Monthly Archives: July 2020

Jul31

July 30, 2020 – When Michael’s Side Testified, Ramona Feels Hurt, Free Party, More Award Noms, Sad Honor & Going On

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

Today’s GH Flashback was from May 20th, 2020. Here’s the shortened version, but if you want to take the long road, go to:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/may-20-2020-the-custody-hearing-begins-an-astrological-evening-goodbye-basement-artie-farewell-to-the-best-child-reunion-togetherness-king-costume-tnt-train-raining/

At Turning Woods, Sonny told Jason, the disease takes away everything you are, and leaves you an empty shell. When he asks what Mike wants, Mike doesn’t say anything or doesn’t want to. If Elizabeth was wrong, and Mike wanted to stay and fight, he had every right to. Then again, what was he fighting for? He has nothing look forward to. Sonny looked at Mike, and said his heart was still beating, but his brain couldn’t hold memories . He’d lost his appetite, and they’d have to put tubes in him. Sonny was confused as to what to do, and Jason said he knew Sonny wanted answers, but he could only say what he’d want in Mike’s place. Lulu stormed into Laura’s hold the invitation to Windymere for Ava’s portrait unveiling. Laura said she’d gotten hers yesterday, and Lulu said she could send regrets for them both, but Laura said that’s not what she wanted. Nikolas found Ava at the MetroCourt bar, and told her Avery was quite the artist. Ava said she couldn’t wait to show Avery’s work at the gallery, and he said he’d run into her favorite painter at the gym. She hoped he didn’t use Franco as a punching bag, and Nikolas wondered if there was something – or someone – he and Franco should be fighting about. Elizabeth told Franco that Nikolas was trying to be the person she used to know, one who valued honor and integrity. If he became that person again, she’d accept him back as a friend. Franco said Nikolas had run her sister out of town. Was that someone she wanted to be friends with? Diane told Michael and Willow to go ahead into the courtroom; she wanted to talk to Carly. She asked if Carly was prepared for Martin cross-examining her. It wasn’t going to be pretty. Carly said she was going to present herself as a loving grandmother, which was true, and convince the judge that Nelle should never get custody. Willow asked Michael if he still had photographs of him and Sasha, but he said he’d deleted them; he was a married man. She said she was a married woman, and deleted her pictures of Chase. She told Michael, she knew he was grateful, but he was also hurting like her, and it made it more bearable knowing they were going through it together. Michael said when he needed a reminder of why they were doing this, he looked at a picture of Wiley. Nelle practiced her testimony for Martin, who said it was too saccharine; not enough sincerity.

Lulu told Laura that the unveiling was just an excuse for Ava to patronize the little people. Nikolas had brought her into their family, but didn’t see why he should inflict her on the rest of them. If Laura went, she wouldn’t just be going as his mother, but as the mayor. She’d be giving Ava her stamp of approval, knowing she’d coerced Nikolas into marriage, and Spencer would rather stay in France than be there. Was Laura prepared for that?  Ava told Nikolas that Franco was ruled by powerful emotion, and she was promoting his art. Nikolas suggested she was promoting his past, and she said Franco didn’t mind. He said, Elizabeth did, and Ava asked if he’d shown Elizabeth the letter from Spencer. How was he going to respond? Was he going to choose his son, or his fortune? Nelle asked if Martin had any more unwanted advice, and he said, just tell truth, and let stand up to Michael, Carly, and Willow’s version. Julian came in, and Martin asked if he’d been drinking. Julian said, just one shot for courage, and Martin gave him some mints. Martin left, and Nelle said if she won custody, Sonny would never have to find out that Julian knew about the baby switch. Julian said he’d stick to the script; losing wasn’t an option. Diane asked Carly if Sonny was going to be there, but Carly said, no. Diane said it was probably best. His presence might be construed as intimidation. Michael asked if Willow was ready to go head to head with Nelle’s attorney, and she said she had nothing to be ashamed of. Michael told her that he couldn’t say the same. Martin was going to drag him and his family through the mud, and some would splash on her. Willow said for better or worse, and he said they were starting with worse. She asked if the honeymoon was over, and he said when the trial was done, they’d go somewhere fun with Wiley.

Jason said when he’d had surgery the first time, he’d said he didn’t want tubes and machines keeping him alive. Sonny said he didn’t have kids then, but Jason said he’d never want his kids to go through what Sonny was going through. He wished Mike hadn’t put it on Sonny. Sonny said there was a lot he and Mike hadn’t talked about; a lot they hadn’t shared. And now it was too late. Ava took Nikolas’s silence to mean he hadn’t talked to Spencer, and Nikolas said, what if his son didn’t want him without his money? Ava said Spencer was still young, but if didn’t care, he would have been indifferent when Nikolas returned. Spencer loved him, and wanted to be with him, money or no. Nikolas said Ava would like that. She would get it all, but guess again. He walked out. Elizabeth told Franco that she knew Nikolas could be selfish, but he was also sensitive and kind. He’d been patient with Mike. Franco said it sounded like she was halfway to forgiving Nikolas. She said she was trying to understand why one minute, Nikolas was a stranger, and the next, he was her old friend. Franco said he was sorry he’d brought it up, but she said they couldn’t pretend their feelings didn’t exist. Her feelings for Nikolas were complicated, like Franco’s feelings for Ava. Diane put Carly on the witness stand, and asked about Carly going to Ferncliff. Carly said Nelle had claimed Carly pushed her down the stairs, and she was forced to plead temporary insanity Diane said she eventually escaped, which was criminal, and Carly said, when the truth came out, she was exonerated, and her sentence vacated. Diane asked if Nelle ever visited, and Carly said she had, when she’d become engaged to Michael. Nelle had told Carly that she was trapped. She was going to marry Michael, and in time, everyone would forget her, and she’d be left to rot. She’d wanted Carly to know she’d won. Martin objected, saying it was inflammatory, and Diane said, withdrawn.

In his cross-examination, Martin asked about Sonny’s businesses, illegal or otherwise, and Diane objected because Sonny wasn’t there. Martin said, withdrawn, and asked Carly, what happened in court in April of 1998? She said Tony Jones had kidnapped Michael, received a suspended sentence, and she’d shot him. He asked what sentence she received, and she said she’d gone to Shadybrook. He asked if she believed Wiley would be safe in her less than stable care, and Diane objected. Martin said, withdrawn. Diane said it was a matter of public record that Nelle had perjured herself – in other words, Nelle lied – because she’d wanted to cause Carly grievous harm. Had Carly ever retaliated? Carly said, never. She loved her son and grandson too much to stoop to Nelle’s level. Diane called Michael to the stand. Laura thanked Lulu for her concern, and Lulu said, but she was going anyway. Laura said someone had to look out for Nikolas, and Lulu said he had a wife for that. Laura said she would love if Ava was the person to bring the good out in Nikolas, but it wasn’t going to happen. Lulu asked if she thought there was still any good to bring out, and Laura said Nikolas just needed a chance to show it. Lulu said Laura was his mom. What if he’d become a Cassadine, through and through, and was just as deceitful as the rest of them? Laura said she’d never give up on Nikolas, like Lulu would never give up on her own kids. There was a knock at the door, and it was Nikolas, bearing flowers. Franco told Elizabeth that his feelings for Ava weren’t complicated; she cared about his career. Elizabeth said Ava was more concerned about herself, when Ava appeared, saying Elizabeth sounded like Nikolas, and she wouldn’t put much stock in someone who’d pretended to be dead for two years. She gave Franco the check for the balance on the portrait. Diane asked Michael about when he first met Wiley, and Michael said Brad and Lucas had asked him to be Wiley’s godfather. He’d felt honored, but also had a connection; an instinct that Wiley needed him. Diane asked what happened when he found out Wiley was his son? and Michael said the bond became stronger. He made a vow never to let Wiley down or let anyone hurt him. Martin said no one doubted Michael’s love for Wiley, and submitted Michael and Willow’s marriage license as evidence; dated just before midnight. Diane asked if there was a question, and Martin said, given the timing, did Michael love his wife? Michael talked about how wonderful Willow was, and that he loved her, and Martin asked why he hadn’t married her earlier. Was he in love with her?

Michael admitted he loved Willow, but wasn’t in love with her. Martin said Michael hadn’t married for love, but to put on a show for the court, and project the image of a loving, stable couple. Michael said Willow’s love for Wiley was equal to his own, and Martin said he wasn’t asking if Michael loved his son. Mutual love was the bedrock of genuine marriage, and absent that, it was a marriage of convenience. I’m seriously surprised that Martin opened this door, since Nelle and Julian barely knew each other. Sonny wondered if Mike was listening to music, listening to something in his head, or nothing,  and told Jason they hadn’t gotten a lot of time after Mike left him and his mom. Jason said he’d gotten Mike back, and Sonny said he was grateful. Not everyone got a second chance. Michael was fighting for his son, and he was there, fighting for his father, and losing him more every day. Nikolas asked Lulu how Charlotte was, and said of all the mistakes he’d made, pretending to be Charlotte’s secret bodyguard was the worst. He asked if Lulu had a court date for custody, and Lulu said she and Valentin had agreed to continue with their 50/50 agreement. Laura said she was proud of Lulu for putting Charlotte’s needs first, and Lulu said she hoped Nikolas wasn’t intending on giving her advice about raising children. He said he’d come there to get advice. Spencer was more than willing to welcome Nikolas back in his life if he dumped Ava. Lulu asked if Nikolas had answered him, but Nikolas said, not yet. She asked what he was waiting for; it was a no-brainer. Laura asked what was stopping him. Franco got excited about the check, and Ava said the portrait was going to be a huge success; he’d be swamped with commissions. Elizabeth said, along with a reminder of the past he’d worked hard to put behind him. Ava said there was no such thing as bad publicity, and Elizabeth asked why Ava didn’t work to bring out the best in Nikolas. Ava asked why Elizbeth thought it was there, and Elizabeth said she’d seen it. Michael told the court, he and Willow would work to provide a loving, stable home for Wiley, but it wasn’t a marriage of convenience. It came at a cost, but Wiley was worth it.

Willow was put on the stand, and she said putting her baby up for adoption was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but she had to protect him from Shiloh. Diane pointed out that Nelle had married Shiloh in prison, where he’d been convicted of numerous crimes, including drugging and raping women. Now his widow wanted sole custody. She asked how Willow felt when she learned her son was dead, and Willow said the grief was unbearable, but at the same time, she was happy for Michael. He’d asked her to stay in Wiley’s life because Wiley had been through so many changes already. Michael knew the best thing he could do for Wiley was give him a real family. Martin asked if there wasn’t another side to the story; a darker side involving her. Nikolas told Laura and Lulu that if he and Ava divorced, he’d lose everything, and it was Spencer’s legacy. Lulu said Ava was a lot of things, but she was no dummy. Spencer was a good kid, but had expensive taste, and a long list of necessities. Laura said all Spencer needed was his father. Spencer felt betrayed by Ava when she’d backed Valentin, and would do anything to punish her. Nikolas didn’t need her to tell him what to do. Be a father to his son, and everything else would take care of itself. He thanked her, and left. Lulu asked Laura, what was that about? Ava asked Elizabeth to put aside her misgivings, and join them at the unveiling, for Nikolas. Elizabeth left, and Ava told Franco she thought she was doing something good, but he felt exploited or it would have a negative impact on the boys… He said he’d been honest with the boys, and hoped one day they’d forgive him for who he’d been. She said, what about Elizabeth? Martin said Willow had been a teacher, and asked if she still worked at the school. She said she’d been terminated because parents had complained she was inserting herself in her student’s lives, and disregarding their wishes. He asked if that’s how she intend to care for Wiley. Would she ignore the wishes of the mother who gave birth  to him? How did they know she wouldn’t eventually ignore the wishes of Wiley’s father? Who would be there to protect Wiley from her?

