Not every episode of a stellar TV show can be great, and it seems we ran into a bit of a dud with The Traitors Season 2, Episode 7. Don’t get me wrong, there were excellent moments, such as Shereé screaming for help while trapped, that’ll be etched in my memory forever. But not being fed a single elimination all episode meant that the game itself remained pretty stagnant. Still, it’s certainly worth a watch. Here’s everything that went down in The Traitors Season 2, Episode 7: “Blood on Their Hands.”
Did Peter accept the offer from the Traitors?
Photo by: Euan Cherry/PEACOCK
Peter decided to refuse the Traitors’ attempt at seduction. This means he will remain a Faithful in the game. “I wanna be a part of winning this the right way,” he said in confessional. That man is way too loyal to people. This is a completely different game to the one he thinks he’s playing. But in saying that, he is doing a great job at sniffing out the titular villains. And his alliance is made up of entirely Faithfuls.
Parvati and Phaedra, upon hearing of Peter’s refusal, are shook. Both are worried for Parv’s future in the game, and honestly, me too. I don’t see a way she can get to the end and win this. Nobody in their right mind is going to vote to end the game with Parvati still in it. She is, unfortunately, a dead woman walking.
At breakfast, when it becomes apparent no one has been murdered, talk turns to recruitment. “Raise your hand if you got a letter,” instructs Parvati. But Peter isn’t giving the info up. Not yet, anyway. Oddly, he then says Parvati must be Faithful, because he didn’t get murdered. Parv wants to wipe that “smug smile” from his face.
Peter gets dismissive
Photo by: Euan Cherry/PEACOCK
Peter brings his group consisting of John, Bergie, Trishelle, and Peter into a room to tell them what happened last night. Phaedra goes in, but he quickly dismisses her. She runs that right back to the rest of the group, who are PISSED. MJ decides to try and enter the conversation with Peter, but gets the same treatment. So, Sandra forges out a plan. She thinks Peter is a Traitor, and lays out why one of his group needs to go if any of “The Leftovers” are to survive.
“I cannot wait for that smug smile to fall off of his lips when he gets banished,” Parvati says in confessional. She and the rest of “The Leftovers” agree he has to go. But little do they know, they’re not going to get that opportunity this time around…
A hilarious mission banks the group $8,000
Photo by: Euan Cherry/PEACOCK
With $25,000 on the line, the group had to split into pairs. They’d be racing into the words, carrying bags full of gold worth various amounts. They ranged from $500, all the way up to $10,000. It was a matter of trust, and apparently, the group trusted Peter and Trishelle to bring home the big bucks. Big mistake.
In the woods were questions that would either send them to the next part of the mission, or a trap. Peter was trapped immediately, as was Bergie. At the second question, MJ and Shereé also lost out, before Trishelle was trapped at the third question, alongside Kate, and Phaedra. Thankfully, the pairs John and Parvati, and Sandra and Kevin, made it all the way to the end of the challenge, banking $8,000.
As they were the fastest to complete the mission, Sandra and Kevin were also granted shields. This would keep them safe from murder. But Alan had another trick up his sleeve…
The Traitors Season 2, Episode 7 had no banishment, but a ceremony of trust
Photo by: PEACOCK
After some chatter back at the castle, where Peter tried to do some digging with Parvati and Phaedra, but was basically told to go screw himself, Alan took the group out into the woods at the dead of night. There, he told them there would be no banishment tonight, but a murder would go ahead. The twist? Only five people would be up for said murder.
Sandra and Kevin were automatically safe, and could choose one person to save. That person would then choose another person to keep safe, and so on. Sandra and Kevin settled on Shereé, who picked her girl Phaedra following their 20+ year friendship. This was a super-emotional moment for Phaedra, and you’d be forgiven for shedding a tear at home!
Phaedra saved CT, which left MJ upset, but not quite as upset as Trishelle when CT decided to give John safety. John had the final choice of who to save, and much to Parvati’s dismay, he chose Peter. Damn it. The Bachelor was gonna last another day.
“If we’re playing the game it’s not about friends,” CT astutely pointed out. But Trishelle was still “hurt.” She claimed she would have saved CT if it was the other way around. But now, she’s up for murder.
Get it together, Ice Princess
Photo by: PEACOCK
Traitors Parvati and Phaedra met up in the Turret to discuss who they should murder. Trishelle was on the table, alongside Bergie, Kate, and MJ. Before reaching their decision, Phaedra had some advice.
