Mob Wives: Recap "Mobbed Up Mermaids" Ep 601

Drita is not happy with Karen

Opening clip

And we're BACK in business!  Season 6 takes off with a Big Big Bang! No more Natalies, but Carla is back and she has a new attitude!

Karen calls Drita a B*tch a couple of times

Opening clip: Karen and Drita face off with their allies, Marissa and Brittany, sitting along side them. Brittany was introduced to the group by Karen, but she is now aligned with Drita. How did that happen? Drita is in a rage and upset about something Karen said. What else is new? The tension builds up quickly and they both get up to attack each other. Security acts quickly to haul off both Drita and Brittany, while Drita yells, "You're dead Karen! Dead!" And Karen responds back with "You don't want to hear the truth!" a la Jack Nicholson (A Few Good Men).

Another sit down gone wrong as

Drita gets hauled away by security

The filming begins Three Months Earlier:

Staten Island. Karen wants to make sure Karina enjoys New York City and all it has to offer.  Karina is now a teenager, all grown up and reminding Karen of how much trouble she gave her own parents. Renee surrounds herself with loyal people. She stops by Karen's and sees how mature Karina is now. Renee and Karen agree they are happy to be free from all the Natalie drama. (Can we all say Amen to that!) Renee says her Mob Candy business is getting a float for the Mermaid Parade with costumes. She invites Karen and Karina to join her and wear the Mob Candy jewelry at the parade.

Ang is at the doctor's office. She is being examined. Ang had surgery a few months ago for throat cancer. She gives Neil credit for staying by her side the whole time. She was in the hospital for 9 days. Recovery was terrible. The doctor wants her on a healthy, organic diet. He wants her to exercise. He also wants her to stop smoking. It's overwhelming. It's cramping her style. She is set in her ways. Just like Ang to keep her sense of humor during such a difficult time in her life.

Drita's House.  Drita says they have a normal household and family. They are happy. (unless she wants to write a book and then the trouble in "paradise" begins). She is taking her girls to the neighborhood where she grew up, in the projects. Aleeya is a teenager. Drita wants her girls to see how little she had growing up and appreciate everything they have. Drita tells them s story about a friend she had who wasn't allowed to go to her house because she lived in the projects. She wants them to see where she started and how far she has come. Drita is nervous to tell Lee about the book, the girls think the book is a good idea.

Renee meets the girls at the park 

Renee, Karen, Drita, Ang meet up at the park. Drita tells them she wants to write a book even though it's hard for her to relive the past. Renee tells them about the Mermaid Parade and float. Karen wants to invite her friend Brittany. Karen tells them about Brittany's father, John Fogarty, who cooperated. That word unsettles Renee. She doesn't want to open her own old wounds involving people who cooperated. Renee seems to have a knee-jerk reaction when it comes to the word "cooperate." It stings. She associates the word with pain, betrayal, loss of loved ones. I don't think she can help it. It's just like the word "rat," it evokes strong feelings. It's part of the lifestyle and the way she was raised. Karen, however, gets insulted because of her own experience twenty years ago and she feels she is being judged all over again because her father cooperated.

Brittany Fogarty is introduced. Her father, John Fogarty, and her mother Andrea Giovino both were in the mob. Brittany is bored with Pennsylvania. She moved back from LA to be near her mother and boyfriend. She wants to move back to Staten Island where the rest of her family lives. He mother is worried for her because the people there still remember her father and his problems. Brittany doesn't want her life to be dictated based on what her father did. Her mother is upset about this decision.

Ang is being forced to close the Drunken Monkey because she is a felon. She and Neil go to the bar to pick up whatever things she wants to take with her. Drita pops in. She tells them her customers are devastated the place is closing. Someone reported them to the liquor licensing board. And with that the place is closed . . .  it's over . . .  gone . . .  done.

Karen is disappointed in Renee 

for the way she is treating Brittany

Karen's house. Renee shows up. Karen is paying bills. Karen has to address an issue she has with Renee. She is very disappointed at the way Renee reacted when Brittany's name came up. Renee says Karen got very defensive. Karen says "20 years ago I was Brittany." Renee knows what Karen had to deal with because of her father. But, Renee doesn't want her whole circle to be full of people who are related to people who cooperated. It makes her uncomfortable. She doesn't know Brittany so why does she have to add her to her circle, especially when it brings up negative feelings. Karen wants to have a relationship with Brittany because of the relationship Sammy had with her father. Karen says Renee is her friend and her sister, but she doesn't want this drama. Renee feels she is entitled to her opinion, she doesn't like what Brittany's father did. Karen says that makes her think back to how people treated her when her father cooperated and how she felt. She doesn't like it. Renee understands and out of respect for Karen she is going to be nice to Brittany, but won't trust her. I'm not prepared to call Renee a hypocrite or say she is wrong right now.  She may not be able to help how she feels because the word triggers a lot of negative memories and feelings.  Moving on.

Renee's house. AJ and his fiancee, Andrea are there. It's the day of the Mermaid Parade. Karen and Brittany arrive for makeup and costumes. Renee is going to pay extra attention to what Brittany says and does. Carla arrives to get ready. Carla is glad she has repaired her friendships with Renee and Karen. Drita isn't going to join them because Carla will be there. Carla says it doesn't make any sense. They didn't have an argument or exchange words, so why doesn't she want be around her? Oh I know I know!  Maybe because she feels guilty about double crossing someone who was a real and loyal friend to her for three seasons and can't look at Carla in the eye. Guilt will do that to you. Or maybe, as some people have suggested, Lee ("the King of his castle"), forbid her from hanging around with Carla and Drita complied?  Maybe a little of both?  Oh well, on to the parade.

Love apologizes

Coney Island. As soon as they get there Love comes running over to greet Karen. Carla is stunned to see Love. Renee greets Love. The last time Carla saw Love she was attacking her, so she isn't happy at all. Love immediately extends her hand to Carla and says "I'm really sorry I really owe you a big apology." Carla is shocked that after two years she is getting this apology and she is skeptical. Love says, "I'm sorry, I really do owe you a big apology. It's my fault, it really is. I'm really sorry. Instead of talking to you directly, I let someone who was a friend of yours speak for you. And, Drita's definition of "friend" is different than what our definition of "friend" is." Carla responds with, "Drita said something to you about me?" Carla doesn't trust Love, but at the same time she feels it could explain the weird way Drita has been treating her.

An unhappy, skeptical Carla listens to Love

Carla wants to hear what Drita said to Love.  Love says, "The night before [the altercation] she [Drita] was at my house saying, 'I'll make sure Carla's there and I'll walk away." Renee can't believe what she just heard Love say. It translates into Drita setting Carla up. Love goes even further and says Drita told her, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, you gotta take care of this blah blah blah and pushing me towards this situation. She said a hundred times, I'm not friends with Carla like that." Love turns to Carla and adds, "Actions speak louder than words. Did she defend you at that moment or no?" Now Carla thinks back and remembers right before the altercation with Love, Drita left the room. Love says they can talk about it another time and not spoil the day. Carla wants to talk to Drita. Love says good-bye to the ladies. Renee wants the day to be about Mob Candy and Mermaids. I do hope there is a lot more to this story later in the season. I can't figure out why Drita would set Carla up unless something happened we didn't see.

Drita's house. She calls Lee to tell him she is writing a book. He says, "What do you mean writing a book? Go see a f*ckin' shrink. I don't want to be in anybody's book." Drita argues with him and says she is writing it. She feels he should support her. She went to visit him in prison and stood by him. She is so upset by his attitude she is shaking.  Who is surprised at Lee's reaction? No one. I'm surprise d he didn't order he to bring him a cherry coke and a provolone for lunch.

All the ladies deck out in Mob Candy Bling!