Diane asked if Willow had gotten no letter of recommendation from the school, and Willow said she had gotten one. Diane submitted her glowing recommendation letter, and Willow said she was now working in a teaching program at GH. Diane had Willow read her perfect evaluation, and submitted that as well. Diane said she rested. Jason told Sonny, when Mike was bartending at Luke’s club, he’d always try to connect with Sonny. He can see now that Mike was trying to win back Sonny’s trust, and trying to be someone Sonny counted on. Then he’d get in trouble, lie, Sonny would shut down, and the disappointment was like a wall between them. Then the cycle would begin again, with Mike trying to tear down the wall. Sonny said he should have been forgiving, and Jason said Mike never gave up, knowing it was his fault in the first place. He kept trying because he was Sonny’s dad. Mike loved him, and wanted him to be okay. Whatever Sonny wanted to do – if he wanted to keep Mike or let him go – he’d be doing what Mike wanted. Sonny teared up, and said he appreciated it, and Jason left. Sonny asked Mike if he wanted to watch TV. Maybe the Yankees were continuing their home run streak. He knew Mickey Mantle was looking down, cheering. He still has the signed card Mike had given him as a kid. Mike had said it would be worth more than gold. Did he remember? Laura told Lulu that she was reminding Nikolas not to underestimate Spencer. If Nikolas was open and honest, Spencer wouldn’t disappoint him. Lulu said she was in awe of Laura’s capacity for forgiveness and understanding. Laura said she was in awe of Lulu too. She hoped Nikolas had learned his lesson, and was willing to change. Nikolas called Spencer, and left a message. He said he’d gotten Spencer’s letter, and was ready to respond. Ava told Franco that she looked forward to seeing him at the party, and Nikolas was hoping to see Elizabeth as well. She left, and Franco asked if Elizabeth was ready, and not to forget her flowers. They got into the elevator, and Elizabeth seemed really weird, kind of distant.

Martin called Nelle to the stand.

This episode was especially poignant to me, since at the time it was first aired, I had a very sick older dog, and wasn’t sure how much should be done for him. Jason’s words resonated with me, and I knew whatever I did would be what Casey wanted. I did do everything I could, and unfortunately, he passed away anyway, but, silly as it sounds, Jason was very helpful to me as well as Sonny.

The Real Housewives of New York City

Salon owner Angelo greets LuAnn goes at the David Salon. WTH happened to Ramona’s party? She tells Angelo, the ladies from the Fortune Society are on their way for a fun spa day. In her interview, she says, it’s a small thing, but if makes them feel good about themselves, that makes her happy. She picks out a wig to wear for the day. It’s a brunette bob with bangs, and she looks good, but I can’t imagine LuAnn looking bad. Well, maybe in that mug shot. Ramona comes in, and says she didn’t recognize LuAnn; she looks like Kathrine McPhee. Leah gets in a limo with Dorinda. LuAnn tells Ramona that she looked great at her party, and Ramona says she felt great. She was in her element, and people afterward, saying they felt the love. In Ramona’s interview, she says it was the party of the century. The only snafu was Leah, but nothing is perfect. Leah tells Dorinda, it was a creepy crowd. Dorinda tells her that Ramona asked someone for a hundred dollar donation toward her bag, and we flash back to Ramona screeching about the bag she got. Unreal. While I’m trying to come up with money for vet bills. LuAnn says, Mexico is going to be something. Ramona says the girls were drinking and not eating. She doesn’t want to talk about it. LuAnn says Sonja broke the glass on a mirror by dancing on it, and Ramona says she could have blinded someone. (You’ll shoot your eye out!) Ramona tells LuAnn, Sonja has become a liability. It’s like when they were in Miami. We flash back to Sonja screaming at Bethenny, and falling off her chair. LuAnn says, that was bad. In LuAnn’s interview, she says Sonja isn’t ready to listen about her drinking, and she doesn’t want to help someone who won’t help themselves. Ramona says, Leah was an embarrassment, and LuAnn says Leah is going to be there today. Ramona says she’s not even going to look at Leah. She’s disgusted. Leah asks Dorinda, who invites someone to a party, and gets angry because they’re dancing? Dorinda says, they were all dancing, and Sonja destroyed some property. Dorinda has glass in her foot now. Leah wonders why she’s the only one in trouble. In her interview, she says, once again she’s singled out by Ramona. Ramona must be living with a lot of shame to try to make her feel ashamed, but she doesn’t. Dorinda says, Leah has the one thing Ramona can’t have – youth. By God, I think she’s right.

The women from Fortune Society start arriving. In LuAnn’s interview, she says, seeing how excited they are, it gives her pleasure to be able to give this to them. Ramona asks one of them how long she’s been out of the slammer, although she fumbles around for the words. The woman says, three years. She was in prison for 38 months, having been incarcerated at 17; she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Dorinda and Leah come in. In Ramona’s interview, she says when she’s upset, and doesn’t know how to deal with it, she pretends nothing happened. Dorinda shows Ramona her foot, and sure enough there’s a piece of glass imbedded in it. She should really get that looked at. Sonja says she remembers, sorta, kinda. Ramona tells LuAnn, glass was flying all over. After LuAnn gets the women situated, Leah asks to talk to her. She says she’s disturbed and disgusted, and LuAnn tells Leah that she tried bringing up Ramona singling her out. Leah says Ramona is acting like she did something wrong, and treating her like sh*t. She can barely look at Ramona without throwing up. Sonja asks Ramona, what happened? and Ramona tells her how she danced on the mirror. Sonja says she wasn’t the only one dancing. True, but she was the only one dancing on a mirror. Leah says she needs to talk to this bitch. Dorinda tries on a brunette wig, and I vote no. Ramona says she doesn’t want Sonja to end up like LuAnn. She has to figure out how to control her drinking. She asks if she can help, and Sonja says, no more vodka. She’s going back to champagne. In Leah’s interview, she says Ramona’s act is totally bullsh*t. She’s seen  Ramona’s nasty side firsthand, and she’s let things go, but acting like someone is invisible is the worst thing to do to them. Sonja whines to Ramona that her friend’s mother died. LuAnn says, Ramona is deliberately ignoring Leah, and Leah turns the volume up a little, and says, that’s because Ramona is a terrible person, and everyone knows it. She’s a bitch, and doesn’t support women like she claims to. She’s a phony, and singles Leah out. She says, Sonja is Ramona’s best friend, and Ramona treats her like sh*t. Leah grabs her coat, and says she’s leaving. She’s out. She’s not here for it.

LuAnn tells Leah, don’t worry, and Leah asks why are they came there if Ramona is acting like this. Sonja asks why Leah is upset, and Leah tells LuAnn, Ramona wants to be a bitch for no reason. Leah was dancing like everyone else, and Ramona’s sister said she cheapened the group. She elevates this sh*t. Sonja laughs, and Ramona gets all involved with the make-overs. Sonja stuffs her face from a buffet that’s there, and puts something back after biting into it, when she realizes she doesn’t like it. Ew. She’s not a hot mess; she’s just a mess. In Sonja’s interview, she says, does she think it’s correct to ostracize someone from the group? Not really. Dorinda tries talking to Ramona, who says she’s so disappointed. She’s not going there now; she’s so upset. Dorinda asks if they can’t work it out, and Ramona says, no. In her interview, Dorinda says she doesn’t know how Ramona expects not to talk to Leah. They’re going to Mexico together. One of the Fortune Society women tells LuAnn that she loves her. We see before and after shots, and everyone looks great. In LuAnn’s interview, she says, it’s heartwarming. To see the women pampered, and feeling beautiful and shining, gives her more than she can give them in one spa day.

Sonja goes to Century 21 to see her new display. In her interview, she says she didn’t know they’d had enough clothing to fill the space. Who knew there was so much Sonja Morgan New York? Dorinda joins her, and says, it’s amazing. In Sonja’s interview, she says she’s having a huge launch party, but can’t resist showing Dorinda and Ramona first. Dorinda says she has goosebumps In Dorinda’s interview, she says Sonja is like the little engine that could. I think I can, I think I can. Sonja finally let the cat out of the bag. Or the rabbit out of a hat. She pulled something out of somewhere. Ramona comes in, and squeals that Sonja is front and center. That means she’s important. In Ramona’s interview, she says she’s happy for Sonja, and tells Sonja, this is major. She has not one, but two floors. Dorinda says it’s more than she’d expected. She tells them that she found an incredible house in Mexico – sun, beach, and fun. In her interview, she says, they’ll have it all. She knows Ramona doesn’t want to talk to Leah, but she’s going to have to. Ramona says she’ll be civil, and not ruin the vacation. She’s a lady. In her interview, Dorinda says Ramona avoids things like a thief in the dark. Put a spotlight on her ass, and she’s done. Ramona says she found out Leah is bipolar and on meds. She shouldn’t be drinking, and it makes her not respect Leah. In her interview, Ramona says she has no time for the internet, but one of her girlfriends read Leah’s blog. Leah said she’s bipolar, and she’s not acting responsibly. In Sonja’s interview, she wonders where Ramona is getting her information. Sonja is getting along with Leah, and doesn’t want to change that. Ramona says Leah trashed her home in the Berkshires, went crazy in Newport, and now the party. Three strikes.

Everyone packs for Mexico, and meet at Newark airport for a 6:30 flight to Cancun. In Leah’s interview, she says it’s hard to ignore Ramona, but they haven’t said a word to each other. The women pick up their bags. LuAnn’s bag is vibrating, and LuAnn says, it’s a thing to mix juice. In Dorinda’s interview, she says she thinks it mixes some other juice, and I laugh. One time, my husband’s electric razor started up in his suitcase, and he quickly said, it’s not a vibrator! way too loud. Sonja tells Ramona, at least have a shower before she picks up guys. In Leah’s interview, she says, obviously, they need to talk about what’s gone on, but she’s in Mexico for the first time, and wants to enjoy herself. They take a limo ride to the house, Vila Casa del Mar. Ramona reads, 12,000 square feet of paradise. Alcohol awaits, as well as personalized towels. I go, ooh! and think Below Deck should consider that. A mariachi band plays, and the waitstaff lines up. Ramona says she likes to check out the house immediately. Sure she does. She wants to score the best room. Manager Cesar greets them. In Ramona’s interview, she says she’s been to a lot of beautiful places, but never saw a staff treat people at this level. She’s so excited. The pool has the conventional floaties, like the unicorn, and there are also floating armchairs and a floating table. Everyone marvels at the pool, and Ramona wants to go in immediately. She gets on a floatie, and falls in. They check out the beach, and LuAnn says, it’s the bomb. Dorinda says, there are no bad rooms. Ramona and Sonja talk outside, and Ramona says she’s hurt and disappointed. She told Leah that she was having a party, and would like to include her, but please act mature. Now she’s hurt. Sonja says she’s not being mad or judgmental. Are these women in the same show that I’m watching? LuAnn visits the kitchen, and chats with the staff, while sneaking a snack. Sonja says Leah claimed she never lifted her skirt, and Ramona says she had to pull it down. This was in front of 50 of her closest girlfriends. Number change alert! It was a celebration of her, not Leah’s body. Ah, there we have it. Ramona is jealous. Ramona gets weepy, which is borderline insane. She says, it’s different here, but it was her birthday party. Sonja says Leah should have been on her best behavior. In Sonja’s interview, she says, you can’t go in, pull up your dress, and show your hoo-ha. Ramona says Leah hurt her and embarrassed her.

