Must we linger too long on ding dong Danielle and the dreaded BOOK. The book, Cop Without a Badge, that alleges our Housewife got nabbed in the '80s for committing crimes of kidnapping, extortion, prostitution, etc., etc. Sweet Danielle's excuse for the whole matter was impressively ridiculous: She was a model, recently returned from a fabulous shoot in Cozumel, and she went straightaway to see her boyfriend when she got back into town. "My boyfriend's house was really big," she told her gay best friend. "Like 30 rooms! I didn't always know what was going on in the house." Hmm, so like, this room was the pantry, this one held exercise balls, this one had strange men with scales and lots of plastic baggies, and when I peeked in, one of them slashed his finger across his throat, which was sort of weird, but who am I to judge?, and this room had a pole and I would practice my professional dance moves in there. What was my sin? Danielle, without ever addressing that nasty little mug shot, kept playing the victim and swearing revenge against her nemesis, Dina, who she somehow has decided is to blame for this whole matter that had stayed buried for 24 years.
Dina, whom I inexplicably love, acted her usual dry and nonplussed self. She doesn't trust or like Danielle, but doesn't seem to spend two figs worth of time thinking about her. Not when she had her baby Lexi to pack off for a two-week trip to Cyprus with her Father. Speaking of not knowing which room is which, I can't for the life of me figure out where in the house Lexi and Dina said goodbye. There was a banquette bench, chickens stenciled on the window, leopard spotted picture frames, large crystal candelbras — is this New Jersey's version of a mud room? Regardless, Lexi, who is so going to get her drink on in Greece, and Dina had a genuinely touching little goodbye. Dina's tears were snotty and messy and punctuated with weird bursts of laughter and, hey, that's how I cry! And that's one of the few times I've witnessed recognizable behavior on this series.
These fuzzy feelings fizzled fast during the scene of Teresa informing 7-year-old Gia that she had booked a little TV gig. "Do you want to work at Gossip Girl?" Teresa asked excitedly. "Uh, you bet I do," Gia purred. "A lot of people want me these days."
My favorite line of the evening went to sugar plum Jacqueline. Danielle called her over for a weird mafioso style toast with champagne. Danielle demanded loyalty, and warned the befuddled looking Jacqueline to keep her friends close and her enemies closer, yada yada. As they clinked glasses, Jacqueline leaned in and whispered innocently "Who are my enemies?"
What did you think PopWatchers? Any of you want to place money on the fact that Danielle is the one who leaked the book around town, knowing it would get even more screen time? Has Dina won you over? Did you want to give Gia a time-out as she went searching for that poor man Alberto to help her with her suitcase?
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Dina on Luxaholics about shopping, botox and how she’s better than Nate Berkus …
I agree that Danielle probably leaked the book thinking that the Manzos wouldn’t care in light of the suspiscious death of Dina and Caroline’s father in law. Wrong. I like Dina.
My biggest complaint is that these women are not representative of women their age who live in NJ (like me). I realized why when Dina said, “I’ll get my Brooklyn on!” during one of the Danielle discussions. You can take a girl out of an outer borough, but you can’t take the outer borough out of the girl.
I agree that Danielle probably leaked the book thinking that the Manzos wouldn’t care in light of the suspiscious death of Dina and Caroline’s father in law. Wrong. I like Dina.
My biggest complaint is that these women are not representative of women their age who live in NJ (like me). I realized why when Dina said, “I’ll get my Brooklyn on!” during one of the Danielle discussions. You can take a girl out of an outer borough, but you can’t take the outer borough out of the girl.
I agree that Danielle probably leaked the book thinking that the Manzos wouldn’t care in light of the suspiscious death of Dina and Caroline’s father in law. Wrong. I like Dina.
My biggest complaint is that these women are not representative of women their age who live in NJ (like me). I realized why when Dina said, “I’ll get my Brooklyn on!” during one of the Danielle discussions. You can take a girl out of an outer borough, but you can’t take the outer borough out of the girl.
Lexy just gave a “what do YOU think?” look to Caroline’s son when he said “you’re not a party girl, are you?” Mom has reason to worry – Lexy is cute, funny and ready to try her wings and fly a little. Greece is the perfect opportunity! Danielle dancing was the hoot of the show for me – Ms. Perfect! Always has to remind everyone she was a model (and a dancer, it turns out – guess those stripping rumors are true). Pack it in, Danielle – you were obviously a mafioso moll riding the gravy train until you got caught. Don’t blame everyone else because the truth finally came out. Quite a clash between Teresa’s husband and Danielle over “gay slurs.” Is Danielle that politically correct when the cameras aren’t rolling? It’s fun listening to the New Jersey accents and attitudes. Teresa’s house is amazing!! She and her husband carry around wads of hundred dollar bills daily and pay for everything in cash! Amazing in these economic times! What line of work is her husband in?