Mermaid Parade is full swing. Carla's head is spinning from what Love told her, while she is trying to have a good time at the parade. Karen thanks Renee, it's her first time at Coney Island. Brittany tells them her mother doesn't want her moving back to Staten Island. As Brittany talks about her parents and how it came about that her father cooperated, Renee is getting more upset. Brittany says her mother convinced the father to cooperate so she could stay home and raise the kids, but Renee says it was to cover her own ass. Renee speaks up and Karen gets upset. Brittany compares herself to AJ. Brittany says her mother put her kids first, above everything. Renee says, "Your mother was wrong." Brittany tells Renee "you talk about my mother I will charge you." Renee is upset at the lack of respect. Renee doesn't like outsiders. Renee's eyes are open!

There you have it. The storylines are set up, but I think there will be so many twists and turns we will never see coming. I am already wondering how Brittany, who was brought into the group by Karen, turns out to be BFF's with Drita?  But I don't have time to speculate, the next episode is already starting!

Picture credit: VH1

RECAP for Episode 2 Cabin in the Woods HERE 

Mob Wives: Recap “The Realest B*!ch Is Back!,” Ep 501

How you b*tches gonna have a roof top party

and not invite me?

Season 5, episode one, starts with a Big Bang! Where to start and what to say? This premiere is loaded with drama . . .

We start at Mr. Lee’s  (Lee D’Avanzo) Sports Card store! Drita is opening the store and taking phone calls. She says the store is doing great, but Lee needs her help. By the way, where the hell is Lee? It’s his store, right? In walks Big Ang. Drita tells her they are still trying to adjust to being a normal family. Drita says having Lee home is like having another child. With the small talk out of the way, they get down to business. Ang says she talks to GNATalie and Gnat says she misses Ang’s smiling face. Drita wants to invite Gnat to join her and Ang at an Albanian fiesta. Then the two witches of East Wick start attacking Renee. Drita starts complaining that Renee was bashing her all summer. Drita forgets that she blindsided Renee at the season 4 reunion with things that happened going back to season one. And Big Ang chimes in she heard Renee has been calling her a clown and talking about her family all over Staten Island. Big Ang is pissed and Drita feels she is justified. Oh well.

In the meantime, a visibly upset Renee is at home packing her suitcase. Renee says she is not speaking to any of the girls and she has had enough. She says Drita wanted to crack her head because she talked to Karen. Renee says the more she gives her friends, the more they stab her in the back. Renee says Ang, who has been her friend for most of life, betrayed her by hanging out with GNATalie. Renee needs to leave town. But where is she going?

The Witches of Eastwick

SOUTH Philly GNATalie is going to an Albanian fiesta with Drita and Ang. Alicia can’t join them, she is waiting to be sentenced. Poor, poor pitiful Alicia. All the Albanians come out once a year to the Vulcan Whatever Club. They are all having a drama free night until GNATalie asks about Renee. Drita says she is taking a break from Renee. Big Ang says she is pissed because Renee has been talking about her family and Renee is done! GNATalie is not surprised. GNATalie tells Drita that Renee told her Drita was a rat and Lee robbed ATMs. Drita, who will explode in a nanosecond, wants to know why she didn’t tell her this before. GNATalie says she wasn’t close to her back then to tell her those kind of things. Drita is seeing RED. Drita wants to put her f*ckin’ head through Renee’s face. Drita is losing her sh*t because Renee is still talking about her precious Lee . . . again! She is going to have to make Renee stop talking. Drita is very offended at being called a rat. Ang turns to GNATalie and says, “you know what you just started?” and GNATalie smirks. Gnat is just there to start sh*t!

And now,all is right with the world!

Renee shows up at Karen’s door! Big happy reunion for the two friends, “better than Christmas.” Karen says they will always be close and stay in touch. They missed each other. Karen says she has been in Arizona focusing on her daughter and her father. Karen wants to know what brings Renee to Arizona. Renee says she is having trouble with Drita, Alicia, and GNATalie; Ang won’t take sides and she needs to. Karen says Drita better not crack Renee’s head. Karen heard that Alicia doesn’t want to be in the same room with her after everything she said about Sammy. Karen says she read things on social media and GNATalie was disrespecting her family and calling her father a rat. Renee says GNATalie is a moron for f*cking with Karen and so are Drita and Ang for hanging out with her.

Gnat and London are a team and she is giving him a crash course in the funeral business.  Gnat calls herself the Boss, what a laugh. Gnat is not the boss. Her grandfather owns the business and is the funeral director. Gnat is a cosmetician who does hair and make-up on dead people who don’t give a f*ck. GNATalie starts calling Renee a fake, a liar and a phony. A smiling GNATalie says she didn’t realize how upset Drita would get. Renee is a compulsive, lying, two-faced b*tch. I think Gnat just described herself.

Big Ang says family comes first. Ang brings AJ’s unborn little daughter, Angelina, a gift. She wants the baby to bring stability to his life. Ang seems happy with AJ’s progress in turning his life around. This is what he needed to stay straight and sober. AJ has a court date coming up soon. He needs to stay clean and sober or he could be sent to jail.

At “Lady Boss,” Drita drops in after opening Lee’s store. Drita seems overwhelmed. Drita is making a list of things the store needs. The customers start coming in and she is way behind on her own work. Lee calls to see if she called the pool guy and he wants meatballs and ravioli for dinner. Drita is tired of Lee being the boss while she pulls all the weight. Giselle calls and wants Drita to come home now! Drita wants a stiff drink and peace and f*ckin’ quiet.

Renee returns home and feels better after visiting Karen. Karen calls. They have a little chat. Renee tells her there is a summer party that the girls are all going to. Renee is not looking forward to going, but she isn’t going to let them keep her away. The girls make her sick and she doesn’t want to see them. Karen says she has to go and face her fears. “Fight harder than you have fought in your life. Stand your ground.” Karen says she will be in NY soon.

Party time, wonder who is going. Drita and Big Ang arrive at the party. Ang is glad Renee isn’t there. She says Renee has been talking about everyone all summer. They decided to invite GNATalie to this rooftop summer bash. So now we have the three witches of East Wick all in one place again. Here comes Renee. GNATalie sees Renee come in. Ang says Drita will flip when she sees Renee. Renee is busy with her other friends. They all see each other. Renee feels bad that Ang, a friend of 20 years, is giving her the cold shoulder. Drita wants to pull each of Renee’s teeth out with her bare hands. Renee says Drita looks really pissed off and feels something is going to happen. GNATalie takes it upon herself to go get Renee so they can talk to her. Renee is so pissed to see GNATalie in her face that she immediately walks away from her. She wants to strangle the Gnat. Renee leaves with a friend saying she “will never let the f*ckin’ enemy win.”

The Realest B*tch is Back! Hello!

Drita starts a new rant. No one is allowed to talk about her precious Lee. Ang is pissed and looks like hell. Why does Ang look so haggard? Renee decides to go back into the party after cooling down. Gnat calls Renee a lowlife! AND THEN Karen walks into the party! HELLO! Renee is so excited! Karen says she wants to see Drita and Ang. Karen goes over to the two of them and says, “how you b*tches gonna have a rooftop party and not invite me?” Karen doesn’t like that everyone is gunning for Renee’s head. Drita is not happy to see Karen. “No more three against one Mother F*ckers.” Ha! GNATalie takes a look at Karen and decides to leave . . . no run. Run little cockroach!

GNATalie can't leave fast enough after seeing Karen!

Don't let the door hit you in your sorry ass!

GNATalie was acting tough on social media and disrespecting Karen, but now that she is face to face with Karen she goes running with her tail between her legs. Gnat calls Alicia to fill her in. Alicia is another one who will not be on the show because she is afraid to come face to face with Karen. Renee is so happy to see the roach run scared. “The tables have just mother f*ckin’ turned.” Karen says, “You can’t hide forever b*tch.”

"Bye, b*tch, bye!"

Congrats to Jennifer Graziano for the best season premiere yet!