“You’ve gotta stop acting like an Ice Princess,” she told Parvati. And she said she gave off some “mean girl” energy. Yikes. Parvati didn’t like that one bit, and in confessional, admitted she thought Phaedra would throw her under the bus in future.
“This is gonna be our first kill in a while,” Parv mused. And while she admitted their victim would increase the target on her own back, she went ahead with it anyway.
Guerdy Abraira’s cancer journey led her to a place of advocacy. Those who’ve kept up with The Real Housewives of Miami Season 6 know just how taxing Guerdy’s cancer journey has been for her.
Her emotional distress wasn’t helped as she soon found out how few images of Black radiation treatment patients there were. The lack of examples had Guerdy fearing for the number of Black breast cancer survivors.
So, given just how little available information there was about the effects of radiation on black skin, Guerdy decided to speak up and do some documenting herself. See how she reacted to her research below.
Guerdy’s publicizing her treatment: “I have no shame”
In speaking with TODAY, Guerdy discussed her research around radiation treatment on black skin. She could only find one image showing the results and they thoroughly horrified her. “It was so dramatic, and I’m like, ‘Is this what’s going to happen with me?’”
She explained, “It was literally a complete, black, perfect rectangle across the breast that led to the back of the breast.” Guerdy showed the picture to medical professionals who reportedly told her it was an extreme reaction on a person who likely had a different form of breast cancer than Guerdy’s.
But with how frustrated she was over her lack of initial findings, she decided she was going to be “filming my journey because I am going to have people see what it is from beginning to end and … show pictures.” She added, “I have no shame in the game.”
As for how things turned out for Guerdy, she explained, “On the back side of my shoulder, it looks like a really bad sunburn that was kind of flaking away. It’s just cracking, sandy … to the touch and I’m still putting my bio oil on it.”
Guerdy has been incredibly brave to document her journey battling cancer on television. It’s no surprise she’s now also leading the way in this regard. More power to her.
The Real Housewives of Miami Season 6 continues Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF GUERDY’S NEW UNDERTAKING? WHAT HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF HER CANCER JOURNEY?
Top Chef Season 21 will mark a new era for the cooking competition series. With Padma Lakshmi having left the series last season after 17 years, Season 21 might be something of a new experiment for Bravo. But despite that, the Top Chef formula that fans have come to love still remains. This time, with 15 new competitors.
Top Chef Season 21 cast includes some heavy hitters
On February 7, Bravo released the trailer for Top Chef Season 21. Taking on hosting duties will be Season 10’s winner, Kristen Kish. She will be joined by returning judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons. The season will feature 15 chefs competing in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Here’s the Top Chef Season 21 cast:
Alisha Elenz from Palatine, IL, working as a private chef in Chicago, IL
Amanda Turner from Arlington, TX, working as a chef de cuisine at Olamaie in Austin, TX
Charley Pierre from Cambridge, MA, working as the head chef and owner of Fritai in New Orleans, LA
Dan Jacobs from Chicago, IL, working as a chef and co-owner of EsterEv & Dandan in Milwaukee, WI
Danny Garcia from Brooklyn, NY, working as an executive chef at Saga Hospitality Group in Brooklyn, NY
David Murphy from Houston, TX, working as a chef and co-owner of Shuggie’s Trash Pie + Natural Wine in San Francisco, CA
Kaleena Bliss from Seattle, WA, working as an executive chef for the Chicago Athletic Association & Cindy’s Rooftop
Kenny Nguyen from Philadelphia, PA, working as the head chef and owner of Pretty Boy in Athens GA
Kévin D’Andrea from Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France, working as a chef and owner of Foliepop’s in Austin, TX
Laura Ozyilmaz from Acapulco, Mexico, working as the executive chef and owner of Dalida in San Francisco
Manny Barella from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, working as a culinary director at Camp Pickle and Jaguar Bolera in Denver, CO
Michelle Wallace from St. Louis MO, working as a chef, owner, and pitmaster at B’tween Sandwich Co.
Rasika Venkatesa from Chennai, India, working as a chef de cuisine in New York
Savannah Miller from Southern Pines, NC, working as a chef de cuisine at M Tempura in Durham, NC
Valentine Howell Jr. from Boston, MA, working as an executive chef in Dorchester, MA
Those are some highly-credible candidates to snatch the win! But who will be crowned victorious?
Top Chef Season 21 premieres Wednesday, March 20 at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE NEW SEASON? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE TRAILER? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TOP CHEF SEASON 21 CAST?
