Sonja Loves Her Dogs

Post from PeoplePets.

By:Jeffrey Slonim
Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York has a new cast member, and this one surely won’t be involved in any catfights: Sonja Morgan has welcomed a new miniature apricot poodle named Harllee!

The pup joins Morgan’s other pooch, Millou, 15. “I think the new dog will spark a little life into the 15-year-old,” Morgan told PEOPLEPets.com at a dinner in honor of the Blerancourt museum in France. She says she lets a numerologist from Quest magazine choose the spelling of each dog’s name. "We went with Harllee [for the new puppy], and the numerologist is still working on the spelling,” says Morgan. “We’re using the double-l because it makes you feel good and the ‘ee’ because the name has to add up to seven [letters]. “

Morgan, who also has a cat, Tigre (“They’re all French names,” she says), got Harllee for her 9-year-old daughter. “What I like about the disposition of this dog is that when it is with other dogs, it’s playful. But when it is in my arms, it’s very calm and will lay on its back,” says Morgan. “I think my daughter will enjoy it.”

Morgan had to give up several dogs -- including a Lab, a poodle and a Jack Russell terrier — when she divorced her ex-husband, John Adams Morgan, in 2008. The dogs remain at John Morgan’s estate in Connecticut.
“[Leaving the dogs] was hard,” says Morgan. “[But] we’re filling in New York very nicely.”

WWTCD? LuAnn's Latest OK Article

Article from OK! Magazine

What Would the Countess Do?: Environmental Causes:Harsh Critics
Author: LuAnn de Lesseps

When it comes to etiquette, manners and overall good behavior, even celebrities need help navigating the rough waters of stardom! It’s a good thing Countess LuAnn de Lesseps of the Real Housewives of New York is joining forces with OK! to school them on the right thing to do! In a rough situation, we just ask, “What Would the Countess Do?” This week she tackles royal weddings and returning phone calls in the age of social media networks!

How important is it for celebrities to set a good example when it comes to environmental causes? How do you pick which charities and causes to support?

Photo: Wire Image

It is very important for celebrities to set a good example when it comes to the environment, but I believe keeping our planet clean and green starts at home. I teach my children the importance of recycling, eating local and organic foods and leaving only their footprints behind wherever they go. For charities, I give my time and resources to the American Cancer Society and the ACE Partnership for the homeless because I care deeply about each organization’s mission and goals.

Tip: If you can’t give money, donate your time.

Jennifer Aniston is always in the public eye, it seems, and this time around she’s having to defend herself against a very harsh critic, Bill O’Reilly, who said she’s glamorizing single motherhood by being in The Switch. How do you deal with such vocal characters with grace?

As a single mother, I can attest that balancing family and work is very challenging and takes a tremendous amount of organization and patience. If you’re not Jennifer Anniston, single motherhood is anything but glamorous and they don’t need Bill O’Reilly’s opinions on how they live their lives. The best way to deal with vocal critics is to either ignore them or confront their allegations with tact and grace.

Tip: Bill, when you start judging, you stop listening.

For everything Countess LuAnn, check out http://www.classwiththecountess.com/, follow her on Twitter and check out her Facebook page!

Danielle Spotted Driving Around Caroline's Home

Article from the NY Daily News.

BY Cristina Everett
Season two of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" may have come to an end Monday night, but the drama continues behind the scenes for the reality show stars.

Photo: Sara Jaye Weiss/ NBC

According to Life & Style, resident villainess Danielle Staub has become even more deranged since getting fired from the show. Though the drama magnet mother of two was handed a pink slip from Bravo last week, a source tells the mag that it's not stopping her from tormenting her on-screen foes.

"She spends her days driving around Franklin Lakes, slowing down outside her co-stars' houses," an insider told the mag.



Staub, 48, was reportedly spotted pulling up to co-star Caroline Manzo's home in her white Range Rover on Aug. 5.

 "Danielle pointed to Caroline's house and said something to the other people in the car," an eyewitness tells Life & Style, adding that after identifying the home to her passengers, Staub sped off.


During Monday night's season finale, Staub and Manzo came face to face in a dramatic showdown that rivaled a scene from the "Sopranos." The two women squared off, hurling accusations and insults at one another before Staub couldn't take any more and walked away.
But Manzo isn't the only housewife still having to deal with the drama. The other "Real Housewives" stars, along with their children, feel especially vulnerable because none of them live in a gated community, according to the
mag.

"None of them needed security before," a second source added. "But now everyone's nervous."


After Staub admitted on the show to bringing an entourage of men armed with guns to the sit-down with Manzo, the women have apparently had enough.
"Danielle didn't tell anyone she was bringing armed men with her," the source said. "No one realized it until Danielle filmed her testimonial and admitted it. When Caroline found out, she completely flipped. Who can blame her? She could have been shot!"

The source added, "It's one thing to create silly drama for television. It's a completely different story when you involve guns."

My Big Gay Italian Wedding Review

Article from NJ.com.

BY MARK KENNEDY
The Record
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


THEATER REVIEW
MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING

Off-Broadway production at the St. Luke's Theatre, 308 W. 46th St.
Directed by Teresa A. Cicala. Written by Anthony J. Wilkinson.
With Anthony J. Wilkinson, Daniel Robinson, Brett Douglas, Tricia Burns, Randi Kaplan and Joe Scanio.

Schedule: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Tickets: $29.50 and $69.50.
Telecharge: 212-239-6200 or telecharge.com.

More information: biggayitalianwedding.com.

Whether you'll want to see "My Big Gay Italian Wedding" or not may depend on how you react to the title.

Feel like a bawdy, big-haired romp? Well, come on down. Don't care if it's a bit derivative? You've come to the right place. Mind enough stereotypes to make an Italian-American anti-defamation activist weep? Hop over to St. Luke's Theatre.