The women gather in the living inside. Sonja wonders why Ramona has no camel toe in her jumpsuit, and says she has a chubby p*ssy. In Leah’s interview, she says, if she said that, Ramona would beat her like a piñata. Dorinda tells them that they’re playing a game for the room choices. Whoever presses the buzzer first, and gets the correct answer, can have the room of their choice. She reads, if Sonja had a large meal, what would she most likely do in the car? LuAnn says, farting, and wins. Number two is, what is LuAnn’s favorite word? and Leah answers, cabaret, getting second choice. Either we don’t see any more questions, or only two of the rooms are different from the rest. In LuAnn’s interview, she says, it’s an occasion. She never gets first choice of room. Sonja and Ramona are rooming together, and they choose a room near the kitchen and bar. It also has an incredible view. Dorinda asks Leah if she wants to sit on the terrace. Leah says she’s hurt (word of the night). Ramona is going around saying she showed her vagina, and it’s demeaning and a lie. Then she told Sonja that Leah was on pills because she was depressed. It’s a line you don’t cross. In Leah’s interview, she says, before the trip, Sonja let it slip that Ramona was gossiping that she was bipolar. It’s repulsive AF. She must have been doing some digging. She was diagnosed as bipolar on her 30th birthday, and she became dedicated to getting it under control, and getting herself in a good place. She’s not on meds, and to be talking about it is despicable. Dorinda says, Ramona’s got to quit it. Leah’s a wonderful girl, and Dorinda loves and respects her, as a person and as a mother. In her interview, Dorinda says Ramona has two methods to get to someone; narcissism and a smear campaign. Leah says Ramona loves her one day, and the next she’s saying crazy sh*t. Her way of treating people is less than zero.

Ramona unpacks, and Sonja models her swimsuit. Dorinda comes by, and tells Ramona, they won’t come to a solution if Ramona doesn’t talk to Leah. Ramona says she’s not shunning Leah, and not being mean or sending out bad vibes. Again, are we in the same show orbit? Dorinda says Ramona is avoiding Leah, and Ramona says, let Leah come to her. She should apologize. In Ramona’s interview, she says Leah can do what she wants; just not on her dime. For the fiftieth time, Ramona tells Sonja that Leah hurt her. In Sonja’s interview, she says Ramona just wants an apology. Leah’s got to own it. Leah confers on the phone with Kier about her hairdo. In Dorinda’s interview, she says she wants Leah to confront Ramona, and she wants Ramona to have no opportunity to judge what Leah is wearing. She gives Leah a sheer leopard caftan, and Leah puts it on over a black bodysuit. It looks gorgeous. LuAnn sees her, and says she loves when women dress for their girlfriends. Sonja tells the on-staff beautician that she wants her hair to look amazing. BTW, she’s naked, and just holding a towel on her frontside. In Ramona’s interview, she says Sonja hasn’t had that much to drink. She must be on meds. She’s like Mr. Hand, thinking everyone is on dope. Dorinda tells Leah that Ramona expects an apology, and Leah says, Maria told Elyse that she’d been showing her vagina at the party. LuAnn comes into Ramona and Sonja’s room, and wonders what Sonja is drinking. Sonja says, coffee, and LuAnn says, thank God. Dorinda looks for the others, and says, everyone is waiting. LuAnn says, Sonja is half in the bag, and Dorinda says Sonja claimed she was drinking Coke. LuAnn says, spiked Coke, and in LuAnn’s interview, she says Sonja thinks she was born yesterday. She’s three sheets to the wind, and LuAnn doesn’t want a repeat of Miami. Leah says, it’s déclassé, and LuAnn racks the billiard balls on a pool table nearby.  Sonja stumbles around naked. In Dorinda’s interview, she says, the hypocrisy is incredible. She’s confused and mad. LuAnn says Ramona wants to avoid this, and that’s why she’s hiding. Ramona babbles to Chef Eduardo, and LuAnn continues to play pool by herself. LuAnn asks Dorinda what the hell Sonja’s been drinking, and Dorinda says, Coke with rosé. LuAnn says, first of all, that’s disgusting. Barrelling down the hallway, Sonja yells that she has an unstoppable p*ssy. Ramona babbles to the bartender about tequila, and in her interview, Dorinda says she hears the ring of avoidance with a tinge of fear. Ramona will do anything to avoid Leah. Someone get a taser, and calm her ass down. Ramona babbles some more about wine.

The woman are seated outside, and Sonja asks Chef Eduardo what he’s going to teach them. He tells her that they’re making ceviche. Sonja takes her hat off, and tosses it on the ground. She says she can’t deal; she’s reached her limit. In her interview, Leah says, Sonja is sloppy and Ramona doesn’t give a flying f***. Sonja insists she’s had nothing to drink. She says Leah never said anything to Ramona, and Leah says she’s right there. LuAnn says they need to address the fish in the room, and Dorinda says they’re back in the Berkshires. Sonja tells Leah to say what’s on her mind in a kind manner, and Leah says she doesn’t have that much to say. She’s disappointed that Ramona would talk about her depression issues behind her back, and belittle her, when it’s something she’s overcome. Ramona says maybe she’s trying to excuse Leah’s behavior, and Leah says, what behavior? Ramona says, never mind, and LuAnn says she missed something. Ramona says she doesn’t want to talk about it, and Leah says Ramona has been talking about her vagina to half the Upper East Side. Ramona says she doesn’t even like that word. Chef Eduardo looks pretty dumbfounded. He’s certainly getting an earful. Ramona asks what Leah is talking about. In her interview, Leah says, Ramona is clearly trying to deflect and gaslight her, but can’t seem to say how she hurt her. Ramona moans that she took Leah in, and Leah hurt her. Leah asks, how? She’s not explaining. Ramona says, if Leah doesn’t get it, she’s not explaining, and Leah says Ramona is manipulating like crazy. Ramona says Leah acted crazy at her house, and Leah says, that was months ago. Sonja says, if you’re drunk, you don’t get invited. She wants to protect Leah, and says, when you come into the group, you can’t do certain things. Dorinda says Leah can do whatever she wants, and Leah says she never did anything, and no one saw her vagina. Ramona needs to stop talking about it. Ramona stomps off, saying she’s not. It’s disgusting. She slams the door behind her.

Next time, a cake with a sparkler, Sonja motorboats Dorinda, Dorinda tells Ramona that she’s terrible and should be ashamed of herself, and LuAnn has camel flashbacks.

🎊 On Watch What Happens Live tonight, Ramona was a guest, and said Larry Scott gifted her with the party. I should hope so. He certainly got some major advertising.

👨‍🚀 Bring On the Moon Men…

The list of nominees for the MTV Video Music Awards.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1175082/2020-mtv-video-music-awards-see-the-complete-list-of-nominees

😔 Covering Breonna…

This particular case saddens and angers me, but I’m glad it’s getting some attention.

https://extratv.com/2020/07/30/oprah-honors-breonna-taylor-on-the-cover-of-o-magazine/

🤯 Spent…

It’s been one long week, so I’m calling it a night… or is that morning? We’re almost caught up on GH, and they’ll have new episodes starting money. Tomorrow’s post will have the last flashback, the Shah’s reunion, and a spot of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay sound, and stay making your mask a fashion statement.

Jul30

July 29, 2020 – When Jason Heard the Truth, Roman Tragedy, Another Soap Angel, Real Reunion, Stunned Bethenny, Stars Take Over, the Festival Is On & Climbing

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

Moving right along, today’s GH flashback was from May 19th, 2020. You can grab a couple of feet here, or go for the whole nine yards at:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/20/may-19-2020-waiting-for-sonnys-permission-vanderfinale-dont-knock-buzzard-shower/

At the MetroCourt, Diane said Nelle tanked her case by marrying the least reputable man in Port Charles. Willow wondered what Nelle was thinking, and Carly said it wasn’t about Nelle; it was about what was right for Wiley. Back at the courtroom, Sonny asked Julian why he married Nelle. Julian said he didn’t answer to Sonny, and started to leave, but Jason blocked his way. Sonny said Julian wasn’t leaving. The conversation wasn’t over. Nina found Nelle in the Crimson office, and said she thought Nelle would be in court. Nelle said they were on break and she stopped to change. She also wanted to double-check about Nina testifying for her as a character witness. Nina said thinking about it caused her to reexamine her own situation. She believed her daughter was alive, and was going to find her. Nelle said she was thrilled, and Nina’s daughter would see that she was the gold standard for moms. Elizabeth called Franco at Charlie’s, and apologized for bailing. He said he hadn’t had a chance to apologize properly, and thought it required a bigger gesture. Elizabeth said she’d talked to Nikolas, who gave her perspective on her art and the value of her work. Franco asked if Nikolas had found her sister yet, and Elizabeth said she’d see him later. Scotty came in, and asked Franco if the flowers were for him, and said Franco must have done something stupid. Franco said he wanted to make it up to Elizabeth, but Nikolas had beat him to it. Nikolas visited Mike at Turning Woods. He showed Mike pictures of Spencer, and asked if Mike remembered his grandson, but Mike was unresponsive.

Scotty told Franco that Elizabeth and Nikolas went way back to when they were kids. If Elizabeth needed reassurance, it was natural she turn to Nikolas, especially if Franco botched it. Franco said it was ancient history and had no bearing on the present, but Scotty said he wouldn’t trust Nikolas, especially when it came to Elizabeth. Nikolas talked to Mike about Spencer, saying Spencer was unforgettable, like Mike. Spencer had developed a finely tuned sense of right and wrong; now Nikolas was the one with questionable ethics. He hoped Spencer came back. Spencer would want to see Mike, and he told Mike to hang in there. In the hallway, Elizabeth said she overheard Nikolas, and he said he was hoping to spark something. It was worth a try. She asked if he hadn’t heard from Spencer, and he said he couldn’t bring himself to tell Spencer that he would lose the estate if he ditched Ava. He didn’t want to disappoint his son. Elizabeth said the estate didn’t matter, but he said it did, more than she knew. He was trying to look at the part of him worthy of her friendship, and she said she could see he was trying to be a better person, and reconnecting with the people he cared about. Even if Mike couldn’t appreciate it, she could. Diane went to the MetroCourt, and Carly asked if there was any chance she’d been negotiating an out of court settlement. Diane said she called to tell Alexis that her sleazebag of an ex married Nelle. Michael said it seemed to be a bad strategy, and Diane said Nelle thought it would level the playing field. Michael suggested it would hurt Nelle’s case, when Martin walked in, and told them not to count their chicks before they hatched. Nelle was making a nice nest for Wiley, like Michael and his newly wedded wife were. Sonny asked Julian what Nelle had on him, and Julian said, nothing. Sonny said he couldn’t have married Nelle for love, and Julian said he missed Wiley, and wanted Wiley back in his life. Sonny said he bought that, but it didn’t explain why he married Nelle. Julian said Nelle loved Wiley in her own way. She’d come into the bar, they’d talked about Wiley, and they clicked, so they decided to form a team. Sonny told him, undo it. Annul the marriage now. Nelle told Nina that she had to change out of her wedding dress. Since Michael had married Willow, she needed to fight fire with fire. Nina asked who Nelle married, and Nelle said she knew him; Julian.