Everyone’s favorite Floridians are back in The Real Housewives of Miami Season 6, Episode 15, “Get Me Off This Gondola!” Last week, fans saw the Housewives take an emotional trip to church before enduring a tumultuous river ride, wherein Kiki got on Lisa’s back for letting her classicism show, feeding some dogs and insisting they weren’t fed well. This week, the conflict between Lisa and Kiki went on while Adriana’s musical ambitions culminated in a performance at Pride. All this and more on RHOM Season 6, Episode 15.
Julia’s emotional stop at the Island of Dolls
Photo by: Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo
We rejoined the Housewives in the middle of their Gondola ride, just as they were approaching the Island of the Dolls. Much to their dismay, they made a pitstop at the island. As much as they were all freaked out by it, Marysol and Adriana had to use the bathroom. Lisa and Larsa were also feeling brave enough to venture onto the island.
A few of the women noted how the island was an especially bad destination spot for Julia. Just as Julia mentioned in the last episode, her son died as an infant, and the trip to church had already reminded her of that. She didn’t need another reminder with the hundreds of dolls.
Adriana spoke with a local guide who explained that many would come to the island to do witchcraft. On top of that, he explained that several of the dolls behaved strangely, with shifting eye colors, weird noises, and even one that supposedly salivated. Julia said it looked like one of her friends and the shady editors superimposed Marysol’s head on the toy.
Julia stayed on the boat, doing her best to look away. But she rationalized with herself that someone put the dolls there to cope with their suffering, and decided the compassionate thing to do would be to look. She looked and began weeping. Guerdy and Alexia cried with her. Despite Julia’s trauma, she took it as a reminder to focus on life’s joys.
A chaotic gondola ride for Guerdy
Photo by: Jeff Daly/Bravo
The gondola quickly turned around once all the ladies were back on board. The girls then began teasing Alexia for her vacation planning, and Alexia took it in stride. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all fun and games as Guerdy began feeling nauseous. She was already feeling bad upon reaching the island, but it was getting worse as they went back.
Soon enough, Guerdy began vomiting into a barrel. The ladies called for quiet so that Guerdy could try and relax. At the most inopportune time, another boat came riding by with a mariachi band. Guerdy mumbled, “Literally, I can’t.” A third boat rode by with a dog barking on it. A true comedy of errors.
Thankfully, the boat returned to the dock soon enough. It was one of those Housewives moments where things became so chaotic and unsure that production started scrambling and stepping in front of the camera. The girls moved quickly to help Guerdy off the boat. Lisa, however, was in her own little world, looking for lip gloss back on the boat. But don’t dare call her out of touch or entitled.
Production quickly sat Guerdy on a nearby bench. At first, Nicole recommended that Guerdy get something to drink. But soon enough, Guerdy began throwing up again, and Nicole realized she wouldn’t be able to keep anything down. Things turned south quickly. 10 minutes later, Guerdy was laid on a stretcher and moved into the back of an ambulance.
Guerdy’s unexpected ambulance ride
Photo by: Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo
Nicole joined Guerdy in the ambulance, chalking up her sickness to the traveling, high altitude, and dehydration. From the back of the ambulance, Nicole was relaying messages from Russell to Guerdy. The Housewife began mumbling about Russell, saying how much she needed him.
Soon enough, Russell was on the phone, but Guerdy was slipping out of consciousness. She was given an IV and demanded to see Russell. Nicole soon FaceTimed Guerdy’s husband and the two spoke. Guerdy encouraged Russell and told him not to be worried, but Nicole assured Guerdy he wasn’t. He was laughing at her loopy state.
Nicole vowed that the next time she traveled with her cast, she’d bring a medical kit. Luckily, by the next morning, Guerdy was feeling more than fine, getting her makeup done and ready to party it up at Pride.
That same morning, Adriana was having her makeup done to prepare for her performance. She was feeling the pressure on top of the excitement, what with Mexico City hosting the largest Pride concert in Latin America. She compared the numbers to that of Beyoncé or Rihanna. “That’s like, Super Bowl Halftime,” she said. On top of it all, Adriana wanted to please Emilio.
As Adriana made her way toward Mexico City’s square, the rest of the ladies got ready. Julia called Martina to let her know she’d kissed several of her friends the day before and, as Julia predicted, Martina didn’t care that much. “You’re gonna get a toaster in the mail,” Martina joked.