"My Big Gay Italian Wedding" is a comedy that's got beefcake and an over-the-top wedding planner, pouffy bridesmaid dresses and hyperventilating parents, boisterous dancing, a licentious Catholic priest, a hip-hop version of "Ave Maria" and heaps of fa-bu-lous voguing. What were you expecting?

And yet, deep down, it's got heart. This off-Broadway production is really just a big, sloppy same-sex smooch, wrapped in a gooey cannoli.

It works because it winks at the very people it lovingly mocks. And, judging from the audience's reaction at a recent performance, no offense was taken; roars of laughter greeted even the lamest joke.
The original production, which first debuted in 2003, was written by Anthony J. Wilkinson, who also stars. He has since revised the comedy's script, bringing it up to date on the current debate about same-sex marriages.

But while there are a few digs at anti-gay marriage advocates such as Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee, this isn't a politically strident or preachy work. The only on-stage anguish is about getting everyone to the altar on time.

The 16-character play opens with Anthony (Wilkinson) informing his parents he wants to marry his boyfriend Andrew (Daniel Robinson).

"I want to be committed in the eyes of God," Anthony tells his parents.

"Oh, you should be committed all right," his mother shoots back.

Anthony's Italian-Catholic parents agree only on two conditions:
The family priest must perform the ceremony, and Andrew's estranged mother must attend the ceremony. Both will be tough to pull off, especially with a secret affair threatening to ruin the special day. Cue the shenanigans.

Much of this will be familiar: There are echoes of "Tony n' Tina's Wedding" with a dash of "La Cage aux Folles" and, of course, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," the smash 2002 film. The show recently got a little verisimilitude when Dina Manzo, a former cast member of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," signed on as a producer. Manzo's fellow "Housewives" — Teresa Giudice, Ashley Holmes, Jacqueline Laurita, Caroline Manzo and Lauren Manzo — will appear in the production Sept. 1-4.

Standout performers include Brett Douglas, as the insanely fussy wedding planner, who seems to single-handedly lift the show whenever he appears; Tricia Burns as Anthony's squeaky-voiced sister; Randi Kaplan and Joe Scanio as Anthony's parents; and the quite appealing Wilkinson.

Some of the best bits occur when the cast interacts with the audience. One night, Kaplan spied someone in the crowd her character deemed underdressed: "You wore shorts to my son's wedding?" she roared. "I'll get you a 20 percent discount at Macy's!"

Teresa A. Cicala directs this frantic confection and choreographer J. Austin Eyer keeps the action percolating on an impossibly small stage. And when it's all over — uneven, goofy and yet sweet, just like a real wedding — the two grooms meet you at the exit and thank you for coming.

Bethenny Will Be Featured At The GLAAD Media Awards In Advertising

Press Release from GLAAD.org.

American Airlines and Bob Garfield to be Honored on September 29th at New York event hosted by Bryan Batt and featuring Bethenny Frankel.

Absolut Vodka, Levi Strauss & Co., Progressive Insurance, Givenchy Wells Fargo, Among Nominees

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced today the nominees and honorees for the 2nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising Presented by Omnicom Group, Publicis Groupe, and Rokk Vodka. Bryan Batt (Mad Men) will host the event on September 29, 2010 in New York City and Bethenny Frankel (Real Housewives of New York City, Bethenny Getting Married?) will present. Among the nominees are: Absolut Vodka's "Exceptional Moments: The Absolut RuPaul" commercials, Levi Strauss & Co.'s "Gay History Month/Logo Leaders" campaign, Progressive Insurance's "Works in Progress" ads, Wells Fargo's "Advocate Money Minute," and Givenchy's "Fall 2010" campaign featuring openly transgender model Lea T. A complete list of nominated ads is included below and can also be found at http://www.glaad.org/advertisingawards/nominees.

GLAAD also announced that American Airlines will receive the Corporate Responsibility Award for its long-standing and public commitment to the LGBT community. As part of the American Airlines Rainbow TeAAM, the company has supported LGBT film festivals, fundraisers and Pride events across the country by serving as an official airline partner. American Airlines was also the first airline to score 100% on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index.

GLAAD will present Bob Garfield with the Public Visibility Award in recognition of his work to advocate for LGBT inclusion in advertising. For 25 years, Bob Garfield's iconic "AdReview" column in Advertising Age evaluated and deconstructed thousands of ads from hundreds of agencies worldwide. Throughout his tenure, Garfield has been a strong ally for the LGBT community, taking on some of the most formidable agencies in the nation over ads rooted in homophobia and stereotypes and applauding groundbreaking inclusions of LGBT people in mainstream advertising.

GLAAD is pleased to announce that this year's event is an official event of Advertising Week. Advertising Week is North America's premier gathering of cutting-edge communications leaders. Advertising Week is a hybrid of thought leadership and special event programming, uniting clients, creatives, media and inspiring figures. Advertising Week's mission is to galvanize the industry by creating an entertaining, enlightening and engaging platform for disparate parts of the advertising business.

The GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising elevate and promote individuals and projects in the advertising and marketing industries for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the issues that affect their lives. The GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising also fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories of LGBT people and issues through all media to build support for equality.

"We celebrate this year's nominees and special honorees for their inclusive work," said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. "However, this year we witnessed a decline in the number of inclusive advertisements in mainstream media, and as our community continues to strive for visibility, the advertising industry should take note."

"As we see more gay and transgender characters and stories on television and in film, American consumers are coming to expect images of our community in advertising as well," Barrios continued. "Advertisers who include fair and accurate images of our community accomplish more than targeting new consumers, they also send a powerful message about the American cultural fabric of which our community is an integral part."

The GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising will be held in New York on September 29, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt New York, 104 E. 42nd Street. More special guests and presenters will be announced. To purchase tickets for the event, please visit www.glaad.org/advertisingawards.

