What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
Today was a tough TV road to hoe. For some reason, Bravo decided to put the finale of The Real Housewives of NYC on at 8 pm, and premiere the Dallas Wives at 9. Since I’ve been mini-capping MasterChef (also on at 8), I didn’t want to miss it, and it was the finale of 24 Hours to Hell and Back, and I didn’t want to miss that either. Luckily, NYC Wives repeated at 10, and Dallas at 11:30. Speaking of which, is Andy Cohen on vacation again? Watch What Happens Live was not live, but a repeat. The result is postponing Dallas Wives until tomorrow. It needs editing, and this girl needs her beauty sleep. I know, this should be my worst problem.
General Hospital
Carly sees Sonny looking at Alzheimer facility brochures. She give him a cup of coffee, and asks if he’s had a change of heart. He says, the two things that are most important to him in the world; her and coffee. She hopes in that order. He says it’s not even close, takes a sip, and says, on second thought… He’d been thinking about showing Mike the brochures, but he made it clear yesterday that he’s not ready.
Franco and Elizabeth have breakfast at Charlie’s. Franco asks if she’s fine with Cameron giving her the silent treatment. It’s only natural that he’d be sulking. Elizabeth is concerned about his mood shifts, and Franco says he’s a fine young man. He doesn’t think Cameron will let a kid drown because he’s moping. Elizabeth doesn’t want to be one of those moms who puts a tracking device on their kid. Kim comes in, and tells Elizabeth that she’s sorry she couldn’t make it to Kiki’s trial, but she heard the great news. Franco says to think he almost screwed it up. One wrong text to one wrong person, and Rome almost falls.
At the hospital, Monica asks to talk to Griff.
Julian calls Alexis to congratulate her. She asks if he’s talked to his sister. He’s left messages but all is silent. Alexis says Ava was the one who prodded Scotty to ask about Griff. She almost cost Kiki the case. He might tell her while she’s being so concerned over what Kiki and Griff did, she should think about what she almost did to her own daughter. Sam and Molly come by bringing breakfast. Sam says Alexis doesn’t seem happy. Molly says she struck a blow for women in general, and and Kiki in particular. Alexis says Kiki got justice, but it came at a price.
Griff understand that the hospital took a hit regarding David. He assures Monica that what happened between him and Kiki was nothing like that.
Kiki knock’s on Ava’s door. Ava says, go away, but Kiki tells her to open the door.
Sonny tells Carly that his dad thinks of it as home; not just the house, but Port Charles. He has history there, and there’s no history in places like that. How can they help him? Carly says they’ve come up with ways she and Sonny haven’t thought of. Mike listens in. Sonny says Mike is doing okay. He does better in the daytime, so Sonny does business at night, spending the afternoon time with him that he didn’t get as a little boy. How can he give that up when he doesn’t have to? Mike joins them, saying he’s feeling great. He was thinking it’s too nice to be cooped up. Let’s take off. Sonny says he’ll have Max bring the car around. Carly says she doesn’t have to be anywhere, and asks Mike, how about spending the morning together? They can make up for lost time. Sonny asks where they’re going, and Carly says, wherever Mike wants to go. Mike knows where, and Carly says they won’t be gone long. Mike says, unless they are. He might decide to steal her.
Julian tells Franco that Ava is radio silent. Franco says that can’t be good. Julian doesn’t know how Scotty found out, and Elizabeth says the important thing is that Kiki won. Kim says it’s wonderful that she’s donating the money to women’s causes. Too bad David won’t face real consequences.
Sonny looks at a brochure. The phone rings, and he says, send her up.
Sam tells Alexis she’s very proud, and Molly says they both are. Sam says, if karma is real, David will get what’s coming to him. Alexis appreciates it. She says it’s affected the big picture – ideals, the system, society – but the woman who fought and won will have to go back to work and be judged for the choices she made.
Monica tells Griff that he’s not there to discuss his personal life. What David did was reprehensible, but Griff has violated the hospital’s core values, not to mention the law. She asks if this is his signature, and hands him the DNA test request.
