Was this week’s episode of Survivor worth sinking your teeth into? I mean, it was no sizzlin’ fajita platter from Applebees or anything, but it was enough to fill you up, if your favorite dish is questionable game-play.
As I do at the beginning of every recap, please heed the following: Remember that this recap assumes that you have already seen this week’s episode of Survivor: Island of the Idols. If you have not and don’t want to be spoiled, please come back later! It’s important to add that while we WILL hit on all of the important developments of the episode, this is not a linear “blow-by-blow” recap. It is more of a discussion and reaction of what we just witnessed together.
CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON FOR MORE, AND THIS IS YOUR LAST *SPOILER* WARNING!
As he pointed out in his closing testimonial, former NHL player Tom Laidlaw was the first Canadian ever to play the American version of Survivor, and so it’s also accurate to say he’s the first Canadian ever to be voted out of the American version of Survivor. At age 60, Tom was the oldest contestant this season, and the oldest competitor to appear on the show since Season 32, Survivor: Koah Rong, when it featured 72-year-old Joe Del Campo. Tom was a “straight-shooter” as was pointed out several times tonight, but it’s still head-scratching to me as to how and why he was voted out, and how and why Karishma is still in this game.
It was the second-straight week for me that ended in confusion. At least last week, with the blindside of Chelsea, you could understand that they targeted a budding show-mance, even if it didn’t seem to be in the best interest of those, like Missy, who “ordered the hit.” This week, it was summed up best by Boston Rob at Tribal when he said, “These guys are not going to win another challenge.” And if they don’t, it’s what they deserve. Sometimes the obvious vote is the correct vote, but somehow Karishma has managed to skate by, while a “not-an-immediate threat” like Tom gets sent packing. I even understand the logic – somewhat – if they vote out Dean, who Kellee pointed out shouldn’t make the merge, and whom others could see as a viable physical and social threat moving forward. But Tom? Come on, man.
Nothing against Karishma as a player (and the show is doing its damnedest to make us like her, by showing her get emotional about her family early on in the episode), but she is not really contributing to the show. Not only has she been a disaster at the physical challenges, she hasn’t quite been on top of the social game either…and it’s not like she is getting by these votes by somehow strategizing or being some kind of mastermind. No, she is the goat right now being led towards the slaughter, the kind of player that others want to align with only because they know she has no shot of winning. And again, this isn’t to say that Karishma is “bad” or that she doesn’t have anything to give, but perception is king, and Karishma is perceived to be weak and problematic by the others, and that’s the only thing that matters. But even if “carried” to the merge, Karishma won’t have gained enough respect to be a real threat to win the game, so why as a viewer would we want her to stick around?
Trying to make sense of the move to vote out Tom, I did thing of something fairly interesting. Pulling back for a minute and looking at the bigger picture, could it be part of the original Purple alliance’s master plan? With the other tribe deadlocked at four each, ALL of original Purple has a better shot at making the merge if they vote out those on the tribe where they have the clear majority. By keeping Karishma around, they might be handicapped in challenges moving forward…but maybe that’s good? We hear them guessing that the merge would probably come in three or perhaps four more Tribals, and if the current Purple tribe were to go to Tribal, they could risk (by way of drawing rocks) losing their overall majority. They can still lose two (Dean and Karishma) before they’d have to turn on each other, but they’d be awfully close to the merge at that point. I don’t know…thoughts?
Episode Take-Away: I did at least like that this season’s first “tribal shake-up” resulted in some interesting new tribes…it will be great to see the 4 vs. 4 if they do eventually go to Tribal. I also think that it was very strange – and beneficial – for Dean, that he would just so happen to know someone that Kellee knows. Those of us that just got done watching Big Brother know that it is incredibly powerful to have an ally in the game that you feel somewhat connected to out of the game, so that is a major development that just had a seed planted tonight. I also think future players need to take note of Aaron‘s socks…what a great idea, to have faces printed on your clothing! I think more players will be doing this in the future!