Nominees for the 2nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising were printed, broadcast or appeared online between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

Leveraging GLAAD's media advocacy and anti-LGBT defamation resources, GLAAD's Advertising Media Program monitors all forms of advertising and works to ensure fair and accurate representations of the LGBT community or demand action when defamation occurs. The Advertising Media Program proactively advances inclusion of the LGBT community in mainstream advertising through advocacy work at advertising agencies and corporate advertising departments. GLAAD maintains an online library of over 4,000 LGBT-inclusive ads at www.glaad.org/advertising.

About GLAAD:
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit http://www.glaad.org/

Catch Up With The RHOA

Post from Black Pride.

Cynthia Bailey:

The self-proclaimed “supermodel” has graced the runways of Paris and Milan fashion weeks. In addition to a movie role opposite Sandra Bernhard and a guest stint on ‘The Cosby Show,’ the Alabama native has a 10-year-old daughter, Noelle.
On this season of ‘Housewives,’ after being engaged three times, Bailey grapples with finally tying the knot with her boyfriend of three years, Peter Thomas, founder and promoter of the notorious 1990s hip-hop festival, “How Can I Be Down?”

She also finds a friend in Leakes, as the two women both deal with relationship issues with the men in their lives.

Phaedra Parks:

Since starting her own Atlanta-based boutique entertainment firm, The Parks Group, P.C., Parks has represented a who’s who of entertainers and athletes, including the “King of R&B,” Bobby Brown.

A friend of Dwight Eubanks and Kandi Burruss, she arrives on the ‘Housewives’ scene under scrutiny due in larger part to her younger husband, Apollo, who just finished a prison bid for a “white-collar crime.” Of her husband’s time behind bars, Parks says,”He’s no different from Martha Stewart and people need to get over it.”

And even though she’s expected her first child with Apollo, it’s going to take a lot of time to please the other Housewives.

Kandi Burruss:

On the new season of ‘Housewives,’ we find the former Xscape front woman coming into her own.

After the tragic murder of her fiancé, A.J., she’ s still pursuing a music career and now spending a lot of time speaking to fans on UStream, where she’s calling herself “The Dr. Ruth of the Internet.”

She’s bouncing back musically with a new record deal and working on her relationship with her father who has cancer.

This Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and mother of one is also not biting her tongue about her co-star Kim Zolciak’s talent, or lack thereof, saying, “Kim has one single and she’s acting like Lady Gaga.” So there’s no telling where their friendship will head this season.

Kim Zolciak:

By now, the world knows that this bubbly ‘Tardy for the Party’ crooner has moved from dating Big Poppa to dating a woman.

In the trailer for the new season, she flat our states, “I slept with a woman. Call it gay. Keep it movin’.” And though there’s no telling whether that relationship has fizzled, she’s performing her hit dance track around the country, opening up for Burruss’ summer promo tour and still keeping her love-hate relationship with Leakes going, as the two women are seen almost coming to blows aboard a tour bus.

Nene Leakes :

Talk about transition. This outspoken Housewife seems to be having the roughest year out of the bunch.

In addition to having a position with a local news channel in Atlanta, she’s trying to hold her family together.

Her eldest son, Bryce, was arrested for drug possession and her husband, Gregg, who is no longer working, has gone behind her back to do some “business deals.”

The author and blogosphere mainstay has no problem letting her hubby know, “I have never cheated on your ass. I have never done you wrong ever.’
Though they were spotted together at the 2010 Essence Music Festival last month, it’s anyone’s guess whether divorce is in her near future.

Sheree Whitfield:

Since last season, when Whitfield divorced her footballer husband and downsized homes, she’s discovered she wants to be an actress.

In addition to working with an acting coach and auditioning for roles in Atlanta, she starts dating a doctor, all while still juggling raising two kids.

No word of her fashion line, She by Sheree, which debuted last year at New York Fashion Week.

Vicki And Tamra Filming RHOOC

Picture from Vicki's Facebook.

Tonight filming with Tamra at a beauty night I'm Newport. No drama which was awesome!..

Lynn's Latest Post

Click HERE to read Lynn's Latest Post about the RHONJ finale.

Bryn Is True Love For Bethenny

From CupCake Mag Sprinkles.

Bethenny Frankel -- Life as a Mom

Last time we spoke with Bethenny she was only a few months pregnant, had a new book out and just finished filming season 3 of RHONY. Since then, she has gotten married, written a third book, released Body by Bethenny, had a baby and a new show. We all feel in love with Bethenny Frankel and her so sweet family all over again on Bethenny Getting Married. She is a true inspiration - not just as a biz woman but as a super-momma. Bethenny does it at all as a wife, business maven, writer and now you can add super-mom to the top of her list.

We really enjoyed Bethenny Getting Married? -- can we expect to see a second reality show focusing on your life as a mom or a return to The Real Housewives? We have are hopes set!
I have to believe that there will be a second season. Tv shows are about supply and demand. BGM is a huge success, so if the viewers want it, they will get it.

From watching your new show, we can see that you are serious a pro a multi-tasking. How has your life changed since your welcomed Bryn?
Even though my schedule is crazed, I as a person have softened and slowed down. Bryn makes everything around me so quiet and simple. This is true love.

What challenges have you faced managing it all?
I am painfully punctual and being on time is really challenging. This makes me crazy. I also have difficulty managing the equal distribution of love amongst Jason,Bryn and Cookie(dabooboo).

We know with kids you feel like your carrying everything. (I have 3 girls and feel like I carry everything plus the kitchen sink) What are your essentials when leaving the house with Bryn?
Omg the shlep factor is huge! Bottles, wipes, diapers, A&D ointment, a hat and a blanket are some of the basics.

You have a super-chic style and always so put together. Who is your favorite designer? What is your go-to outfit?
I'm always in pajamas, but if I'm at a tv appearance or segment I wear Alice and Olivia, Michael Kors, Zac Posen. Truthfully, labels don't matter. Whatever fits well and is a bright color.