Picture Credit: VH1

Real Housewives of New York: What The Hell Moments, Ep 601

Meet "Baby" Ben and Kristen

If you are looking forward to reading WTH Moments…STOP now…there were none.

If you missed the show, and want to save an hour of your life CONTINUE…

The title of the premiere episode of season six is, “If You Can Make It Here.” It should have been called, “If You Can Stay Awake.” The whole episode involved some carried- over hard feelings from last season and an introduction to Kristen, “the model wife.”

Everyone seems to be harboring some ill will towards Aviva. Carole tells Heather she has been distancing herself from Aviva and her craziness. Heather seems inclined to agree. Ramona tells Sonja she ran into Aviva and Reed at a charity event and didn’t bother talking to them. Sonja seems sympathetic. Why is everyone against Aviva right from the start? She had her moments, but at least she wasn’t naked and drunk all of season 5.

Heather’s Birthday Party is the big event. Sonja is dating “Baby” Ben and tells Ramona not to discuss age. Age is just a number says Sonja, and Sonja’s number is about 50. Eventually someone leaks the boy’s age. “Baby” Ben is 23.  I guess that could be a WTH moment. After all, what young man would want to date someone who could clearly be his mother? I’d freak out over it right now, except I think this is scripted so we will raised our eyebrows. “Baby” Ben was probably promoted to “date status” from the intern pool. Heather and Carole are still BFF’s. The new wife, Kristen, is a real model. She struts around the party and introduces herself to “Baby” Ben. Sonja is suddenly “jealous.” Kristen is a knockout according to “Baby” Ben. So “Baby” Ben IS attracted to young women…I thought he had an age fetish. Kristen’s husband, Josh, used to work with Heather. That must be how Andy found Kristen for the show.

Aviva and Reed are headed over to Heather’s, and Aviva is concerned about how Ramona will react when she sees her, since they didn’t part on good terms. Kristen, who is trying to size everyone up, says Ramona and Sonja remind her of  “crazy drunk aunts.” Kristen’s first impression is on the money. Wait till she sees them naked too. Kristen and Aviva meet briefly. Carole still wants to keep a friendly distance with Aviva. Aviva talks to Sonja about Harry, but Sonja has “Baby” Ben right there and isn‘t thrilled. Aviva tells Sonja she wants to patch things up with Ramona. Carole decides to go over to say hello to Aviva. Aviva, excited about her new book, wants Carole’s advice with the memoir she is writing.  Carole finds that off putting because Aviva barely said hello before asking her for help. Kristen seems to get along well with Carole. Aviva sees an opportunity to go over and talk to Ramona. Aviva asks for a hug, Ramona isn’t ready for it. Aviva tries to mend fences in her own way. Ramona says she found Aviva insincere so maybe she can accept her apology, but cannot accept her as a person. Ramona wants no part of her, but Aviva doesn’t get it. Ramona says she can’t trust her and wants her to show her “the real Aviva.” Aviva kind of gives up for the moment, and walks away without ruffling Ramona‘s feathers.

Later, Aviva calls Ramona. She wants to meet for cocktails, one on one, but Ramona has reservations. Ramona says she doesn’t know how to be a faker…she tells Aviva she wants to think about it. Aviva says okay and doesn‘t push her.

Ding Dong, Can someone answer the door?

Sonja has the girls over for tea. While she puts on her makeup none of her dozen interns is answering the door. First Ramona arrives and when there is no answer, she walks right in. Then Kristen arrives and politely waits for someone to let her in, which takes some time. Ramona notices holes in Sonja’s carpet…apparently the rug in Sonja’s house is older than her “boyfriend.” Kristen, still in the observation stage, can’t figure out their (Ramona & Sonja) friendship. I guess new wives don’t bother to watch previous seasons of the show before throwing themselves into the lion’s den? Ramona tells everyone about Aviva’s phone call. Kristen is not impressed with their behavior. Next, they start telling her Aviva’s life story. Kristen looks confused. She says if this is how they act towards friends, she doesn’t want to be their enemy. Smart cookie! Suddenly, Sonja thinks Ramona should meet with Aviva. Sonja says she has let go of the past. Kristen says she thinks Aviva is really trying to make amends. Ramona can forgive, but not forget. Everyone wants her to make up with Aviva. Reluctantly, Ramona goes along with it because if the “girls” think it’s a good idea then why not?

Ramona meets Aviva for drinks. Aviva tells her she looks amazing. She rambles a bit about Ramona’s hair looking “whiter” and very nice. The compliments are working. Ramona says Aviva is a “charmer.” Aviva suggests they have a shot of tequila. No argument from Ramona. They cheers and drink up. Aviva didn’t think the shot was a big deal. Aviva doesn’t like to drink, but if it will make Ramona happy, she will do it. Aviva knows the way to Ramona’s heart. Ramona wants to know why is Aviva just now interested in making up? Aviva explains that she feels she overreacted when she thought Reed was being attacked on the girls’ vacation. Ramona admits she is enjoying herself with Aviva. Ramona calls her a freakin’ witch and Aviva good humouredly toasts to Aviva the witch.

Sorry, that’s the best  could do with the lack of drama this week. If I hadn’t taken to time to write a few notes, not sure I would have remembered anything this morning. I think I would have enjoyed watching the trailer 12 times, instead of episode 1. Let’s see where this goes next week.

If you missed it or want to rewatch the premiere, here is the link: RHONY Premiere

Mob Wives: Recap "New Blood," Ep 401

My Two Cents…mingled with a little recapping and "bridge selling".

Let me just start out by saying that I love Mob Wives and have watched the show from the very beginning. We even started this blog before the show even aired. I cannot help but be disappointed that Karen Gravano is not on this season. When season one was being promoted, the Gravano name was the only one I, and many other viewers, recognized. I am sure that is what pulled a large share of the audience and maybe sold the idea to the network. I never heard of Facciolo, D’Avanzo, or Anthony Graziano for that matter (which is a credit to him, having an allegedly high ranking position and staying out of the news.) However, who hasn’t heard of Sammy “The Bull” Gravano? Enough said. Now, if Karen had walked away from Mob Wives of her own accord, to pursue other projects, then I would have to accept it and move on and wish her well. But that is not the case and we haven’t gotten the whole story. I heard it was about money. That may have been a part of it, but money matters can always be negotiated. I heard it was about Alicia’s husband not wanting Karen on the show. Maybe there was a clause in Alicia’s contract stating she would not be in the cast if Karen was, and a decision had to be made. Who chooses a Philly mob wife over THE New York mob wife who made the show a success? Who chooses a Philly mob wife and then uses the mob history of the father of that New York mob wife without her being on the show to respond? We don’t have a full storyline, we have a new season that is out of line.  I should get to the show before I start rambling…

The “Old Blood” is doing just fine. Renee has her son, AJ, home again, her father is getting out of prison soon and her Mob Candy brand is all set to go. Big Ang is glad to be back from Miami, where she opened a Miami Monkey bar. Drita and Lee are still together and she seems happy.  And then we are introduced to the “New Blood,” when we find out that Renee’s friend, Alicia, and is having a “roaring twenties” party in Philadelphia, and she invited Renee. Naturally, Drita and Big Ang are also going. And Renee says Alicia’s husband, Edward “Tall Guy,” is one of her dearest friends who she has known all her life. This is Renee’s way of supporting Alicia during her husband’s arrest and sentencing because “when one of us is in trouble we protect each other.” Well according the news I have read, Edward has been allegedly locked up since 2010...so it took three years and a party to get the support rolling? Convenient timing for a party, don’t you think? And then Big Ang springs the news we already know, there is “Bad Blood” between the Garofalo family and the Gravano family. Ang and Drita are both glad Karen is in Arizona. But they forget to mention that the only reason she is in Arizona is that she isn’t on the show, not on vacation…I have to wonder where her support went? And it also turns out that Anthony Graziano and “Tall Guy” are in the same prison and they hang out like family. That paints a warm and cozy picture in my mind. Alicia “Wise Gal” Garofalo says, in her sweet, soft, innocent voice, that she pleaded guilty to embezzlement to avoid a trial…not because she is guilty, like the Feds want us to believe…and she is awaiting sentencing herself. Of course, the old blood defend Alicia by saying the Feds are only doing this to get Edward to “flip,” and, if you believe that, I have a bridge in Staten Island to sell you.