This week also saw The Island of the Idols twist take a backseat, and I for one didn’t miss it at all, and had forgotten about it altogether until I saw Rob and Sandra in their spy shack at Tribal. It’s clearly going to come back into play next week I’d imagine, but as far as I’m concerned, I feel like it’s an unneeded distraction away from the main game at this point…maybe they’ll figure out a way to make it a bit more interesting moving forward.
Voted out this week: Tom Laidlaw
Won Immunity: New Purple
Vote: No advantages or idols were played. 5 – Tom (Karishma, Kellee, Jamal, Jack, Janet), 2 – Karishma (Tom, Dean), Noura had no vote due to losing on Island of the Idols
Next Week’s Episode: It sure looks like the Purple Tribe might be going to Tribal, because there’s an awful lot of talk and scrambling about what would happen in case of a tie, and who might flip.
Quick Note! I appreciate that you are reading this recap! Those that have followed me also know that I am a RottenTomatoes-approved film critic, and I encourage you to check out my weekly movie reviews as I am the film critic and Executive Producer of the TV show, “Movie Show Plus,” the #1-rated local program in my Detroit-market (episodes are also available online at the website, www.MovieShowPlus.com.) As always, the easiest way to get all of my Survivor coverage and movie reviews is to follow me on Twitter – @tomsantilli – or on Facebook.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS EPISODE? WHAT REASONS DID THE TRIBE HAVE TO VOTE OUT TOM OVER KARISHMA? AND DID YOU MISS THE ISLAND OF THE IDOLS THIS WEEK?
Photo Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Robert Voets/Timothy Kuratek/Jeffrey Neira/Michele Crowe/David M. Russell
The post Survivor: Island of the Idols Episode 5 Recap: Orange Is Dead appeared first on Reality Tea.
Another year, another big ol' Riverdale mystery to try (and probably fail) to solve. As we've learned via trailers and a couple of distressing flashforwards, Jughead (Cole...
Tonight is the night where everyone on Real Housewives Of Dallas officially recaches the apex of exhaustion with all the demands related to LeeAnne Locken‘s wedding.
It’s finally Kameron Westcott‘s turn to host an event for LeeAnne, and after her years of nodding and smiling to all of LeeAnne’s cray, Kam is rewarded by getting to throw the exalted couples shower! Squeeeeeeeee!!! Unfortunately, a scheduling conflict sends some of the ladies backing out last minute – no call; no show!
A furious Kameron decides to enact a little revenge by crashing Kary Brittingham‘s girls night, and drags an unwanted guest – like last season’s Chanel bag – along for the ride. Of course, this is all related to Kameron’s anger at Stephanie Hollman for calling her a “surface friend.” Surface is for ground people, not air heads! Well, that friendship is sure gonna bite the dust.
After the way LeeAnne has been treating people lately, and doling out invites like she thinks they’re worth her weight in gold, maybe she deserves it. Also shouldn’t LeeAnne be mad, not Kameron?
Brandi Redmond hosts a funeral for one of her beloved family pets, and the proceedings go a little overboard.
Finally, D’Andra Simmons meets with Mama Dee about the state of Green Miracle and shares what she’s doing to help save the company. It’s no surprise that instead of support, Mama Dee offers nothing but criticism!
Watch Real Housewives Of Dallas tonight at 9 PM on Bravo. Comment throughout the episode on this post. Tweet us with your thoughts. Follow us on Instagram. Like our page on Facebook. And make sure to check our site tomorrow for our Real Housewives Of Dallas recap!
TELL US – IS KAMERON OVER-REACTING TO A PETTY SOCIAL SLIGHT, OR DID SHE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION IN CRASHING KARY’S EVENT?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
The post Two Funerals & A Shower On Tonight’s Real Housewives Of Dallas appeared first on Reality Tea.
Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 10 will be here before you know it. Aside from preview clips, and that Teresa Giudice interview with Andy Cohen, there’s one more thing to tide you over: the new taglines.
I’m not gonna lie, I’ve heard better. Then again, there are currently seven Real Housewives shows. A lot of the good ones have been taken…. apparently.