I am sure you have plans to make Bryn's baby food -- do you have any recipes in mind? Are you excited for the step?
I'm excited to puree bright fruits and vegetables: peaches, butternut squash, peas. This will be the next best thing to breast feeding which is so rewarding. Only the best for Bryn.

As if you don't have enough going on....what is up next for you?
I'm really knee deep in my book "A Place of Yes" which will give women the rules to getting everything they want. It is what got me here.

While we wait for another season of The Real Housewives of New York or Bethenny Getting Married you can stay-up-to date with Bethenny on Twitter and Facebook.

Kelly Talks To FANCAST

Post from FANCAST.

by Sean Evans
With the ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’ having wrapped another violence-riddled, hair-extension-pulling, crazy cat-fighting season last night, talk of Bravo’s wildly popular franchise has now shifted to the future of the New York cast. Fancast sat down with Kelly Killoren Bensimon over a late lunch at Delicatessen in Soho to chat about her potential participation in the upcoming season, her views on the series as a whole, and why she’s not the insane, drama-filled character the public often pegs her as being.

[Ed. Note: When we spoke last Friday, contracts hadn’t yet been issued to any of the New York ladies. Bensimon told us “if Bravo wants me back, I’d do it. Definitely.” Tuesday morning, Bensimon exclusively confirmed to Fancast she’d received an offer Monday to rejoin. “Yes, they’re sending a contract. I can’t confirm I’m fully on-board, though, until we’ve finalized signing the contracts,” she said.]

What are your thoughts on the concept of the ‘Real Housewives’ franchise?
As a whole, it is hilarious. It’s an amazing view of all these different women in all these different parts and cities around America. It’s a fun snippet of a look into these people’s lives. I like it. It’s great, great, TV.

Do you watch all the shows?
No. I’ve seen a little of New Jersey. I saw one scene of Atlanta. I obviously watch the scenes I’m in for New York. But I don’t need to watch the whole thing. I mean, I was there!

What do you think of what you see?
Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don’t. I loved when I saw a scene where I’m making pancakes with my kids. It was so cute.

What about the Virgin Island’s episode? Some people thought you had a meltdown, some were convinced you were acting…
It’s not an act at all. When we were in the Virgin Islands, things happened that I didn’t like. So I responded, honestly and authentically. If I don’t like something and I’m being pushed, I think it’s important to respond. I could’ve easily walked away, left the scene. I could’ve even left the island. Just gotten on an airplane and left. But it’s my job to be honest and authentic and if you don’t like that, that’s not my problem. That’s yours.

Do you care how other people perceive you?
No. Why should I?

So if someone calls you crazy, do you just dismiss it?
Yes. It doesn’t faze me in the least. After [the Virgin Islands episode], people were like, ‘Wow. That was really hard to watch.’ And I said, ‘Why? That’s television. What’s so hard about watching that? Because I was crying and saying leave me alone and stop berating me and attacking me?’ In normal situations, you would excuse yourself from the drama. But in normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have even been there in the first place. I would never choose to put myself in that kind of environment. I would never go on vacation with people that I wasn’t friends with or didn’t trust.



You’re not close with any of the girls in real life?
I like Jill Zarin. I like Jen Gilbert and I like LuAnn de Lesseps. Everyone else, I don’t know well enough to say if I like her or not.

What did your close friends say when they saw that episode?
They said ‘good for you.’ And they’re glad I stuck up for myself and let the other girls know it’s inappropriate behavior. My friends were laughing all over the place. They know its white noise. It’s non-coherent subject matter. It doesn’t make sense at all. Everyone’s like, ‘Kelly, you’re the only sane person on the show.’ My friends think I’m doing a great job.

Have you seen any of Bethenny’s spin-off show, ‘Bethenny Getting Married’?
I haven’t. I don’t watch that much TV, especially during the summer. I’m mostly out, enjoying the warm weather.

Doing anything fun?
I spent a lot of time working on a new jewelry line that’s coming out this fall called Kelly by Kelly Kelloren Bensimon. My summer line was at Intermix exclusively this season and now with the new line, we’re in the process of selling it. It’s got low price points, but it’s super trendy.

There’s always a lot of fighting on the ‘Real Housewives,’ regardless of the city. Which cast would win in an Anchorman-style back alley brawl?
I’m not a good person to ask! I don’t have a good ‘mean barometer.’ I will say this: I’ve met them all, and they were all super nice and friendly to me.

Even [New Jersey cast member] Danielle Staub?
Yes. She was actually quite friendly.

What do you think of Danielle?
If Danielle gets her own spinoff, I think that’d be amazing for her. She makes for great TV. She’s out of the box and has no inhibitions. It’s not my place to say whether someone has issues or not. I will say she has a lot of fun with what she’s doing. I don’t know what her real life is like, but I honestly don’t think that she’s well matched against the rest of that cast for that show. Still, she definitely is fun to watch. I love seeing her. She has no limitations and that’s great.

Would you ever want your own spin-off?
I would do my own show but it wouldn’t be the Kelly Killoren Bensimon Trainwreck Show. [Laughs] It would be more about people that I know and love. What’s more interesting isn’t necessarily me. It’s all the cool people that I know, and I want them to be highlighted through me.

Like your kids? They were in a few episodes last season. If you do come back, would they be a part of season four?
I would love to have them because I want people to see more of my real life. One thing everyone’s watching a lot is my interaction with people I don’t know very well. I’d rather everyone see how I am with people I love. So yes, they were in two episodes last year, and for the next time, I’d see that going to up to maybe four episodes? They’re spirited kids, they have a great attitude and they’re fun. I’m proud of them. I love hanging out with them.
Do they like the process?
They are exactly the same on camera or off. They’re just like ‘that’s my mom and there’s a camera there.’ They don’t think of it any other way.

You’ve mentioned before that said your daughter wants you to have a boyfriend…
Yes. She wants me to start dating.