Ava says Kiki must be on top of the world this morning. The press is calling her vindicated. She says the press is calling her a lot of things. She thinks Ava deserves an explanation; so does she. Ava says Griff already took the blame. She doesn’t need Kiki’s mea culpa. Kiki wants to own her part, and Ava says there’s nothing to own. She understands perfectly well. Griff can’t resist a damsel in distress. He’s always a shoulder to cry on, and they have a picture to prove it. Kiki says he was being a good person and a good friend. Ava says she was wounded, lost. He took her into his arms, said there there, then took her into bed. Kiki says it wasn’t like that. Ava says what was it like? Kiki says in Ava’s number at the Nurses’ Ball, she was telling Griff that he doesn’t own her, and she’ll do what she wants. She wanted to break up. She ended things and walked out. Ava says it was only five minutes later. Kiki says, an hour, but he didn’t cheat on her or betray her. Ava says, maybe not, but Kiki sure as hell did.
Kristina shows up at Sonny’s. She’s sorry she didn’t call, and he says it’s good to see her. She says it’s good to be home. He asks how long she’s staying, and she says it’s just a quick trip. Sam kept her posted on what’s been going on, and she wanted to be here for her family. He says, funny how that works. Her family needs her right now.
Mike and Carly go to Charlie’s. Carly can’t believe this is where he wanted to go, and he says, it feels like home. He tells her to look at the pictures; every one tells a story. Julian tells Carly that he knows they’ve had their differences. Carly says they still do. Mike says he’s shaky on names, and Julian reintroduces himself. Carly asks how they met, and Julian says Sonny brought mike in. He knew Charlie; back in the day, he and Charlie were friends. Mike tells Julian, if he says so, and Julian tells her about the photo of Mike and Charlie. He says, no surprise, he had ulterior motives in giving it to Sonny. He did want him to have it, but was also extending an olive branch, since he turned down Sonny’s offer to buy the place. Kim tells Carly sorry she hasn’t called. Carly introduces Mike, and Kim says she’s been dying to meet him since he sang at the Nurses’ Ball. He says, it’s always good to meet a fan. He says she’s not a nurse; he knows all of them. Carly tells Kim that Mike is an incorrigible flirt. Kim says she’s a doctor; an OB/GYN. He says his grandson’s wife is having a baby, and Carly distracts him by saying Lucas is Julian’s son, so he’s a grandfather too. Mike says it’s the greatest job ever; you can do no wrong. Julian asks if Mike has any pointers, and Mike says it’s his main job to spoil the grandkids rotten.
Carly thanks Franco for helping Jason break her out. Although she knows he didn’t have much choice.
Monica asks if Griff ordered the test without patient permission. He says he did, and she asks if he’d care to explain why. He says Peter concerned he inherited a gene, but Monica says you don’t rule that out with a paternity test. He says he was led to believe Peter could be Henrik Faison. She says he’s a doctor, not a detective. He says Henrik was considered a dangerous criminal. She says he could have consulted with the legal team, and they would have figured something out. He says it didn’t occur to him, and he didn’t think he could approach anyone. He overheard Jason tell Anna that he’d kill Henrik. He didn’t tell anyone, although he eventually told Peter. He agreed not to reveal Peter’s identity, and Peter agreed he wouldn’t reveal how Griff found out. He asks if Peter told her about it, or was it someone else?
Ava says Kiki might have the grace to apologize, but Kiki’s not sorry anymore. She was drowning in guilt until yesterday when Ava told Scotty to keep pressing Griff until he admitted they slept together. She could have tanked the case. Ava says Griff admitted the truth after she gave him chance to tell her to her face in hallway after Franco pulled the fire alarm. Kiki asks if she thinks that was the right time. A better time might have been after Griff’s testimony. She just had to put it on public display, having Scotty bully him into telling the truth. She was David’s best friend. They could have lost the case because she had to slut shame her own daughter in court.
Sonny asks Kristina how Oregon is, and she tells him, beautiful, friendly, the perfect place to live. He asks about Parker, and Kristina says she’s fine; school is starting soon. He asks if Kristina is going, and she says she’s not cut out for a classroom. He says he wasn’t either. Has she figured out what she wants to do? She says she’s in the process, but she isn’t just sitting around. She has a job as a bartender to keep her occupied until she figures it out. He says he’s not pressing her; he’s just curious. She says, right now, she wants to focus on spending time with her family.