Nina said Julian had originally hired her to run Crimson. She had no idea he and Nelle had a relationship. Nelle said Julian was Brad’s father-in-law, and when Brad stole her baby, Julian thought he was Wiley’s grandfather. Nina asked if they were dating, but Nelle said it wasn’t like that. When she found out about Michael, she went to Charlie’s. She and Julian got to talking, and realized they were both terrified Wiley wouldn’t be in their lives, so they decided to get married. Nina said, so it was a ploy. Diane told Martin that she was curious. Julian’s rap sheet was longer and more colorful than his client’s. Why choose him to marry? Martin said love operated in mysterious ways. He was sure Michael and Willow could attest to that. Willow said she and Michael had been friends for a while, and been taking care of Wiley most of his life, Diane interjecting that she had a photo gallery to prove it. Michael said Willow went to jail to protect Wiley from Shiloh, the psychopath Nelle married in prison. Carly said Willow had proven she’d do anything for Wiley, and Martin said, including marrying Michael. I love how he says this like Michael isn’t the best catch in town. Sonny told Julian, annul the marriage, but Julian told him that he didn’t get a say. Sonny said if it swayed the judge, he’d hold Julian responsible. Julian asked if he spoke for Jason too; he was still Danny’s grandfather. Jason gave his usual response by staying silent, and Sonny told Julian that he needed to do what had to be done before it was too late. Elizabeth told Nikolas that Mike was like this a lot, and Nikolas said he should have visited sooner. There were so many things he didn’t do. She said he was doing them now, and he’d made her feel better about the art thing with Franco. Nikolas asked if she and Franco had made up, and she said, kind of; Franco was super sorry. Nikolas said, not bad for someone once incapable of remorse. She said that reminded her of Ava, and Nikolas said, touché. He asked if she wasn’t bothered by Ava exploiting Franco’s past, and she said they had a history; why shouldn’t Ava exploit his past? It could be the start of a new venture for them. Nikolas agreed, and Elizabeth said he had a tone like something was up. Nikolas said he sensed Ava and Franco were getting closer in their sessions. Franco asked Scotty was saying he shouldn’t trust his wife, but Scotty said, no; he  shouldn’t trust Nikolas. Franco asked if he thought Nikolas was trying to win Elizabeth back. Scotty said Elizabeth adored Franco, but when Franco had to keep an eye on Nikolas. Nikolas was in over his head with Ava. She was going to make him nuts, and guess where he was going to go? Who knows? Franco said it wouldn’t lead anywhere. Even if he and Elizabeth weren’t fine, she wouldn’t fall for Nikolas’s act. Scotty said, it wouldn’t be the first time. It happened to him with Laura. Who thought letting her work with Luke would go wrong? He told Franco, verify things.

Nikolas said he was hanging onto the hope Spencer would forgive him, and Elizabeth told him, leave Ava. Nikolas said 10% of the estate had been earmarked for Spencer, and she said, just sacrifice his money for his son. Sonny and Jason came to see Mike. Jason went into Mike’s room, and Sonny told Nikolas that he’d heard from Spencer. Spencer was wondering why he hadn’t heard from Nikolas since he’d given Nikolas an ultimatum. Why didn’t he cut Ava off? Nikolas said it wasn’t that simple, but Sonny said Nikolas had dug his own grave when he married Ava. Martin said if Nelle’s marriage was suspect, so was Michael and Willow’s, perhaps more so. Willow would do anything to stay close to Wiley. Willow said Julian was putting Wiley at risk. Nelle had gone to prison for letting her fiancé drown, and trying to kill her baby’s father. Martin accused her of slander, and Willow said, take her to court. She’d love an independent expert to prove her wrong, but didn’t think he could find one. She wondered how he could even consider representing Nelle. Martin said she had a marvelously maternal temperament, and Michael said it was time to regroup. Carly said Julian wouldn’t marry Nelle unless she had something on him; he was obviously miserable. Martin asked Diane if the hypocrisy in the room wasn’t staggering, and she said they weren’t the ones getting a fat retainer to help Nelle use an innocent child. He wondered how it was different Nelle was, hooking up with a humble pub owner to be close to her son. Nelle told Nina that her marriage was no different than Michael’s, but Nina said Willow and Michael had a deep bond, and Willow had a strong bond with Wiley. Nelle said Willow wasn’t Wiley’s mother, and had no right to him. Nina asked if she wasn’t concerned Wiley would sense tension in the marriage, but Nelle said there wouldn’t be any. All that mattered was that Wiley was with her, and not Michael. Nina said she’d married one guy to spite another, and it didn’t work out. He’d teamed up with her mother, and tried to steal her money. She didn’t want that to happen to Nelle. Nelle said, Julian would never do anything like that. If he did, it would seriously backfire. Nina asked what she meant. Jason came out of Mike’s room, and Elizabeth said Mike had been sleeping most of the day. Sonny went in to see Mike, and Jason asked what was really going on with Mike. Sonny talked to Mike about the Yankees. He said they’d won, and maybe Mike could bring the same luck to Michael for the custody hearing . When Mike insisted Wiley was Michael’s son, they thought he was confused, but he turned out to be right. Wiley was Michael’s son, and Mike had to stick around.

Sonny said he wanted Michael to share his life with Wiley, the way he couldn’t with Mike. Sonny cried a little, and said he thought they’d have more time to make up for their lost years. Didn’t Mike want that? Elizabeth told Jason that Mike was done fighting, and wanted to let go. She thought he was holding on for Sonny’s sake. Nina told Nelle that Julian presented himself as a changed man, but he was dangerous, and in it for himself. Nelle said Julian valued his life too much not play by her rules. Nina asked how Nelle got him to agree, and Nelle said Julian knew the marriage was best for everyone, especially Wiley. Carly told Martin, the difference was, Michael and Willow wanted to provide a safe, happy environment for Wiley, while Nelle wanted to use him. Kids sense these things. Diane said Carly was right. Everyone knew it, and so did he. Save his theatrics for court, or he might run out of hot air. Martin asked for a to-go order, but Carly suggested he just go. He asked if he could quote her in an online review, and she said it wouldn’t be the first time. Diane told Martin that if he wanted to use Julian as a surprise witness, she had questions she’d wanted to ask him for years. Was Martin aware he’d threatened to kill Alexis, a woman he claimed he loved? If he could do that to a wife he loved, imagine what he’d do to one he’d rather not have. Nikolas punched the boxing bag at the gym, when Franco came in. Nikolas said he just saw Elizabeth at Turning Woods, and Franco asked if she forgave him. Nikolas said they were getting there. It wasn’t a problem, was it? Elizabeth told Jason, everything Sonny wanted to do to keep Mike with him, like the feeding tube, was just prolonging the inevitable, and in her experience, would just make Mike miserable. Jason thanked her for giving him a straight answer, and Elizabeth said if Sonny wanted to spare Mike pain and ease his passing, he had to give Mike permission to go. Sonny told Mike, he didn’t know what Mike wanted him to do, but he’d ask again tomorrow. Sonny left, and Mike’s hand moved. Sonny said Mike seemed more tired than usual, and Elizabeth said she had to go. Sonny thanked her for being there, and asked Jason what he missed.

Franco asked why Nikolas thought he had a problem with Elizabeth forgiving him. Nikolas said some men didn’t like their wives having male friends, but Franco said he trusted her; they had a solid marriage. Nikolas said, of course (🍷) they did, and Franco asked what he meant. They were nothing like Nikolas and Ava. The only not phony thing about their marriage was their post-nup. Nikolas asked how that was Franco’s business, and Franco said Ava was a dear friend. Nikolas said like him and Elizabeth, and Franco said, yes and no. Ava had been through a lot. Nikolas said Ava had a hard time opening up to him, and he was grateful she had Franco to lean on. Nina asked if Nelle was blackmailing Julian, and Nelle said they’d made a deal. She’d resorted to desperate measures to ensure being a mother to her son. She knew Nina understood what they do as mothers to keep their children safe. Nina’s daughter was hers, and Wiley was Nelle’s. No one should be able to take them away. Martin said Julian’s past had nothing to do with case, and Diane wondered who the judge would choose; a woman willing to go to jail to protect a child, or one who tried to murder two fiancés because they didn’t leave enough money on her dresser. Nelle was a gold digger. He told her, people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Carly had reminded them just this morning of who her husband was. Sonny put earbuds on Mike, and said maybe his memories would come back. In the hallway, Jason said he was sorry, and Sonny asked what Elizabeth said. Nikolas told Franco that he was looking forward to the unveiling, and Franco asked if Nikolas wasn’t going to burn it like Ava did with Helena’s portrait. Nikolas said, never. He was sure they’d created something beautiful together. Franco said, for someone who wasn’t a fan of his previous work, Nikolas sounded confident. Nikolas said it was a new Franco, a new Ava, and a new day. It would be a painting for the ages, and a party to match.

Carly said if Martin used Sonny against Michael, it would be his funeral. Diane said Carly was speaking figuratively, and Carly asked, how else would she be speaking? Martin said she could have meant it literally, and Diane said it was literally a figure of speech. She told Carly that they were due back in court, and Martin said, what pity no one ate lunch. He hoped it didn’t make anyone cranky. He left, and Diane suggested Carly not issue death threats against opposing counsel. Trust her, and let her do the talking. Diane found Willow and Michael, and told them it was time to go back. Carly heaved a huge sigh, and followed. Nelle asked if she and Nina were good. Nina was her only friend, and she’d like to count on her. Nina said she could do this for Wiley. Franco brought the flowers to the hospital, and asked Elizabeth to forgive him. She said there was nothing to forgive. Nikolas had helped her get over her insecurities about her art. Franco said he ran into Nikolas, who was confident he and Elizabeth were friends again. She said they had a long way to go, and he asked how she categorized her relationship with Nikolas. Elizabeth ignored the question. Sonny told Jason, music was good for cognitive function. When Brook did a concert at Turning Woods, it jolted Mike’s memories. He asked again what Elizabeth said; he respected her opinion. Jason told him, she said, when Alzheimer’s patients get to the place where Mike is – sleeping more than awake, not responding, and unable to eat – she said that usually means that they’re ready to go. She thought Mike was just waiting for Sonny to give him permission.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The women arrive in Rome, minus Denise, Garcelle, and Sutton, who are going to be late. LisaR, Teddi, and Kyle ride in one car, while Dorit and Erika ride in the other. Teddi tells LisaR that Denise said negative things about LisaR, Erika, and her. Brandi also visited Denise on her set, and… things happened. The next day, Denise told Brandi to never tell her husband. LisaR asks if they f***ed. In the other car, Erika asks what they’re going to do, and Dorit says, definitely shopping. Teddi tells LisaR that Kim had come over when they were at Kyle’s, and brought Brandi along. A lot of things were said, and she doesn’t know Brandi that well, but she seems like someone who says it like it is. In LisaR’s interview, she says she has conflicted feelings. She knows Brandi is friends with Denise, and Denise knows how she feels about Brandi. We flash back to a reunion where LisaR and Brandi had words. How is she supposed to know what’s true when it comes to Brandi? Teddi says she doesn’t know where to put this. LisaR says it’s a lot of information to process. Kyle asks what LisaR would do, since it’s her trip and Denise is her friend. LisaR says, great. Erika and Dorit marvel over how beautiful the city is. Erika says they’re lucky to be there. They are. Too bad they never really appreciate anything since they’re so busy being mean girls. They pull into the parking lot of the hotel, Gran Melia.