The old blood get back home after the party and they rave about how great it was, what a wonderful person poor Alicia is, how she is out on $50,000 bail, and all the suffering she is going through. About that suffering, I read an article not that long ago that said Alicia lied to a judge in order to get him to lift a travel ban on her. She said she was going to help her son move into the dorm at the University of West Virginia. But, somehow she took a detour and, this little lost kitten, ended up in Las Vegas tweeting pictures about the great time she was having instead. I wonder why they Feds didn’t believe she was innocent?

Now for a totally ridiculous scene…I had to replay it because I thought I was hearing things…Neil wants a son and Big Ang is considering it. Really? She is 53 years old. Maybe a surrogate? Big Ang is serious. Are you buying that? If you are, that bridge in Staten Island is still for sale. Now if Drita had said this, it might at least be credible.

Moving on, I am getting a little irritated. Renee is launching her new brand and invites Alicia, from Philly, to help her out. Is there no one else? Well, that’s one way to get her into New York City and more involved in the show. I am anxious to see how they work Natalie in. Maybe someone needs a funeral consultant? Oh I see, none of the models have “the look” Renee is looking for and guess what? Alicia has someone for her…you guessed it, Natalie! They bring Natalie in and dress her up for a photo shoot for Mob Candy. Renee decides Natalie is going to be the face of Mob Candy.  Later on Renee arranges a lunch, that she doesn’t show up to, so Natalie can meet Ang and Drita. Natalie, aka Princess Funeral Home, should not order or drink multiple cocktails at any time. Even Big Ang, who is used to drunks at her bar, gets fed up. Natalie slurs her words and eats off Ang’s plate. Ang and Drita are out of there. Finally, we get to Renee’s launch party for Mob Candy, where Alicia sees a different “Carla” (ugh) who used to date Eddie. (If you are married, beware of Carlas!) The models strut their stuff on the catwalk. Natalie does her walk and then falls off the catwalk on her way out…oy vey! Maybe Renee needs a new face for her line? Natalie is “on probation” with Ang, she is a “loose canon.” Ang has concerns about Renee hanging out with a drinking funeral home princess who she feels is unstable. Ang thinks Natalie should stay in f*ckin’ Philly. Drita isn’t thrilled with her either. Oh, did I mention I wasn’t impressed? The incomprehensible, garbled, conversation should have ended on the cutting room floors, not in our living rooms.

Oh Lord, Aleeya is being bullied in school! Drita tells Lee. He is pissed and thinks she should break the girl’s “f*ckin’ face.” Hello? Did anyone think about going to the school authorities?  I’m not sure I believe this either. Is it me or was Drita just a little too calm about her daughter being threatened? Once a girl pushed my daughter for no reason and I went ballistic, but that’s just me.

Alicia lies about Vegas but her instagram does not!

Can I just say I am already fed up with all the sympathy poor Alicia is getting from the Old Blood? If she committed a crime she should be doing the time. She plead guilty to taking people’s pension money. Money they need for their future and old age. Money they worked for. Then we see her living it up in Las Vegas on Twitter? Boo f*ckin’ hoo…I learned that from Mob Mistress, my mentor. So now Alicia is supposed to be visiting her husband, Eddie, in the Brooklyn prison and stops over to visit Ang, with Drita there. More sympathy, ugh. Hold up…Alicia says she was kept in the dark by Eddie about the embezzlement and she is “madly crazy in love with him.”  I still got that bridge if you are interested.

And now we get to the meat of this season. Alicia drops the “bomb” that Eddie was sad because the other day was the anniversary of his dad’s death. OPEN the DOOR for the Gravano name to be trashed. Big Ang says it was years ago, 23 to be exact. Drita, however, has to ask how it happened because she is clueless. I guess she really doesn’t read our blog? Drita asks, “Who killed him?” Alicia says “Sammy “The Bull” was responsible for that.” Drita is shocked…yeah right. I got three words: Bridge for Sale! Big Ang remembers the hit well. Now Alicia launches her attack on Karen and her father about the 19 murders Sammy committed or arranged, which he confessed to and wrote a book about. Then she says Karen shouldn’t be “bragging” everywhere that Sammy is her dad. Well guess what? I never heard Karen “brag”  or “prance around” or condone what her father did. I have heard Karen say she loves her father, she didn’t know the “mobster” side of him and doesn’t condone what he did. And as for what Karen wrote in “her” book, that’s Karen’s business. She wrote about her life, not her father’s. He has his own book “Underboss” and maybe Alicia should read that one. Big Ang makes the most sense. It’s NOT about Karen, it’s about the two men, Sammy and her father in law. It’s about John Gotti who ordered the hit. It’s about mob business…the men’s business…so why it is on Mob Wives? I don’t blame Alicia for not wanting to be in a room with Karen under any circumstances…enough said. However, having said that, why isn’t Karen getting the opportunity to present her side or address Alicia on national television? And why are they exploiting Gravano mob history?

Alicia thinks she needs to speak to Renee, after dissing Karen to Ang and Drita, because Karen is Renee’s friend. Good thinking. And now Alicia is going rehash the bashing. Wait...did she really say Karen “gloats” about the victims her father murdered? This is really unbelievable! Thank you Renee for saying you and Karen are friends and Karen did a lot for you. Where was Alicia when you needed support? Surely she knew what you were going through from watching Mob Wives and reading the papers? Plenty of Renee’s trials and tribulations were in the news. And yet Renee’s answer to Alicia makes sense, you do not visit the sins of the father on the child. Karen is not responsible for anything Sammy did in the past.

I am going to wrap this up with my final thoughts. How can there be any good reason why Karen is not in this season? Someone in our blog family, MobBaby, suggested we should count all the times “Karen’” “Sammy,” and “Gravano” are spoken in the show. I am not rewatching the show to do that, but since Karen is an “unseen character,” maybe she should be paid a nice amount for each time each of their names come out of a cast member’s mouth? Because, after all, without her name, what else do they have to talk about?

And next week the fighting and brawls begin…grab your popcorn and see if any of it makes sense.

Picture credit: Alicia's Instagram

The Amazing Race 22: Recap Business in the Front/Party in the Back, Ep 1

Get Ready, Get Set, …Go…

This is the Amazing Race 22 featuring 11 teams with pre-existing relationships who race around the world and compete for a chance to win one million dollars.

This season’s cast includes the following teams and their relationships"

      

Idries & Jamil - The Twin Doctors                 

Max & Katie - The Newlyweds           

Mona & Beth - The Roller Derby Moms                

Bates & Anthony - The Hockey Brothers           

Chuck & Wynona - The Married Couple            

David & Connor - The Father/Son Cancer Survivors          

Caroline & Jennifer - The Friends/Country Singers                  

Joey & Meghan - The Friends/YouTube Hosts          

Pamela & Winnie - The Best Friends                  

Jessica & John - The Dating Couple                  

Matthew & Daniel - The Best Friends/Firefighters        

In the first leg of the race, the teams fly from Los Angeles, CA (Griffith Observatory) to Bora Bora (French Polynesia). The teams watch a video clue that will lead them to their next destination. The winners of the first leg of the race win an express pass and an opportunity to give an express pass to another team. The Express Pass, provides the team who earns it, the opportunity to skip a task – a crucial time saver.

Anthony Battaglia shows us his missing teeth – apparently lost in a hockey game.  Ironically, his grandfather’s nickname ‘Teets’, allegedly was given to Sam Battaglia, because he allegedly threatened to knock out people’s ‘teets’.

