TV TIDBITS

We have so much to talk about. None of this will make any sense if you haven't seen (a) the Democratic debate, (b) The Real Housewives of New York City, or (c) The Paper. But even so, read on if you wish.

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1) I listened to part of the Democratic debate on NPR--pretty good stuff, I must say, with lots of actual ideas proposed to give you something to think about--and of course there was bickering bickering bickering but that's just politics.

But for the first time, I have to say--Barack Obama was a bit of a stuttering, stammering slouch--alliteration is the best!--and now apparently he's frustrated that Hills' people keep taking his mis-speaks, which they subsequently beat to death in the press. It's not fair, he says. It's not nice. He says This isn't what politics should be about. Hills should stop. But I ask you this: if he doesn't like it now, what happens when he's up against a Republican opponent, or someone in the press...or people in Iran who are mad he confused their policies with those of Iraq? This isn't telling an elementary school kid that you spell "potato" with an "e" at the end. If he can't handle it now...I dunno. He doesn't seem as robust as he once was.

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2) will, someday, be one of the Real Housewives of New York City.

The coolest housewife (although she's not a "housewife," as she is single with no kids) is clearly Bethenney--as is exhibited by the story linked above. But it's Ramona I find rather compelling, as she's like the real live Edina Monsoon from Absolutely Fabulous. I present the following:

1) Ramona dresses in high-concept clothes that are inappropriate for her age.

2) Ramona tends to be a bit brazen with her comments.

3) Ramona perpetually embarrasses her level-headed daughter.

4) Ramona works in the fashion industry. Albeit--like Edina--not significantly so, just enough to have business lunches from time to time.

5) Her husband seems a little bit gay.

I see a spin-off in the future.

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3) If you haven't seen The Paper on MTV, you must. MUST. Let me just say this: in high school, I threw a hissy fit because I wasn't named the editor-in-chief, and was given the job of "business manager" instead. It involved tears. I had no idea I was so...commonly found out there in the world. God bless Adam.

And that awful Giana girl...when Amanda was given the EIC job, and Giana laments the future of the paper looks grim: "No one is going to listen to her!" Translation: "I'm going to make sure no one listens to her!" And the sabotage begins. Giana needs to sit in a dark room and watch Mean Girls. Although she might learn a few tips on how to do it better, I don't know.

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4) This is hilarious.

Comments

[darryll]

OBAMA RULES!!!

Shrillary drools!!

[jimk]

Bethenney was on the Martha Stewart "Apprentice". She seems to be hanging on to her reality fame...

We used to call her Befenny and remark on the way she pronounces Samiches.

[magickat]

Everyone keeps talking about The Paper. I have to see this shit! It sounds so fabulously catty!

[Jen]

ALEX ALEX ALEX is my fav! I love her frenchy hubby and her frenchy kids! I loved it when Bethenny came over for a birthday party and there house was a mess! Almost as if i don't believe that Alex has all this money. I love how her "straight" hubby picks out her clothes and goes everywhere with her! LOVE THEM BOTH!

[Hephaestion]

I, too, became shockingly enthralled by "Real Housewives of New York," though I tried to resist. I kinda love the Countess. That sultry voice... her Algonquin Indian/French background... and her son looks like he will be a major hunk in about 10 years. I hope Ramona's cute husband Mario is gay; I got dibs.

I was shocked beyond belief by the kid Francois being ALLOWED to smash the hamburger of Bethenny's boyfriend Jason at their finale party. Are there really parents out there who ALLOW their kids to destroy a hungry man's meal and sit there and REFUSE to tell the kid to stop?? This I can not wrap my brain around.

[StephanieC]

The Paper is officially my favorite MTV show now. Sorry Hills...

[Christian]

I have to agree with Dan, Bethenny is my favorite housewife by a longshot. I loved her frankness, my favorite line all season was the last episode when she was looking at apts and Jill commented on who spacious a room was. Jill said, "You could fit like 14 people in here.
Bethenny deadpans "Come on Jill, I don't even know 14 people who like me." Hilarious!

[Michael Moniz]

The Paper is another train wreck you can not help but watch!

[Glenn C]

I watched Martha's Apprentice religiously and Bethany was one of the reasons I LOVED it so much. She was a complete FIDIOT. Houswives makes her look 100% better. This is now my new fav show. We all know real women like this in NYC (those of us who have lived there that is). I think Alex's hubby is gay not Mario who is cute. I actually prefer this to the Orange County version. But why did they only give them 4-5 episodes? Bring the show back real soon. How about a spin-off called "The Real Gays of New York City" with Dan.

[Judy McAspiringHousewife]

I love Bethenney (though what up with the spelling?) and I also adore tacky Jill and her husband Bobby. I think Mario is probably straight with a girlfriend on the side. However Alex's husband is 110% homosexual.

[chris]

"But it's Ramona I find rather compelling, as she's like the real live Edina Monsoon from Absolutely Fabulous."

She is Eddy - New York Jewish version. I loved the all-suede outfit in the construction area. And the hard hat barely resting on her hair.

Alex/French Fem Hubby? - are they just in credit card debt? The house had like 2 rooms redone. And they are dropping 10k's on shiteous dresses in St. Bart's??!!! They need to move to Paris for 6 months and get their Brooklyn residence in order.

[Workinprogress20s]

I'm so glad you mentioned my new two favorite shows! The Real housewives of NYC rock! My favorite is LuAnn, and my least two favorites are Bethenney and Ramona. I hate them both!

I was excited to see The Paper right from the previous! I love it!

[chuck]

Dan,
This blog is great, and I love to check it out for whatever the topic -- your gay adventures, excellent pop culture criticism, or just your daily wanderings around Miami.

But I have to comment about the Democratic debate. There was very little in the debate that will impact how people live there lives in the future. Sure, Obama stuttered a bit. But seriously, how much time was dedicated to discussing whether or not he wore a fucking flag pin on his lapel???

It's time for all of us to seriously look at who our candidates are and for where they might take us in the future. Hillary has been around for awhile and has some great experience.

But, if we are to rally together and beat John McCain, I think the Democrats need to pick someone like Obama. He brings a youthful energy and a strong group of young people to the political world in way that hasn't been done for a long time.

Anyway, I hate to get all political, and since all of the previous comments were about the "Real Housewives" portion of the blog, I guess I'm sorry to waste your time.

Cheers,

Chuck

[laura]

When Bethenney told Jill she was going to stab her in the eyeball if she didn't shut up I almost rolled off the couch! LOL
And thanks for the heads up on "The paper' - love it - I want to smack Gianna and I love and hate Amanda all at the same time,

[Atlanticvamp]

I hate all those kids on The Paper. The nerdy EIC girl reminds me so much of myself, I want to get her some therapy. Then I want her to use her "paper" skills to dig enormous amounts of dirt on her "staff" and bring down those spoiled superficial little bitches.

...then I realize I'm not fourteen anymore.

[Glenn C]

Go to this http://men.style.com/details/features/landing?id=content_6746

Details magazine (May 2008 issue) has done a 7 page article plus 3 page professional photo shoot of past Real World cast members. Dan is featured on one page as a cultural icon. There is also an online video interview of the cast including Melissa. She is asked "Do you stay in contact with Dan?" and she responds, "A-B-S-L-U-T-E-L-Y NOT!!!". What's her problem???

[afrobella]

Oh, the Real Housewives... Alex and her husband annoy me so very much. Bethanny is my favorite. She keeps it real.

[Liz]

Bethenny is real, Ramona is a wack job, LuAnne is a snob and Alex and Simon are stunningly enmeshed. I love watching them because I know they can't last like this forever.