In Erika’s interview, she says Rome is one of her favorite cities in the world. She’s spending her last minutes with these women before she’s shipped off to Broadway. They’re shown to their suites, and in her interview, Erika says, Rinna’s room is gorgeous and spacious. Like the others aren’t. Erika wonders if she shouldn’t have the best suite, since the trip is in her honor. They can see the Vatican from the terraces, and are excited to be there. Dorit unpacks, and in her interview, she says, Italy is the place to dress up. She brought a few options, but went too far. In LisaR’s interview, she says her stomach is in knots as to how to approach Denise. It’s a no win situation.

Kyle phones Dorit, asking what to wear, and Dorit says she’s opting for casual. Dorit gets her makeup done, and says tomorrow she’s getting dolled up. Kyle hadn’t wanted glam on the last trip, but there are no restrictions this year. Dorit gets individual pearls glued to her hairline. Kyle sees Dorit, and in her interview, she says, this is casual?

Garcelle calls Sutton, who says she has a flight tomorrow; she needed to get her passport. LisaR tells Teddi that she’s reeling, and Teddi says she has anxiety about sharing. You’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. In her interview, she says she’s not in a position to give Denise a heads up. Denise is LisaR’s friend. Here’s the information; do what you want with it. She wishes the conversation would go away, but she has to address the situation. LisaR says, Denise has some explaining to do.

In Dorit’s interview, she says she spent most of her twenties in Italy, where fashion girls live their best lives. They look at Colosseum. Kyle says Sutton is on her way, and Garcelle and Denise should be there soon. They go to a restaurant that Erika calls magical. They sit in the lounge area to have cocktails, and LisaR asks Erika if they can come to Chicago opening night. In Erika’s interview, she says, no. It’s not all nailed down; give her a minute. You rehearse for a month, then they put you in. Let her get the kinks out, then come. The waiter brings appetizers, including cheeseburger sliders with little American and Italian flags stuck in them. Erika says her drink is exquisite, and LisaR says she’s not responsible for anything that comes out of her mouth after this drink. They call Denise and Garcelle, who have just arrived, and tell them they’re at a restaurant in the Colosseum. Denise says she and Garcelle will see them in the morning. Garcelle says she’s so excited. LisaR wants to go around the table, and ask questions. She asks, what was the worst trouble they got in as teenagers? Kyle says when she had sex for the first time, her mother called a family meeting. She won’t say how old she was, but it was uncomfortable and the worst thing ever. Her sister Kathy asked, how was it? Kim caught her and told everyone. In her interview, she says Kim looked gleeful, ripped the blanket off, and she knew Kim was going to tell. Denise and Garcelle show up.

Garcelle wonders if she should invite chocolate Michael to Thanksgiving, since ex-husband Mike always comes. Erika says, Thanksgiving is loaded, and people are always going to jail on Thanksgiving. Really? That’s a new one on me. Garcelle says she doesn’t want it to be messy.

In the morning, LisaR calls Garcelle, saying they’re going to the Spanish Steps and doing some shopping. They wander around, taking in the sights. LisaR tells them, in 1975, when The Exorcist came out, Italy was against having it shown there, and on the premier date, one of the twin churches was hit by lightning. In Denise’s interview, she says she found out her house was built on a burial ground, and her kids see and hear things, and think there are bodies under the beds. The spirits want them out, and people might think she’s nuts, but there’s some truth to that. In her interview, Erika says it’s not her first time there  in this lifetime or any other lifetime. We flash back to Erika saying she was a Spanish boy in another life. She thinks she was a Roman citizen, having a good time with the gladiators. They walk up to a statue of King Tut, and it turns out to be a person in costume, who moves, and freaks them out.

Sutton calls, and they tell her to meet them at the Spanish Steps. She says she got her passport quickly, so she could fly commercial. In her interview, she says if she’d had to charter a plane, it wouldn’t have stopped her, but it would have hurt. They go to where the high-end stores are, and walk inside Fendi. In Erika’s interview, she says, it’s the headquarters of the legendary House of Fendi. They have things you can’t get anywhere else. In Sutton’s interview, she says, in the world of shopping, Italy might be the best place. Garcelle tries on a $30k coat. She asks what it costs, and the clerk says it doesn’t matter. Garcelle says, if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. Denise tells Teddi that she can’t do the fur thing, and Teddi barely acknowledges her. In Teddi’s interview, a producer asks if she’s subconsciously steering clear of Denise. Teddi says she’s trying to steer clear but not be a jerk. It’s a thin line. LisaR says she’s going to be hiding some credit card bills from Harry. The women go to the Trevi fountain, and they all throw coins in at the same time.

Dorit loves Rome’s go big or go home vibe. It’s fun for her. They get ready for dinner, and Kim calls Kyle, saying she’s on her way to the dentist. Kyle says she’s excited. Kim got new boobs, and now new teeth. Kim asks how Teddi is feeling, and Kyle says, she hasn’t said one word to Denise. Kim thinks it’s going to be weird, and Kyle says Teddi can’t even have a drink. In Teddi’s interview, she says she’s tired, she’s been on her feet all day, and knowing she has to go to dinner with Denise isn’t appealing when she has these horrible feelings. Erika tells her glam squad that she’s going to channel someone fierce. In her interview, she says, Rome is the place to be expressive. She wants to embrace the old Italian film stars and luxury.

Everyone meets for dinner. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Dorit and Erika are having a fashion show for dinner in the hotel. In Kyle’s interview, she says she has the feeling Dorit will have a new accent when they come back. Erika says she likes real Italian pasta, not the sh*t that’s served at home. Sutton doesn’t like the wine, and gets something different. Garcelle jokes that Sutton’s not happy, and Sutton says she enjoys their friendship, but she was put off by Garcelle asking how she got her money. Erika announces she married hers, like we don’t know. Kyle says, it’s a weird question, and Garcelle apologizes. She asks if they’ve gotten all their issues out. My stomach lurches. I hate this stuff.

Teddi tells them that she needs to say something. Somebody told her that Denise said terrible things about her. Denise says, like what? and Teddi says, like she’s pathetic, that Denise can’t stand her, and she tries to fit in with the group because she’s lived in her father’s shadow her entire life. Denise tells Teddi, she never said that, and Teddi says she couldn’t choose her parents; the same way Denise’s kids couldn’t choose theirs. WHAT?! Nasty. I can’t believe Teddi said that, and on top of it, there’s no reaction. Denise asks who told her this, and Teddi says, Brandi. In Denise’s interview, she says, Brandi is the source? and rolls her eyes. She tells Teddi that she never said anything like that to anyone. She hardly talks to Brandi. Teddi asks if she didn’t talk to Brandi before the party. In Dorit’s interview, she says, when she met Brandi, Brandi told her that her boobs were effed up. Denise says she did Brandi’s podcast, and Teddi says, that was six months ago. She asks again if Denise didn’t have a conversation with Brandi before and after the party. Denise says, no, and we flash back to Bravocon, where an interviewer asked Denise if she’s still friendly with Brandi. Denise says she is, and she appreciates Brandi; she’s a straight shooter. LisaR asks if Denise has said negative things about Erika, and Denise says, no. Erika asks what was said about her, and Teddi looks at Kyle, saying she was there too. Kyle tells them, Brandi said Denise called Erika a cold bitch, and said she didn’t like her. Denise tells them, she never said that. Dorit asks if it’s possible Brandi made it up, and Teddi says she doesn’t know why she’d do that, but she was specific and upset. Denise says, for what? and Teddi says for what happened when Brandi came to see Denise for the podcast. Denise says Brandi interviewed her and her cat. She never said anything about anyone. LisaR wonders why Brandi would lie, and Denise tells them, if she had something to say, she would say it. In LisaR’s interview, she says the Denise she knew before was open, honest, and funny. We flash back to Denise talking about her sex life, and LisaR says, Denise now seems more concerned with her image, and being right and perfect. We flash back to Denise saying she didn’t want sex talk in front of her kids, and Denise repeats that she hardly talks to Brandi. Kyle says what’s between Denise and Brandi has nothing to do with them. In her interview, LisaR says the reason she’s not saying anything is one word – Munchausen. We flash back to that because we will never, ever get away from it. She’s not taking the bait. She paid dearly for it, and learned her lesson. LisaR says they’re not trying to hurt her, and Teddi insists it’s going to be on camera already, and there’s going to be a lot more. Denise says, there’s no truth to it. Teddi says, then she already knows what it is, and Denise says, to anything. Garcelle tells Teddi, just say it, and Teddi says, it’s really bad. Dorit asks why she’s torturing Denise, and Teddi says, Brandi said she and Denise had sex.  

Honestly, I felt my blood pressure rise at the beginning of the show. Whether it’s true or not, the only people who know are Denise and Brandi, but Brandi has the reputation of being a liar. She apologized to Adrienne for a huge lie last week, so why are they so quick to believe this?

Garcelle says, it’s one quiet table, and Teddi says she didn’t think it was her place to bring it up. Garcelle asks Denise if it’s true, and Denise says, no. Kyle tells her, Brandi said she and Aaron have an understanding, and Denise says Aaron was there at the podcast. Kyle says Brandi claimed that the next day, Denise told her not to tell Aaron, and freaked out. We flash back to the lying liar who lies, and Denise asks if they’re effing kidding her. Garcelle asks why Brandi would be out to get her, but Denise has no idea. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, whatever happened is Denise’s business, but she wants to get to the bottom of it, and laughs. Teddi tells Denise, say whatever she needs to say, and Denise walks over and knocks Teddi off her chair. No. Wait. That was just in my mind. Denise says she’s going through so much stuff, but it has nothing to do with this or the show. She says, Bravo, Bravo, Bravo. (There’s an old falsehood that if someone says that, filming stops.) She says she doesn’t want to be that person who leaves. She’s floored by the information, and asks the producer, please don’t air it; it’s not true. Teddi says she’s sorry for whatever Denise is going through, but she doesn’t know what to believe. In Teddi’s interview, she says what’s frustrating is, Denise is so concerned with her image. When she doesn’t want to talk, she says, Bravo, Bravo, Bravo. We flash back to another time that happened, and Teddi wonders why Denise is yelling at the camera and crew because she’s going through personal issues. It’s what she signed up to do. Erika says Denise has to straighten this sh*t out with Brandi, and Kyle says, whatever the story is, they don’t care. Denise says she’s very married, and loves her husband. Erika says she doesn’t have to explain herself, and Denise tells them, anything she’s felt, she’s said. Kyle doesn’t think that’s true. Sutton wonders if they care more about what was said about them than what was said about Denise. In Sutton’s interview, she says, a month ago, a friend told her Denise slept with Brandi, but why bring up a rumor about who slept with who, especially at the dinner table? She thinks Teddi is feeling hurt, and retaliating. Dorit says Teddi had a lot of anxiety about it, and got it off her chest; it’s been a burden. She starts to talk, but Kyle interrupts her, and Dorit says, let her finish her thought. She cares about Denise more than Kyle. Kyle interrupts again, and Dorit says Kyle isn’t letting her finish. Teddi says the can’t wrap up this conversation with a bow, and won’t get closure now. Garcelle says, it’s a quiet group right now, and Dorit gets up, saying, goodnight. Garcelle says they have bigger things to worry about, and everyone starts to leave. LisaR says Denise has to talk to Brandi, but Denise says she doesn’t want to do this here. If they want her on the show, it needs to be cut.