Any prospects?
I can’t tell you that!

Are you looking forward to the next season of RHONY? Would you like to see a Kelly spin-off? What do you think of her friends’ assessment of her?

Project Dina

Video from Dina's You Tube.

Danielle's WPIX Interview

 

Caroline Said Things To Danielle Out Of Frustration

Post from US Magazine.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Caroline Manzo says she regrets calling Danielle Staub a "clown" and "garbage" during their fiery showdown on Monday's finale.

"I’m not proud of the names I called her; my remarks were cruel and childish," she writes on her Bravo TV blog. "But, that's my truth. Makes absolutely no sense but, it is what it is. I said what I said out of frustration and anger. I was speaking to someone who was looking me dead in the eye and lying to me. Not only that, there was absolutely no accountability on her part at all."

And though she regrets losing her "cool," Manzo, 49, says she's glad the incident is behind her. (Incidentally, she says she had "no idea" Staub had armed bodyguards outside the restaurant during the meeting.)
"I’m not going back to that place," she says. "If any of the others choose to go there, then that’s their decision and I don’t want to hear a word about it. I’m done."

Staub doesn't feel any resolution, either.
"There is no resolve with a clown who calls anyone garbage," she writes. "Remember to stand your ground ~ even if the ground seems to move ~ stay still ~ it'll move around you."

Danielle,Jacqueline And Caroline's Blogs

Click HERE to read the Bravo blogs of Jacqueline,Caroline and Danielle.

Danielle Performs On WPIX

Kim G.Loves Tom M.

Post from Socialite Life.

                                                                                     Posted By Kelly Lynch

With the second season of Bravo's Real Housewives Of New Jersey wrapping up (and the finale happening not just next week, but the week after as well), moochinator Kim G. is totes mcgotes jonesin' for a spot on the third season (if there will even be a third season. And ya'll know that Danielle was dismissed, verdad?).

Well, this next part is a bit...awkward. Celebrity magnet Tom Murro has made his way into Kim G.'s heart, according to her tweets. Jersey sister is just lurrving her some T.M. And money. And trash talking about old foes. Give it up, you ham!

My guess is eventually "not a pot to piss in nor a window to throw it out". Oh to live the high life, AZ, the spa, private jet, & Tom, OMG 15 minutes ago via TweetToGo

private jet back to NJ. Refueling & dropping Tom off in Martha's Vineyard 4 interviews with Pres. Obama tomo. see Boston Globe 08/19 online. about 7 hours ago via TweetToGo

Love my $80,000 Chiinchilla jacket that arrived from Florence, Italy. I know mine was not borrowed from my sister-in-law Kim D @ Posche!! about 9 hours ago via TweetToGo

Google "Planet of the Apes" (the movie), the character "Bright Eyes", and guess who looks like her and has her forehead??? about 9 hours ago via TweetToGo

$1000.00 boat on wheels? My haircut and highlights cost more!! How pathetic. And in a backyard no less and no pool??? about 11 hours ago via web
I know my railings are staying in my house and no one is taking them away...MINE are paid 4.. Scamming ieventually catches up to u!!! about 11 hours ago via TweetToGo

$8000 window treatments. My kitchen alone cost more that that. Must be Bed, Bath, & Beyond Specials. about 13 hours ago via TweetToGo
Oh, Tom helicopter ride so so romantic!! What a wonderful time! I am loving your new Rolex & u of course. Next stop, Martha' Vineyard. 11:11 PM Aug 21st via TweetToGo

Oh Tom surprised me here In AZ. Going to Grand Canyon on a private helicopter & not using anyone's money. Oh to be rich & not scam & phony!! 1:18 PM Aug 21st via TweetToGo

Massage & spa was incredible but not as incredible as the "Celebrity Magnet". I talked about going to Grand Canyon. Tom, please surprise me! 11:08 PM Aug 20th via TweetToGo

Danielle spotted shopping in Target, Bed, & Beyond. in Edgewater which is near my condo per my sourses. guess she has officially moved!! 8:15 PM Aug 20th via TweetToGo

I am so loving my massage here... But Tom Murro you so do it better. What hands you have!! and thats not all!!!1 5:05 PM Aug 20th via TweetToGo

Canyon Ranch bound in Tucson AZ. The fiinest spa in the U.S. So happy to splurge & pamper myself. Not using other's money; it's all mine!!! 2:32 PM Aug 20th via TweetToGo

John fabulous apartment at U Of Ariz with beautiful furniture we bought today. on my way to Canyon Ranch tomo. Tom Murro wish u were here.

NeNe-RHOA Listed In The 100 Most Powerful Black Women on Twitter

Click HERE to see the list of The 100 Most Powerful Black Women on Twitter.

RHONY Picture from Ramona

Pic./tweet from Ramona.

hanging painting ladies of RHONYC season 2 can you believe it will be season 4 coming up next??

Salahi's In NY

Pic. from the Salahi's.

Pictured here with Jane Velez Mitchel in NY!

Jill Filming

Pics. of Jill while she was filming today.

The crew has arrived!

@allyzarin and the crew:)

Jill filming....hope I don't get in trouble for posting these pics...shhhhh!

Jacqueline Says That Danielle Was On A Mission To Destroy People

Article from People.

BY: Charlotte Triggs
Jacqueline Laurita realizes she may have come off as “bitter” and overly interested in the drama relating to costar — and former friend — Danielle Staub during the second season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, which ended Monday night. But she’s clear about one thing: there was a reason for the animosity.

“Things were getting out of control,” Laurita tells PEOPLE. “There was other stuff going on that we didn’t talk about because it would draw too much attention to it. If we addressed the lies she was spreading, it [would] keep it going.”

In drama that played out on the show, Staub had engaged Laurita’s daughter, Ashley Holmes, 19, in an online war of words, before a physical altercation occurred last fall, during which Holmes pulled her hair. Staub pressed assault charges and Holmes was found guilty and had to pay a $189 fine.

