, at this point, there's any way she can recover from the backlash. There's no skating around it -- even if she rents out the rink and twirls in a hot pink outfit. 

But it wasn't all sticks and stones.  

The intentional comedic relief -- sorry, Kelly! -- Sonja Morgan, finally joined the mix to stir the drink with her straw self.  Only she didn't even get a chance to do much stirring because attention shifted to lollipop-loving Kelly, who apparently moonlights as a spokesperson against bullies when she's not burning pancakes or warming up her vocal cords for all those high-pitched "Hi-yeeeeees."

It finally came time to get some answers on the wacky girls trip in St. John, only Kelly's answer was almost as nutty as her behavior on the trip (which Bravo was kind enough to rehash, I'm guessing, in case Jill were to demand evidence). So what was Kelly's reasoning for all the yapping about satchels of gold, cartwheels and jellybeans? She was a victim of "systematic bullying." Feel free to check if that was an epidemic in the year 1979. I know I did. 

Kelly claimed that Bravo forced her to go on the trip -- which Andy repeatedly denied -- and that she contended that she doesn't consider her behavior a breakdown, but rather a breakthrough. She went on to say her involvement was meant, in her mind (the one where gummy bears aren't processed candies), to serve as a public-service announcement for victims of bullying. Again, if I could roll a tape for evidence, I would.

Cue a mentally exhausted Bethenny saying, "This is not a normal person. It’s like talking to Humpty Dumpty," as a frustrated Kelly made her way off set.

To be continued (again).

Other notable moments:

-- When Jill was asked why she had saved Bethenny's infamous voice mail for two months, Jill didn't have an answer, but Kelly did: "Maybe she wanted to hear [Bethenny's] voice."  Was her mind like mid-cartwheel or something? My mind hit a virtual glass door when she said that. Satchels of gold! Satchels of gold!

-- I'm not usually a fan of reunion shows just rehashing footage from the season, but I thoroughly enjoyed the look back at some of the best zingers from the season.  My favorites: "Diarrhea of the mouth is not a real ailment," "Mountain out of a holemill" (FYI, I would totally pay any amount of money to take a class in Ramonics) and Kelly's head-scratching Robin-Batman metaphor.

-- The lack of voice time for LuAnn -- although she did try.

-- Sonja's legitimate concern that one-night-stand-fearing Kelly isn't having enough sex. Maybe if Kelly popped in Barry White's -- er, LuAnn's -- CD, finding a companion wouldn't be so difficult.

So what did you think of part two of the reunion, ShowTrackers?  Can Jill recover from the hostile response to her behavior this season? Was anyone else disappointed that the clip of Ramona's catwalk debut wasn't playing on loop? If Kelly is like Humpty Dumpty, are the unprocessed ingredients of jellybeans and lollipops enough to put her back together again?  Share your thoughts in the comments section.

-- Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Bethenny Frankel, Andy Cohen and Jill Zarin. Credit: Bravo.

Comments

[Monica Norris]

I commend Alex for standing her ground against Jill, Kelly, and LuAnn. It surprises me that LuAnn, who is supposed to be the queen of etiquette, instigates a lot of the beef amongst the girls. She certainly needs to follow her own advice. And as for Kelly, she should really get her head examined. It's clear that she is jealous of Bethany, and Alex (whom she admonishes repeatedly without cause), and she brags about having better relationships with men than women as if that's something to be proud of. What that really says to me is that she has so many problems with women because she doesn't know how to be a friend, and women can see right through her.

[Diana]

Kelly is so weird...............there is no excuse for her behavior, she is so reaching with this Bully excuse. Kelly have you ever had therapy?????
She is not based in reality, and, or this WORLD. She is mentally SICK. I would love for her to leave the show.
Plus, she has the body of a guy, YUCK.

[Cher]

Kelly is crazy. Plain and simple. She never makes any sense when she speaks and never really has anything to say so why bother. She says on one episode that she looks bad in strapless tops because she looks like a football player, then wears them all season. (Luann in the one shoulder dresses is bad enough!)

I think my favorite is Bethany. She has not been fake about most of this. SHe has said all along that she is building a brand. She is certainly doing a nice job of things and everyone should wish her well. Ramona is very funny. She makes mistakes, but most are harmless.

Luann is worthless on the show. She tried desperately to keep Bethany and Jill apart and that is just plain mean. She could see that Jill really wanted to make up and when it got close she made sure it didn't happen.

New show line-up in my mind would be Ramona, Bethany, Alex and Sonia.

