Image Credit: Evans Vestal Ward/Bravo
Well, Popwatchers, the much anticipated, re-edited premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills just wrapped up. Kyle was strangely unsympathetic toward Russell during the round table at the opening of the episode, no? But no one was more unsympathetic (in every sense of the word) than Mr. Ken Vanderpump. Ken essentially called Taylor weak for entering couples therapy with Russell, then had the nerve to be offended when Kyle used the word “offended” in describing Taylor’s response to his callous, tone deaf remarks. I don’t know about you guys, but I consider a person weak if they start micromanaging other people’s word choice. Apparently he would have preferred “upset” because “offended” is too offensive for his delicate composition. Weak. Mrs. V didn’t do anything to help her hubby as she clacked her stilettos all over Taylor’s emotions by claiming they were merely a ruse to get Kyle on her side. Wow. Speaking of inflated egos and the word police, Camille launched a last-minute volley to make the evening about her, precisely because… it wasn’t about her. Glad to see some people never change. (Also file under that category: Adrienne and Paul, a.k.a. The Bickersons.) I’ll go into all of this in more detail in my recap later tonight. (UPDATE: Click to see Lanford’s full Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season premiere recap.) In the meanwhile, consider this: How stiff a competition will it be to be this season’s most hateful character? There are some pretty strong contenders already, no? How much mileage will Camille get off of Kelsey despite his absence? A momentarily sober Kim stayed relatively quiet tonight, but she had some real zingers in the promo reel (“Taylor’s in a suitcase!” “You’re a slut-pig,” which happens to be 2011′s “prostitution whore”) — are you pumped? And, poor, poor Taylor. Are you already feeling dirty watching this all go down? What did you think?
More Real Housewives of Beverly Hills from EW:
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season premiere: Ken Tucker’s take
I think Lisa will be the most hateful this season-she’s a real snooty witch! Isn’t it funny how someone can be so nice in the first season and then turn so ugly (aka Sonja Morgan from RHONY)!!
Sorry to say it, but I’ve never liked lisa (well, she can be likeable but I do think I’ve always known I’d NOT want to be on her bad side!). She’s always just oozed superiority and condescension, IMO – and adrienne, who’s even filthier rich, is ever so much nicer (to the women. Not to her poor husband.)
I’m confused a bit by L. Beard’s recap and this piece. I did not get, at ALL, the camille crap to which her refers endlessly. My takeaway from camille was that she was admirably composed and restrained and even dignified. He says that “she’s determined to remain the most hated housewife in the entire franchise”???? This is just plain bonkers to me. Give the poor woman and her nightmarish new face a break.
This is the best real housewife franchise hands down. Even their personal chefs are catty! And Kim’s cowboy suit?! Amazing. Let’s hope they bring back Allison and her electronic cigarette!
I laughed so hard when the chef said to close the door when he heard lisa’s voice! And yes, Kim should have taken Kyle’s phone call- she could have gotten some fashion advice from her!
No e-ciggy Allison please – I’m skirred!
I don’t feel sorry for taylor. she could care less he ex is dead. She will work it to her advantage as long as possible though. Feel sorry for Russell and his kids.
Totally agree with you.
And Lanford, it’s Ken Todd (not Vanderpump).
Camille made which part about her? Were you referring to the “round table” sitdown, or to the dinner party meltdown scene in the episode itself? Because it kinda WAS about Camille – it was a screening party for her appearance on whatever TV show they were flogging. I’m not a Camille fan, but she didn’t do or say anything to elicit that catty comment.
Did anyone else notice that lisa and ken always justify their bad behavior by saying that they’re english, and that they were raised differently?
You’re absolutely right!! What’s so surprising, though, is that either of them ever bothers to justify their bad behavior at all. I mean…they clearly feel that virtually whatever they say, or do, is perfectly fine and acceptable because they’re…well…VANDERPUMPS! God, their superiority has always rankled, and tonight was primo. “She applied her lip gloss disdainfully” is so perfect – lisa has always been extremely disdainful – and the footage of what’s to come from lisa is, IMO, a bit nauseating. That clip of her in a short red dress shaking her hiney in some seated guy’s face was…gag. Nauseating. I’m hoping I hallucinated it.
No you didn’t – MY EYES!!!
Jamminaqwl, unless you know them personally, I don’t really think you are qualified to make a remark like that about Taylor.
Kind of shocked by Lanford’s take. Kyle unsympathetic toward Russell? She was crying, for God’s sake. And he didn’t die of cancer. He killed himself. And left three children without a father. Shouldn’t the sympathy go to those three kids and not the incredibly selfish man who chose to stop providing for them?
Until you realize that suicide is usually a side affect of depression and a desperate cry for help please don’t comment. It never ceases to amaze me the moral high ground taken by some individuals in regard to the act. Give compassion where compassion is due, but do not think for a second that you and I both no the whole story. The story we are told is a perception of the event. We no nothing more. There are after all three sides to every story. Most people are bent on there side being the truth.
KNOW – the word is KNOW!
This is true. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but I have never seen the stigma of suicide until after this show was aired. This is not something I would wish on anyone. Appearances are futile is right we don’t know the entire story.