Franco tells Carly he didn’t expect roses, but a small gesture might be appropriate. She asks if he was brought in for questioning. He says, no, and she says Jason made sure he had no involvement. It’s like it didn’t happen. Elizabeth says he took a serious risk, and Carly says he bought truce with Jason; she wouldn’t push it. Franco says, on that note, he’s going back to the hospital. Elizabeth says she’ll catch up with him later. He leaves, and Elizabeth says she’s glad Carly made it through the nightmare and is back home; Josslyn needs her. Carly agrees; she’s her mom. Elizabeth says Josslyn needs her more than usual. They don’t want a repeat of what happened in the store. Carly asks, what store? Elizabeth says Josslyn must not have told her. Cameron got caught shoplifting earbuds. He’d never done anything like that before, and the security camera showed Josslyn with him. Carly asks if Elizabeth is implying that her daughter had something to do with her son shoplifting?
Julian asks if Mike and Charlie were close. Mike says Charlie did a big favor for him one time. It happened right under this roof.
Monica tells Griff hospital policy forbids her telling him who told her. It’s clearly an invasion of privacy, puts the integrity of the hospital in question, and opens them up for lawsuits. He doesn’t think Peter is going to sue, but she says, he could; that’s the problem. Effective immediately, Griff is suspended from any and all duties at GH. She has no choice.
Ava says she wasn’t thinking about David. Kiki says she was only thinking of herself. She didn’t think about jeopardizing everything Alexis and Francesca were fighting for, and sent a message to David and all predators, that they can do and say whatever they want to women. All Griff did was tell the truth. Ava says Kiki won; she had no effect one that. Unlike Kiki, who slept with Griff at the first opportunity. Kiki says it was a mistake. Ava says maybe for Griff, but not for Kiki. It’s payback. She slept with Griff because Ava slept with Morgan.
Elizabeth says Carly has been gone a long time, due to circumstances beyond her control. It’s natural that Josslyn feels lost without her mom, and is acting out for attention. Carly asks if Josslyn was caught, or just Elizabeth’s son. Elizabeth says Josslyn was there. Those are the facts. Deal with them how she sees fit. Carly resents the implication that Josslyn is a bad influence. Elizabeth says those are her words. Carly says, it must suck to be Cameron. His mom can’t see him except as a reflection of herself.
Julian asks Mike, what favor? Kim interrupts, asking Mike about the song he sang. He tells her it was Summer Wind. Carly says they have to go, and Mike tells her that he was just starting to have a good time. She says they promised Sonny, and they leave. Julian asks why Kim did that. She says, what? Interrupt his attempt to coax a man with Alzheimer’s into giving him information? Julian says he was trying to keep Mike from breaking a promise.
Alexis’s doorbell rings. Molly says, OMG, and Alexis asks who it is. Molly tells her to see for herself, and Kristina comes in. She heard about Alexis’s big win; it’s all over the media. She asks if it’s too late for congratulations, and Alexis says, never, and hugs her.
Monica tells Griff the board will review her report, and decide on an appropriate course of action. She has a meeting, but he can stay however long he wants. He sits sites there looking worried. Franco says, look who got called to the principal’s office. Whatever Monica does, he’s getting off easy.
Kiki says she didn’t sleep with Griff to get back at Ava. That would make it too easy for Ava to call them even, when they’re clearly not close. She made a mistake, but Ava is a vicious, vengeful bitch. She seduced Morgan twice, and when that didn’t work, she sabotaged his sanity to break them up. He’s dead because he wanted her daughter more than her. It’s the same with Griff. Ava can’t stand that he wanted her because she’s insecure and spiteful. Now she’s shown the whole world. Ava says if that’s what Kiki thinks, get out. She can forget a relationship with her sister. It’s Avery’s home, not Kiki’s Kiki feels sorry for Avery. She suggests Ava drink some more. When she wakes up, she’ll be another day older, and just as pathetic. Kiki leaves, and Ava takes that suggestion.
Alexis asks if this is Kristina’s first stop or did she see her dad? Kristina says she just came from there. He makes it sound like he has everything under control. Alexis says, he usually does. Molly tells Kristina that Jason his back. Kristina says she heard, and maybe she can stay with Sam and see him there. Sam makes a hmm… face, but says she’s always welcome to crash at her place. Molly and Sam go in the kitchen. Alexis tells Kristina that she didn’t like the way they left things. Kristina doesn’t either. Alexis say the last time they talked, she seemed unhappy. She told Sam, and Sam said not everything is about her. Kristina thinks maybe she should listen to Sam more often, and Alexis thinks maybe they should talk more often. She asks if Kristina is happy. Kristina says, yes, and Alexis tells her, that’s all that matters. They hug.