It was all like some bizarre intervention.

Next time, racing on the Audubon, Dorit confronts Kyle about always cutting her off Denise says Brandi told her that she’s had sex with someone in the group.

😥 I Totally Missed This One…

Another untimely death in the soap world.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/john-callahan-dead-at-66

Even worse. Thieves don’t leave you alone, even after you’re gone.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/eva-larue-struggling-to-recover-john-callahan-stolen-identity

🗽 Not Up Close, But In Person…

I can’t wait to see what kind of masks they come up with.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/28/real-housewives-of-new-york-set-to-reunite-in-person-on-long-island-next-month/

🙌 They Like Her, They Really Like Her…

Things aren’t the same without the skinny girl.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/28/bethenny-frankel-stunned-fans-want-her-back-on-rhony/

🕶 Virtually Taking Over…

News from the Comic-Con front.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1173880/see-all-your-favorite-stars-taking-over-2020-s-virtual-comic-con

🎶 You Can’t Beat Free…

Lollapalooza finds a way to bring music to the people.

https://abc7chicago.com/lollapalooza-lolla-lineup-2020-schedule-chicago/6340944/

🧗🏽‍♀️ Uphill Climb…

We made it to the middle of the week, or Wednesday for those still paying attention. I was going to watch the Shahs reunion tonight, but RHOBH gave me all the angst I could handle for one night. It’s coming though. Meanwhile, stay safe, stay out of the heat, and stay looking forward to the day you can retire your mask.

Jul29

July 28, 2020 – When Julian Married Nelle, GH Promo, the Murder Room, Gang O’ Ladies, NeNe Unsure, Sydney’s World, Dragon Cast, Con Trailers, Emmy Noms & Busy

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

Today’s GH Flashback brings us up to May 18th, 2020. You can catch the drift here, or jump into the whole snowbank at:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/19/may-18-2020-nelle-snags-a-husband-a-possible-nose-problem-return-listing-lotsa-free-distractions-sun-walkin/

Curtis and Jordan met with TJ and Molly at the MetroCourt. TJ told them that he and Molly realized they wanted to commit themselves to each other. Curtis thought they should celebrate, and Jordan wondered if they should have included Alexis. Sonny came along, and said he heard the exciting news. He congratulated them, and told TJ, welcome to the family. TJ said he was honored that Molly chose to spend her life with him. She was the best person he knew.

On the phone, Lucy told Ava that she had an all cash offer for the penthouse, but the call broke up, and Ava couldn’t hear who the buyer was. Cyrus walked up to her, saying her name, and she asked who he was. At the gym, Sam tried to get Alexis to exercise, but Alexis wanted to mope. Sam said last night, they’d eaten junk food and watched British rom-coms that only Alexis liked. I guess moping is only a one-day thing for Sam. Alexis said she liked being an attorney, and had been one her whole life. Couldn’t she take one week to mourn her career? She was disbarred, and wondered if she wasn’t an attorney, who was she? Judge Lowe said they’d waited long enough for Nelle, but Nelle ran in, wearing a wedding dress and carrying a bouquet. She said, the most incredible thing just happened. She was no longer Miss Benson, and she and her new husband had been unavoidably detained.

Sam suggested Alexis appeal. She told Alexis that she was an amazing attorney; she could get herself out of this. Alexis said it was perjury. It was a violation of her fundamental duties, and there was no coming back from it. Sam said she’d have to work on her second act then. She could sit back and figure out what she wanted to do. What Alexis wanted was to stay home and binge watch TV. Sam’s phone rang, and when she stepped away to take the call, Alexis kicked the boxing bag. Brando asked if it was her first time at the gym, and she said she was brought there against her will. He told her to blink once if she needed to be rescued, and she did. Sam came back, and asked why Brando was talking to her mother. Sonny said Kristina was excited about Molly and TJ’s upcoming domestic partnership, and gave him a lecture on how it was more enlightened. He told them if they were happy, so was he. He was sorry about what happened to TJ, but TJ said things were back to normal, except he was bummed that he had no details for Mac. It didn’t make sense; the kidnappers didn’t even ask for a ransom. Sonny asked what Mac had turned up, and Curtis said he was sure the PCPD was doing everything they could. Sonny said he was too, and moved on. Molly told TJ, the time without him was awful, but TJ said it was behind them; they were going forward now. Cyrus told Ava that he was new to Port Charles. He’d been skeptical of Lucy, since she was excitable, but she understood real estate, and the penthouse suited his needs. Ava said Lucy didn’t tell her his name, and he introduced himself, holding out his hand. Ava didn’t take it, and said she’d heard of him. He said he was aware of her reputation as well. She asked what he meant, and he said, as a gallery owner. He heard she was unveiling a new piece by Franco at Windymere, and said it would be a memorable evening. She said he wasn’t on the guest list. Cameron, Trina, Josslyn, and Dev sat down in the park after visiting Oscar’s Meadow. Josslyn said it had been a year since Oscar died. She still missed him, and thought she always would, but now she smiled more than cried when she thought of him. Trina said it was progress, and Josslyn apologized for being absent. She didn’t keep connected while she and Dev were on house arrest, but no more hiding with her journal. Trina said the first step was admitting she had a problem, and Josslyn said she’d still write in it, but it wasn’t as necessary. She missed her friends. Martin begged the court’s indulgence. His client was still elated about her happy news. Nelle said her husband was here now, and Julian walked in. Diane said just when she thought he couldn’t sink any lower, and Michael told Willow, Nelle just overplayed her hand.

Nelle apologized, saying she lost track of time. She hadn’t even had the time to change. Judge Lowe told Martin to get his client under control, and tell her not to address the court unless she was addressed directly. He asked for the marriage license, and Julian produced it. The judge said they’d have a brief recess while he checked its validity, and when he returned, they would proceed. No more outbursts. Carly told Willow that Nelle couldn’t have picked a worse candidate; Julian was an ex-mobster, and just tanked Nelle’s case. Sam introduced Brando to Alexis, who told him that she was also Kristina’s mother, and he’d met her other daughter, Molly. He said Molly came into his garage when she’d had a fender bender, and Alexis said she’d heard about it. He said it was nice to meet her, and went back to his workout. Alexis told Sam, no wonder Molly slept with him. He seemed nice, had a sense of humor, and he was cute. Sam said she didn’t see it. Sonny sent champagne over to TJ and Molly’s table, and Jordan said she wanted to thank him personally. She went over to where he was sitting, and said TJ was back safe. Their collaboration was over. He asked what if Mac’s investigation lead to Cyrus? and she said she could handle it on her own. Cyrus told Ava that he was surprised she wasn’t more open, since she’d had struggles herself. She said that was behind her now, and she wasn’t going backward. He was responsible for a good friend losing her father. He said she’d been misinformed. He just came out of prison, where his sentence had been vacated. She said, how convenient, and he said he was focused on building a new life. The penthouse was perfect for him. His phone rang, and he went elsewhere to take the call. Sonny was in the vicinity, and told Ava, what the hell?

Sonny told Ava, just when he thought she had an ounce of humanity, she was doing business with a drug trafficker. She asked why he was so quick to think the worst of her, and he said she never disappointed him. She told him, Trina was her intern, and was devastated by her father’s death. Sonny asked why she was doing business with Cyrus, since he was responsible, and she said Lucy hadn’t told her who the potential buyer was. Dev suggested they all get off their phones, and Josslyn thought they should do something fun after school tomorrow. Cameron said he and Trina had plans; they’d been playing ultimate frisbee. They’d been doing it a while, and he didn’t know how much playing time Josslyn and Dev would get if they joined in. Josslyn asked if they didn’t want her and Dev to go. At the MetroCourt, the venue for TJ and Molly’s ceremony was discussed, and Jordan said she’d like to have some girl talk with Molly. Diane told Michael and Willow, stick to their strategy. Don’t over-exaggerate, be themselves, and don’t engage. She said just when Alexis put Julian in the past, he did something else to inflict pain. Michael wondered what Nelle had on him. Martin asked what Nelle was thinking, showing up late, and married to… him. Julian said he wanted what was best for Wiley, and Nelle said what was best was Wiley living with them. Carly told Michael that someone had called last night, warning her that Nelle knew about his wedding. He asked, who? and she told him, Sasha. Curtis asked how TJ was really doing, and TJ said he was fine, but Curtis said the kidnapping would have freaked out anyone, including him. TJ must have believed he would be killed. TJ admitted he had nightmares, and would wake up panicked and paranoid. Curtis told him to reach out with whatever he needed, and TJ said he needed to pull himself together before he drove Molly away.

Ava said Sonny held himself up like an excellent role model, and wondered what he’d do when Avery found out what his business was. He said his business was as legit as hers. Sonny got a text from Carly, saying Nelle had married Julian, and Ava asked if it was important news. He told her to ask her brother. Molly asked Jordan if she was upset because they weren’t having a conventional wedding, but Jordan said she was mortified about how she’d acted, and owed Molly a major apology. It was never her goal to hurt Molly, and she thought Molly and TJ were perfect together. Sam brought a jump rope over to Alexis, who said she’d decided to use the steam room. Sam said she was staying to work out, and when Alexis was gone, she asked if Brando had a minute. Carly said Sasha was afraid Nelle might interfere with the wedding, and Michael said she might be the Sasha he used to know. He asked Diane how Nelle being married would affect their case, and she said Julian’s shady past would bolster it. Nelle looked like a lunatic, and Julian looked like he was going to this execution. Michael and Willow looked like what they were; a committed couple, devoted to each other and Wiley’s well-being. Judge Lowe returned, and Diane made her  opening argument. She said Wiley’s well-being was at stake, and that was the number one reason sole custody should go to the biological father. She said Michael was the CEO of a multi-million dollar company, but wasn’t an absentee parent. Brad and Lucas had asked him to be Wiley’s godfather, and he’d been in Wiley’s life since day one, as had Willow. At the Quartermaine’s, Wiley would be surrounded by extended family, and feel loved. It was Martin’s turn, and he told Nelle, no matter what, stay calm.