Meanwhile, Lisa was still hung up on the day before; none of the important stuff, mind you. “I can’t believe I had a juice box thrown at me.” Oh, Lisa. That was not the most eventful moment from the day before. Nevertheless, Lisa stood by her move to feed the dogs, despite the hot water it landed her in with Kiki.
Alexia spoke about it with Kiki after the fact, telling her that she and Lisa were “both right and … both wrong.” Hm.
The girls soon met up in the lobby, showing off their Pride outfits. Julia showed a sign she made in support of Adriana. Just one hitch: she spelled the name “Adreana.” Julia laughed it off, admitting that even in her phone contacts it was incorrect. Alexia noted that it was the thought that counted, especially since no one else made Adriana a sign.
Kiki attempts to apologize to Lisa
Photo by: Jeff Daly/Bravo
Adriana made it to Mexico City’s Pride to get into costume, being told there were over 200,000 people there.
The girls piled into the van at the hotel, unwilling to wait for Lisa in the lobby. Lisa made it soon enough and immediately noted she wouldn’t be sitting next to Kiki, albeit subtly. “I just don’t want any drama today,” she said. “I had … one of the most emotional days of my entire life yesterday.” Oh boy.
As the ladies pulled up to Pride, they were shocked to see just how many people were there, feeling nervous on Adriana’s behalf. As the girls unloaded from the bus, Kiki made it clear that she didn’t hate Lisa. “I freakin’ love you,” she said. How did Lisa respond? By saying, “I know but don’t throw sh*t at me.”
Kiki managed to let it go. Lisa then had the gall to say in a confessional she didn’t “want to fight with Kiki.” Lisa, she was apologizing to you, and you threw it in her face. Still, Lisa claimed her “guns” were holstered. Things weren’t helped when Kiki did a dancing kick and Lisa asked if she intended to fight her.
Adriana’s fire performance of Fyah!
Photo by: Jeff Daly/Bravo
Adriana just felt the pressure to a greater and greater degree the closer she got to the stage. Regardless, she went up there and rocked it. Sort of. People seemed to enjoy it. But Marysol had to ask, “Is she lip-syncing?” Still, her friends danced along and cheered for her.
In their confessionals, Kiki said, “Bravo Adriana!” Guerdy said, “Adriana’s on-on, on-on Fyah!” Even Alexia said, “You can’t beat that … That’s like, the best song ever.” Nicole gave her “10s across the board,” while Julia opined that Emilio would be “proud of his protégé.”
The girls met up with Adriana after she got off stage, where they all hugged and cheered for her. Adriana was grateful, humbled, and beyond happy. The girls chanted that there would be “More to come!” starting with partying that night.
As Lisa met up with Alexia for nighttime partying, the former asked for a skinny margarita from their bartender. Alexia tried to encourage her friend to live a little: “In Mexico, we don’t drink skinnies,” she teased. Lisa then asked for a drop of sugar. To the camera, Alexia said, “I can’t with these skinny b*tches … What about being allergic to Lenny?”
Nicole soon joined the festivities with Kiki after her. When Kiki entered, Lisa asked, “Are you gonna throw any juice boxes at me?” Kiki wouldn’t take it as a joke, which Lisa insisted it was. “Lisa is making it super difficult for me to move forward,” Kiki told the camera. “Like, stop being the victim, woman!”
Larsa soon arrived and noted the tension as Lisa went outside with Nicole and Alexia. Even Larsa had to admit that Lisa was making things worse and owed Kiki an apology. Outside, Nicole tried to talk some sense into Lisa: “I don’t think she likes that you suggest that she’s violent or that she’s aggressive.”
Lisa again insisted that she was joking and Alexia called her behavior “passive-aggressive” (and some would say, littered with microaggressions). At this point, even Larsa couldn’t keep defending Lisa, admitting to Kiki, “Other people I think have had enough.” Kiki agreed, “Yes! Everything’s about Lisa, Lisa, Lisa. To be honest, I’m quite sick and tired of it. Lisa is f*cking selfish.”
Julia throws gasoline on Lisa’s flame
Photo by: Alexander Tamargo/Bravo
Kiki was not holding back at this point, expressing her discontent with the way Lisa talked about those who lived on the riverside. “I lived that life. I didn’t just … lay on my back and get f*cked by a plastic surgeon and then, boom, had millions.” Larsa looked to the side, perhaps feeling that Kiki had gone a little too far.