Back home, Carly tells Sonny that they went to Charlie’s. He asks who’s idea that was. She says Mike’s, and Mike says the guy who runs the place is a sweetheart of guy. Sonny says, that’s one word for him. Mike goes upstairs. Sonny asks Carly if there’s anything he should know about, and she says Julian was chatting with his dad. He told her about the picture of Charlie and Mike. Sonny says Julian gave it to him, and she says he also said Sonny offered to buy place. What’s that about?
Kim wants to trust Julian, but it’s hard when she sees him pumping poor Mike for information. Julian says it has nothing to do with them; it has to do with Charlie’s and the new life he’s built. It’s important. Mike knows a few things, and he wants to find out while Mike still remembers. Kim asks him to please not make her regret believing him. He plans to make sure she never regrets anything. They kiss.
Sonny says he thought the simple solution would be to buy Julian out, but he refused to sell. Carly says, it’s not about the restaurant, is it? Mike asks Carly for help. He found a pile of clothing in the back of his closet. She says it looks like Josslyn’s, and he hopes he didn’t go in the wrong room. Sonny and Carly act like they do that all the time. Carly says she likes to snoop. She thinks the housekeeper must have made a mistake. Sonny has an idea.
Franco says if he punched Griff, he doesn’t know if he could stop. He cares about Kiki, and being naïve and romantic, thought Griff did too. Griff says he does, and Franco says, then what the hell? It’s one thing for him to fall from grace, but to drag Kiki into it… Kiki appears, and says he didn’t drag her anywhere she didn’t want to go. Franco says he’s sorry for contributing to a large degree in the conflict. Kiki says they all make mistakes. Except her mom, who’s deliberately vindictive, but she has to live with that. She needs to talk to Griff. Franco leaves, and she closes the door. Griff thinks he feels better now that it’s out in open. Kiki says she wouldn’t.
Alexis has a client emergency – the only thing that can take her away from the family reunion. Molly says she has to preregister for classes. Sam says she and Kristina will stay and do the dishes. Alexis asks Kristina to save some private time for her before she goes home. Kristina says it’s still her home there, and Alexis says, don’t forget that. After Molly and Alexis leave, Sam tells Kristina it’s just them now. What’s really going on?
Monica finds Griff and Kiki in her office. She asks Kiki if she’s all right, and says she’s sorry about everything David put her through. Kiki wonders why he isn’t being fired, and Monica says he still has his medical license; it wasn’t malpractice. Kiki says, just harassment. Monica would love to talk to her, but she needs a moment with Griff. Kiki steps away, and Griff asks what she found out. She says the people she saw who are on the board were tight-lipped. He’s going to have to turn in his ID when he leaves. Monica gets a page, and says she’s wanted in cardiology. She tells him good luck. Kiki asks Griff if he’s been suspended. He says it looks that way. She asks if it’s because of her.
Ava looks in the mirror and talks to herself. She sees who she is, who she’s always been, and will always be. She’s cold, unfeeling, and she is filled with a need for vengeance – and she will have it. She breaks down and sobs.
Griff swears it had nothing to do with Kiki or the trial. He made a mistake. She asks what kind, but he says it doesn’t matter. She says it does. He’ll be gone, and she needs a friend, an ally. He says she just proved she can stand up for herself. He will always be her ally and friend, no matter what. She tells him to take care, and he says, her too. He takes off his ID.
Carly looks through the pile Mike found; clothing with tags and security sensors still on the. Carly wonders what the hell Josslyn has been up to.
Sonny gives Mike a handmade sign that says, Mike’s Room. Mike says he had no idea Sonny was such a great artist. He thanks Sonny, and says now he’ll never get lost. They hug. Now, even on his good days, Mike is ripping my heart out.
Tomorrow, Terry starts working at the hospital, Josslyn wonders what’s wrong with her, and Jason tells Sonny that they’re going to end this.