Lexy just gave a “what do YOU think?” look to Caroline’s son when he said “you’re not a party girl, are you?” Mom has reason to worry – Lexy is cute, funny and ready to try her wings and fly a little. Greece is the perfect opportunity! Danielle dancing was the hoot of the show for me – Ms. Perfect! Always has to remind everyone she was a model (and a dancer, it turns out – guess those stripping rumors are true). Pack it in, Danielle – you were obviously a mafioso moll riding the gravy train until you got caught. Don’t blame everyone else because the truth finally came out. Quite a clash between Teresa’s husband and Danielle over “gay slurs.” Is Danielle that politically correct when the cameras aren’t rolling? It’s fun listening to the New Jersey accents and attitudes. Teresa’s house is amazing!! She and her husband carry around wads of hundred dollar bills daily and pay for everything in cash! Amazing in these economic times! What line of work is her husband in?
Lexy just gave a “what do YOU think?” look to Caroline’s son when he said “you’re not a party girl, are you?” Mom has reason to worry – Lexy is cute, funny and ready to try her wings and fly a little. Greece is the perfect opportunity! Danielle dancing was the hoot of the show for me – Ms. Perfect! Always has to remind everyone she was a model (and a dancer, it turns out – guess those stripping rumors are true). Pack it in, Danielle – you were obviously a mafioso moll riding the gravy train until you got caught. Don’t blame everyone else because the truth finally came out. Quite a clash between Teresa’s husband and Danielle over “gay slurs.” Is Danielle that politically correct when the cameras aren’t rolling? It’s fun listening to the New Jersey accents and attitudes. Teresa’s house is amazing!! She and her husband carry around wads of hundred dollar bills daily and pay for everything in cash! Amazing in these economic times! What line of work is her husband in?
I can’t decide who I love more. The adorably scary uber mama Caroline. The woman w/ the invincible deadpan commentary, Dina. Or the utterly absurd Teresa! I think…I am going to have to go with Teresa. As much as I love Dina’s overall aloofness regarding the Danielle situation and the fact that i’m quite sure that Caroline would gladly fit Danielle with Concrete slippers were it not for the camera crew as witnesses. I have no choice but to go with Teresa’s genuine absurdity for the win! It helps that her lil girl Gia is equally as absurd. This is not an insult, b/c THEY ARE SO GENUINE! Their absurdity is so damn genuine that it’s endearing and you can’t help but love them for it! Her husband is such a cliche and you can tell that he really gets her going, her daughter is 6 going on 46 and she adores it. She herself is more made up than any woman I’ve ever seen and she makes it work. Her entire persona is larger than life and she carries it effortlessly b/c THAT REALLY IS HER! I luv it
I can’t decide who I love more. The adorably scary uber mama Caroline. The woman w/ the invincible deadpan commentary, Dina. Or the utterly absurd Teresa! I think…I am going to have to go with Teresa. As much as I love Dina’s overall aloofness regarding the Danielle situation and the fact that i’m quite sure that Caroline would gladly fit Danielle with Concrete slippers were it not for the camera crew as witnesses. I have no choice but to go with Teresa’s genuine absurdity for the win! It helps that her lil girl Gia is equally as absurd. This is not an insult, b/c THEY ARE SO GENUINE! Their absurdity is so damn genuine that it’s endearing and you can’t help but love them for it! Her husband is such a cliche and you can tell that he really gets her going, her daughter is 6 going on 46 and she adores it. She herself is more made up than any woman I’ve ever seen and she makes it work. Her entire persona is larger than life and she carries it effortlessly b/c THAT REALLY IS HER! I luv it
I can’t decide who I love more. The adorably scary uber mama Caroline. The woman w/ the invincible deadpan commentary, Dina. Or the utterly absurd Teresa! I think…I am going to have to go with Teresa. As much as I love Dina’s overall aloofness regarding the Danielle situation and the fact that i’m quite sure that Caroline would gladly fit Danielle with Concrete slippers were it not for the camera crew as witnesses. I have no choice but to go with Teresa’s genuine absurdity for the win! It helps that her lil girl Gia is equally as absurd. This is not an insult, b/c THEY ARE SO GENUINE! Their absurdity is so damn genuine that it’s endearing and you can’t help but love them for it! Her husband is such a cliche and you can tell that he really gets her going, her daughter is 6 going on 46 and she adores it. She herself is more made up than any woman I’ve ever seen and she makes it work. Her entire persona is larger than life and she carries it effortlessly b/c THAT REALLY IS HER! I luv it
What does it say about this show when something as big as what is alleged in this book comes across as completely…boring. None of these girls are likeable. I’m done watching. Wake me when the hot messes of Atlanta are back.
WTF is UP with the EW comment boards? I can’t stand to read them– they’re all repeating and messed up! PLEASE fix; you’re ruining my daily fix….why did you mess with the old system. It was fine!
Sorry PopWatch, but I completly take Danielle’s side on this. These women look for something every episode to try to find something to hate Danielle about. And what about when she called Teresa’s homophobic husband out on his comments during the dance classes. That gets a big shout out from me.
