Why RHONJ Has Entered Its Twilight Zone Era

Photo Credit: Ralph Bavaro/Bravo via Getty Images

The Real Housewives of New Jersey has always been a popular franchise among Bravo viewers. Between the mob-like mentality, old Italian tradition, and table flipping, it was pretty hard to find a Real Housewives franchise that compared. But with the dawn of Season 14, long-time followers are starting to feel like they have entered an alternate RHONJ dimension.

Shifting alliances

One thing has always been perfectly clear when it comes to the Real Housewives of New Jersey: There was always going to be Team Teresa and Team Melissa. The OGs of the Garden State, Teresa Giudice, and Melissa Gorga, have never seen eye to eye. Since Season 3, fans have had to watch the same storyline regarding the dramatic family feud. Over the years, their co-stars have taken sides.

On Team Teresa, there has always been Dolores Catania, Jennifer Aydin, and now Danielle Cabral. On Team Melissa there was Maragret Josephs, Rachel Fuda, and Jackie Goldschneider. But something in the wind changed, leading to a shake-up of the alliances. The RHONJ fan base has been left unsettled. Left wondering where in the world Rod Serling is when you need him the most. 

With friends like these…

@bravotv

Teresa and Jackie’s new friendship has people talking. Stream #RHONJ now on @peacock! #MelissaGorga #TeresaGiudice #JackieGoldschneider #JoeGorga #RealHousewivesOfNewJersey

♬ Jackies New Friendship from RHONJ – Bravo

Perhaps the most unsettling issue is the fact that Margaret and Jackie are now mortal enemies. I didn’t see this coming. The two women were extremely close. But after last week’s episode where Marge sent diabolical texts written by Jack, it’s all over. It was at this moment I had the into from the famed 1959 series enter my head- “A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That’s a signpost up ahead: your next stop: the Twilight Zone!” The newest season opened up with Jackie making a pit stop at Teresa’s new home. The two hung out like friends. They even trash-talked the other women together. 

Then add Jennifer Fessler and Jennifer Aydin breaking some bread over lunch. First, I was shocked they allowed carbs to be sitting on the table. But then, to see them share a gigantic margarita almost sent me spiraling. The two didn’t discuss anything as deep as the upcoming presidential election but rather how they were willing to be friends with their rivals no matter the cost.

We are in unchartered waters

I am about one episode away from putting myself on a voluntary psych hold because, let me tell you, these women are messing with everything I know to be true. With the premiere of RHONJ Season 14, the series has crossed over into uncharted territories. Somehow, in a period of one winter, the women have forgotten all the wrongs they have done to one another. The years of literal hair-pulling, rancid rumors, and discredit just flushed down the toilet. I can’t help but question if the yearning for the spotlight has not so secretly taken over their bodies like a parasite. 

These new friendships seem to be missing some pretty important details. We have yet to be given a solid explanation for Jackie and Teresa’s budding friendship. The two told the cameras that they always liked one another, which seems to be discredited by the video footage of all the name-calling. Jackie went as far as to state, “It felt good to have people concerned about how I feel and wanting to really be friends.” With Teresa smiling and replying “We really are a lot of fun.” But it was Jackie’s last statement that threw me for a loop as she added, “[The] energy coming from you and Jen is just so much more lighter.”

The math isn’t mathing

It’s hard to keep a clear head regarding the newfound friendship because, lest we forget, Jackie was a Teresa fan before she was on the show. She made the pilgrimage to Bookends in Ridgewood to get a signed cookbook. But my main concern is, what does a former buyer for Macy’s and a lawyer even talk about? Analogies?

Honestly, about 70% of the conversation could just be Jackie teaching Tre how to pronounce words correctly. In Jackie’s book, The Weight of Beautiful, she even says Teresa was the cause of her relapse when she first joined the series. So, how could these two find common ground? Clearly, there is only one logical answer: I’m living in the Twilight Zone. 

Catch up with RHONJ streaming on Peacock.

TELL US – DO YOU FEEL LIKE SEASON 14 OF RHONJ MAKES SENSE?