The Real Housewives of New York City
LuAnn rehearses for her cabaret. In her interview, she says it’s for real and it’s scary. She can’t wait for the women to see the show; she’s beyond excited. She tells director that she told Sonja to wear underwear. She doesn’t want to be Sonja’s snatchguard. But then again, life is a cabaret.
Sonja isn’t nervous – she’s been entertaining people her whole life – but she doesn’t want to let LuAnn down. LuAnn’s mother and son are coming, and LuAnn told her no T&A. She tells Ramona it’s her schtick, and Ramona thinks she should be herself. Sonja says if her own kids were coming she’s do it.
Bethenny thought it was a joke, but it’s for real. The pressure is on. She expects over-the-top glamour, performance, theater, and a little bit of drag. She tells her glam squad that Carole has changed and they’re in different places.
Daughter Victoria visits LuAnn. LuAnn is freaking out. This is scaring the hell out of her, and she’s wondering if she made a mistake. To keep from panicking, she keeps telling herself, it’s cabaret; even if you make a mistake, it’s not a big deal.
Tinsley tells pup Bambi that mommy needs a glass of wine. Dorinda arrives; she and Tinsley are going to the show together. In her interview, Tinsley says living in the penthouse is bittersweet. She’s happy to have a big place where she can invite friends over, but at the same time, she wishes Scott was there more. He’s in Las Vegas, and won’t be going to the show. Dorinda teaches her how to open a bottle of champagne. In her interview, Dorinda says she waitressed from ages fourteen to twenty-two. Tinsley says it’s a big deal that she’s wearing pants. She wanted to look more cabaret-like. She asks if John is coming, and Dorinda says he wasn’t invited. Tinsley thought he would still come to the after-party, but Dorinda says that’s not how she rolls. She assumed he’d be invited; she’s been with him six years. It would have been a nice gesture. Tinsley says it’s never been an issue with Scott, since he’s away so much. In her interview, Tinsley says LuAnn invited Scott today, but she’s not sharing it with Dorinda. Carole arrives in sequins, but I’m not sure if I like her in that type of outfit. It doesn’t seem like her style. She says what else would she wear to a cabaret starring The Countess?
Carole tells Dorinda to call LuAnn and make sure, but Dorinda says she did. LuAnn said she should have asked months ago, or should have bought a ticket to make sure he could get in. Dorinda thinks it’s rude. Carole thought Dorinda got LuAnn’s outfits for the show, and Dorinda says she did. In her interview, Dorinda wonders if it’s LuAnn’s way of punishing her for their discord in Mexico. John has been nice to her, and she’s surprised LuAnn decided not to invite him. It’s rude, especially to a friend. She says maybe they weren’t as good of friends as she thought.
LuAnn chants. In her interview, LuAnn says Dorinda wanted to know why John wasn’t invited. She said he was welcome, but she needed to ask, since there’s limited seating. Dorinda told her that she was not kind. LuAnn shoves off for the show.
The venue is 54 Below. In her interview, Tinsley says LuAnn quickly turned things around. We flash back to LuAnn and Sonja trying to rehearse in Mexico. Tinsley says she’s not sure how going to go, but LuAnn has worked hard, and been through so much. She’s scared LuAnn’s not ready. Tinsley mentions John not being invited to Carole, and says Scott was invited. She shows Carole the text. In her interview, Carole says, not nice. Bethenny says it’s a real theater, with a real crowd; it’s exciting. She doesn’t know what to expect. Tinsley asks Carole if she should tell Dorinda. Carole says she’d usually say don’t hurt someone’s feelings, but her new motto is everyone should know everything. In her interview, she says you need to know who your friends are. As usual, the problem isn’t what gets said, but the timing of it. Why now? Sonja arrives, rounding out the group.
Carole tells Dorinda to switch seats. She wants to talk to Ramona. In her interview, Tinsley isn’t sure how Dorinda will respond, but she should know what’s going on. Carole asks Bethenny about her new place, and Bethenny says it was amazing how everything got done. Tinsley tells Dorinda not to be mad. She didn’t want to pile it on, but LuAnn invited Scott today, and she felt badly. LuAnn had texted that if Scott was in town, of course he’d be welcome. She asked Carole, who thought she should know. Now the whole table knows. Bethenny says maybe it slipped LuAnn’s mind, but Dorinda says she talked to her this morning. Ramona tells Sonja what’s going on. In her interview, Sonja thinks Dorinda needs to let it go. It’s LuAnn’s night; don’t bring up John. Exactly. In her interview, Bethenny says, who cares? It’s not a demonic plot to excommunicate John. Dorinda pulls up the text from LuAnn that says she should have asked sooner. She says she doesn’t even want to go to the after-party.