But Laurita says there was even more drama going on behind the scenes. “If there was nothing going on we wouldn’t be so angry with her. Out of nowhere? Obviously something was being said and done to warrant that anger,” she says. “It was stuff she was saying about everybody. She had a mission to destroy people, but me getting angry is just fueling the fire.”
And though she says she “didn’t always like” how she came off during filming, Laurita says she’s ready to sign on for season 3. “I would do another season. It’s a chance for you to see yourself as others see you. It’s a growing, learning experience,” she says. “I’m hoping Ashley will see some of how she acts. I see it in myself. When I saw myself being bitter it bothered me.”

And she says, she’s can handle the criticism that comes with being on a show like Real Housewives.

“At the end of the day, the bad press or blogs or things, it doesn’t bother me,” says Laurita. “For me it’s a job. It’s entertainment. It’s a show that’s doing very well and we’re doing well. And I have thick skin. You have to be okay with putting yourself out there and letting people judge you.”

Alex-RHONY Reviews RHONJ Finale

Alex's RHONJ Review from Bravo.

No More Drama
NYC's Alex McCord recaps Caroline and Danielle's confrontation, and looks forward to Andy and Teresa's reunion throwdown.

It’s the season finale of NJ, and the clock is ticking, the music is ominous and the entire episode leads up to the BIG CONFRONTATION. I have to admit, I am distracted writing this blog because I’m thinking about the preview for the reunion special where Teresa lays hands on Andy and he is seen leaping after Jacqueline. Oh my.

Back to this week – I think everyone has had enough with a capital E of the drama, trauma, whatever you want to call it, between Danielle and everyone else. The Manzo clan felt (rightly, I think) that there was no point in either Teresa or Jacqueline speaking to Danielle. If anyone was going to call a meeting, it had to be Caroline. If they play by the rules, after this discussion there should be no more drama between these families. Why then, could Jacqueline not meet Ashley’s eyes when they spoke? I still think Ashley has no idea that her mother and step-dad and boyfriend and extended family are all trying to help her. What do they have to do, skywrite it?

I was a little surprised that Danielle chose to read the text from Caroline out loud to her daughters, but suppose I really shouldn’t have been. This has been going on SO long, she may as well consult them too. And Danny. Does anyone else want to know what’s going on between the two of them? I do. My guess is that they are friends and nothing’s happened but he’s secretly in love with her. Or the cameras. Or both – what do you think? I don’t believe for a moment that Caroline put Teresa and Jacqueline up to confronting or chasing Danielle through the country club. She isn’t Carmelo, or even Carmela. Is Danielle being real or being a drama queen? The histrionics in her interviews amaze me.

The only thing I want to know about the scene with Caroline talking to Lauren and Albie is whether her tea kettle and canisters are from Mackenzie Childs – is that their famous harlequin pattern? Love Caroline, love the kids but this scene felt like filler. Ditto the energist scene with Danielle – glad she felt clean going into the meeting but didn’t need to see it.

Wow – for the first time the Jacqueline Laurita who gave birth to Ashley Holmes showed up. Wow – like mother, like daughter – they both have that sardonic “I don’t care” face that drives the person on the receiving end of it absolutely crazy. Holy moly, I get it now. These women are going to knock heads for the rest of their lives and I don’t think anyone can stop it. What they CAN do is respect each other, and it’s clear they love each other dearly. Good on Lauren for defusing the situation and getting Ashley back into the room so they could all wait for Caroline to return.

What do I think about the charges levied against Ashley? Caroline and Danielle both made good points. Danielle did have to learn the hard way from her mistakes, and one can see why she thinks Ashley should do the same. Caroline also pointed out that because Danielle went through her legal trouble and had no one to feel compassion for her, that this is her chance to feel compassion for someone in her shoes. All good points. Unfortunately it didn’t work, because the meeting devolved into name-calling. Ms. Staub couldn’t give Caroline an example of when she attacked Danielle, so she gave her one on the spot by calling her a clown and garbage. Not Caroline’s finest moment. But Caroline held her ground by stating simply that she stood behind every member of her family. As far as we can see from the season, Caroline wasn’t the one trying to make friends with Danielle’s friends (Kim G?) In that case at least, Kim approached her. The only thing I’ll say for Danielle is that she didn’t get hysterical with Caroline one-on-one – she saves that for her interviews.

What did we learn? No charges were dropped. No bridges were crossed, except perhaps one between Ashley and Jacqueline, which is a good thing. In the mean time we have the reunion to look forward to.

Have a great week, and if you’d like to know what we’re up to, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

LuAnn Performs At The Best Buddies Gala

RHONJ Finale Review

Article from NJ.com.

By:Vicki Hyman/The Star-Ledger

The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" finale opened with a meeting awash in portent and dread. The heads of all the famiiles were there -- Caroline Manzo, Teresa Giudice, Jacqueline Laurita, Emilio Barzini and Phillip Tattaglia. Hey, is that Johnny Fontane on the sound system? ... whoops, wrong work of fiction. And sadly, that's all this season was -- an elaborately staged costume drama with too many leading ladies and not nearly enough plot.

You can argue that this is Bravo's modus operandi, but at least in the first season of "Real Housewives of New Jersey," there was a sense of ... well, wonder is probably too strong word, but possibility? Who are these women, what do they know about each other, and how are they going to interact? It devolved rapidly into Danielle Staub vs. the world, of course, but at least it went somewhere. This season has been one long rehash, punctuated with bracing interludes of sheer insanity (sometimes sickening, sometimes, well, entertaining yet sickening), but still, primarily Danielle vs. the world. The other gals said countless times how sick they were of talking about Danielle, yet every time they gathered together, who did they talk about? It's not like Teresa didn't have other things on her mind.