Brando assumed Sam was going to tell him not to talk to her mother, and suggested she give him a list of every relative she had in Port Charles. Sam said she wanted to apologize, and he said he accepted. Should they start over, and be satisfied with a silent nod across the room? She said she’d take that. Molly and Jordan came back to the table, and Curtis asked if Jordan was okay. She said she had a lot going on with work, and TJ asked if it was about Cyrus. She asked what he knew about Cyrus, and he said just what he’d read in the paper. Jordan had figured out Cyrus was framed, and he’d been exonerated. Molly said she admired Jordan’s integrity. Curtis said she’d done what was needed. Cyrus told Ava that he knew she and Sonny shared a daughter. If she needed help putting Sonny in his place, he’d do it. She said she needed nothing from him, and he suggested they talk about the penthouse. She said she’d never sell it to him, and don’t ever mention her daughter again. Trina said Josslyn was competitive, and if she was on the sidelines, she’d have a nervous breakdown. Dev said it was about team building and sportsmanship. Josslyn wondered again if Trina and Cameron didn’t want her there, and Trina told her not to be silly; she’d text Josslyn the details. Josslyn told Dev that they had to head back, and Trina and Cameron said they were going the other way. When they left, Josslyn said she genuinely thought they didn’t want her to go, but Dev thought Trina was being a friend. Cameron had no idea how to act around Josslyn. Josslyn said Cameron had known her his entire life, but Dev said, but now he liked her. Martin told the court, what already happened was a Greek tragedy. Nelle had been in a car accident, and was left in the woods to give birth alone. Nelle fingered the half-heart necklace in her hand, and Martin said she’d passed out, and when she came to, had a dead infant in arms. Brad had switched babies, and Nelle grieved a baby she thought was dead. When incarcerated, she’d also risked her life stopping serial killer Ryan Chamberlain, which got her an early release for heroism. Then came the shock of her life – the baby hadn’t died. Lucas did the right thing, but Michael only thought of himself, and Nelle had to petition the court to see Wiley. Then another miracle happened – his client found love. Nelle flashed back to telling Julian that she knew he’d caused the accident that nearly killed his son. Lucas would never forgive him, but when Sonny found out he’s known who Wiley was, Sonny would kill him. Martin said, it was like Shakespeare; a love story of a brave young woman, just out of prison, starting a new life; and a man recovering his own life. They were kindred souls. Julian remembered telling Nelle that she was so desperate to keep Michael away from their son, she begged Brad to take him. Nelle told him that if he persuaded Sonny to believe Brad, it would prove he knew about it, and Sonny would kill him. Julian asked what if he dealt with her himself, and she said there was a sealed envelope to be opened in the event of her death or disappearance. It would lead the cops straight to his door. Martin said he knew there was concern about Julian being a known mob kingpin, and Nelle recalled Julian telling her there was nothing left to say except, will you marry me? She told him, get a suit, and they’d seal the deal. Martin said they blended their lives together to raise Wiley. Their house might not be as big, but it would be filled with love. Nelle continued to play with the necklace.

Cameron said he missed the four of them being together, and Trina said, it wasn’t so bad, just him being there. He said he’d always have her back, and they pinky swore. Josslyn asked if Dev really thought Cameron was into her, and he said she was the last to know. She said it made no sense. She’d been a mess. Why crush on her when she was at her worst? Dev guessed the fake dating Josslyn and Cameron had done to make Oscar jealous wasn’t so fake on Cameron’s part. Josslyn asked why Cameron never said something, and Dev said, Josslyn was in love with Oscar, then grieving him; the timing was wrong. Josslyn wondered how it wouldn’t be awkward now, but Dev said he was sure Cameron understood that she didn’t feel the same way; that they were just friends. Cyrus asked for a word with Jordan, and Curtis told him, keep moving. Cyrus said since Jordan had revealed everything to Curtis, he could put Curtis’s skill set to use. Curtis told him, don’t push it, but Cyrus said he was just offering Curtis some business. The health of the Police Commissioner and her loved ones remained his top concern.

Judge Lowe gave the court a one-hour meal break. Willow asked Diane if she thought the judge believed Martin, but Diane said it was more important for them to keep up their calm demeanor. Carly suggested they all go to the MetroCourt, and Diane said she’d meet them; she had to make a phone call. Nelle asked how Martin thought it was going, and he said he was pleased. He told Julian that he should come eat with them. Diane called Alexis, and told her Nelle got married. Alexis said she was surprised but not shocked; Nelle wasn’t going down without a fight. She asked who Nelle lured into marriage, and Diane said, Julian. Martin said he wanted to avoid putting Julian on the stand. He wanted to paint Sonny as a threat, but since Julian was also affiliated with organized crime, it was best not to open that line of inquiry. Julian wasn’t interested in going to lunch, and Nelle said he’d agreed to be a loving husband. He said he was beginning to think there were some things worse than death, and Nelle said couples needed time apart. She left, and alone in the courtroom, Julian told himself to get it together. He was about to leave, when Sonny walked in. Sonny said, congratulations on marrying one of the few people he hated more than Julian.

📏 Inching Closer…

New GH episodes are almost here.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/watch-promo-for-big-return

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles

In Santa Monica, David and James met with Serene and Ray, sellers they’d worked with before, but who decided they weren’t ready give up home. Now they’d been called in again. The house, named Margherita, was in a suburban oasis; quintessential California living at its finest. The  interior had been repainted since they were last there – to the tune of $7K – and it had made a huge difference. In the before pictures, the rooms were dark and brooding, but the afters showed a much brighter, welcoming home. It had six bedrooms and nine baths, and since Serene and Ray only had one child left living at home, they were only using three of the bedrooms. Serene introduced them to a pet lizard they’d gotten for son Connor. It was only supposed to live three to five years, but Connor was now 26, and the lizard was still going strong. She took the lizard out, and only David was game enough to hold it, which I found amusing, since it fit in the palm of a hand. David was still a little weird about it, and in his interview, said he’d had maybe 50 pets growing up, so you wouldn’t think he would be squeamish, but it was a long time ago. The house had a children’s loft that I mentally moved in to, and was on a 21,000 square foot lot, with a private artist’s studio, greenhouse, and pool house. The sellers had found a tear-down in the wall of a canyon, and were psyched that they could build what they wanted. James David asked if there was a chance they’d change their minds again, but Ray said they were all in. David James said they had to come up with a price that made sense for both them and the sellers, since the last time it was high. Serene said they hadn’t really wanted to move, unless someone came up with that price, but they were ready now. In his interview, James said they’d been disappointed. They’d invested $10K in marketing and photography, and couldn’t afford to lose that much again. A price of $17.995 was agreed upon, and David said he knew it was less than they’d expected, but he didn’t want to make them happy now, and unhappy later. The couple needed to trust that the brokers had their best interest at heart, and Serene said they did.

JoshF went to the LadyGang podcast studio, where he was meeting with one of the hosts, Becca Tobin. He said she’d had to twist his arm to be on the podcast, but he was happy to sell her a house. Becca said she needed to get approval from her work wives, Keltie Knight and Jac Vanek; they wanted to see if Josh could hang with gang. They played a game called Flagg or Bag, where they either threw out or kept a trend. In his interview, Josh thought Keltie didn’t like him, which was a recurring theme in his life. He asked what Becca was looking for, and she said she and husband Zach Martin were moving because they needed more space. She liked the L.A. Hills, and wanted privacy, a view, and a pool. She also wanted the new house to have space for the podcast studio. She said she needed the house to have character; modern white boxes weren’t her jam. Mine neither. Her budget was $2-3 million. Josh said he specialized in older homes, and he was officially welcomed to LadyGang.

The Altman brothers checked out a house in Beverly Hills. JoshA said he wanted to make sure the figure the seller was looking for was realistic, since people didn’t understand times had changed. The house was off the beaten path, and Josh said, buyers were looking for prestige, exclusivity, and privacy. Being stuck behind a garbage truck in your Bentley wasn’t so prestigious. The owner’s representative, Rick, met them, and showed them around the 12,530 square foot house. It had floor to ceiling windows, pocket doors, a private theater, a humongous kitchen island, a butler’s kitchen, an infinity pool, and a gym that had never been used. Matt said his had never been used either, and Josh demonstrated his prowess, nearly hurting himself. Rick showed them the 180 degree unobstructed views, and said the asking price was $26.995 million. Josh said it needed to be priced better than other houses people were seeing, and thought $21.995  was more realistic. Rick said he appreciated Josh’s honesty, and agreed to the price. In Josh’s interview, he said the seller had spent over a million on the sound system, and didn’t even live there.

At the Margherita house, agent Jane demonstrated a cornhole game. David and James wanted people spend time outside at the open house. James David thought lawn games would take up space, and demonstrate the expanse. They wanted to bring an East Coast barbecue vibe to Santa Monica. Whatever that is. I live on the East Coast, and I’ve never heard of a barbecue vibe. David James suggested a cotton candy machine, and in his interview, said they wanted to showcase the backyard, so that it would be the first thing an agent mentioned to their client.

JoshF took Becca and Zach to see a home in Outpost Estates, where the homes had been built in the 1920s and showcased Spanish architecture. On the way there, the topic of Broadway was brought up, and Josh graced them with his rendition of Yankee Doodle Dandy. (Hint: He’s no James Cagney.) Becca appreciated the older homes, and Josh said if he saw one more modern white box, he was going to throw up. He told them that the houses there were large, but unassuming from the front, and it was a close community, but not gated. For this one, he was representing both sides, so it would be a double-dip. The seller was asking $2 million for 3500 square feet, three bedrooms and four baths. It had 20 foot ceilings, amazing ironwork, exposed ceiling beams, unobstructed views, and wasn’t on the market yet. He told them there wasn’t a ton of land, but it was like a villa, with terraces everywhere. He showed them the master bedroom downstairs, where the magic happens, but Becca said there was no magic; they were married. The bedrooms and baths were all en suite, and one bathroom had a telephone in it – next to the toilet, where I always love to have conversations. He said it had old world charm, but needed an update. At the price, they could do the changes, and in the meantime, be living in a great neighborhood at a great price. Becca loved the old fixtures, which she found charming. Josh said he had an idea, and took her to a separate room which he said had podcast studio potential. It was entirely red – the walls, the floor, the ceiling, and the furniture – and Becca said it felt like murder, and was a hard no for a studio. Josh said maybe a body was buried there, and Becca said, I can’t. Zach wasn’t keen on spending $2 million when it still needed work, but Becca loved the privacy, and how it was close to everything, yet far away. Still, she wanted to check out something more expensive that didn’t need work.

Josh showed Becca a house that had a Mediterranean vibe. In his interview, he said the people who lived in the area were mostly writers and directors of reality TV, and a producer told him, f*** off. He said, sorry, but I wasn’t quite sure what that was about. The house had been built in 1920, had authentic 15 foot ceilings, and was one of the first houses built there, with both views of the city and a view of the Hollywood Hills. The most impressive thing IMO was the 235 square foot closet, which was about as big as my first apartment. It had three bedrooms, and the price was $2.304 million. I missed how many bathrooms, but another notable feature was a king’s bathroom, designed in Tudor style. The house on my corner has a bathroom like that, which I love, but I never knew there was a name for it. The backyard was nearly 5000 square feet, and included a guest house. Becca said it had a lot of character, but the bedrooms were small, and she didn’t love that it was on the street and too close to the neighbors. Josh said maybe the next one would be the house.

David and James set up their barbecue at the Margherita house, to the tune of $7K, inviting agents who had clients with families, looking for something on the West Side. James got his cotton candy machine, and there were all kinds of lawn games, like a giant Jenga. They wanted buyers to picture their kids there. One broker brought an intuitive astrologer to preview it for her celebrity client by checking out the energy. Astrologer Victoria said the house felt stable, and suddenly went to the window, pendulum swinging, saying she felt something. She claimed she could feel a woman who had waited for someone during WWII, and said the energy was good. In his interview, James David said, whatever it took to get the offer, he was down with it. Nothing else on the market could compete.

JoshF took Becca and Zach to a house in reminiscent of old Hollywood, off the strip, that was amazingly colorful. He said it had been built in 1926, and had vintage charm. It was 3000 square feet, and included a movie theater. The seller’s broker passed out bags of Cracker Jack, and Josh said the room had podcast potential. Becca wanted to move on to the rest of the house, but Josh insisted on digging for his prize. She told him that his prize was the commission on the house. There were three bedrooms, a private guest suite, a pool, and spa. Josh said it was fun and quirky, but at $2.749 million, they could get more bang for their buck with the Outpost Estates house. Becca thought that was the one, and Josh suggested they make an offer of $1.8, which wasn’t offensive. Becca said it was a yes.

JoshA got the bad news from Rick that an offer of $15 million had been made on the Beverly Hills house, and the owners wanted to take it because they wanted to be done. Josh said it was $7 million under the asking price, and the potential buyer had seen it before it was listed. Not only would they be stealing the house, he’d get no commission. He told Rick, it was highway robbery, and Rick said he had 24 hours to get a better offer. Josh said he’d show the house all day.