There are two available flights to Bora Bora and Team Battaglia is on the second flight, which will cost them, in terms of time.

The first roadblock involves skydiving. A Roadblock is a task that only one team member may perform. There is a certain limit on the number of roadblocks that any one person can perform throughout the race.

One member must skydive from a helicopter while the other takes a water taxi to the landing destination in order to receive the next clue.

The brothers muscle in and get their name on the helicopter list for the second crew that arrives. Anthony takes a whack at sky diving while Bates rides with the skipper in the water taxi.

At this point in the race, Jessica and John, the Dating Team, are in first place.

The next roadblock involves searching for a next clue located in one of hundreds of sand castles. Apparently it is very hot and working on the beach seems to be a daunting task. The Battaglia brothers arrive to this task in 6th place and leave in 2nd place and are on the lam moving on to the next destination. They definitely seem to be stand up guys.

The teams must now assemble a Polynesian Outrigger and sail to the pit stop.

Jessica and John are team number one, and win the express pass and the second express pass for another team of their choosing.

Bates and Anthony are Team number 2:
I bet that they have agita after this.

David and Connor are Team number 3:
If Jessica and John stick to their word, this team should get the 2nd express pass.

Pamela and Winnie are Team number 4.
Mona and Beth are Team number 5.
Joey and Meghan are Team number 6.

Chuck and Wyonna are Team number 7:
Wyonna is the late John Wayne’s grand-daughter.

Idries & Jamil is Team number 8.

The following three teams quit their task and two of them will take the penalty:

Max & Katie – team number 9

Caroline & Jennifer:
Caroline is Daniel Boone’s descendent – team number 10

Matthew & Daniel – have been eliminated from the race having ‘technically’ arrived in last place.

Next Week: Episode 2: Loose Lips Sink Ships (or you better follow the Omerta Code of Silence) You know what I mean - you big jamook.

Stay tuned to see if Jessica and John keep their promise to David and Connor or will they be double crossers?

Connor has an accident – can he continue with the race or is he a gonna swim with the fishes?

Watch the Amazing Race next Sunday on CBS, 8/7c.

Written By: Cousin Vinny

Staten Island Law: Recap of Episodes 1 & 2

Michele and Elura

Both episodes center around the lives and business of Elura (blonde) and Michele (brunette). This includes time spent with various members of their family or home life, food shopping, visiting a plastic surgeon for a consult, and visits to the salon. In Staten Island, they explain, you need to pay attention to four things clothes, hair, nails and makeup! The two legal mediators have very full lives and have to manage their time well to get it all done. While they go through the course of their day, they throw popular “Staten Islandisms” into the mix and explain the jargon used there. Actually, I found that very funny and knew most of the expressions even though I was born and raised in Brooklyn. Both women talk very fast so we are actually getting an hour’s worth of words in 30 minutes! 

Episode 1 centers around a pre-nuptial agreement of an engaged couple, Jamie and Pamela. If they can’t agree then there will be no wedding. They have dated for three years and have been engaged for 7 months. The issue is that Jamie is a saver and pays close attention to money. Pamela is a spender with little to no regard for the value of a dollar. They are both teachers, so I can understand why Jamie would be concerned. Jamie’s real issue is that his father left him a house and he is afraid, if God forbid things don’t go right in the marriage, he would lose it. He wants the pre-nup. Pamela can’t even stand the word pre-nup because she associates it with divorce and feels it sets a bad tone to the start of a marriage. She also shared that it showed Jamie didn’t trust her. They tell all this to Elura and Michele. The mediators head over to their hair salon to discuss this issue and get “advice” from hairdressers and clients. In between the consultations, both separately and together, the ladies have time for family. They pop in to see Uncle Jerry, who is selling his business, I think it’s plumbing parts, and needs legal assistance (for free). The family calls her the “consigliore.” Michele’s mom invites everyone for Sunday dinner at 4 PM, a nice pot of sauce.  More issues are discussed concerning Pamela’s spending. She wants a specific dress that costs 10 to 20 thousand dollars, she has 300 guests invited to the wedding at a pricey place AND the honeymoon to Bora Bora to stay in a hut, which will run about 20 thousand too. Overall they estimate her dream wedding will cost the couple $100,000! 

The resolution. Michele and Elura explain what a pre-nup actually is and what the law is. The law says that any property you owned before the marriage you keep, it’s called “separate property.” Any property acquired during the marriage is called “marital property,” and would be divided. Jamie is relieved to hear that and decides he doesn’t need a pre-nup after all. Now, in addition, they have devised a budget plan for Pamela to curb her spending and teach her good habits in the future. She will have three separate accounts one for savings, one for household expenses, and a fun account. This is because the couple’s philosophy on money matters is so far apart. They want her to consider a different, less expensive dress and another location that is less expensive, with huts, for the honeymoon. Everyone is happy!

Premiere Celebration Cake!

Episode 2 focuses on an employer, employee dispute at a barber shop. But first the ladies make time to go shopping for bras and let us know that unfortunately, a 34DDD only comes in plain colors and design. While there, Michele announces that she thinks she needs plastic surgery for her boobs and stomach. She gained a lot of weight during pregnancy and even though she lost most of it, she has lose skin and other issues. Back to the dispute. Mike, the owner of the barber shop, feels that Tony, a great hair stylist, isn’t pulling his weight. He comes in late, he leaves when there are customers waiting and he is losing money. Tony explains that the place is poorly managed and that why both he and Mike are both losing money. It seems Andrew, at the front desk, assigns all the customers to Mike and Tony sits there doing nothing. When people get tired of waiting they leave. Tony says that has to change or he is leaving. Mike wants it to change, he wants to keep Tony. Everyone feels bad for Andrew, he is a good kid, but isn’t being efficient. 

So while they ponder what to do about the Barber Shop issue, the ladies go for a consult with Dr. Colen. Michele explains what she wants and shows the doctor who tells her what can be done. She sends Michele home to think about it so she doesn’t decide on impulse. Then the ladies visit their salon for more advice on this barber situation from hairdressers and clients. Michele and Elura meet with Tony and Mike and rehash all the issues. Then they propose their resolution. Tony should be made manager for a month, in which time he has to train Andrew to handle the customers more efficiently. If Andrew can’t grasp the concept of a more equal distribution, he has to go, nice kid or not. It’s a business decision. Otherwise Tony will leave and that will hurt business even more. Both Mike and Tony seem content with this plan. 

Both issues are tied up with a nice red bow and there is plenty of time for all the other things too…all in 30 minutes an episode.

MY TWO CENTS:

First the positive. I love the two ladies, their background story, and friendship. They have great personalities for television. I love the premise of the show, that they go around mediating people’s problems and solve them in 30 minutes. Of course I know we are seeing the edited version and more time must go into the mediation than we are seeing. I love the idea of Staten Island, the accents and lingo used there. I relate to all of that. OWN should be credited with a great original idea for a reality show! But what’s my problem?

Well, frankly, I think they are trying too hard to do too much in 30 minutes. I feel like I am in a race car. The ladies talk very fast. They are used to listening to each other and probably read each other’s minds at times, but we are not. You have to pay close attention or you will miss something. I also think that there should be more quality time spent on the mediation process. This is an opportunity to be entertaining as well as educational. The viewers can actually learn something from the legal issues that come up. The time that is being spent on other things, for example food shopping, would be better spent advising and consulting the people needing mediation, in my opinion.

Another thing that bugged me was why did these legal experts took their clients issues to the salon to brain storm and discuss it? I am not sure what the purpose of that is, but if I was a client I wouldn’t like it. I would prefer to see the two of them spend time discussing it and brainstorming together. They are the experts. I don’t want salon people giving input on my issues, I could get a hair cut and advice myself, at my own salon, for free.