[Susan 1989]

I'm with Kelly on this one. Talk about gang mentality. One weak link and they pounce. Kelly was brave to go to the island and she shows great insight to take that ugly situation and learn something from it. Kelly appears to be emotionally sensitive, fun and playful. We need more people like her. Shame on Bravo for creating a situation which we watched her get hurt, repeatedly.

Badger Bethanny needs to "zip" that mouth. Its amazing that she agreed that she can be verbally abusive and thinks that just by saying "I'm sorry" makes it all right. Change the behavior.

Jill was ganged up on this season for sure. No one deserves that type of treatment. Wanting to discuss her friendship with Bethanny off camera, makes perfect sense to me. Scene stealing Bethanny with her abusive mouth would not bode well for mending a friendship.

Love Sonia! Though she needs to expand her definition of bullying and abusive behavior. I'm sure the others will gang up on her soon enough.

Alex was hysterical. Watching her try to be a mean girl was comical. Someone should tell her she looks ridiculous. She is a sweet and charming woman and should bring that out of the closet.

I am really glad Bethanny got her own show, now I don't have to watch her anymore. I am sure Jill wanted to keep the RHof NY together, leading her to suggest that the others consider not filming with Bethanny. Keeping the integrity of their brand. I'm not sure that is a bad idea!!!

[Zoey]

I thought this reunion Part II was a tad boring. If you could take maybe ten minutes of it, it was interesting. They should have done a 90 minute reunion and that's it. Dragging this out is just boring and annoying.

Honestly, what is with the gals and the shoes? Everyone trying to outdo each other with the shoes, the color, the heels, the style and name...ack...they should have just worn the shoes and nothing else because we're not even looking at what their wearing. Except for Alex. Kudos.

The whole brand thing: what is up with that? Are these people kidding themselves into thinking they actually have a talent for anything and are authors or experts in anything? Yikes, this society here in America, we love the celebrity 15 minutes don't we? Oy.

If Kelly is on another season, I'm not watching. I can't watch her anymore. If this is a put-on act, then it needs to go. If this is really who she is, she needs help and I'm not watching that, it's not entertaining.

LuAnn; will someone say it? Please? She can't sing and it's a stupid song. Anyone can go into a studio and use multiple tracks to cover up their voice. She lacks any kind of tone and key.

Sonja: Thank you for her, she is interesting, entertaining, slightly wacky and real.

Jill: She has really kind of shot herself in the foot. I liked her last season and this season I think she's gone as crazy as Kelly. Hypocritical, mean and narcissistic is for soap opera.

Bethanny: or however you spell her name, really enjoyed her as always and she stayed consistent and her new show is good.

Alex: Yay for getting some balls and telling those other three where to go.

Ramona: Wacky, but I can still watch her.

On the other hand, I may just turn my cable off for three months. I need the money.

[Nancy]

According to jillzarin.com's blog, they are Christian Louboutin emerald green pumps. Are these perhaps the ones?

http://thegloss.com/fashion/christian-louboutin-emerald-suede-pump/

[Meg R]

I'm not on anyone's "Team", but Bravo TV requires heroes and villains. This season on RHONY, it's the dreaded Jill Zarin who fills the villain role. While her childish, catty, often nasty behavior was repulsive, I find it equally disgusting that Bethenny gets pretty much a free pass. (She's obviously a Bravo and Andy Cohen favorite.) As just one of many such examples, she refers to LuAnn as a "dumb drag queen" then laughs it off as merely a "fun alliteration". Oh, okay. This, while the other women are called to account for all their snotty comments and asides in embarrassing clip after clip. So, my observation is that Bethenny is allowed to be just downright mean - occasionally vicious - but because she has a biting "wit", it's okay? Bottom line is that there's a different standard for her. I'm just saying bad behavior and mean spiritedness stand on their own, regardless of who's responsible.

On the positive side, Sonja Morgan. She appears genuine, kind, smart without the mean sarcastic streak, funny and self-deprecating. She also doesn't exude the desperate-for-fame quality of Jill, Bethenny, Kelly and the rest of them. She makes me feel much less embarrassed to be a woman when I'm watching this show. Bravo will probably cut her next season.

Oh - and I nominate Alex McCord for the Suck-up of the Year award.

[susan saunders]

Right on susan 1989!! Are we like related because we seem to be on the same mental wavelength. Ginger is a genius too!!!

[PHYLLIS CURRY]

Jill Zarin has forgotten the initial problem ....she was hurt by her phony friend Bethenny. But Everyone was hurt by Jill Zarin bringing a phony "seer" on the scene to give the Countess comfort. She is not Jewish ...she is heathen.