LuAnn comes out, and Dorinda’s pissed off face is priceless. Dorinda says LuAnn is wearing a dress she got her. LuAnn starts off by saying she made it – after being briefly detained. She says, not drinking exhausting. She gets up early, goes to yoga and classes, and by ten she’s exhausted, about the time when she used to get her first drink at the Regency. Rachel Dratch yells something from the audience. She comes up, and they do some banter. We also see clips of other guests, including Bridget Everett. IN her interview, Sonja says she was pleasantly surprised to be part of the act and motorboat Bridget. LuAnn is in heaven. She shares her “diary,” to give insight into why she’s made questionable decisions. In her interview, Bethenny says she loves the ridiculousness, and how LuAnn isn’t taking herself seriously. LuAnn tells the audience to memorize three phone numbers in case you go to jail. Tinsley yells, tell her about it. In her interview, Tinsley says, see what a mug shot can do for you? LuAnn talks about her dress. Dorinda says she got LuAnn’s dresses for her, and yells, thank you Jovani! In her interview, Bethenny says Dorinda is wasting her energy working herself up. She thinks Dorinda likes to fight.
In her interview, LuAnn says she hears Dorinda yelling. She sent LuAnn to a showroom and the dresses fit her like a glove. Don’t throw her jealous energy up there. LuAnn says Sonja is a man eater. Sonja says, really, she only loves LuAnn. LuAnn invites her up to do Money Can’t Buy You Class. In what looks like a real wardrobe malfunction, Sonja’s wraparound dress opens up. At least she’s wearing underwear. In her interview, Sonja says all of her dresses trained to come off after eleven. It’s how she stays young. Ramona says LuAnn is owning the stage; she’s amazing. Carole is loving it. Even when LuAnn is off key, it doesn’t matter. Post rehab sober LuAnn is in on the joke, but fab. In her interview, LuAnn says she landed safely. She did it. It feels like she climbed Mount Everest. It feels good to be at top, and not at the bottom in shackles.
At the after-party, Bethenny tells Sonja it was great, but not a minute went by that Dorinda wasn’t bashing LuAnn. It was like Nutcracker 10.0. LuAnn doesn’t owe Dorinda her life; she wore a dress. Sonja says she needs to go away. In her interview, Sonja says if you’re drinking and getting angry, and it’s affecting your relationships, you should go to rehab. Rehab is great. She’s not judging, but Dorinda might like it. LuAnn did.
Dorinda makes an appearance, and walks back out. Bethenny tells Sonja rehab isn’t a bad idea. Bridget sees Dorinda, and asks her if she sings. Dorinda says she does it all. Bethenny asks Carole about Adam, and she says they’re friends. In her interview, Bethenny says it feels nice to have a normal conversation at a social event. Something feels lighter. Carole asks if Bethenny is spending the summer in the Hamptons, and Bethenny says she’s not going away. Carole says she’s going to dive into projects. She’s her most creative when she’s single. In her interview, Carole says, in an alternate universe, they would be friends again, but this conversation should have happened months ago. Ramona interrupts, and Bethenny tells her that she wants to finish her conversation with Carole. Ramona had said she wanted them to be friends, so let them have a private conversation. Ramona wants to talk to Bethenny about something, and Bethenny says to call her secretary and make an appointment. <snort>
Ramona tells Bethenny to get over it. She supported Bethenny’s charity, financially and by coming to her event, but she never acknowledged Ramona’s invitation to her skincare line launch. She’s disappointed. Bethenny says she understands and it’s duly noted. Ramona asks why, but Bethenny doesn’t feel the need to explain it to her. In her interview, Ramona wants Bethenny to have common decency and courtesy. She’s impossible to deal with. Carole makes her escape. Ramona says she came to clear the air. In her interview, Bethenny says she’s never seen any business that Ramona is a “maven” at, pan out. She didn’t take it seriously. Ramona says Bethenny claims to support women, and says wow half a dozen times. In her interview, Bethenny feels like Ramona is looking to find an argument. Go away. There’s a giant ocean of men, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres out there. Ramona tells Carole that Bethenny only wants to empower herself, and no one else. Carole suggests she lower her expectations. In her interview, Ramona says, it’s brilliant. Carole tells her to focus on LuAnn.