Teresa has the best one by far. People reported that the OG says, “If you rub me the wrong way, they’ll be no more namaste.” Minus the questionable grammar, the tagline is great because it indicates that the fiery Teresa we first met on RHONJ is back.
Margaret Josephs seemingly pokes fun at her own legal issues with her tagline: “If you can’t take the truth, sue me.”
Dolores Catania delivered a somewhat antiquated attempt at humor with this one: “Behind ever strong man is a stronger Jersey girl.” Is this her way of letting us know the her boyfriend will be a part of Season 10? Or just another reference about her living with ex-husband Frank Catania?
Jackie Goldschneider went generic for her tagline. She warns, “Don’t let the minivan fool you. This mom won’t roll over for anyone.” Except for Margaret and Melissa Gorga. Jackie is a very dutiful soldier.
Jennifer Aydin promotes her husband’s plastic surgery practice pokes fun at her plastic surgery. Her tagline is “As I always say, plastic makes perfect.” That could have easily been Melissa’s tagline with her four nose jobs and all. But, no worries, Melissa managed to incorporate her personal appearance into her tagline… yet again.
Melissa says, “Mirror mirror on the wall, I don’t think I look 40 at all.” She really is aging in reverse. I’ll give her that one.
And no tagline for you, Glen Coco Danielle Staub. She’s a part-time cast member. For the third year in a row.
TELL US- WHO HAS THE BEST SEASON 10 TAGLINE?
[Photo Credit: Greg Endries/Bravo]
The post The Real Housewives Of New Jersey Season 10 Taglines Are Here! appeared first on Reality Tea.
You got your first glimpse at The Wonderful World of Disney Presents The Little Mermaid Live cast in a brief promo, now ABC has unveiled a closer look at the real-life stars bringing some of your...
On Real Housewives of Orange County this season, there has been a lot of drama swirling around attorney Emily Simpson, and her little bitch husband, Shane Simpson. Shane stayed at a hotel to study for the California Bar exam and had no contact with his wife and children. And Shane, and his sarcasm, failed the exam.
Emily surprised her husband with a trip to Las Vegas for their anniversary, where she would perform a sexy dance on-stage. He declined the invitation. Emily went anyway with Kelly Dodd, Braunwyn Windham-Burke, and Shane’s parents. I think she rocked it. I admire her confidence! The dismissive way that Shane treats Emily is apparent to everyone– but Emily.
There has also been strife with Emily’s bestie Gina Kirschenheiter. Gina seems to be trying to infiltrate the RHOC’s Tres Amigas: Shannon Beador, Tamra Judge, and Vicki Gunvalson. Gina is particularly close to Tamra. And this group isn’t welcoming Emily.
In an October 1, 2019 interview with US Weekly, Emily discussed her feelings about the Tres Amigas. “I feel like when they get together, I feel like they’re mean. I think they’re bullies. Mean girls. Absolutely,” Emily stated. “I just saw [the bullying] throughout the season, towards the end when they all kind of turned on Kelly. I feel like it wasn’t directed at me, but there was a lot of things that were directed at her. A lot of bringing up things to try to make her look bad. I didn’t like that,” Emily explained. “I thought it was dirty, and I thought it was unethical.”
Now Shannon is firing back. Shannon recently told US Weekly, “I keep hearing about all the things that Emily has to say about me, and my response is she should focus on her own life instead of trying to talk about me and other cast members. It’s not fun to have a divide,” Shannon said. “I don’t like arguing with anyone, so we’ll see what happens. So, [Emily should] focus on herself.”
Shannon also gave an update on the Tres Amigas. “Tres Amigas. Yeah, we’re muy bueno. … We have a history together, and we went to Mexico and came up with that funny term last year.”
(Warning: there is some rough grammar ahead.) In a video clip, host Christina Garibaldi asked Shannon if she thinks that the Tres Amigas “are intimidating at all?” Shannon replied, “No. We’re fun! We…we go on an all-cast trip this year, and there’s so many Tres Amigas antics,” Shannon shared. “But we go out, you know… we bring other people in, too. No– It’s not some club that you want to join. You know…it’s…we’re… you know, we don’t keep people out.” Unless, of course, you are named Emily or Kelly. Then you’re out of luck!
