BLOGS
I had high hopes for this series, as I've grown to really love particularly the New York and OC installments (I'm getting there with Atlanta. Maybe this season I'll develop a proper obsession), but so far I pretty much hate this show. I know we're only five episodes in, but these five episodes have offered far less compelling material than the first five episodes of each of the other franchise's debut seasons. I'm definitely excited about watching them threaten to pummel each other next Tuesday, but man, what a letdown the first five episodes of this show have been. I've tried to explore the roots of the problem.
I Don't Understand Why I'm Supposed to Hate Danielle
Don't get me wrong -- I don't like the woman by any means, but she's just so sad, lonely, desperate, delusional and miserable that she's really someone you feel sorry for, not someone you hate. She doesn't even have the respect of her own daughters, she's so damn pathetic. She's been positioned as the show's villain by these women, but suffice it to say that Kelly Killoren Bensimon she is not.
There's Not Enough Conflict
They're all this close-knit family of best friends who just passionately hate Danielle because... why, exactly? Because 25 fricking years ago she was involved in some terrible things and she hooks up with a 25-year-old, who they are all friends with? I'm sure she's lying about her minimal involvement in the crimes she was charged for, and that's a very annoying thing, but I can understand why she'd lie. There's no evidence whatsoever that she's involved with crime now, or has been recently, and they're drama queening out about stuff she did when she was 20. It's not like coming clean about ancient history would shut them up. And even if this were a valid thing to fight about, it's the only thing anybody's really fighting about, which is boring and just seems produced.
They're Not Funny
They're just not. There's no Nene, no Vicki, no Jill Zarin, no Bethenny, nobody who makes me laugh. "Bubbies" is literally their best material. Fail.
Too Much Focus on the Kids
The OC has this problem too, but at least Kara is witty and outrageously conservative, Vicki's daughter is a saint we all adore, and Lauri's Josh had a lot of real-life, legit drama to add to the show. These Jersey kids, on the other hand, are even duller than their parents. They just kind of go to photoshoots a lot and tell their maids to call them "Your majesty?" Less screentime for them, STAT.
What the Hell is That Nice One Doing Here?
The OC installment could get away with the few "nice girls" they've had -- Kimberly, Tammy, to a lesser extent, and the old, pre-monster Jeana -- but that's not what this franchise is about anymore. Atlanta and New York changed everything, and Jacqueline's whole I-refuse-to-gossip and I'm-too-spineless-to-stand-up-to-my-family thing is so out of place, even is she does contradict herself by loving to listen to gossip at times. Either get into shit or get off the show, lady.
Teresa Serves No Purpose
This actually speaks to a larger problem with this show -- there's a casting redundancy happening here. I don't get anything from Teresa that I don't already get from the other girls, and while I don't expect them all to be as distinctly different as the New York or Atlanta housewives, you need to bring more to the table besides being flat-chested for four-and-a-half episodes.
They're All Related
I think it hurts potential storylines to have three members of the central cast have to automatically side with each other no matter what because of some faux-mafia family code. Jacqueline clearly thinks Dina and Caroline are bitches, because they are, and she'd never be allowed to say so for fear of being disowned or something. That's frustrating.
And this is the least of the show's problems, but the girls need a new catchphrase. The aforementioned "Bubbies" is grating on my last nerve.
What do you think? Hating the show, loving the show? Let it all out below! P.S. Here's a preview of next week's season finale.
Don't get me wrong -- I don't like the woman by any means, but she's just so sad, lonely, desperate, delusional and miserable that she's really someone you feel sorry for, not someone you hate. She doesn't even have the respect of her own daughters, she's so damn pathetic. She's been positioned as the show's villain by these women, but suffice it to say that Kelly Killoren Bensimon she is not.