Dorinda is still there. Carole wonders where LuAnn is, and here she comes. In her interview, LuAnn says you should always leave people in anticipation, waiting for the star to arrive. Everyone congratulates her. Dorinda says no matter what happens, she always does the right thing, and tells LuAnn, congratulations; it was off the charts. Now she’s free to go. Bethenny asks why she’s so pumped on Jovani, and Dorinda says she wants to be appreciated. Bethenny says she should be happy LuAnn is wearing it. She doesn’t get why Dorinda is connecting the dress to John. Dorinda says she did LuAnn a favor. If her boyfriend was there, she’d have more fun and would stay longer. It would have been nothing for LuAnn to invite him. Sonja says as long as her dress falls off, it’s all good. In her interview, LuAnn explains that Dorinda never said anything, and the seating was limited. By the time she asked, it was too late, but she figured Dorinda would bring him anyway. Dorinda decided to bug her on the morning of the cabaret, and by then, she didn’t give a sh*t, and said she should have told her earlier. She knew no one else had boyfriends, but remembered Scott and texted Tinsley. Bethenny tries to tell Dorinda that LuAnn assumed she’d bring John, and Dorinda says she wasn’t bringing anyone who wasn’t invited.
Carole asks LuAnn why she invited Scott, and not John. Dorinda wants another drink. LuAnn says, no one is ruining her night. Carole said she told Dorinda there were no seats, but invited Scott. LuAnn says that’s not the way it went, and it was all cone by text. Dorinda called her up this morning, screaming. Dorinda tells LuAnn that she did an amazing job; she’s proud. LuAnn tries to say something about John, and Dorinda says she doesn’t want to talk about it. Thanks for inviting her – and Scott. She says she can show LuAnn the text where she’d said it was last minute. LuAnn says she sent the text; she knows. She asks what the problem is, and Dorinda says they’ve been friends a long time, and she doesn’t want a lecture. LuAnn says she wasn’t going to give her one, and Dorinda tells her, thanks for inviting her and Scott; she did a great job. She walks out. Bethenny tells LuAnn to enjoy her night. In her interview, LuAnn is disappointed. She thought Dorinda would be happy for her after what she’s been through. She feels bad. Bethenny tells LuAnn it’s about Dorinda, not her. LuAnn knows that, but it’s sad. Outside, Dorinda tells Carole she won’t be humiliated. In her interview, Dorinda says she doesn’t care about the friendship now. She made the effort and did the right thing. If LuAnn is fine with that, have at it.
In the text we see at the end of the finale, it says that Dorinda and LuAnn are still estranged. Ramona has lowered her expectations about Bethenny, and is looking for a hot, young swim instructor. In her interview, Bethenny says, friendships shifted, and it’s sad, but you know women; you can’t live with ‘em and can’t kill ‘em. Funny, I say that about men. She’s continuing her relief efforts, but not with Carole. Carole tells Bethenny she believes they’ll find their sweet spot again. She’s working on new projects, less toxic relationships, and writing a new chapter in her life. Sonja found a renter, and can now add landlord on her dating profile. Tinsley has a present for LuAnn. In her interview, she says, looking back to a year ago, she’s happy. She hopes Scott can be present more, but it’s a great starting point. She’s gotten a smaller hotel apartment, and is still on and off again with Scott. LuAnn opens her present, and it’s a pillow. On one side is embroidered, what happens in Palm Beach, and on the other side, stays in Palm Beach. In her interview, LuAnn says, not three months ago, she was at rock bottom. With guts, hard work, and introspection, she’s gotten to this point. It’s just the beginning of her cabaret career. She’s excited for the future. She did it. The text says that after her successful show #Countesandfriends, LuAnn took a stumble, and went back to rehab.
LuAnn tells Sonja that she’s not going back to Palm Beach for a while.
Next time, the Reunion. LuAnn doesn’t make it, but it looks lively.