[donna]

First of all Yvonne, your comments were hysterically funny and right on the mark. I personally don't think that Jill can recover from this. She spent so much time telling the viewers what a wonderful person she is, and then the real Jill comes out of hiding. God, she revealed a really mean spirited, and self centered person. Even on the reunion show, her apologies were empty. Now about Kelly, I'm a social worker and I cannot for the life of me figure out what demons she is struggling with, she has no logic, she just rambles on, like there is a disconnect somewhere. Kelly needs serious help.

[Bob Loblaw]

Ginger, Susan and Saunders....what planet are you all on? Clearly, Jill Zarin is ashamed. She had deleted her FB page blaming spam, what she's really ticked about is all the negative comments...she is mean and a liar. Kelly is stupid AND crazy, and the Countess? Singing? Please....

Seems like 99% of the fans of the show are Team Bethenny, Alex, Ramona and Sonja....the 1% that supports Jill, Kelly and the Countess probably ARE Jill, Kelly and the Countess!

[Sharon]

Thank you for the Alex "suck up award" comment. Is it just me or is she trying WAY too hard to be what she isn't. She bugs me! Ok we get it, you are a tough girl (NOT) now! I liked her at the beginning of the season until she had her "message" to deliver, which I was totally embarrassed for her, and now she thinks she's all that. We liked you better when you were humble Alex!
Jill let her jealousy get the best of her and ended up trying to snub Bethanny and made different friends (LuAnn and Kelly) but little did she know, she picked some idiots...doh!! Sorry Jill, try again. I actually really like Jill and I think Bethanny is being a little hard on her. Poor Jill is grovelling over her, give her a damn hug already! Kelly...what to say? She's so out of touch with reality, funny she should be on a reality show!! Ironic.

[Francine]

Jill did get what she deserves. Just by these comments Bravo has to know what the viewers see. Jill was rotten at the beginning of this season then realized the world would be watching so she had to cover her tracks. Kelly is insane. You cant get anymore stupider than that girl. Bravo, please take her off the show, she totally insulted the network, shes an embarrassment to the show. I cant stand watching her.

[jenny]

MY WHOLE CONCEPT ON EVERYONE ON THE SHOW IS, I DID GET WHAT KELLY WAS SAYING, SHE FEELS BULLY BECAUSE FROM DAY ONE ALMOST EVERYONE OF THEM HAD SOMETHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT HER, HOW DUMB, STUPID, NO BRAINER,SO OFF-COURSE SHE FEELS TREATING BY THEM AND THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN SHE IS BUT I THINK SHE DO NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE, I THINK HER BEHAVIOR IS BIGGER THAN WHAT SHE IS SAYING, JILL USE TO BE MY FAVORITE STILL IS BUT LIKE NENE SHE CHANGE THIS SEASON AND LOVING THE LENS ALITTLE TOO MUCH BUT SHE STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITE, LU-ANN CATCHY MUSIC LOVE IT, RAMONA LAST YR YOU WAS MY LEAST FAVORITE BUT THIS YEAR EVEN THOUGH A LITTLE CRAZY CAME OUT BUT I DO LOVE THE NEW YOU SHOW ALOT OF MATURITY LOVE IT, SONJIA YOUR MY NEW FAVORITE HOUSE WIFE LOVE YOUR SWAGG ATTITUDE AND YOU DONT PICK SIDE WHICH I LIKE STAY THE SAME FOR THE NEXT SEASON PLEASE,ALEX IS PHONY AND IS A AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR HER SELF SHE HIDE UNDER BETHANY SHIELD FOR PROTECTION LIKE ANDY ASK HOW COME YOU COULD FORGIVE RAMONA AND BETHANY WHEN THEY DOG HER AND HER HUSBAND AND SOMETIME PARTICIPATE IN CONVERSATION ABOUT HER KIDS BUT COULD FORGIVE THEM BUT WHEN JILL SAY SOMETHING ITS A PROBLEM SHE JUST WANT TO BE UNDERNEATH BETHANY WINGS KNOWING JILL IS NOT, COMMON SENSE WOULD SAY HEY JILL WAS FRIENDS WITH BETHANY AND JILL SO CALLED TALK BAD ABOUT HER ALONG WITH BETHANY FROM DAY ONE BUT NOW THEY NOT TALKING WHAT MAKE HER THINK SHE STILL DONT FEEL THE SAME, WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT JUST BECAUSE THEY HAD A FALL OUT EVENTUALLY THEY WILL MAKE UP MAYBE NOT RIGHT NOW BUT THEY WILL AND WHERE WILL THAT LEAVE HE ALEX THAT IS, THERE FRIENDSHIP IS YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP AS FOR HER AND RAMONA, THEY HAVE THEIR DIFFERENCES BUT THEY STILL HAVE LOVE FOR EACH OTHER, AND I THINK HER FRIENDSHIP IS JUST FOR NOW, AND ALEX NOT GOSSIPING MEAN NOT SPEAKING ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON IN A BAD OR GOOD WAY AND SHARING INFORMATION AND YOU AND YOUR BROOKLYN SELF DEFINATELY LOVE THE GOSSIP SO DONT THAT ALSO MAKE YOU A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL,AND THE WAY YOU TRY TO KEEP BRINING UP THINGS ABOUT JILL EVERY TIME THE SUBJECT CHANGE AND EVERYTIME JILL AND BETHANY TRIES TO SAY SOMETHING TO EACH OTHER YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BRING OUT OLD WOUND, LIKE RAMONA SAY THEY WILL BE FRIENDS AGAIN AND WHERE THAT GOING TO LEAVE YOU, WHAT YOU TRYING TO DO IS NOT GOING TO WORK YOUR A HATER STAY YOUR SELF IN BROOKLYN.

