A pleasure aas always Alex.

First of all I must congratulate you on couplestherapy. I never heard of it before, but I gave it 10 polite trial minutes, bc I do miss seeing you on the screen. AND IT IS GOOD! I saw the entire episode and I will be watching again.

As for the speedbump clip, I do recall there being some in the earlier renions, especially the one where Ramona suddenly walks in the middle of a discussion, and Andy has to guide her back to her seat, like a shepherd with his naughty lamb.
Although I must admit I am feeling disappointment that there are only two parts, and that says to me, that the ladies didn’t bring the drama. And I think it is because they all are over it and don’t bother to even listen to anymore of Avivas excuses.

I am just a bit confused, by subjects they discuss. because for those who haven’t watched all the wwhl episodes, there are still a lot of things to discss and resolve.

And I do agree with you. I saw a hypocritical side to Carole. It was like she was looking down on her co-stars and it really makes me wonder abot the fact that she only talks smack in her interviews. I makes her look insincere. And her arguments were bullshit, espcially for journalist- cause we all know she is not a butcherswife.

I love it..Good job:)

p.s.  all the comments wanting Alex and Simon back on, well of course your fans would love that, but it is my belief that you both have moved on to bigger and much better things……always wish nothing but the best for you both.

Aviva’s story of what happened to her leg is tragic. However, it is a cautionary tail of the dangers of children being too close to farm equipment. Too many are killed or hurt every year on dangerous equipment. I imagine her father has felt guilty all these years and would do anything for her. She is spoiled rotten. I understand why, but a spoiled brat at her age is not likable.

Alex I really love these commentaries, it makes it more interesting to me. When Aviva told her story I did have real empathy for her, I had a friend in high school, who lost his hand in a farm accident similar to Aviva’s. It was devastating, he was a star basketball player and it changed the opportunities in his life. However, he does not use that accident as an excuse for his behavior 25 years later. I hope she was sincere because as a viewer it felt all “SCARY ISLAND” again. I never knew what a speed bump was or that it is a tool to hold your audience through the commericials. I wish someone I.e. “Ramona” would of called Luann out for her hypocritical victim of snobbery, I cannot believe someone didn’t drive a truck through her statement and say, “but Luann how Carol treated you is exactly how you treated Alex McCord, as if she wasn’t quiet good enough to be friends with.”. Missed opportunity, is all I have to say. Good luck on your show I really hope you get to review all of the Housewives franchises. This is definitely your strong suit.

Alex, great recap, as always. You make the show much more fun to watch. I, for one (and apparently one of the very few who’ve commented) am a huge fan of Carol’s. I think she’s bright, funny and stays above the fray. I don’t believe that what she says is behind the backs of the others. She knows her comments are being filmed and will be seen by the other Housewives. I think her comments are intentionally funny and snarky. She’s to this year’s season what Bethenny was to past seasons – a bright spot, imo. I also love Heather and her honesty, humor, compassion and endless patience in dealing with Sonja who used to be a fave of mine but, since joining forces with Ramona and stooping to her level, no longer appeals. Wish the old Sonja would make a reappearance. She was bright, funny, self-depracating and charming. The Ramonja one is immature, self-involved and, frankly, ridiculous. I believed and appreciated Aviva’s apology, which I thought was heartfelt and not at all manipulated by the viewers’ reactions, a la Jill Zarin, who, I don’t think, knows the meaning of the word sincerity. (I’ve been with her at many functions and, while engaged in conversation, she is constantly scanning the crowd to see if there’s someone better with whom to speak and also where the nearest photog is. She is an ill-mannered woman, although her husband, and her rep, with whom I’ve always seen her, are much more pleasant.) Which brings me to Luann. Luann is a beautiful woman – but that’s about the nicest thing I can say about her. She stirs the pot – she did it when you were on the show – and she is still doing it. Without a sidekick in her court, a la Jill, she is just mean. As for “designer dressgate,” I don’t think the argument was over dresses at all. Carol was upset that Luann would take advantage of their brand new association/friendship to get something for her own personal gain. It didn’t have to be dresses. It could have been dental services or anything else in the world. The fact that designers lend dresses all the time is besides the point. Luann, who didn’t have a working or personal association with Naeem Khan, dropped Carol’s name. In doing so, Naeem thought Carol (whom he loves) was friends with Luann. He probably thought, “her friends are my friends” and Luann was able to take advantage. I understand how Carol could be upset – plus the fact that no one on the couch addressed the real issue, frustrated her further and she just dropped out of the conversation. (As a lady, I might add. She did not involve herself in a shouting match with Luann. Stayed above the fray, even to the last show.) Lastly, why was Luann so horrified when Carol commented that Naeem Khan dresses Michele Obama? She seemed downright insulted to be lumped into the same category as, hm, well, as a person who also wears clothing from J.Crew or as the First Lady? Either way, her reaction was offensive and rude. And, imo, Michele Obama has style and grace, two characteristics that the Countess certainly lacks. I’m glad she was on the far end of the couch. Money can’t buy you class, indeed. 

Great recap Alex!  ITA bout Carole.  I was really liking her at first, but now she’s bugging me like crazy.  She always acts sooooo above it all cuz she’s seems so convinced she’s way too A-list & her poop don’t stink.  It’s tired & annoying already.  She needs to get over herself.  Aviva’s back-story was very moving.  Does this justify her saying & doing the horrible things that she said & did?  No way.  People are still gonna hate her.  She’s better off concentrating on the charity work she’s done – if she really did do this charity work.  The best scene ever on RHONY was when.that sweet young boy got those substitute legs.  That was such a beautiful & moving scene — wasn’t it, Alex?  Aviva made that happen — or so it seemed..  So it’s hard for me to believe she’s a horrible person — even if based just a tiny bit on this supremely kind act.

Alex- saw that Jill will be on WWHL on Monday night.  Would love to hear your thoughts on that.(If you can make it through a 1/2 hour of her whining)  xo

I don’t think Carole thinks she’s above it all either.

On the front that you, Alex, and Bethenny have been the only housewives to talk to LuAnn when she’s done something bothersome, I wouldn’t say that it’s the whole truth. Whether it was DesignerDressgate or WarWhoopgate, Carole did speak up and say something to LuAnn in both instances. In the case of the dress, she even did that one on one. Perhaps you’re talking about getting into screaming matches with LuAnn, in which case it was both Bethenny’s and your prerogative, but I don’t agree that you two have been the only women to have called out LuAnn. There’s more than one way to call out LuAnn, and I felt that both Carole and Heather did it just fine without having to go Sonja ripping Aviva a new one style.

Alex, you’re like a former president in that you look years younger, more refreshed and more radiant than you did in office (on the show).  I would imagine being on that show would be incredibly stressful and feel unnatural. You were spot on about how Carol cannot act “above it all” when she is actually on it. She comes off as condescending, albeit unintentionally.  I also wish she would pick a damn lane instead of wavering between two lanes.  I had never caught that about Carol before, but you make a good point.  I did think Heather tried to confront Luanne but as she mandated during part one of the reunion, Luanne only hears what she wants to hear.  
Something feels off this season, unbalanced–as if the housewives are trying to conjure up strife and drama where it doesn’t exist.  I don’t even think the countess slept with Johnny Depp, but put up so much smoke and mirrors to make it appear that she did in order to create drama, to create interest,
I miss you and your hubby–will try and catch your Couples Therapy this week,