When the host asked, “Do you think that Emily should maybe focus on her marriage a little bit more?” Shannon replied, “I don’t like to comment… you know. I’ve…I’ve met her husband briefly once at Eddie’s [Judge’s] birthday party last year. So, you know, I don’t like it when people comment…no one knows what goes on behind closed doors, but from what I see on the show, she [Emily] needs to focus on that.”
Shannon also commented on her relationship with Kelly, which took a bad turn during the wellness retreat. Their relationship hasn’t been the same since Kelly hit Shannon on the head with a mallet while Shannon had a metal bowl on her head.
“Now she’s saying she wished she hit me harder. So yeah, that’s nice. Who says that? I think that a lot of people would have a field day trying to figure out how her thought process works,” Shannon stated. “So I can’t speak for her.”
Shannon told US Weekly that she is open to working things out with Emily. “Never say never, because I’m friends with Vicki today, who would’ve thought?” Shannon remarked. True, Shannon. True.
TELL US-: ARE SHANNON, VICKI, AND TAMRA BEING BULLIES? SHOULD EMILY FOCUS MORE ON HER MARRIAGE?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
The post Shannon Beador Says Emily Simpson Needs To “Focus On Her Own Life” appeared first on Reality Tea.
Buckle up because it’s almost time for Real Housewives of Atlanta to return! And you know what that means, we get to talk about Fight Club NeNe Leakes and whatever personality she gives to the cameras. Last season we saw all of NeNe’s friendships dissolve. We also learned to never, ever go into NeNe’s closet. Unless you have good health insurance.
In Bravo’s 12th venture to Hotlanta, Shamari DeVoe dropped off the face of the Earth, but Kenya Moore is back! She’s bringing her baby and now discarded husband into the chaos. We all know if there is one thing that makes NeNe madder than happy people, it’s anything to do with Ms. Kenya. NeNe was suspiciously absent during the first few weeks of filming. We were told tales of contract negotiation delays, but now that might not be the case. It turns out, maybe NeNe’s bad attitude did negatively impact her OG spot. But the question is, did NeNe learn a lesson from her poor behavior? All signs point to no. Allegedly.
I hope you are ready for the drama because it is headed our way. There have been multiple media reports regarding the fussing and fighting involved with the newest season of RHOA. But it wasn’t until NeNe showed back up that things really started getting heated. Some viewers suspected NeNe was suspended due to her violent actions during the closet episode. Others thought the remaining cast were over NeNe’s antics and refused to film with her. While those theories were valid, it appeared NeNe’s absence was due to delayed contract negotiations. Or was it?
According to Love B Scott, NeNe was purportedly forced to “sit out” for at least the first part of the season. So maybe putting her hands on a camera operator wasn’t the best idea after all? ALLEGEDLY, NeNe’s altercation with producers was more intense than Bravo aired. Per the article, “Porsha Williams and Kandi Burruss shared that one of the crew members ended up in the hospital with a missing tooth after NeNe put her hands on him.” Dental work is expensive, y’all!
So has NeNe cut back on her temper? Love B Scott says no to that one too. It has been reported that NeNe and Kenya got into a SERIOUS fight while on a trip to Athens. Because nothing says anger like beautiful scenery, amirite? Apparently the two were arguing over NeNe’s sketchy relationship with Kenya’s soon to be ex husband Marc Daly.
The article shared, supposedly “Kenya confronted NeNe after hearing that she’d been talking to Marc behind her back. Things escalated quickly, with NeNe telling Kenya that Marc said he ‘doesn’t even like’ her. NeNe continued to throw out different things she and Gregg [Leakes] were allegedly told by Marc as their fight got more intense.” Then in unconfirmed reports, a source said, “NeNe began to make a ‘hocking’ sound as if she was preparing to spit in Kenya’s direction.” It is not known at this time if saliva aimed at Kenya actually left NeNe’s mouth.