@appearances – I’m with you. Lanford’s take on pretty much the entire episode was odd, to say the least (IMO). I’m not particularly a camille fan, but did feel that tonight she was perfectly fine – likeable, even!! – his assertion that she spent the hour “trying to make everything about her” is – simply a mystery to me. He does provide snarky, catty zingers about a whole bunch of things – and nary a mention of all the horrible, horrible, horrible work these women have had done to their faces??? ARGH, they look so scary. Esp. camille and adrienne – with all that dough, this is what they’re left with.
oops!! Obviously my comment above was meant to be posted somewhere else. Didn’t mean to inject this frivolity into a debate about suicide. sorry!
It’s alright Henry
I guess you don’t understand how much paid someone (especially someone with others who rely upon them) must be in to do this.
*pain*
I hate when I don’t spell a word correctly. It is so annoying!
I agree. Lanford’s take was incredibly cynical….I am usually a cynic too, but I didn’t get the same vibe as he did from this episode. Could partially be because I dislike Taylor so much….
Um, no I wasn’t surprised that Kyle seemed unsympathetic about Russell. For one– the man had THREE children under 14. Kyle just said what everyone was thinking – it WAS the selfish way out.
And two– Kyle has been super close to Taylor. I have a feeling she knows a whole lot more than the other ladies about R&T’s real marriage. (Such as the widely reported stories – ones NOT in tabloids in blogs- that Taylor showed up places this summer with her face bruised.) Russell was a convicted criminal– tax evasion and battery of a former wife. This was no poor sad man led off the primrose path by Evil Bravo and the Shallowness of Hollywood. He was very sick. And his kids have to live with what he did every single day of their lives.
Also, remember that one of the main responses to any death – but especially suicide – is anger. Not sympathy right away. With suicide there’s often a lot of anger, and then it gives way to pain and sympathy.
Shame on you, BRAVO. You went too far this time….. I ain’t watchin.
Camile-your kids will be heaing how you talk about their dad-stop it. Take your money you did not earn and move on. Adrienne-stop being so bossy against your husband in front of others. He’s not a child. Talk about your issues IN PRIVATE. Ken-put the dog away from the table-so rude. Lisa-don’t support Ken when he’s being rude to others. Kim-find a stylist-the Dolly Pardon look is not for you. Kyle-heard you were moving for money reasons. Stop running after Taylor. Taylor-stop running from the room crying. Put on your big girl panties and live with your choices or make changes. LOVED Adriennes new dog-how cute. No need for Brandi to come with her drama-Bravo is sinking to a newer low.
This year I had the horrible experience and guilt of being the “surviving friend” of a person who committed suicide. During his life, I tried to be kind to him and be a good friend. I still felt guilt, like I didn’t do enough.
However, these people on this show, including Russell’s wife, seemed to treat this man horribly. I don’t know how they couldn’t or shouldn’t feel guilty. Yes, they are not responsible for his choice. But it wasn’t like they were kind to him while he was here. So how can you be so judgmental towards him when by all the film you were downright horrible to him during his life (I include you Taylor, his wife, and its on film).
I’m sorry but Ken did NOT call Taylor weak. He said HE would feel weak if he went. I know everyone wants to feel sympathetic to Taylor because of Russell’s death but let’s not just give her a free pass – she was a pot-stirrer last year and she’s still one now….besides, all of this happened before the suicide…..all the comments/recaps I’ve read have been acting like these things happened right after he died and everyone was being so callous in light of that. I like Lisa and Ken.
I like them too, and I think it is important to realize Ken was talking about his own feelings. Therapy is a mixed bag. For every person helped by it, there is another who’s been hurt by it. It didn’t help Russell much.
Finally!!..I thought I was the only one that was clear on that. He didn’t call her weak, he didn’t imply she is weak, he didn’t even hint at it. He didn’t comment on her at all. The question was put to him how HE felt about therapy and he said HE would feel weak if he had to go to therapy to fix his marriage. Nowhere in his statement was he passing judgemebnt or calling her out. He was merely stating how he felt. Just because he didn’t preface it with soft coddling words does’nt make him rude. Taylor needs to grow a pair & be prepared to withstand differing opinions if she shares that she is seeking therapy to save her marriage. Why should she care, or anyone else for that matter that Ken doesn’t support her. Nobody liked Russell & nobody supported her dysfunctional marriage, so to come down on him cause he didn’t sympathize is ludicrous…..now sharing your water with Giggy at the table – that’s rude!
Ken didn’t say Taylor was weak for seeking therapy. He said it would make HIM feel weak. For crying out loud – the guy was only giving his opinion about how HE would feel. I knew as soon as he said it that Taylor would make it about her! And shame on Kyle for always running to Taylor to “ground her” – she’s a mess and Kyle should stop enabling her. Did you hear her comment on the 911 tape when they found Russell? She said, “I need to call my therapist”!! This woman is a hot mess and Lisa is right – “manipulative”!!!!
It was a let down. Not much occurred and I found it quite boring. I’m not going to watch every episode this season, but only the ones which are the best like I did last season.
Last season only a few episodes were really good, the rest were very tedious.