[Francine]

This is the SUSAN1989.
Your with Kelly on this one?? You must be just as crazy as her. Are you watching the same show?? Do you also eat gummy bears and lollipops and live in a world of cartwheels and satchels of gold?

[Jan]

Reality TV-really? lol...I am in the process of preparing some lectures using this season of The Real Housewives of New York as an example of how females form a clique and engage in organized destructive behavior. This show demonstrates a behavior pattern I have been studying for years at the academic level. An interesting twist -it became blatantly obvious to me last night that this planned destruction of Jill and Kelly was orchestrated by the people who produce the show. I was amazed as card after card read out by Andy attacked Jill with a few Kelly exceptions.

I studied years ago under a professor named Kevin Walsh. He was one of the earliest experts in character development. (The New York Times sent a reporter to follow him around, the government of Japan hired him as a consultant). He has identified this "female pack" behavior and says that these girls need to be identified in high school so that they can receive serious therapy. Otherwise, they will leave a path of destruction in their wake throughout their lives. Betthany, Alex, and Ramona will destroy fellow human beings in order to build a brand? I encourage everyone to turn off this show and use the time volunteering to make the world a better place. If you must watch this, then pay attention to how Betthany bullies her husband and his friends....has anyone noticed how she looses control and screams at Kelly?

[Lisa from Boston]

I love Jill Zarin and admire her courage.

[Belinda Hughes]

I thought that when Jill refused to accept Bethenny's attempts to reconcile she was petty and now I think Bethenny's refusal to accept Jill's attempts to reconcile are petty. I think both need to show respect for each other and themselves. Both need to let it go. Life is short and they are wasting time. As for Bethenny, my heart went out to her when she was being denied by Jill, but now she is doing the very same thing. I thing the girl does protest too much. Stop playing the victim or you will lose the sympathy votes.

[Gwennie]

Jill wrote bad reviews of Alex and Bethenny's book under an assumed name and a positive one of her own book under an assumed name. She told everyone Bethenny didn't do enough for her when Bobby had a "procedure" and she never TOLD Bethenny Bobby had cancer (although she claimed she did all year until the reunion). She was Bethenny's friend yet secretly told others not to film with Bethenny in order to sabotage her new show. She put Bethenny's conversation on speaker and when B asked if she was on speaker Jill said "Just because she was in the middle of things and not that Luann was there. They listened and sniggered as Bethenny cried.
ly

[Renee]

I watch both one and two of the reunion and felt that there were a lot of sling throwing from the Bethenny team. Bethenny claimed that Jill changed but she needs look at herself in the mirror she changed also and so did Ramona and Alex. Bethenny and her jealousy of Kelly was obvious when it came out that they did some hush talking with the other wives of who they wanted to be tape with. I dont like that Biatch Bethenny. She is not the victim like most want to believe. She threw stones at everybody on that show at one or another. I happy that Jill got on her case this season because the season before she talked about everyone of them and then smiled in their faces like LuAnn mentioned in this season. So all you Bethenny stop and think this Biatch is no innocent person, she just got told this season and could not handle it. So Jill, dont be so sad about this break up. Let the fast talking Biatch move on.