Sorry PopWatch, but I completly take Danielle’s side on this. These women look for something every episode to try to find something to hate Danielle about. And what about when she called Teresa’s homophobic husband out on his comments during the dance classes. That gets a big shout out from me.
anyone else think Jaqueline is full of it? I don’t buy into her at all.
I Iike Caroline and Jacqueline the best. Teresa is a close 3rd. I don’t get the fuss over Dina – She reminds me of a bully who b/c of her connections can act the way she does. I actually felt sorry for Danielle – what would this show be without her? Not as spicy!
Minor note: “nonplussed” means the opposite of what it looks like it should mean. It’s the “non” that throws writers off. It actually means bewildered or perplexed. So Dina is “plussed,” if that were actually a word. (It’s not.)
I agree with tomtom 100%, PopWatch. Every frigign epsiode Danielle’s name comes out of Dina, Caroline’s, and Teresa’s mouths. Whenever they get together without Jacqueline, they talk about Danielle. Anyone who saw Dina’s Platnium wedding knows she’s a complete and utter bytch whose husband cheated on her. Dina is acting liek a mean girl wiht her snide comments and dirty looks, then feigns innocence like “I would never do that!” Jacqueline worked in a nail salon in NV before marrying a man with money and she doesn’t work, so why is Danielle worse for trying to find a sugar daddy (altho her azz should get a job lmao). BTW-how can the Manzos have a gay brother yet have no issue with Joe’s disgusting remarks! I’m glad Danielle stood up to Joe and she’s right, she’s not Teresa and Joe has no right telling a grown woman to shut up. Ughhh I hope Danielle pulls ut the dirt on all of them and that’s why that dinner goes off the chain!!
You know how people start to look like their dogs after awhile? I think Dina looks exactly like her cat!
You know how people start to look like their dogs after awhile? I think Dina looks exactly like her cat!
Danielle addresses the “Cop Without a Badge” rumors in her blog as well. “I did not kidnap anyone. I am not a prostitute,” she writes. http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey/blogs/danielle-staub/past-imperfect
There’s also a photo recap of the episode here:
http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey/red-black-and-read-all-over
And the clip where Danielle comes clean about it all to Jacqueline is here:
http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey/videos/danielle-explains-it-all
I love Dina. I started crying with her during her goodbye to Lexi. My kids are a few years younger, but just the thought has me crying sympathetic tears. And every fall, just as I went off to college, mom and I would sob like the world was going to end. And I relate to having a uber-busy hubby who resents that the world doesn’t stop when he’s not there. I like how genuine she is about it.
I know the producers are mining all the drama from this Danille thing, but she’s crazy. I agree with Caroline and Dina–just cut her out.
I love Dina. I started crying with her during her goodbye to Lexi. My kids are a few years younger, but just the thought has me crying sympathetic tears. And every fall, just as I went off to college, mom and I would sob like the world was going to end. And I relate to having a uber-busy hubby who resents that the world doesn’t stop when he’s not there. I like how genuine she is about it.
I know the producers are mining all the drama from this Danille thing, but she’s crazy. I agree with Caroline and Dina–just cut her out.
Jacqueline was drunkity drunk drunk and oh-so-cute! And I was loving sweet Dina during her meltdown over Lexi leaving. That was a really precious moment in a show otherwise filled with some catty bltches. I don’t think Dina is the person Danielle is trying to convince us all that she is. Danielle, I think, also isn’t as bad as they make her out to be, but only by thismuch. At this point, I think they don’t like her, so they see everything she does as evil. Danielle is obsessed with smearing Dina like she’s been smeared, and that’s pretty annoying, but she’s also an outsider of a show almost entirely made up of family. The dancing bit? Danielle didn’t take it too seriously, but just serious enough, and I think they were a bit jealous. Also, Gia is too cute for words and everything out of her mouth this episode was a gem! Of course she wants to do Gossip Girl! Let her check her schedule, though, as everyone wants her these days! Too cute! Unfortunately, it won’t stay cute.
I love Dina, Caroline and Teresa, They have
have Oprah-esque personalities. They seem like real women I would like to be friends with. They come across as authentic and comfortable in their own skin, not like OC and NY housewives. This is the only housewive show where I like the women and it makes for a much more enjoyable show. Thanks Bravo!
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I think those little kids are so adorable and Gia is so, so smart ( witness the suitcase episode and then her little song as she was unpacking..) you have to give them a pass on the “absurdity”. Danielle adds drama and I too think she is as “full of it’ as she can get.. Pity her kids who are truly beautiful and thankfully do not look a bit like her.
Hey, the “mafioso thing” is so old and I can tell you that if there was a “connection” anywhere in this family, you would not be looking at them on TV.
I think those little kids are so adorable and Gia is so, so smart ( witness the suitcase episode and then her little song as she was unpacking..) you have to give them a pass on the “absurdity”. Danielle adds drama and I too think she is as “full of it’ as she can get.. Pity her kids who are truly beautiful and thankfully do not look a bit like her.
Hey, the “mafioso thing” is so old and I can tell you that if there was a “connection” anywhere in this family, you would not be looking at them on TV.
Where is Dina’s husband?