The post Why RHONJ Has Entered Its Twilight Zone Era appeared first on Reality Tea.

from Reality Tea https://www.realitytea.com/2024/06/23/rhonj-entered-twilight-zone-era/

Dolores Catania and Jackie Goldschneider’s Complicated RHONJ Relationship Explained

Photo Credit: Greg Endries/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

As a society, we might not like everyone we encounter. But most of the time, we are told we have to get along with said person. This is currently what is happening on Real Housewives of New Jersey. Dolores Catania is usually pretty good about making do with whoever is in the same room as her. While Jackie Goldschneider has a way with words that lets you know you are not her favorite. So, let’s take a dive into this complicated relationship and find out where it all went wrong. 

Let’s start at the very beginning

 Jackie joined the Real Housewives of New Jersey during Season 9. She was a massive fan of the franchise as fans came to learn. The rookie had often waited in line whenever Teresa Giudice had a book signing. So viewers didn’t feel like Jackie was always the most genuine. But she came in with a bang as she quickly ruggled the OG’s feathers. Jackie instantly fought back against Tre’s tyranny and quickly made an enemy. 

On the flip side, Dolores joined in Season 7. She was a perfect match and was introduced as the OG’s friend. For the most part, Dolores has been a loyal sidekick who rarely finds herself inserted into the drama. If anyone, she has tried her best to be the peacekeeper of the group. But every so often, Dolo and Jackie would exchange a few heated words.  

The keg party debacle

The argument seemed to start simple enough: Jennifer Aydin talking smack about Margaret Josephs’ past. Jennifer then threw her ‘friend’ Jackie under the bus, telling Dolo that she witnessed firsthand the Jersey muscle not being a good friend. Instantly, Dolores notes, “She’s questioning our friendship? That’s not a nice person.” Almost on cue, Jackie waltzes over to the group, with Dolores seeing red. 

What then occurs is a back-and-forth, with both of them arguing whose place it was to reveal the information. Dolores tried to one-up by saying Jackie had been “nasty” to Jennifer since she walked onto the show. But Jackie stood her ground. Dolores then states she doesn’t “want to hear it from this.” The term was rude, and Jackie made her stance clear. Dolores then proceeded to get in Jackie’s face to intimidate her. Personally, I have no idea why Dolores felt the need to get in Jackie’s face. I know Dolores would destroy Jackie in a fight, but I appreciate Jackie standing up for herself. I would be livid if someone, especially a friend, referred to me as “this.” 

Who is really the slob?

@hayusocial

Dolores has some thoughts on being called a slob by Jackie. #RHONJ #RealityTV #Hayu

♬ original sound – Hayu – Hayu

Their most recent interaction was quite odd and revolved around a text message. The two met up while at Melissa Gorga’s housewarming party, but the atmosphere was less than festive. Currently, Jackie is upset that she hasn’t been tagged in a social media post for Dolores’ charity baseball game. Even though the mother of two maintained that it was “a total accident,” Jackie was peeved. 

For a second, I thought Dolores and Jackie were going to be able to work through their seasons-long issues. But Margaret stood on business and sent Dolo some incriminating messages Jackie wrote. One text read, “I definitely think intentional. She’s a f*cking slob, and I hate her.” Without missing a beat, Dolo asked Jackie, “Am I a slob?” The ‘friend of’ tried her best to play down the moment but eventually answered, “‘Slob,’ to me, it’s not a great thing to call somebody, but it’s not that bad. It just means, like, your behavior is mean and stupid and juvenile and petty. That’s what I mean by ‘sloppy.’” I’m pretty sure that is not what slob means, Jackie. 

Dolores has a few choice words

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dolo Catania (@dolorescatania)

Clearly, Dolores had a copy of the dictionary, which she took to her confessional. The Paterson native noted, “’Slob,’ where I come from, it’s a nasty word. “Getting called a slob from the girl who’s a f*king hot mess almost every day — crying all the time over everything — and I’m the slob? I’m the f*king slob? OK, Jackie.”

I think it’s safe to say that their feud will be everlasting as the damage has been done. 

TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JACKIE AND DOLORES’ NASTY FEUD?

The post Dolores Catania and Jackie Goldschneider’s Complicated RHONJ Relationship Explained appeared first on Reality Tea.

from Reality Tea https://www.realitytea.com/2024/06/23/dolores-catania-jackie-goldschneider-relationship-explained-rhonj/