It has been previously reported that Kenya and NeNe also had a go at each other on a cast trip to Toronto. “NeNe and Kenya got into a major altercation and nearly got physical with each other earlier this season during the cast trip to Toronto.” ALLEGEDLY. Is sight-seeing just too boring for these ladies?
It will be interesting to see how much Bravo chooses to show, if these blowups did in fact take place. Will the network try to protect NeNe’s already tarnished image? Has Kenya’s return sent NeNe over the edge? Stay tuned, we’re about to find out.
TELL US- DO YOU BELIEVE THE REPORTS ABOUT NENE? ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DRAMA? DO YOU THINK NENE WAS SUSPENDED FOR THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF FILMING?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
The post Report: NeNe Leakes Had To “Sit Out” Filming First Weeks Of New Real Housewives Season Due To “Poor Behavior” appeared first on Reality Tea.
Leslie Grossman is, without a doubt, really enjoying murdering people on American Horror Story: 1984. Grossman, who is in her third season of American Horror Story, plays Margaret Booth,...
If there’s one thing Jules Wainstein is remembered for from her single season on The Real Housewives of New York City, it’s the awareness she brought to eating disorders by sharing her own lifelong struggle with one.
In a new interview, the RHONY one-season wonder is looking back on her decision to open up about her battle with bulimia, how it was received by her fellow Housewives and the impact her story had on fans watching the show.
“I have no regrets talking about my eating disorder on the show,” Jules said to Bravo’s The Daily Dish in a new Life After Bravo segment. “Eating disorders are a very secretive disease. I thought it’d be really healthy and a big part of my recovery if I did speak about it. I always say, ‘secrets keep you sick.’ By speaking about it, then I could do the opposite. It was one of the biggest moments of my recovery.”
Jules spent much of Season 8 going toe-to-toe with Bethenny Frankel over the subject, with the veteran Housewife bringing up her mother’s past demons surrounding her own eating disorder. However, instead of bonding the two women over their common ground, the topic exacerbated tension between them, with Jules constantly feeling judged and ridiculed by both the OG and Carole Radziwill over her weight, appearance and eating habits — silverware in the calzone, anyone? — and Bethenny constantly projecting her childhood trauma onto the vulnerable newbie. Eventually Jules tearfully and bravely confessed during one particularly explosive meal at Joanne Trattoria that she had relapsed while filming.
“It’s OK to say that I had, I’ll call it an episode or a binge-and-purge moment,” she said. “I feel like the girls on the show didn’t understand that. They were giving me a hard time like, ‘Oh my god…’ I remember I said, ‘Yeah, three days ago I did,’ and they were like ‘[gasp] Like, you’re so sick!’ I’m like, ‘No! Like, that’s so brave [and] amazing of me to tell you that because someone who is sick won’t tell you that.'”
Ultimately, regardless of whether the other ‘Wives understood the battle she had gone through to conquer her bulimia, Jules sees her time on the show as positive because of how many other people her story was able to reach.
“I’ve received thousands of letters, DMs, Facebook, Twitter…like from strangers, of how much I’ve helped them in their recovery,” she revealed. “I would get letter from fans that would say, ‘You were that light switch’ or ‘I just needed somebody that gave me hope.’ It was just so amazing that my one season, I gave someone that hope. It was so worth it; it was everything.”
Jules also posited during the interview that it’s possible her cast mates could’ve come to a deeper understanding regarding her eating disorder if she’s stuck around for Season 9.
“That one season, I was maybe misunderstood,” she said. “You know? ‘Cause if I did a second season, maybe people would’ve understood my recovery better. I would love to show people that in my recovery, life is normal. I don’t think about food, like, all day, all night, in therapy, suffering from an eating disorder.” She concluded, “I live my life like everybody else; I’m doing great and I’ll keep on doing better. That’s how it works.”
TELL US – DO YOU WISH JULES HAD STAYED FOR ANOTHER SEASON? DID SHARING HER EXPERIENCE WITH AN EATING DISORDER HELP YOU?
[Photo Credit: CJ Rivera/Getty Images]
The post Jules Wainstein Says Real Housewives Of New York “Didn’t Understand” Her Eating Disorder appeared first on Reality Tea.