Overall, I liked the show and it’s off to a good start. If you can catch it on reruns, you should definitely give it a try.  However, like all new shows, it needs feedback and some tweaking to improve it. You may agree with me or not, either way I would love your comments!

Picture Credit: Elura's Twitter, OWN

Mob Wives: “Junkie-Gate,” Carla’s Scandal

Carla's 46th Birthday & Masquerade Party

Makes me think of the song, "You Can't Hide Your Lying Eyes"

The word “junkie” is very offensive and meant to be. There has been a lot of discussion of Carla’s use of the word since the show aired. I have watched Mob Wives from day one and have probably seen each episode at least twice. There are scenes I have watched over and over to get facts straight for the blog I am writing. I love good quotes, so I pay attention to words and how they are used. Which brings me to episode one of season three, “Mob Knives.” I was so busy taking notes I could not count the number of times Carla was filmed calling Renee a “junkie.” Considering the show is about 40 minutes long, minus commercials, it felt like she was saying in every 3 minutes. Well guess what? I wasn’t too far off from my estimate.

Many fans and viewers of the show, not to mention Renee’s family and friends, were appalled and disgusted at the use of the word “junkie.” It became more and more offensive every time Carla screamed it out. Her insensitivity and total lack of compassion for Renee, who was suffering from a disease, is disgraceful. Drita said she felt uncomfortable and even surprised that Carla would insult Renee that way after all she had been through. Drita even said she wouldn’t add her “two cents” (hmmmm, I wonder where she got that expression?). Big Ang said, she didn’t like the word “junkie” and that they shouldn’t be calling her names, they should be helping her. And those are Carla’s friends talking! 

I was curious, as were many others, as to how many times Carla Dearest used the word “junkie” in the episode, but I already watched it twice and couldn’t go through it again for an accurate count. I got a volunteer from my Twitter audience, @TWEETPOLICE, to watch the show and do a count for me. In 40 minutes, it is reported that Carla used the word “junkie” 13 times, which is an average of once every three minutes! We don’t have any clue how many times she said it and it was edited it out or re-shot. And she even threw in the words “junk box” two times, and “pill popper” three times. Talk about kicking someone when they are down! This happened all before Renee went to rehab, so she was probably at her lowest point of her addiction. Way to go Carla!

I’m not too surprised at anything Carla says or does because she is generally so conceited and full of herself. It’s all about her, and as long as she isn’t hurting anyone, that’s fine. But, I have to say, even I was surprised at her personal attack on Renee. If she had said the word “junkie” once or even twice, in anger, I would still think it was wrong because addiction is a disease, but it would have only served to point out her own ignorance. However, thirteen times is really overkill. If we, as viewers, were shocked and upset for Renee, I can only imagine how AJ, her mom and sisters were feeling watching the show.

Carla called Renee a “junkie” 13 times, that includes one from the preview. Now that you know the “score,” does it change your opinion of Carla? Please feel free to comment, we would like to know your thoughts.

Picture Credit: Twitter

Mob Wives: Recap “Mob Knives,” Ep 301

The whole reason for the title!

Her face & neck are showing signs of aging, oops.

On the boardwalk, Drita and Carla are walking when Drita recalls spending time there with Lee when he was with the South Beach Boys and ran the area. Carla says she went to see Big Ang and she told her that AJ has to spend a lot more time in rehab, 18 to 24 months. Carla says he could have been dead on the streets. Drita wants her kids to have a better life. Then Drita asks Carla if she has seen Renee. Carla says, “No, thank God, but I heard she has a problem with me, get over it, get a life. Someone must have gotten in her ear.  I’m done with her. She’s a f*ckin clown. She pops a pill. She’s never happy. Depends what pill she was poppin’ that day. Renee is a junk box, when she takes drugs she takes things out on everyone, especially me.” Drita says she is not comfortable with the conversation. Renee has had such a tough time this year with everything she is surprised at Carla for talking this way.  She says she has no problems with Renee and she wants to keep it that way.

At Renee’s house the locksmith is there because someone broke into the house while Renee was on a trip to Atlantic City. Renee says she had a security camera in the attic out of sight. Renee thinks it was a personal attack. She tells AJ she thinks the house was being watched and she wants her home to be secure. Renee says she feels very unsafe since Junior cooperated with the government. She wants a gun. She says she saw a black car with three guys in it watching her house. AJ doesn’t seem to take her seriously. Renee is agitated and seems to blame Junior. AJ says he knows what his father did was wrong but it’s over and he wants his mother to move on. AJ tells Renee he wants her to respect him and to stop talking about his dad. Renee wants AJ to respect her father, who is 72, and has been sent back to prison because of Junior.

Love is a keeper!

At Big Ang’s house, Love Majewski arrives! Big Ang says she knows Love for 20 years and that she went to high school with Karen and Ramona. Love says she was engaged to Ray Merolle, who allegedly ran a car theft ring called the Untouchables. Love and Big Ang catch up. Big Ang tells her it’s been a horror that AJ got in trouble, was arrested and is in a drug program. Big Ang is glad Love is back. Love asks about the girls. Big Ang tells her that Renee and Carla have big issues, they are at each other‘s throats. Love says she has her own issue with Renee. In the past Renee accused Love of sleeping with Junior and Love felt disrespected. Love was very upset about that. Big Ang says she is inviting the girls over to the Monkey. Love is anxious to see all her friends.

Renee's attitude with Carla "Mafia Wars? I win bitch!"

Renee and Drita meet and hug at a restaurant. Renee shows off her nice ass. Renee tells her that her house was robbed. All the pictures were thrown across the room and ripped. Her bedroom and AJ’s bedroom were destroyed. Her pillow was slashed. The Bible was on the floor. It felt personal. A lot of people were unhappy about Junior being a rat. This feels like a message is being sent to his family. Drita says Lee is coming home soon, within six months. Renee predicts they will get back together. They get on to the topic of Carla. Renee says Carla is a sneaky, conniving, whore, filthy, husband f*cking douche bag. She has more traffic than the Holland Tunnel. Renee tells Drita that she caught Carla blatantly moving in on her friend’s man. Renee makes it clear that Carla slept with a lot of married men. Renee says she has no respect for her. Drita asks if she wants to talk to her about it. “Talk to her? I’ll rip her f*cking throat out!“ Renee says there is nothing to say except, “F*ck you, you filthy c*nt.” Drita thinks there is more to Renee’s anger. Renee then tells her that Carla told people Renee chopped up her body to look like her. Drita tells Renee that Carla called her a “junkie.”  Renee looks disgusted and says, “You want to go to war with me? You know what war with me is?”

Ramona has great maternal instincts!

Ramona and her daughters have a little fun in some racing cars and then she wants to have a little talk with them about family matters. She tells them they have to move because the owner is selling the house. They may move into an apartment and have to share a room. Joe is still in prison so they won’t be getting married as planned. She gets no support from their father who left them penniless. Right now they are in limbo over a lot of things.

Carla and Drita meet to eat. Drita can’t wait to tell her about her meeting with Renee. Drita says Renee told her that Carla has a problem with married men. Carla denies it. She says she has had boyfriends her whole life and never with someone else’s man. Drita tells her Renee says she heard Carla told people Renee had surgery to look like Carla. Carla says she never said that and “she could never look like me if she got 100 surgeries. She never had surgery on her face, she looks like a clown…everything that comes out of her mouth is a lie or she makes up in her head. She is a lying little bitch…a pill poppin’ bitch!”

Big Ang has surgery on six toes and they are wrapped up. Drita stops by and is disgusted by the sight of the toes and blood. Drita is there to tell her about Renee and Carla. Big Ang asks if Carla talked about Renee. Drita says she ripped her. She says Carla destroyed Renee and Renee says Carla bashed her son. Renee says Carla is a ho for money. Big Ang says what does Renee care who sleeps with who? Drita says, but Carla is turning around in retaliation and Carla can be ruthless. Big Ang wants them to straighten things out, like the nice ladies that they are, and clear the air.

