'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' reunion: Coming together after all the drama

The support group of survivors from the first season of the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” aired their grievances in what was practically a clinical setting on Tuesday night on Bravo.

They shared experiences seemingly exclusive to the life of a housewife in Beverly Hills: the sisterly conflicts of former child actors, who also happen to be aunts of Paris Hilton; the ex-wife of a wealthy celebrity addressing her feuds, her psychic friend and her married friend whom she kisses on the lips; and the drama of a Permanent Houseguest who storms from the nest, quite possibly seeking to wet his beak from the 15 minutes of “Housewives” fame.

Bravo threw me for a loop with the second part of the reunion. I missed it on television, expecting it on Thursday night. So, I had to play catch up with the full episode (thankfully) available on Hulu. (Click here if you want to relive it.)

I was surprised by the dignity demonstrated by women who had spent an entire season seemingly trying to strip away whatever dignity they had before the cameras. For all the drama of the last season, it culminated in a tempered, practically anemic, conversation about the lives they lived on camera.

Camille was apologetic but not really. Kim was remarkably coherent and honest about her relationship with her sister, though she declined to dig further into the allegations of alcoholism and all that went down at Taylor’s birthday party. Taylor clued us into the underlying sadness that we saw all season. And, as usual, Adrienne didn’t say much of anything.

It was Lisa who was most interesting to watch. She was her typically effervescent, humorous and classy  self -- it says something about how bizarrely ostentatious a show is when the person who comes across as the sage of the cast wears a necklace that could pass for a chandelier.

Despite all the cheeky wisdom that she readily offered to others on the show, she failed to recognize the swindler (alleged, of course) within her midst. In her latimes.com live chat last week (read the transcript here if you missed it), she hinted at the pain caused by Cedric the Permanent Houseguest and the tearful discussions that would follow this week, on the second part of the reunion.

And it was, indeed, heartbreaking.

Cedric appeared in the reunion, not in person, but through a pre-recorded video segment. He cast himself as the victim: It was Lisa who woke him up and made him go to the gym with her each morning. It was Lisa and her husband, Ken, who dragged him around as though he were a companion like Jiggy the dog. He was used by them, then thrown to the curb, or so he claimed.

It made me wish NeNe Leakes from Atlanta could have made a cameo to set it straight. He mooched off the Vanderpump family. He lived in their home. He drove their cars. And he was 37 years old, still living as a child. Shameful!

Speaking of shameful, this season of “Housewives” doesn’t end here, apparently. Andy Cohen announced on Twitter that Bravo will be airing an extended producer’s cut of the so-called “dinner party from hell.” So, if you haven't had enough of a smarmy psychic with a now-canceled TV show based on her life, tune in to Bravo at 9 p.m. on Feb. 15. You shall have your fill.

And in other Beverly Hills housewife news, we learn far more than we wanted to ever know about the relations of Kelsey and Camille Grammer. She shared quite a bit in a recent interview with Joy Behar on her HLN show in regard to the ex-husband from whom she’s expected to get a chunk of change (no pre-nup!).

“We tried, we just didn’t mesh sexually,” Camille told Behar.

“He was too busy watching Fox News,” she said. “He didn’t want to cuddle.”

I must say that I’m happy the season’s coming to a close. This show tracker needs a break even more than the Housewives do -- should they decide to boot up again for a second season, that is.

-- Rick Rojas

Photos: (from top) Adrienne Maloof, Kim Richards, Camille Grammer, Andy Cohen, Kyle Richards, Taylor Armstrong and Lisa Vanderpump at the reunion of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Credit: Isabella Vosmikova / Bravo

Kyle Richards, Taylor Armstrong and Lisa Vanderpump. Credit: Isabella Vosmikova / Bravo

Camille Grammer. Credit: Isabella Vosmikova / Bravo

Comments

[bravotv]

why are we getting this recap now???

[Kerry]

You are a day late and a dollar short. This was a very poor recap.

[ljb15]

LADIES!!!! I am sitting here watching the show. And I have a comment. I hope you take it as it is meant. KINDLY! This is not coming from some young gal...this is coming from an old granny (well maybe not THAT old!)
What I have to say is this. You ladies are so lucky to have the friendships you have with one another. Why argue and disagree? Do you know what it would be like not having any friends? I am telling you from experience.

Several years ago, my husband passed away. I left the state we were living in to return to my home state to be near my family. I had no choice but to leave my best friend in the whole world. She helped me pack.. in fact she did most of the packing because of my health. She made sure that I ate and took time to encourage me to hang in there. She was there the night my husband passed away, she helped me make it through those next rough days. She would try to cheer me up and before you knew it we were either both in tears or both giggling until we were in tears. There were a LOT of tears. I am so thankful for that friendship, I loved her and her family dearly. The thing is that I lost all contact with her and it broke my heart. There will never be another friend for me like she was.

What I am trying to say to you is that you all are so lucky to have the friendships you have. treasure those friendships. realize how lucky you are. Do you want to end up like this old granny...stuck in an apartment..getting out only to go to the grocery store or the doctor? Do you want to lose your friends? I have people around me where I live and they are friendly...but none of them is a friend. It is lonely without a good friend. Realize that and treasure each other. love one another. Be thankful for all your friends!

[eloise]

It's clear that Cedric and Lisa were using each other. If that's not obvious, you weren't paying attention. Lisa said she wanted Cedric because she "plays with" him. That's why she didn't kick him out when her husband first asked. Lisa needed Cedric. Lisa talked about being sad that her children were grown-up, and her dog helps fill the void. So did Cedric. She doesn't have sex with her husband, and there must be a lack of emotional intimacy as well. Evidence for that is their need for dogs that are with them constantly, Lisa's need for Cedric and her need to be part of RHBH. Finally, Lisa's husband insisted he leave. Cedric is a man with major unmet needs who tried to fill them by being pampered and "loved" by Lisa. Being kicked out triggered his rage at being abandoned by his mother, and now by Lisa, so he lashed out at the Vanderpumps. It is not complicated. Cedric and Lisa are two needy people who used each other for a while.

[sharyn dyckman-brantner]

Regarding Part 2 between kim and Kyle, by Kim not owning up to her drinking? problem, she once again threw Kyle under the bus.

[pat]

Camille sounds dumber on the reunion ten she did on the show. She tried to hang on to her " A list husband's" coat tail and act like she was better than everyone else. She got just what she deserved. She is delusional!

[Denise]

This comment is for Lisa, For Mr. Gigi, I know the vet would not tell you to do this for his problem but my brother had the same alopecia problem but on his head... an old fashion,remedy doctor said to wash his hair with ivory baby shampoo and rinse with white vinegar nothing else it and it worked, make sure you rinse very well, P.S. he won't turn into a salad.. I sure at this point you would hope something would work... keep up the great job...Denise