Money Can't Buy You Class

Here is the Countess LuAnn's smash single. I'm not sure whether LuAnn takes herself seriously or not. The proceeds from the single will go to cherity, and LuAnn looks stunning on the video:

Real Housewives of New York City a/o April 1, 2010

People say that bad behavior makes for good television, but I have honestly been disappointed in the immaturity of most of the cast members of Real Housewives NYC. None of these housewives are bad people. Their good qualities far outweigh their nastiness. But I hope this show serves as a mirror for them, and any one of them seeking truth will see that they need to make changes.

The biggest trouble maker right now is Jill. This comment must be qualified because I believe she usually means well, but she has gotten lost. Because so many people like Jill, she's in the position to do much harm. Her friends who now hate Bethenny show little character or ability to think for themselves. They seem to care an awful lot about pleasing Jill.

Whenever Bethenny suggests that Jill has made far too much of their disagreement, Jill becomes too enraged to consider the wisdom of Bethenny's comment: "Jill needs to get a hobby." A hobby wouldn't change the fact that Bethenny shortchanged her friend Jill by virtually ignoring her all summer. But a hobby--or something else to focus on--could help Jill to quit ruminating about how disappointed she is in others. She has been criticizing others as if she were faultless.

When Bethenny called Jill, trying to put a stop to all the mud-slinging, Jill put Bethenny on the speaker phone without telling Bethenny that LuAnn was listening to the phone call. Jill is in so much pain over the loss of her friendship with Bethenny that she is excusing her own terrible behavior.

I loved the scene with Alex, Ramona, Bethenny and Kelly, as they planned fashion week in Brooklyn. Bethenny and Kelly got wrapped up in their old argument again. When each of them tried to get some closure, their discussion escalated into an argument that made both Alex and Ramona uncomfortable. Alex put her foot and told the ladies to leave, if they insisted on arguing. When Ramona supported Alex, both Kelly and Bethenny decided on the spot to let the past go. They made up--without the need for one last word.

This positive resolution demonstrates maturity, true friendship, and my idea of good television.

Jill v. Bethenny and Other Nastiness

The Real Housewives of New York City returned from hiatus to begin its third season. I find myself talking as if I know these women personally. But since a reality show is supposed to accurately represent the true lives of its cast members, I only draw conclusions from what I see.

Surprise. The lives of these women changed drastically over vacation, and I fear that my favorite "housewives" no longer measure up. Here is a list of the cast members, from favorite to least favorite, as of last season:

1. Bethenny
2. Jill
3. LuAnn
4. Ramona
5. Alex
6. Kelly

Now....Here is my list, from favorite to least favorite, as of last Thursday's show:

1. Alex
2. Ramona
3. LuAnn
4. Kelly
5. Bethenny
6. Jill

Jill and Bethenny are both charming and vibrant; I used to enjoy the way they related to each other. Both stubborn, they'd back down when push comes to shove, in order to honor their relationship. They always seemed to have each other's back--and I adored Jill's mother.

I'm so disappointed in the turn of events.

Season three on the show begins after summer 2009; Jill's husband Bobby has gone through cancer treatments; I didn't see that coming.

Hurray for Bethenny who fell in love with a good guy. But where was her support of Jill through such a difficult summer? Were these two ladies just friends for the show last year? Is Bethenny like so many women who drop their girlfriends the minute a man enters the picture?