At the Drunken Monkey Renee tells Big Ang and Karen that Carla is running her mouth and calling her a “junkie.” Karen says Carla is an antagonizer. Love shows up and hugs Karen. Renee is upset to see Love there and Karen feels like she is caught in the middle. Renee tells Big Ang and Karen to take a walk so she can talk to Love. Renee says the last time they spoke it was about the rumors she heard from 10 different people that Love slept with Junior. Renee tells Love that she is a little crazy. Love says why would I sleep with Junior, I only met him two or three times. He ain’t no prize in her book. There was an incident Love explains, where one of her ex-boyfriends put his hands on her and Junior stepped in to defend her, that was it. Love says she never slept with a married man. Renee says because Junior is a “lying, conniving no good piece of shit,” she doesn’t care any more about this situation and she is letting it go.

The BRUNCH at Big Ang’s house. D-Day = Dumb Bitch day! The sit down with Renee and Carla is on an poppin’. Drita and Big Ang are waiting for them to show up. Carla and Renee both hate each other, but agree to go. Renee arrives first, she seems happy and hugs Drita. Then Carla arrives. Renee is ready to give Carla a piece of her mind and deal with her head on. Carla strolls in and coyly says, “What’s up?” TENSION! 

The NEW peacemaker! Loving it!

Carla thinks Renee picks on her. Renee gets the conversation off the ground with her first issue. She reminds Carla of the time they were at the club and Carla was talking to a man who was with Renee’s friend. The man was taken, but Renee, her cousin and 2 other friends saw Carla following him around the club. Renee was implying Carla was going after him. Carla starts screaming that he was following her and he wouldn’t leave her alone. Renee says then you should have walked back to where the woman was. Drita says she is there to keep the peace and make sure there is no violence, not to add her two cents. Renee calls Carla a “go to” girl. Renee addresses her next issue with Carla. She tells her she is upset that she is going all over town calling her a junkie. Carla says, “you are a junkie.” Renee turns to Big Ang and says, “Did you know your son is a junkie?” Carla says he isn’t a junkie because he is getting help. Big Ang says to Carla she doesn’t like the word junkie, her son has a problem. Renee says, “I’m an addict.” She says it’s due to the pain after her surgery and trying to cope with Junior’s betrayal of her father and family. Carla says that everything Renee says and does has to do with her addiction. Renee counters with saying Carla sleeps with married men. Big Ang doesn’t think it’s Renee’s business. Carla picks up her butter knife and points is at Renee. Renee tells her to put the knife down! Carla says, “I’d like to stab you right now!” Renee says, “Do it! I’m telling you to do it!” Big Ang says, “Carla grew some balls!”

The Renee gets to the last issue. She tells Carla I don’t like how you verbally assaulted my son on Twitter. Carla says he is not a child. Now Carla wants to talk about Twitter and calls Renee a Mother F*cking hypocrite. Carla smugly says that Renee doesn’t know how much BS she knows about her and has on her. Carla says Renee is saying things that aren’t true while she only said one thing that was true about Renee. Renee says Carla never admits to anything. Renee tells her, “you have the f*cking mentality of a gnat!” Carla says, “You have the f*cking mentality of a junkie.”

Renee hates being called a junkie again and says Carla is a low down fckin’ bitch. 

Big Ang says we accomplished nothing. They both said how much they hate each other. Renee says we can walk past each other and never say a word. Drita says we are done.

Carla think she won the argument. Renee is happy she let Carla know how much she doesn’t like her.

MY TWO CENTS:

I got up at 6 am this morning because this recap was haunting me. Last night, when I complimented Jennifer Graziano on an explosive episode she answered, “Thanks, but it hurt.” And I can imagine the things Carla was saying about her sister, Renee, did cut deep, deeper than a “butter knife.” We all saw what happened. I even watched the show twice and I’m know I still missed things. I’m sure fans of the show all felt bad for Renee too. I can only wonder how she will feel watching this episode and knowing her son, family and friends will see it. It’s going to hurt a lot of people. 

Since we all saw what happened and it was basically the same issue throughout the show, I am going to break my thoughts down, mob wife by mob wife, to make is easier.

We didn’t see much of Karen, though she looked great from what little I did see. She was there to welcome Love back to Staten Island and the show. 

Ramona did a scene with her children. I think Ramona’s being totally honest with her kids is great parenting. Kids have a way of knowing things, even if they don’t say anything. I agree with her parenting style of being upfront with her children and keeping the lines of communication open. I hope their lives get settled soon and they are out of limbo.

Love Majewski made her debut on the show last night. It was great to finally see her on the show and she seemed to fit right in with the rest of the cast. That probably has to a lot to do with the long history they all share, they are comfortable with each other. I’m glad Love’s issue with Renee was quickly resolved. Love handled it well. I believe Love had no interest in Junior at all and that nothing happened between them. It was smart of Renee to let go of any resentment she may had had towards Love because she needs to focus her energy for more important things. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more of Love in upcoming episodes!

Big Ang has learned nothing from previous seasons. Her heart may be in the right place, but how in the world did she think Renee and Carla could sit down and work things out? It wasn’t even remotely possible after everything Carla said about Renee. I think it would have been better if Big Ang called Carla and had a sit down one on one with her to discuss her behavior and her use of the word “junkie.” I am so glad she told Carla she didn’t like the word. Carla looked down and I think she said she was sorry, but I can’t be sure. What the hell is Carla thinking anyway? She knows Big Ang’s son is in rehab and has a problem. And Carla just had that conversation with Big Ang and Drita. Big Ang states, “We should be helping her instead of calling her junkie.”  I’ll get to Carla later.

Drita! How refreshing to see a new and improved Drita! Who would have thought that our world class fighter would turn into a peacemaker? Not me. But, I am here to give credit where credit is due. When Drita was talking to Renee and Carla, she didn’t say anything to “stir the pot” either. She just listened and spoke up when they were being harsh with their words. She even said she was at the brunch to keep the peace and intervene if there was any violence. My very favorite line, though I didn’t catch it word for word, was her comment about Carla. Drita said she was surprised that Carla would talk that way about Renee knowing everything that Renee has been through. I could not have said it better myself. I like the new Drita! I just want to say that Drita has no reason to dislike me really. My criticism of her fighting is the same way she feels about it, namely, it’s inappropriate behavior for a grown woman and mother. We were really on the same page all along. Maybe someone will tell her I am giving her credit in this episode? However, she hasn’t run into Ramona and Karen yet, so we will see if the truce can be maintained by all three.

As for Renee, she just showed us what a strong woman she really is. She has been to hell and back, just in the time we have known her from the show. How many things have happened to her the last two years? We’ve all seen it, she hid nothing from the cameras. And yet, she is still fighting and staying strong. She admits to having an addiction, to getting help to try to get healthy for her son, AJ, and be a better mother. She needs the support of her family and friends and the people around her. What she doesn’t need is more stress or someone making it more difficult for her to cope with her illness…enter filler Carla…last and definitely least.

My gut instinct, when I saw Carla in the first couple of episodes was that I didn’t like her. Why? She is full of herself, insincere, cold, unfeeling, a liar, shows no compassion, shall I go on? Well, last night she showed her true colors in all their glory. I hope her fans took notes. I did. She was supposed to be Renee’s friend? She knows everything Renee has been through and yet how many times did she call Renee a “junkie?” I lost count. Lord knows how many more times she said it around Staten Island and how many more times it ended up on the cutting room floor during filming? Really? Was Carla trying to make Renee look bad? All she succeeded in doing was making herself look bad. Let’s face it, Carla is unarmed intellectually and on top of that, she shoots herself in the foot with her own mouth. Doesn’t she realize how many people have substance abuse problems in this country? How many of her own fans may be suffering from the same illness as Renee? How many of her fans know someone they love who is going through these issues? Why not alienate everyone with her use of the word “junkie?” And you can bet if she said it about Renee, she will say it about anyone who has a problem. It doesn’t sit well with me that she would hit Renee below the belt so many times and think nothing of it. She is callous. 