There's Not Enough Conflict
They're all this close-knit family of best friends who just passionately hate Danielle because... why, exactly? Because 25 fricking years ago she was involved in some terrible things and she hooks up with a 25-year-old, who they are all friends with? I'm sure she's lying about her minimal involvement in the crimes she was charged for, and that's a very annoying thing, but I can understand why she'd lie. There's no evidence whatsoever that she's involved with crime now, or has been recently, and they're drama queening out about stuff she did when she was 20. It's not like coming clean about ancient history would shut them up. And even if this were a valid thing to fight about, it's the only thing anybody's really fighting about, which is boring and just seems produced.
They're Not Funny
They're just not. There's no Nene, no Vicki, no Jill Zarin, no Bethenny, nobody who makes me laugh. "Bubbies" is literally their best material. Fail.
Too Much Focus on the Kids
The OC has this problem too, but at least Kara is witty and outrageously conservative, Vicki's daughter is a saint we all adore, and Lauri's Josh had a lot of real-life, legit drama to add to the show. These Jersey kids, on the other hand, are even duller than their parents. They just kind of go to photoshoots a lot and tell their maids to call them "Your majesty?" Less screentime for them, STAT.
What the Hell is That Nice One Doing Here?
The OC installment could get away with the few "nice girls" they've had -- Kimberly, Tammy, to a lesser extent, and the old, pre-monster Jeana -- but that's not what this franchise is about anymore. Atlanta and New York changed everything, and Jacqueline's whole I-refuse-to-gossip and I'm-too-spineless-to-stand-up-to-my-family thing is so out of place, even is she does contradict herself by loving to listen to gossip at times. Either get into shit or get off the show, lady.
Teresa Serves No Purpose
This actually speaks to a larger problem with this show -- there's a casting redundancy happening here. I don't get anything from Teresa that I don't already get from the other girls, and while I don't expect them all to be as distinctly different as the New York or Atlanta housewives, you need to bring more to the table besides being flat-chested for four-and-a-half episodes.
They're All Related
I think it hurts potential storylines to have three members of the central cast have to automatically side with each other no matter what because of some faux-mafia family code. Jacqueline clearly thinks Dina and Caroline are bitches, because they are, and she'd never be allowed to say so for fear of being disowned or something. That's frustrating.
And this is the least of the show's problems, but the girls need a new catchphrase. The aforementioned "Bubbies" is grating on my last nerve.
What do you think? Hating the show, loving the show? Let it all out below! P.S. Here's a preview of next week's season finale.
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I find it SO boring I watched after episode 3-its all about nothing, they DO nothing, they SAY nothing of interest. B.O.R.I.N.G.
The Housewives series are a very guilty pleasure for me, but the NJ assortment falls flat. I think the primary reason is they tried too hard to cast a story, as opposed to casting a bunch of characters and letting them interact.
The OC was magic because of the fakeness of SoCal (sorry CA residents) and how the very tenuous connection the ladies had became THE BEST FRIENDSHIP EVER. Also Jo and Slade were delicious viewing.
NYC was great because all of those ladies are big-c-Characters. Most of them didn't know each other (or only passingly acquainted) which made it sort of awesome to watch them work to integrate very different social circles in a very rigid social environment.
Atlanta was interesting mostly just because of Nene. I don't think ATL was that awesome, but maybe that's because seeing a more painful cartoon of a gay man than Andy Cohen turns me off.
Anyway, NJ is just sort of annoying. They clearly assembled a cast with a story in mind, and that story is really lame. Letting drama unfold organically as ladies become complete psychotic attention-seekers is the reason why the first three series were good in the first place.
Wow, I feel like I've been watching a completely different show than all of you - I LOVE IT!
The NJ gals are so beyond ridiculous and it's entertaining in a way that's much more enjoyable than the wives of the OC or ATL. I mean c'mon - Teresa pays for $40K worth of the fugliest furniture in CASH; Dina has the most delusional inflated ego of all time; Caroline is a very scary mama tiger. So kooky. One of the most interesting things for me has been the family dynamic that this version brings that the others don't have. Jacqueline's struggle to balance family vs. friends keeps me tuned in.
The NYC edition of this show will always be #1 in my guilty-pleasure filled heart, but the NJ Manzos and friends are a close second.