After going outside, Julia, rather uncharacteristically, relayed some of Kiki’s words to Lisa. “She thinks you’re [an] entitled, spoiled girl,” she said. Nicole couldn’t believe Julia was “running her mouth,” and wanted to encourage her to use her lips to start kissing instead. But Julia didn’t mind being called a snitch.
The girls then went downstairs to continue celebrating Pride but the celebrations didn’t go on too long as Lisa made a show of wanting to leave. She told the cameras, “I was open to receiving Kiki but after hearing I’m ‘entitled’ and ‘spoiled,’ I’m not in party mode.” Uh-huh. Sure Jan. Your behavior’s not giving off entitled or spoiled at all.
Julia, who seemed to be on Lisa’s side earlier, sat down and had a chat with her. She explained that the group felt they’d given Lisa a great deal of empathy for over a year but that her circumstances were no excuse for how she treated Kiki. Even Guerdy had to ask why Julia had chosen now of all times to talk to Lisa about this.
Lisa asked, “Why is not one person here having my back?” I don’t know Lisa, perhaps that should indicate something to you. Perhaps that should prompt some introspection. No. Instead, she said, “These are supposed to be my friends.”
The group went upstairs with Lisa, realizing this was gonna be a whole thing. “I’ve had a long couple days,” Lisa said upon arriving upstairs. She admitted she didn’t want to be with anyone considering what she had to go home to. With Nicole sort of moderating, Larsa admitted, “I think when you’re wrong, I have to tell you that. You shouldn’t have said the things you said to Kiki.”
Larsa pointed out that Kiki never comes for anyone, so for Lisa to have come at her like that? It felt wrong. “It’s not who you are,” Larsa added. Lisa then said she felt she was on trial, knowing she had another trial to go to next week. Nicole said Lisa was getting a false sense of what the group felt and that she wasn’t making “a fair statement.”
Adriana, rather surprisingly, had Lisa’s back, explaining that she still cried over her divorce, sometimes feeling “like a failure.” Larsa, on the other hand, confessed privately that the group had given Lisa “so many hall passes.”
Kiki then jumped in, explaining, “My thing is, Lisa, you don’t know anything about me. And if you knew my backstory – I’ve been on my own since I was 15 – kicked out, on the street, with a backpack, in the rain. You all have this beautiful life and I worked hard to get here too.” She was crying. “I just want people to listen to me.”
Kiki calls out Lisa and warns of karma
Photo by: Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo
She wasn’t backing down. She called out the group for not being supportive enough of her, coming after Lisa in particular, and asking if she knew her son’s name. She apologized that Lisa was struggling through her divorce, but said, “I’ve gone through hell too.” Kiki criticized Lisa for thinking too much of herself and lacking any empathy for others.
Rather than taking a moment to connect with Kiki, Lisa focused on herself again. She said, “I feel like anything I say, even my opinion, is gonna be wrong.” To her credit, she did say, “I’m really sorry that you’re going through that.”
Kiki explained why the gondola ride triggered her – Lisa’s words in particular. “That’s not what I was saying,” Lisa jumped defensively. “You’re twisting my words to make me look like I’m an insensitive, entitled assh*le.” Well. If it walks like a duck. And sounds like a duck. Lisa tried to talk over Kiki, and the latter pointed out, “You’re doing it again.”
Lisa said, “I can’t fix your childhood trauma, I’m not a therapist!” A silence fell over the group. “F*ck you,” Kiki said simply, getting up to leave. “I open up to you and this is what you have to say?” The girls seemed to be on Kiki’s side … until she said, “Maybe what’s happening with you and Lenny is karma.” Oof, yikes. Everyone felt that was a bit much.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF MIAMI SEASON 6, EPISODE 15? DO YOU THINK KIKI WENT TOO FAR? DO YOU TAKE KIKI OR LISA’S SIDE HERE? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF ADRIANA’S PERFORMANCE?
Okay everyone needs to stand down because Porsha Williams is leaving us hanging. Yesterday reports came out that P was returning to her old stomping grounds on Real Housewives of Atlanta, today the media is singing a different tune.
Did someone jump the gun or is speculation running rampant due to the RHOA cast shake-up that’s allegedly happening? We know for sure Kandi Burruss jumped ship and Kenya Moore appears to be hanging on for dear life. As far as Porsha goes, she hasn’t signed on any dotted lines. Yet. Radar has the scoop.
