RHODC REVIEWED

Post from the Orlando Sentinel.

by halboedeker
I had a rare experience this weekend. Back to back, I watched probably the best new series this fall (HBO’s ambitious “Boardwalk Empire,” starting Sept. 19) and the worst series this summer (“The Real Housewives of D.C,” starting Thursday on Bravo).

This “Real Housewives” gives White House party crasher Michaele Salahi a national showcase to show off. This is what she doesn’t need or deserve. Another housewife says Michaele has the attention of a gnat. That’s the least of it.

Michaele says, “When you first look at me, you think, ‘God, she has no substance.’ ” Michaele adds, “There is a whole lot of substance here.”

This series, which debuts at 9 p.m. Thursday, suggests otherwise. The editing reduces her to superficial, obnoxious and stupid. Or maybe it’s just presenting her as she is. Either way, she loses.

But just about everyone in this series comes off looking bad. This show wallows in parties, gossip, back-stabbing and drinking. The women boast about their wealth and connections.

Stacie throws a party featuring Janet Jackson’s chef. Mary has a special lock on her closet because she doesn’t want her daughter borrowing her clothes. Modeling-agency owner Lynda has a condescending style; she suggests Michaele is losing too much weight. Catty Cat, a British transplant, merrily runs down the D.C. parties, Tyra Banks and Barack Obama. I guess there is some intrigue in trying to figure out who’s the biggest witch: Cat or Lynda? (Pictured in the NBC photo, from left, are Cat, Stacie, Mary, Lynda and Michaele.)

The season preview hints that viewers will have a close-up view as Michaele and husband Tareq crash that White House state dinner. It’s an appalling show, and I imagine it will succeed because there is a market for watching train wrecks.