The show just isn't that organic for me. While there's nothing "real" about the Housewives' shows, their situations tend to unfold in unexpected ways...like Simon showing up to a girls-only dinner party. Sure, the producers throw them together a lot but what happens is pretty consistent with the Watch What Happens theme.
NJ is predictable. Like, 100%. It's clear why they picked the ensemble and that they had already pre-planned drama. Maybe I've watched too much Top Chef, but canned drama just isn't the same as freshly grown organic drama.
I love the RHONJ! I think it's because they're more "real" ... I guess I watch it for different reasons than others. I got to hating the NYC ladies -- everything was created for drama and they were all so self-aware. The NJ ladies are pretty normal, aside from throwing money around ridiculously. I think several of them are genuinely sweet, too. And aren't Caroline's boys hilarious??
i couldn't disagree more! i have been loving nj. danielle is great because she ISN'T a villain as much as she's inappropriate and annoying. she is totally pitiful and weird and sad but the others (save jacqueline) treat her like the "villain" because they're all on one team and she isn't and they're so damn mean. i think that it's an very interesting dynamic. and finally, teresa has no purpose? if she wasn't there, who would build a house out of diamonds or whatever? or pay for EVERYTHING in cash? or creatively try to cover the fact that she has no forehead every time she leaves the house? sigh... i can't believe it's almost over. i love that show.
Real housewives of NJ is a reach. It's boring. I hate the accent. Danielle is crazy and hard to watch. Jacqueline is boring. Theresa is trying to hard. I can't wait until Atlanta comes back!!!!
I think it would be better if the family was forced to interact with Danielle. Its lame because they don't even hang out with her. Even though Bethenny and Kelly hated each other in NYC they still showed up to the same events. These women just shop and sit on the couch and talk about Danielle.
I hate the Atlanta show, but NJ isn't a total loss on me. They are wackadoodle, for sure.
I was looking forward to RHONJ, but it is so boring it puts me to sleep. The issues they deal with are not compelling (like Atlanta, OC), they don't have interesting jobs (like NY, OC) or over the top lifestyles (like Atlanta, NY). And the women are just not smart or witty enough. You need real characters like Nene, Tamara, Vicki, Ramona, Simon or Bethenny to keep viewers watching and these ladies just don't make the cut.
NJ is my favorite so far with NYC coming in second. Hate OC and Atlanta.. well cept for Nene... wouldnt watch it again!
Kara is witty? I must have missed that. Admittedly she tries. Too hard. But she comes off as little more than an annoying, boring, spoiled twit.
Have to admit I love this one too. A lot more than OC, especially. But then again I like to watch these shows for the trainwreck potential and this one's got a lot. I also find myself kind of loving Caroline - sure there are ridiculous parts but she seems far more grounded in reality than any of the rest of them.
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I don't see how this one has any trainwreck potential. Its "crazies" aren't really so crazy. There is no crazy Vicki or Nene or Ramona to do something utterly insane and random to stir up drama.
It's basically three bullies, a submissive female stereotype, and a real-world-crazy (and probably from abuse) lady who is more sad than interesting.
The whole point of these shows is to escape reality. These ultra-rich "real" ladies do wacky stuff. The thing is, the girls in NJ aren't in that same fantasy world. Maybe it's all the mob connections, but it's too much like real life and too much like watching an abusive family ostracize its own for the typical abusive family reasons.
I have enough of that IRL.
You would have to have the mental acuity of a 12 year old to watch this idiocy.
They show the same few shows over and over and now it's already the finally. Obviously there was not enough material. Bad manners and money is really redundant and boring especially when they set up all the scenes. These women have nothing interesting to contribute to the world of television
Ugh, so boring! It's ridiculous to watch a bunch of adults gang up on one women for something that happened 25 years ago that has zero impact on them. Why are they each so in love with themselves?
NJ is the best rated finale of all the real housewives series! Why does the whole rest of the world hate on New Jersey??
My favorite is OC. I love their laid back attitude and I love seeing the beautifiul California coastline. Every time I see that show, I want to go to CA.