While it’s probably okay to assume Porsha will appear on some level, she’s not back as an official Real Housewife. Insiders have shared the deal is on the table, but the pen is currently lost under the sofa.
But that’s okay because apparently NO ONE has been signed to join the Season 16 cast. “No one has signed a contract for Season 16,” and “no one is locked in,” a source said. Further, there have been “plenty of talks” about the ensemble group before Kandi decided to pack her sex toys and go home.
Kandi was sick and tired of waiting for Bravo to make a move, so she moved on her own. Obviously, Kandi’s departure opens the door for alums to show up who may or may not have accused her of trapping Porsha in a dungeon of depravity.
Andy Cohen seems to be jazzed about the upcoming season despite having no cast. This week he announced on his radio show that the ladies will be announced soon and “the casting is superb.” He’s probably hoping for a miracle after last season sunk in the ratings.
In a recent interview, Kenya said, “I think they’re 100 percent focused on creating a dynamic new cast with some oldies and some newbies. So we’ll see.” It looks moderately optimistic for Kenya and clearly Bravo wants Porsha back.
If there’s one thing about Mia Thornton on The Real Housewives of Potomac, it’s the fact that we can count on her to ask the tough questions. She doesn’t care about being messy. She’s unapologetically nosey, and we love her for it.
In a sneak peek of RHOP Season 8, Episode 13, we get a glimpse at Mia using her investigative skills to learn more about Ashley Darby’s divorce. With Mia and her husband Gordon Thornton in a rough spot, she turned to Ashley to get more tea on divorce, or lack thereof.
Ashley and Michael Darby announced their separation in April 2022. Since then, the two have remained close. He helped her buy a house, and there’s been no progress towards a divorce. Mia needed to know more.
To divorce or not to divorce, that is the question
In RHOP Season 8 Episode 12, Gordon and Mia talked about their rocky relationship, and Gordon floated the idea of devising an “arrangement that’s mutually beneficial” rather than pursuing a divorce. Mia wondered if maybe that’s what Michael and Ashley were doing. Perhaps that’s why Ashley hadn’t yet signed divorce papers?
In the RHOP Season 8, Episode 13 preview, Ashley didn’t go into details about any arrangements she had with Michael. Instead, she explained that she’s been pussyfooting around the divorce because she’s afraid of losing Michael’s financial security.
She explained, “Yes, I am scared of what it could look like if I’m not able to meet the mortgage.”
Ashley opened up about how when she was a kid, her mom was a single parent and struggled with housing insecurities. She said she remembers them getting evicted and being on the side of the street with all of their belongings. Ashley is terrified of being in that predicament with her kids, so she’s buying time by stalling the divorce.
In response, Mia encouraged Ashley to move past the fear and proceed with the divorce. Ashley claimed that it was on her radar.
“I will probably by the end of the year. My goal is by the end of the year,” Ashley said, which was in reference to 2023.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT ASHLEY AND MICHAEL HAVEN’T FINALIZED THEIR DIVORCE? DO YOU THINK SHE SHOULD GET OVER HER FEAR OF LOSING ACCESS TO HIS MONEY?
Tom Schwartz’s divorce from Katie Maloney blew the lid off the life that he created with his ex-wife. That included a lovely home in Valley Village. But it’s old news that the former couple have sold their house and have both downsized to their respective apartments. And it was back to a bachelor pad for Schwartz.
Perhaps it was a shock to return to such a living arrangement. But if the Vanderpump Rules star had any difficulties, he’s past them now and happily shared his home with Bravo cameras during a recent visit.
“I need a roommate,” the VPR star joked
Schwartz warmly greeted the camera crew and as an introduction said, “I’ve grown to love this place. It feels like of like a home. A transitional home.”
Right away, fans will notice the copious amount of house plants. They are well taken care of, a point that Schwartz made on camera. “Everyone’s thriving right now,” he said.
First off, it’s to the kitchen, where a well-placed skylight brings extra warmth to the area. Although garish to some, Schwartz calls them “my favorite part” of the kitchen.
The fridge was well-stocked, should any guests arrive. Kombucha flavors for James Kennedy and Capri Sun pouches should Scheana Shay turn up.
“I never thought I’d be this age and living in a bachelor pad,” Schwartz reminisced mid-tour.
The fact that the TV had yet to be mounted was addressed multiple times as a “choice” and not “procrastination.” The living space also boasts a home gym (that’s being generous) and a treadmill. The latter, Schwartz revealed, “has got me through a lot of rough moments in life.”