Get your popcorn ready because Netflix just released the list of everything coming to its streaming platform this November. The company kicks off the month by dropping The King on Nov. 1....
Kristen Doute, eternally single former SURver on Vanderpump Rules has another project in the works! Since being fired from Lisa Vanderpump’s sexy, unique retirement home Kristen has managed to keep her spot on Pump Rules. She hasn’t done it by emoting words of wisdom. She hasn’t done it by her exceptional friendship skills. And she hasn’t don’t it by maintaining a compelling storyline. Basically Kristen has kept her job by acting like that one adult in your life you speak to like a toddler because they are always about 2 minutes away from a massive freak out. Also, this is reality television, so it works.
Kristen has dabbled in several money-making ventures since leaving SUR. She participated in selling whine wine with Katie Maloney and Stassi Schroeder. Kristen also has her own line of clothes. But what she’s most known for is her lack of impulse control. What she calls “crazy”. Now Kristen is parlaying her crazy into the world of literature. That’s right folks, Kristen is writing a self-help book.
Kristen is adding her name to the list of potential bestselling authors! It isn’t all that outlandish. Stassi penned a rather successful piece which wound up making her some cash. While Stassi stuck with the topic she is most familiar with, being unapologetically basic, Kristen wants to tackle a subject close to her heart. Being “crazy”.
According to People, Kristen has teamed up with How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days author Michele Alexander. Now they are creating “the ultimate guide to owning your ‘crazy’ and never giving up on love.” I don’t know if Kristen’s dating history is more about her not giving up on love, or love just completely giving up on her. Speaking as a single person, do I really want dating advice from someone who banged Jax Taylor while her boyfriend was in the other room? And then lied about it. For months.
Kristen shared some details. “Women get used to being called crazy whenever we’re emotional.” Right. But “crazy” might be a valid term if someone, I don’t know, flies a strange woman in from another state to confront an ex-boyfriend who has happily moved on in another relationship.
Kristen continued, “People might call this a self-help book, but I see it as a self-empowerment book. My goal is to create an army of boss bitches who own being ‘crazy’ and fight for the respect we deserve.” Hi, 1945 called and said they don’t want the female gender setting themselves back 80 years by implying they are emotionally unstable. With all due respect, this is someone who socked poor 96 pound James Kennedy in the face at a wedding. I’m not sure any of Kristen’s mistakes in life should be used as guidelines unless it’s on what NOT to do.
Kristen also shared, “I want to give every reader the tools to avoid or get out of unhealthy situations and find real love,” she added. Okay girl, but you first. Kristen then unleashed more crazy specifics. “Sometimes that requires deep self-reflection, but sometimes you just need to put on your detective’s hat and hack a man’s email account.” Um, no. How about not cheating on your boyfriends so much you are literally suspicious of everyone?
In He’s Making You Crazy, Kristen will “unpack the ups and downs of her dating history with anecdotes about trapping boyfriends in lies, tongue-in-cheek tips to gather all your crush’s security question answers on the first date.” Oh fun. So we will be taught the ways of subterfuge and trickery to thrust upon a burgeoning relationship.
The agent who brokered the deal for the book said, “It’s been my great pleasure to help Kristen seize the narrative and tell her story her way. There is so much more to her than you’ve seen on TV, and I know anyone who’s been called ‘crazy’ a time or two will enjoy following her on the long and winding road to real self-love.” While I understand the concept, it seems this narrative would be more beneficial coming from someone who didn’t have a flower bed for lunch on a wine tour. Hey, maybe next we’ll get a book from Katie on how to have a successful marriage!
Unfortunately the book won’t be out before the holidays. It is expected to be published in hardcover and eBook in summer 2020. I can’t wait.
TELL US- WILL YOU BUY KRISTEN’S BOOK? SHOULD SHE GIVE RELATIONSHIP ADVICE? WILL HER BOOK BE SUCCESSFUL?
[Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo]
The post Vanderpump Rules Star Kristen Doute Writing A Self-Empowerment Book; Wants Women To “Own Their Crazy” appeared first on Reality Tea.