I found NY boring and their accents irritating. Listening to Bethenny, Jill and Ramona is like listening to scratches on a chalk board. And all these charity events are just opportunities for them to peddle their own products. Enough already.
I didn't like Atlanta. Why would a non-famous person have a publicist? Also, too much fake hair.
As for NJ, they are the lowest, trashiest, most ignorant people I have ever seen in my life, and it bothers me that they didn't earn their own money.
Lets give this show a chance. If producers would let reality take place instead of forcing situations. Bring in new people because the "cast" is too small. Too many children having things to say is boring. Lexi and her Mom (Dina) is fun and their relationship is natural and loving. Certainly, get rid of Ashley. She has no brains, talent, or personality. She is a loser and not nearly as pretty as her Mother. By the way, where does she get off with the attitude towards her Mother? Jackie should send her packing back to her father. That little nothing has landed in the lap of luxury and acts like she deserves all of it.
Please take the house wives of New Jersey of the air. These people are rude and disrespectful. The show was boring. I live in Winston-Salem North-Carolina and the housewives here could get better rattings. Me and my co-workers think this show sucks.
ATL was truely the best show the rest can take lessons, take NJ off air boring.
The New Jersey Housewives used the whole flipping the table fiasco as a way to bring interest to show. Overall the show did not compare to their counterpart housewives. New Jersey was also boring and as intresting as watching paint dry. Also the women look like men. It's time for some real housewives. The ATL housewives brought the fire from episode one to the finale. I can't wait for their second season to start on July 30th, 2009.
I think "The Real Housewives of New Jersey"is just horrific!. The season premiere was the worst and most boring "Housewives" episode ever. The whole NJ season was just stupid. Bravo what the hell were you all thinking?.. Why New Jersey? Its way too close to New York. Which thier season is way better. But Atlanta is the BEST!!. Atlanta is the highest-rated "Housewives" edition!. New Jersey your mafia-sorprano antics are sooooo boring and a waste of airwaves!! Atlanta please!!..
How sad for a bunch of grown women to be so self-righteous and live with that ghetto-ganster attitude that they are right (always) and everyone else is wrong unless they think how they are told to think. It is so sad that this is what is aired in representation of a woman! A bunch of unfortunate looking, overweight, 'new money' beings acting like 5 year olds that don't want to share their sandbox. A prayer up for all them!
WThey are very real people. People are so hat is every body watching! N.J. is the best thing on TV.Envy will eat you up. Love Love Love all the women on the show.
I absolutley hate this show. What a waste of an hour. There is no substance and no purpose to what they do. Bravo surely disappointed us with this one. WTH was the fundraiser about??? smch
The New Jersey Houswives offend me with their boring lives. I watch a lot of garbage on television and this show is the only one that makes me regret taking time out of my day to watch. I don't want to watch people's children on television. In fact, the more the children are shown, the more boring the show. They should rename the show The Children of the Housewives of New Jersey. Also, who picked the story line of one family hating one non-family member? BORING. YAWN. While I don't love Danielle, she is the ONLY interesting person on that show. Also, there is not one clever cast member on this show. Just cancel the show and start with another city. Oh, and next time, how about you have castmates with no family ties and no children non-story lines. Gosh, my boring family is more interesting than these people. If you take away the cutesy music, you realize you could be watching your own family on flip video.
I love the Housewives franchise but the New Jersey Housewives, and their families, are the most boring bunch of people EVER. How did they get to be on TV? There is nothing interesting or glamorous about these people. I don't want to watch a boring family dinner, or a trip to a petting zoo, or a fashion show put on by a 'boutique' in a suburban strip mall. And the fact that they obsess about Danielle so much just shows how little else they have going on in their lives. Please, Bravo, take this show off the air NOW, or sell it to TLC to run after the creepy and equally boring show, 19 Kids and Counting.
Housewives NJ is BORING and more than a disappointment. Of all the housewives, Daniele is the only one they should keep. Either they change the line up or this show will be history.
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