Other highlights of the apartment include a great patio space, and a fireplace shrine for Schwartz to reflect.
As for the pups? They were hanging out on the bed. In the bedroom closet, the reality TV star showed off a coat he bought “when I filmed Winter House,” as well as a snowboard that he used on Season 3.
One notable piece in Schwartz apartment was a mood board that he created to manifest for 2021. The Minnesota native “accomplished” plenty, including a whiskey launch, and bar opening. But don’t forget the crypto purchases. Was he being sarcastic?
Good for you, Schwartz! Cheers to the upcoming best days of your life.
“And if you want, you can move in. I need a roommate,” he joked at the end of the tour.
Vanderpump Rules Season 11 continues Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
Welcome to the Below Deck Season 11 premiere! In this week’s episode, called “New Capt, New Rules,” not only is there a new captain on board, but there’s a whole new crew. Captain Kerry takes over the helm and realizes he has a crew that needs whipping into shape. The new bosun makes an error that could have led to disaster (and he should have known better). And the new chef needs to pick up the pace. Here are some of the highlights from Below Deck Season 11, Episode 1.
There’s a new sheriff captain in town
Photo: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo
The show opens with Captain Kerry piloting his own speedboat toward the yacht. “I was born for this life,” he tells us. “Adventure and danger for me is just another day … The easiest part of being a captain is driving the boat. The hard part’s the crew.”
Kerry’s worked on yachts all over the world, but this is his first time in Grenada. “Grenada’s a stunning location, but it’s very, very challenging. The winds are incredible. [There are] a lot of reefs in the area, many of them aren’t marked. It’ll slice you open like a tin can. This is not going to be a pleasure cruise, but I like it that way.”
Once everyone’s checked in, Captain Kerry calls a crew meeting in the Sky Lounge. At the top of his list is his crew’s physical safety and mental health. “But don’t take my kindness for weakness,” he adds. “I will f*ckin’ turn in a heartbeat if you start taking the piss.” In other words, Captain Kerry better not catch you messing around and not doing your job.
“You work hard, you’ll be rewarded,” he adds. “You f*ck around, you’re off the boat.” Seems fair. The first charter starts tomorrow, so it’s time to get the boat in order.
Preparing for the first charter
Photo: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo
When provisions arrive on the dock, everyone helps carry the groceries into the galley. But Chef Anthony gets to put everything away. It’s a lot of work, and storage is spread all over the boat.
“Come on, Anthony,” he pep-talks himself. “Because we can, and if we can we f*ckin’ do.” He’s got to find places to store all the food, and then be able to remember where he put it. He’s running up and down the stairs to the below-deck storage. It’s kind of exhausting.
“In my restaurant in France,” he says, “it was, like, 18 employees. So I can just work, work, work, work, and be a chef and stay in the kitchen. As a yacht chef, you are the only one. You know? It’s all over the place. I gotta, like, run to the bottom, to the top, go back up to the galley … Maybe it’s not too late to run, Anthony.”
Meanwhile, Captain Kerry wants to be sure everything is perfect for the charter guests. So he makes a quick tour, alongside Jared and Fraser, to see how things are coming along. He even looks inside the toilets in the guest cabins to make sure they’re clean. That’s a pretty detailed inspection.
“I can’t run the entire boat by myself,” Kerry admits. “A good crew can make a bad captain look good. And a bad crew can make a good captain look bad.” In the end, he tells Fraser, “I’m very happy. I think the guests will be as well.”
Chain of fools
Photo: Bravo
Once the guests are settled, it’s time to leave the dock. Reaching their anchorage, Captain Kerry tells Lead Deckhand Ben, “We’ll get the first shot [of the anchor chain] out fast. Then we’ll decide how much more we’re gonna put out.”
“Thanks, Cap,” Ben says and heads out the door. But apparently, he fails to convey this information to Bosun Jared who puts two and a half shots in the water.
When Jared tells the captain he’s dropped two and a half shots, Kerry swears, “Sh*t,” under his breath. He radios back, “I asked for one shot when I was talking with Ben … One shot, not two and a half.”
Jared radios back, “I apologize. I did not receive that transmission … I should have asked.”
“If I haven’t [told you how much chain to put out],” Kerry continues, “you need to ask me. Let’s start pulling up some chain. There’s too much chain out.”
But Ben tells Kyle a different story. “I was going to do the anchor,” he says. “But then, Jared comes down and he’s like, ‘I’m gonna go do the anchor.’ And now he’s blaming me.”