Photo:Bravo

One silver lining: It does seem like the ladies (and Bravo) are actually putting this long-suffering plotline to rest. Add on rumors that Danielle Staub either was fired or may refuse to return for a third season, and the fact that wacky neighbor Kim Granatell -- Mrs. Roper in a minidress -- is showing up for the two-part reunion show, and there's hope for some fresh mental illness next season.

The Meeting of the Five Families: Okay, so it was technically only three, but overdo the Godfather/Sopranos iconography much? I know that most of the references are courtesy of Danielle -- and c'mon, who didn't love her mangled "Caroline, you're not Carmelo" comment -- but Caroline certainly relishes the Don Corleone role, no matter how much she protests any family connections to the Mafia. Caroline tells the other housewives and their families that she's tired of watching them "battle this lunatic," citing the rumors that Danielle has allegedly spread about Teresa's dream home being foreclosed upon, how she let her friend call Chris Manzo a gay slur, and "the Dina situation" (details, please!). Caroline says she's going to talk to Danielle and attempt to reason with her to drop the charges against Ashley Holmes, Jacqueline's daughter, stemming from the contretemps at the North Jersey Country Club last year. In exchange, Caroline wants to be able to promise Danielle that all her family and friends will stay out of her way. "The only loose cannon we have here in Ashley," Caroline says in voiceover.

"Real Brats of New Jersey": Jacqueline and husband Chris have yet another sit-down with Ashley about keeping her distance from Danielle. To her credit, Ashley does not say "whatever" once. She does, however, roll her eyes, sigh dramatically, and all but stick out her tongue at her parents. "I don't think Ashley understood that it's time to move on," Jacqueline says. Ya think?

Bracing for battle: Danny Provenzano drops by Danielle's house for the express purpose of fleshing out the Godfather imagery. Is Caroline secretly behind Teresa and Jacqueline's shenanigans, Danielle wonders. "It would have to be their boss, no? I mean, Caroline?... She's the strongest. She's their boss," Danny says. "The puppeteer is Caroline. She's the ruling party, there's no question about that. They do what she dictates. I believe that." Um, based on what, exactly? Has he even met Caroline once? Danny promises to provide Danielle with security during the confrontation with Caroline. Possibly in the form of a gun hidden behind a toilet in the bathroom?

"Real Brats," part two: Everyone but Caroline and Danielle are gathered at the Brownstone to await the outcome of the meeting. Everyone is rehashing Danielle's past, saying that she should know what it's like it to be a young kid who had done a dumb thing, but Ashley just does not want to hear it again and tells her mother that. "You have a mouth on you. You need to control that Ashley," Jacqueline tells her. They bicker a little more, and then Ashley is up and outta there. She retreats to the bathroom. Chris Laurita and Ashley's boyfriend Derek smartly retreat to the bar, where Chris essentially tells him to shut Ashley up. Derek pretty much agrees to do so. After a pep talk from Lauren Manzo, Ashley pulls herself together and apologizes to her mother (not without some coaching from Derek).

Battle Royale: As far as fights go, this one was pretty toothless. Danielle is escorted into the restaurant by her boyguard. A coiffed and bejeweled Caroline is waiting. The two agree that they are both tired of this nonsense, and that they're setting lousy examples for their children. The meeting of the minds comes to a screeching halt when Caroline asks Danielle to consider dropping the charges against Ashley, although Caroline does say that what Ashley did was "dead wrong." Caroline says that Ashley never threatened to kill Danielle, as Danielle told police. "Tell the truth, then I'll respect you," Caroline says. "Amazingly, I don't need you to validate my life," Danielle tells her, and wonders why Caroline and her family and friends keep attacking her. But when Caroline asks her to name one thing she has done to attack her, Danielle is stumped and changes the subject: "What have I ever done to you?" "Jacqueline is me," Caroline says. "Dina is me. Lexi is me. Ashley is me. When I stand, I don't stand alone. I stand with my family." There's more blah blah blah, and then Caroline delivers her coup de grace ... well, let's go to the videotape (okay, the stenotype):

Caroline: You know what you are? You're a clown.


Danielle (disbelievingly, then barely keeping a straight face): I'm a clown. Really?


Caroline: Your whole life is a joke.


Danielle: You're saying this, sitting there with red hair? I'm the clown?


Caroline: Yes, you are.


Danielle: Really?


Caroline: Yeah. No matter how hard you try, no matter what you do, no matter who you talk to, okay, you will not hurt me. Do you know why? I have integrity, okay, and I sit here and I tell you the truth, okay? And when I called you garbage, I meant you were garbage."

It's no table flip, folks.

The show closes out with epilogues for our cast members. You know most of them already -- Danielle, memoir, pop song, sex tape; Ashley, $189 fine for assault; and Teresa, bestselling author and bankruptcy poster child, who still maintains that her house is not in foreclosure. Which is kind of like a woman in a wig denying she has hair extensions. Or something.

Will The RHONY Tank Without Bethenny?

From NY Magazine.

By: Chris Rovzar

As anybody who read Intel Chris and Jessica's recaps of The Real Housewives of New York City this season knows, the show has begun to really traumatize viewers. The incessant cruelty of Jill Zarin, the skittish neuroses of Alex McCord, the steady stream of judgment from LuAnn de Lesseps, the inconsistent attacks from Ramona Singer, and the downright frightening insanity of Kelly Killoren Bensimon have combined to create this otherworldly, unpleasant version of our beloved city. In particular, watching Jill bully everyone was so evocative of middle school it actually made us, the viewers, want to eat our lunch off of a tray in the bathroom to avoid getting harassed in the cafeteria.

Photo:Bravo

And today, the Daily News announces what has been reported before and what will probably continue to be reported until the end of taping for the next season: Bethenny Frankel has been officially cut.