I wonder how this will affect her other business opportunities? Do you want a spokesperson for Wives for Wines or whatever they call themselves, who throws the word junkie around so freely? Do you want her to make a personal appearance at your establishment to draw in a crowd? Maybe some disgruntled people from AA will show up to give her a piece of their minds? 

How smart is Carla? She can’t be too bright if she is verbally abusing the Executive Producer’s sister on national television, can she? Does she even think of the repercussions this may have on her own children? A lot of people watch Mob Wives and they talk about the show. But then again, I have found that Carla thinks of no one but herself. She proves it every episode. I can only wonder how, the “ruthless” Carla with a “new set of balls” is going to get along with the new “peacemaker” Drita? Hmmmm…

Speaking of “balls,” the only set of balls I give Carla credit for having is a big pair of Home Wrecking Balls! Carla blatantly lied last night when she said she had boyfriends, but she was never with anyone’s man. Liar, liar pants on fire…AGAIN! Carla forgets that Michael “Mickey Scars” Di Leonardo was married to Toni Marie Ricci when she was his mistress, and she helped to break up his home. Oh, and did she conveniently forget that her husband, Joe Ferragamo, was also married when she started sleeping with him? I know there are many out there who claim to have a list of married men that Carla has allegedly been with and I believe it. I have heard this from more than one source. Carla is just a liar, you can’t believe her if her tongue came notarized. Just last month she said she had no boyfriend, even though some say she has been with Derek for four years now. All of a sudden, last night she admits she has a boyfriend and hopes he will be on the show. Jennifer please tell me that’s not happening! She started the first season with a lie saying she was 35 when she was 44. She lied to Joy Behar that her only connection to the mob was her uncle Bruno, when her own father, Louis, was an associate. Oh, she never answered the question about hair extensions, but now we know her gorgeous hair is fake too. 

I better end this blog, it’s the longest one I’ve written. I just want to say if Carla meant to hurt Renee with her derogatory and defamatory language (someone translate this for her), she probably did. But you know who else Carla hurt? She hurt every member of Renee’s family, her son, AJ, her mother, her sisters, all Renee’s friends and fans. As Jennifer said to me, “it hurt.” And you know who I bet it hurt most of all, Carla. Not in the same way maybe, but hopefully career wise and popularity wise, it took her down a few pegs. Words hurt. Once they are out there they can never, ever be taken back. So I hope her fans are appalled and disgusted by her behavior last night and let her know about it. That’s the only thing that will make a difference, her knowing she offended fans. Will they be calling me a “hater” this morning…or will they be saving their criticism for Carla? Let’s see.  

What do you think? I’d love to read your comments. Let me know if I left anything out!

I couldn't help but notice the bags under these soon to be 46 year old eyes!

P.S. The bags under Carla’s eyes were especially bad last night. Maybe she should consult with skin and makeup experts Karen and Love?

Picture Credit: VH1

Real Housewives of New York: What The Hell Moments S5E1?

Welcome to "Ramona Singer's World" Plus Pinot

I took this new, fifth season of Real Housewives of New York upon myself for the sole purpose of making fun of the petty drama. I have the say, this torturous, 90 minute premiere was worse than I could have possibly imagined and thirty minutes into it I regretted saying I would watch and blog it. First of all, they should rename the show “Ramona Singer’s World” because either she is talking or being talked about. She has to be way up on the list of rude and obnoxious people ever born. Her husband is not far from it. What the hell is Andy Cohen thinking keeping her on the show and getting rid of Jill?

The show gets off to a boorish start when Ramona arrives at Sonja’s party with TWO bottles of pinot, one for herself and one for the party! I think she drank one before she arrived. Mario, probably the only man that could stand Ramona full time, insults LuAnn immediately by congratulating her on her “ring” which he assumes to be an engagement ring and then, when corrected, proceeds to say, that’s what they are all waiting for…like it’s his business.

The three new wives, Heather, Aviva and Carole (even though I had a hard time finding Carole) were sane, rational and polite so far. Apparently, although they were selected to be on the show, they didn’t bother to go back and watch past episodes to see who they were dealing with; that’s how it appeared to me. Ramona was on her worst behavior last night. She even made LuAnn and Sonja look good. Ugh! Even LuAnn! What the hell?

Ramona cannot admit being wrong, what else is new?

Luckily for me, I happened to be watching last season when Ramona made some terrible remarks about LuAnn’s parenting, saying she was only a weekend parent and that Ramona herself, spent a lot of time with her own daughter which is why she turned out so well. Poor kid. LuAnn took offense to that, as any mother would, because Ramona clearly implied that LuAnn’s daughter was not raised properly and therefore was not as “good” as her daughter. LuAnn decides to confront Ramona about this at Sonja’s party, but Ramona makes a run for it. She complains about chest pain and then makes fun of LuAnn, as she tells Mario how she was scolded and told to say she was sorry. Then we later see an art exhibit for Victoria, LuAnn’s daughter. Even though it takes place in the garage, the girl has real artistic talent and that fact makes Ramona look like an ass on two counts. One because she has the audacity to attack the child of a cast member and two because Victoria obviously has a gift and is off to a great start for someone so young. It left me thinking, what the hell is Ramona talking about?

In another scene, Ramona supposedly called LuAnn and tries to blackmail her over something that happened at her son’s 15th birthday party. Seriously? A fit-to-be-tied Luann was rattling off the details of the phone call to the new wives, before running off to settle the score with Ramona. Ramona must be talking out of her pinot filled ass again, that’s all I can figure. She has managed to alienate all three new women by bringing up Luann’s kids, not once, but twice.

If there was an award for lack of sensitivity and compassion it would surely go to Ramona. The three new wives all have dealt with some tragic life issues. We learn that Aviva lost her leg in a farm accident with a piece of equipment; Carole lost her husband to cancer; and Heather’s son needed a liver transplant when he was six months old. Even though her son is six years old, the trauma of the ordeal clearly remains with Heather as she finds every opportunity to tell the story over and over, and one of those moments is with Ramona. More proof she hadn’t watched previous season episodes! Ramona begins to play the game “can you top this” and follows Heather’s story with her own story, that no one freaking cares about, how Avery was born with the umbilical cord around her neck. 

The things I could have really done without include: Heather’s show and tell session regarding her fake legs, one is tan, one is flat and one for heels, after that I lost count. All the talk about “Harry,” Sonja’s ex who is also Aviva’s ex, and Ramona’s ironic audacity in giving Carole an etiquette lesson on how to “listen” when someone else is speaking, particularly Mario! What the hell does Mario have to say that anyone wants to hear? Come to think of it, what does Ramona have to say that we wouldn’t trade for a glass of pinot?

The three new wives discussing Ramona, the boor!

The fact is that Ramona has alienated everyone with her boorish, obnoxiously rude behavior. She insults LuAnn and her children, she attacks and embarrasses Sonja across the dinner table because she referred to Harry as her husband and not her “ex,” and totally alienates the three new women in one scene or another. Way to get season five off to a great start! NOT!

I didn’t get many laughs out of this at all. I assume that all the women will soon have enough of Ramona’s big mouth and then they will give her a piece of their minds, which believe me, she can use all the pieces she can get. Her original brain cells seem to have disintegrated from her continued drinking of her pinot. Maybe she thinks she is preserving them in alcohol? 

I am not promising I will continue watching, I may or I may not. If someone can tell me, ahead of time, that Ramona is going to get ganged up on by the others, I will tune in. So much for this premiere. 

Can Mob Wives Chicago come fast enough for me? No. Now let us pray that Mob Mistress has a Mob Wives Blog sitting in the wings, shall we?