Meanwhile, Captain Kerry says, “I’m worried we just dumped everything on top of the anchor.” That could cause a problem if the anchor gets caught in the chain … [If] the boat moves back, it can dislodge the anchor. You drag that anchor, you hit the rocks, someone’ll get hurt. Thankfully, you can correct it … [But] it makes us look like amateur hour.”
Eventually Jared radios, “That’s one shot at the water line … straight up and down.”
The captain tells him, “All right, let’s lock it down there.” But Jared’s gonna hear more about this later, you can be sure. This conversation is not over.
Miscommunication corrected
Photo: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo
While the guests are enjoying lunch, Jared and Ben are down in the laz recapping the anchor issue.
“I thought he was gonna tell me over the radio when I was dropping it,” Jared says, “how many shots, but…“
“Yeah, thanks for throwing me under the bus, though,” Ben responds.
“What do you mean?” Jared asks.
“When he said, ‘I told Ben one shot…”
“I didn’t hear that,” Jared says.
Ben reminds him that he said, “I didn’t get that info.”
“My bad, bro!” a shocked Jared answers. “I didn’t hear ‘Ben’ at all!”
In an interview, Ben clarifies, “I didn’t tell Jared to drop one shot. But if you’re ever on the bow, ready to drop the anchor, you check in with the bridge on how [much anchor to drop]. He should know that. Maybe he’s nervous, I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. It’s Charter One. We’re just getting all the cobwebs out.”
Tears in the galley
Photo: Bravo
“I’m really impressed by [Anthony’s] food,” Fraser interviews. “However, the galley looks like a bomb’s gone off!” Who’s gonna clean that up? In the end, he sends Cat to help Cheffie clean up.
While the guests are entertained, Captain Kerry decides to do another walk-through of the boat. Wow. People think Captain Sandy’s a micro-manager! This guy’s doing toilet inspections.
“Interior, interior,” he radios. “Can I have someone, please, down [in the] starboard aft cabin?” Uh oh. Did he find more smudges on the mirror?
Turns out somebody forgot to do the fancy fold on the toilet paper. But the rest is “quite pretty.” Whew! I was scared for them for a minute.
While Cat’s still trying to get the galley straightened up, Barbie is giving her little tasks and has her running up and down the stairs doing her bidding. Finally, Cat tells Barbie that Fraser told her to get this galley cleaned up for Chef, so she can’t help her right now.
Barbie says, “Fine,” and walks away. But then she does a very passive aggressive interview about how Cat’s “so slow … Pick it up, girl.”
Cat’s feeling the pressure and after Fraser tells her she can take a break, he finds her crying in the crew mess. “You okay?” he asks her. “What’s wrong, darling?”
She tells him she’s just feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, and he assures her she’s doing fine and there’s just a learning curve. He gives her a hug and tells her to enjoy her break. He says she should go up on the deck and get some air before going back to work.
Running back up the stairs, he mutters to himself, “She’s not gonna last.”
Dinner disaster
Photo: Bravo
Dinner is running late. The guests are at the table, but Chef’s still putting the finishing touches on his food.
“Maybe it’s because I am French,” he says. “It’s in my culture. But perfection [is] very important for me … It’s like with a woman, you need to take your time, you know? If you wanna make her happy, and so with food, I guess it’s the same.”
Fraser’s stressing. Dinner was scheduled for 8:00. It’s now 9:50 and the entrée has yet to be served. Captain Kerry is observing from the doorway of the galley. That’s got to be stressful.
“Welcome to Hell,” Anthony jokes.
Finally, the guests receive their main course at 10:22. A graphic on the screen tells us it’s been an hour and 22 minutes since the last course. This doesn’t bode well for Chef Anthony.
A little later, Captain Kerry is on the bridge listening to the radio chatter. Fraser is asking Chef if he can speed up the next course. Ben is asking if Jared has the list of things Kyle needs for tomorrow. Cat is asking Barbie for help, but Barbie puts her off.
Kerry admits he’s just getting to know everybody. “The jury’s still out, but I’ll change you out if you can’t do your job.” I’m sure he will.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE BELOW DECK SEASON 11 PREMIERE? DO YOU THINK CAPTAIN KERRY WILL “CHANGE ANYBODY OUT” OR DO YOU THINK THEY’LL GET BETTER? DO YOU THINK ANTHONY WILL BE ABLE TO SPEED UP HIS COOKING?