This could potentially wreck the show. It's not that Bethenny is always (or even most of the time) the most likable character in a given episode. (For a scientific analysis of who does "win" each episode, check out our recaps.) It's that she is the one whose responses are often closest to that of the audience's. She's the first person to call out a crazy person for acting crazy, or to make fun of herself when she does something ridiculous. She laughs when we laugh (remember when she said Kelly was "a gift from Jesus to make me laugh"?), and she gets offended when we get offended ("The problem is you don't assume responsibility for anything you do," she once told Jill). If it weren't for her wisecracks, the Manhattan of the Real Housewives would permanently detach from the real world and become its own Scary Island.

All is not necessarily lost: New castmember Sonia Morgan — for all her sex talk and incessantly strange lesbian innuendo — is pretty funny and sane, too. And last season, potential new housewife Jennifer Gilbert could be frequently seen practicing her eye rolls and wisecracks from her position in the wings. But neither of them have the timing or the wit of Bethenny — nor have they ever been so charmingly the scrappy underdog.

We hope that in the second season of her own Bravo show, Bethenny will develop a cast of characters around her so that it's not just her, put-upon Jason, Cookie the dog, and whatever assistants happen to be flitting around. Not only because we really want to believe Bethenny can make friends without employing them, co-starring with them, marrying them, or dredging them up from her deep past; it's also because we very well may have to find a new ensemble show to watch when Real Housewives becomes simply too traumatizing.

Six RHONY Asked Back For Season Four

Post from the NY Daily News.

Photo:WireImage

By:Carson Griffith

Fans of the "Real Housewives of New York" will have something to celebrate Tuesday night. A show insider confirmed to us yesterday that six of the seven main characters were asked back for season four of the reality show after months of keeping them on the edges of their Pilates-toned seats. Bravo is even bringing back Alex McCord, whom the cable network was close to cutting last spring, and sexy Sonja Morgan, who was a new addition to the cast on season three.

Not rejoining Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon, and LuAnn de Lesseps (if all the ladies accept their offers, that is) will be Bethenny Frankel, who is taping a second season of her spinoff, "Bethenny Getting Married?" for the same network. No word yet if Jennifer Gilbert, an occasional housewife, will be taking the screen again, but apparently we hear Bravo has been showing interest in a "wealthy Hamptons housewife."

Jill's Shopping Spree In Florida

Article from Miami Herald

By:MADELEINE MARR

Jill Zarin isn't shy about telling it like it is. So it's fitting the fiery cast member from the Real Housewives of New York City wrote a book packed with advice.

The Long Island, N.Y., native was in Coral Gables and Boca Raton over the weekend doing signings of Secrets of a Jewish Mother. Cowritten with her sister and mother, the self-helper doles out tips on dating, parenting and marriage (Classic: ``Who said your husband has to know everything?'')

Zarin is loving the Sunshine State, hanging out with BFF Carole Rome, wife of governor/senatorial candidate Charlie Crist, and shopping to her heart's content.

``Mayor Bloomberg won't be thrilled with me; I'm helping the Florida economy,'' said Zarin from the Theory store at Town Center in Boca. ``I'm here getting my basics -- my black, my white, my gray. I'll drop a few grand, but I'll be done.''

Zarin, 46, likely won't have too many wardrobe issues in the near future -- Season 4 of the hit Bravo show is in limbo, while frenemy Bethenny Frankel got her own spinoff, Bethenny Getting Married?

The two don't speak, but it sounds like they may eventually.

``Sadly, I haven't seen her baby yet but hopefully when the media goes way we'll be able to talk.''

In the meantime, plan on seeing more of Zarin.

``Nothing makes me happier than going to the mall in Boca,'' she said. ``I have my little rituals like getting my frozen yogurt then having lunch at Neiman Marcus.''

Being unemployed will also give the mother of four (one daughter and three stepkids) some down time. But don't look for her tuning into the D.C. franchise.

``I find it a little boring, a little pretentious and forced,'' she said, adding, ``but the jury's still out.''

What's the appeal of all these Real Housewives?

``I think people are just nosybodies. I don't mean that in a bad way,'' she said. ``Also it's the `better you than me' mentality. You got that DWI and I didn't.''

Caroline And Danielle Let It All Out

Post from Babble.

Posted by MaraLee
Last night’s final episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey was a doozy. Caroline Manzo called Danielle Staub for a mafia style sit down where she unleashed on her. The video is below for those who missed it.

Photo:Bravo

Caroline has weighed in on the confrontation saying, “It was clear to me that the situation with Danielle was like a merry-go-round that never was going to stop. I felt that I was the only one that could go and speak to her because I was the only one that wasn’t emotionally involved. I was never her friend, and true, I never wanted to be.”

Caroline says she based the decision to not get close to Danielle on instinct and feels she clearly made the right choice.

“My intention for the meeting with Danielle was to put an end to all the nonsense (nonsense being the operative word). I was so sick of hearing her name, so sick of dealing with the fallout of the rumors and encounters regarding her, and so ashamed and embarrassed by how we behaved and what we allowed ourselves to become in our quest to “win.” Like I said to Danielle, there are no winners in a losing game. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew how it would end. I knew there would be no reasoning or understanding, but I had nothing to lose.”

During the talk Caroline calls Danielle a “clown,” a very polite term when compared to many others she could have chosen. But even if she wasn’t as mean as she could have been, she does feel bad. “I’m not proud of the names I called her; my remarks were cruel and childish. But, that’s my truth. Makes absolutely no sense but, it is what it is. I said what I said out of frustration and anger. I was speaking to someone who was looking me dead in the eye and lying to me. Not only that, there was absolutely no accountability on her part at all.”

Caroline has found out many things she didn’t know before the course of the season. She was unaware of remarks Danielle made about her and her children or that Danielle had bodyguards outside the restaurant during their meeting.

After the showdown, Caroline said she was done…but she’s not there yet. While Danielle will not be returning for the next season, Caroline still had to come face to face with her during the reunion special.