🍴 On MasterChef, the contestants had to break down a halibut. Gordon demonstrated, and he was like Gene Kelly dancing, making it look easy, and getting sixteen perfect filets. Cesar totally nailed it, Gordon said Samantha’s looked like it had been mauled by a cat, Shanika just made a mess, Gordon told Gerron what he made was more like fishsticks, and I was totally grossed out by the tails on the fish carcasses when Gordon flailed them around. Chelsea said she was disappointed in herself, but Aaron thought she’d done pretty well. He told her to harness her anxiety and turn it into motivation. Emily was worried unnecessarily as well, but Gordon came down hard on Ashley, asking if she’d listened, and telling her she just destroyed a very expensive piece of fish. She didn’t even get one portion out of it. In the elimination test, the cooks were to make an original dish – anything they wanted, as long as halibut was the star. Plus, they could use anything in THE PANTRY! Seriously, can I just have five minutes in there? Joe said it was the most difficult elimination test ever, and now they’d have to deal with their own fileting skills. Emily messed up her risotto (why is it always the risotto?), Joe told Farhan his dish was provocative to the palate, and he’d managed to combine every taste sensation, Shanika redeemed herself, SJ totally bombed, and sadly, my girl Chelsea made big seasoning errors, with Joe telling her it was almost inedible. Gordon added that it was not her night. Aaron asked Ashley how she thought her fish looked. When she said she thought it looked good, he said it didn’t look good… it looked perfect. I hate when they do that. Farhan was the big winner. It was like a knife to my heart when Chelsea was told she made fundamental errors and didn’t listen to instruction. She was out. She was disappointed, but did what she came to do – cook, learn, and get in the MasterChef kitchen. And THE PANTRY! She forgot to mention THE PANTRY! She said she gained confidence, and was going to keep pursuing her dream and cooking. It boggles my mind that someone so stylish lacks confidence, and I don’t know who to bond with now. One more cook was getting the boot, and it was down to Samantha and SJ (no surprise), whose dishes were unfinished and all over the place, respectively. SJ’s halibut was also overcooked, and he had to hang up his apron. Samantha swore not to take her second chance for granted, and SJ said his dream wasn’t over. Gordon asked to see him when he graduated. SJ said he’d been mentored by the best, and was grateful for the opportunity. He knew that food wasn’t just a hobby for him, and expected to lead a Korean food empire in the future. Next time, a 2-hour MasterChef, where the contestants cook for servicemen, and a tag team challenge has the home cooks on the run.
🐟 On 24 Hours to Hell and Back, Gordon took on Sandra Dee’s Bar-B-Que & Seafood, a laid-back bar and grill in Sacramento, California. A disguised Gordon feasted on greasy calamari, mystery meat, canned cheese (I didn’t know there was such a thing), and canned beans (ack! ptooey!). The staff was inattentive, and the owner had an attitude the size of Texas. When she got overly defensive, Gordon had to explain that he was there to help, not attack her. I think she would have been more put out had the gas canisters and bleach next to the furnace exploded. Gordon asked if they were trying to create a bomb. Everything was so filthy, I almost felt sick, and I’ve watched a lot of these shows. Sandra’s daughter was called out for being the most obnoxious hostess ever, and Sandra told her, when we know better, we do better. She had a hard time taking her own advice though. The décor revamp made everything lighter and brighter, but Sandra complained that she didn’t like red, pink, or orange, acting like they were neon shades when they were muted tones and perfect. Sandra had all the feels, but struggled to release control and accept change. Gordon put in a smoker area that was no longer a bomb threat. The new menu was a hit, with a mac and cheese connoisseur, saying it was the best in Sacramento. The chef said he was the proudest he’s been in fifteen years, and hoped it didn’t go back to the way it was. Gordon reached out a few months later, but there was no response. Looking at online reviews, apparently the chef did not get his wish. Gordon told us that Sandra went back to the old menu, and the comments were not favorable. Even Gordon can’t win them all.
This was the finale. Think Gordon has time to come into my life and fix everything in between shows?
🔥 Hell’s Kitchen premieres Friday, September 28th.
🚫 Speaking of Not Making It…
I guess Thomas is not so charming anymore.
👠 Despite It All, She’s Come a Long Way, Baby…
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 