Wearing a kimono, JoshF met Becca and Zach at the Outpost Estates house, giving them the key and a bottle of Dom Perignon. They’d gotten the seller down to $1.87 million, Josh telling Becca if the house went to the open market, they’d have competition. Becca had told him, let’s do it, and he said now it was time to celebrate. He told her that he wanted to explain the kimono, and Zach said he was nervous. Josh said he should be, and led them to the murder room, where Keltie and Jac waited with bundles of smoking sage. Josh said they were cleansing the room of evil, so Becca would feel comfortable in her new home, but she joked that it made her more scared. They christened the room, and shooed the porn screen murder out the door. Becca said they’d turned a nightmare room into a dream, and they popped the champagne.

Next time, the biggest bathroom I’ve ever seen, the owners of the Margherita house sound like they’re backing out again, and Josh tries to sell a house in one day.

👠 The Girls In the Gang…

Meet the LadyGang.

https://theladygang.com/about-1

🍑 Is She Or Isn’t She…?

Still nothing definitive on if NeNe will be returning to RHOA.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/25/nene-leakes-return-to-rhoa-is-still-up-in-the-air/

🎭 He Understudied Aaron Burr, Sir…

He actually sounds more like he was a well-rounded kid than a weird kid.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/sydney-james-harcourt-on-knitting-mariah-carey-ballet

🐉 Casting Dragons…

I didn’t think it got more badass than it already was.

https://hellogiggles.com/news/house-of-the-dragon-prequel-casting/

📽 Trailers, We Got Trailers…

It’s just like you’re at Comic-Con. Not really, but still fun to watch.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/comic-con-at-home-trailers-new-mutants-lovecraft-country-walking-dead/

🌠 Early Roll Call…

The stars we loved and lost this year… so far.

https://www.tvguide.com/galleries/celebrity-deaths-2020/

🏆 Emmy Angst…

For the record, I was overlooked as well.

https://www.eonline.com/ca/videos/310459/2020-emmy-noms-snubs-surprises-showdowns

⌚️ Overdue…

I owe you one Shahs reunion, which I’ve yet to watch. It’s been a long, busy week, and it’s only Tuesday. That’s okay, I’ll sleep in the next life. Until my next post, stay safe, stay equitable, and stay practical 98% of the time, with the occasional free-for-all.

Jul28

July 27, 2020 – When Nelle Was Late, Good News, Kiko Is Struggling, Three More Escape, New Project & Rush

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

Today’s GH Flashback was from May 14th – we’re getting close to the flashback finish line (see below). If you want to keep it short, I got you here, but if you like it long, go to:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/15/may-14-2020-the-custody-hearing-begins-getting-lost-in-a-maze-chefs-at-camp-alive/

At Charlie’s, Finn talked to Anna, and realized she wasn’t paying attention. He told her that he’d come across a rare case of alienitus, quarantined the patient, and last night, his chest burst open and a big slimy alien crawled out. She told him, that’s interesting, and he said it was friendly. So he gave it bath, called it E.T., and gave it to Violet for a pet. Finally listening, Anna said, very funny, and he asked if her mind was on Holly. Anna told him that she and Holly were frenemies. She’d always expected Holly to turn up again one day, but it wasn’t going to happen now. Finn said sometimes the best response to a sudden loss was a life affirming decision. She asked if he had something in mind, and he said he did. Sasha was still sleeping, fully dressed, when her phone woke her up. It was Maxie, who told her that she had five minutes to get to the photo shoot, or they’d find another model. Sasha flew out of bed. Maxie told Lulu that the photo shoot was about to implode, and take her career with it. At the MetroCourt, Laura told Jax that she just came from a fundraising breakfast, and thanked him for his generous donation to the homeless center. He apologized for not being there in person, but he had a breakfast meeting himself, and was waiting for Nina. He asked how things went, and Laura said, better than expected, thanks to him and some other generous donators. Jax said Laura had been good for Port Charles, and he was grateful for her hard work and integrity. She said she was only as good as the people she represented, and he said she had the ability to inspire people. Sasha ran into Nina in the elevator, and Nina asked if Sasha was having a tough morning. Sasha said Nina had no idea, but Nina thought she did. Martin met with Valentin, and told him that he’d acquired numerous ELQ shares from Quartermaines far and wide. Valentin said he still didn’t have controlling interest yet. Carly went to see Chase at the PCPD, and said she was sure he was aware that Willow and Michael had gotten married. She regretted what the decision had cost him. Michael got home where Diane was waiting. He told her that he’d been to Turning Woods, and told her about Mike. She said she was sure Sonny appreciated his support, but moving forward, he needed to make Wiley’s custody a priority. Stripping custodial rights from a mother was difficult, even a mother as bad as Nelle. He told her things might have gotten easier, and Willow walked in. Diane said, what a gorgeous ring, and Michael said it had belonged to his great-grandmother. Diane wondered if it now belonged to his wife, and Michael said they’d gotten married last night.

Finn told Anna that he thought it was time they planned their wedding, when Robert came in, saying, isn’t this cozy? They were acting like nothing had happened. He told Anna to stop going around town, telling people what they could or couldn’t say to him. Chase told Carly that he hoped Willow and Michael gave Wiley the life he deserved, and she said that was the plan; the custody hearing was today. He asked why she was there instead of at the courthouse, and she said there was someone she needed to thank. Nina said she’d heard Sasha and Michael broke up, and Sasha said Nina was right about her; she wasn’t good enough for Michael. Nina said Sasha had hurt herself most of all, and hoped she found peace and love, and that the pain she was feeling was gone forever. Lulu said Maxie worked best in a crisis, and Maxie said it was supposed to be her moment in the spotlight. She was taking a 90s cosmetics company and making it a power brand, but all she saw was her hopes and dreams disintegrating. Sasha ran in, and Charlotte told her that she looked terrible. Maxie asked the makeup artist to work her magic, and Sasha went to be transformed from a toad to a swan. Lulu told Maxie, the model was there, the makeup artist was working her magic, and Maxie had hot coffee. It was a straight road from there. Maxie said, until the next crisis. It was easier being number two, and all she could think about was, what would Nina do? Nina walked in, and said she would just ask the person whose opinion she trusted the most – Maxie.

Anna told Robert, the WSB was still investigating Holly’s death, and there was no evidence so far of foul play. If any was found, he’d be the first to know. Robert wondered if the investigation was evidence enough. Nina said she’d seen Sasha, and was there to offer Maxie moral support. Maxie said she appreciated it, but it was just making her more nervous. Lulu asked Nina to take Charlotte to watch the shoot, and Nina said no one knew how to manage a shoot like Maxie. She hadn’t left Crimson to second guess herself. She’d left to be the one who made the final decisions. Those who freaked out and played it small weren’t stars, and never would be. She told Maxie, toughen up, get the job done, and be a star. Jax told Laura that he was surprised Valentin hadn’t fought harder to hold on to the estate; he could have dragged it out for years. Laura said maybe Valentin realized it was a blessing and a curse, and she was sure he’d find a way to make money. Martin told Valentin that he’d used an intermediary to acquire the shares he’d gotten, but the Quartermaines seemed more preoccupied with Brook getting arrested and the custody battle for Wiley, for which he had to get to court. Valentin said it was time they looked into the other heirs. Drew was dead, and Jason had no interest in ELQ, but he wanted Martin to find out who was controlling the children’s shares. Diane said Willow was brave to marry into the Corrinthos and Quartermaine families. They were a bit difficult as individuals, but as a group, they were fearless, intelligent, and never boring, and Michael was the best of the lot. She thought they were a perfect match, and they’d be genuinely happy. She couldn’t imagine better parents for Wiley. She said to let her know where they were registered, and Willow told her, the only gift they needed was knowing Wiley was safe from Nelle. Carly told Chase that she’d thought noble people were stupid and suckers, until someone she loved gave up their happiness for her child. She eventually realized their sacrifice had changed everything. Michael had been a baby at the time, but it had made his life better. Chase hoped it worked out that way with Wiley, and Carly said the judge would see two people who loved Wiley, and would do anything to insure he had a happy and safe home. She said if he crossed paths with the person who’d made the sacrifice for Wiley, make sure they knew she would always cherish their selfless actions. Chase said he’d let them know.

Nina brought Charlotte to the MetroCourt, and Charlotte told Valentin how awesome the shoot was. She said she used to be mad at Sasha, but now she felt bad for her. Valentin praised her compassion, and said it wasn’t good to be angry and resentful all the time. Charlotte thanked Nina, who said maybe they could have a girls night out this week. Laura and Jax came by, and Valentin left to take Charlotte to school. Nina apologized to Jax for being late, saying she had a special delivery. Laura thanked Jax again, and left. Jax asked what Nina wanted to talk about, and she thanked him for his help with Charlotte, but said she couldn’t lean on him forever. It was time for her to take control of her own life. Maxie barked orders at everyone, and Lulu said she’d make an excellent general. Maxie said she knew her bossiness would come in handy one day. Sasha came back and asked where Maxie wanted her, and Maxie left to find the photographer. Lulu wanted to ask Sasha some pre-shoot questions, and wondered what it was like to be involved with the launch, and where Sasha saw herself in five years. Sasha said she was trying to take it one day at a time, and couldn’t imagine tomorrow, much less five years from them. She started to cry, and Maxie returned. Maxie asked what Lulu said to her, and Lulu said she’d just asked Sasha about her future. Maxie said the makeup artist had probably left, and asked for a moment alone with Sasha. She told Sasha that Lulu shouldn’t have asked about the future. Sasha probably had no idea where Chase fit in. Sasha said they weren’t together, and started to cry again. Maxie said she wanted to care about Sasha’s personal life, but not today. Today, they were businesswomen, whose future depended on the launch. Sasha needed to pull it together. They didn’t have the time or money to postpone it. Get it together and smile. She could cry afterward. Maxie told Sasha not to make her regret giving up her career. At the courthouse, Carly asked Martin if his client was still sleeping under her rock, and Martin formally introduced himself. Carly told him that she’d be lying if she said it was a pleasure, and he asked if she didn’t believe everyone was entitled to a fair hearing and to be represented. She said she believed in justice for those who deserved it. He agreed, and she said she’d tell her husband how he felt – Michael’s father, Sonny Corinthos. Martin knew who he was, didn’t he?

Sasha fixed her makeup, and flashed back to Michael confronting her and Chase, and asking how long the affair had been going on. Anna told Robert that there was no proof the ship went down, and Robert asked if she thought Holly might be alive. She said that’s why she didn’t tell him. If there was a glimmer of hope, he’d chase ghosts like he always did. Robert told Finn, they’d thought Holly had died in a plane crash, but she was really in a coma from a car crash. Finn said that was quite a coincidence, and Robert said she’d tried to return. Anna finished for him, saying that she and Robert were involved by then, and Holly stayed away, but she wasn’t the only one missing this time. Robert said there were enough discrepancies for Anna to talk to his brother, and asked if she believed Holly wasn’t dead. She said she wasn’t sure, and Robert said he had calls to make. One of Maxie’s assistants found Sasha in the makeup room, and handed her a vial of cocaine – a little something to get her through the shoot. Sasha said she didn’t, and the assistant said she didn’t either, except on really tough days. (So, would that be every day?) Chase showed up at the photo shoot, and asked Lulu if it was over. Lulu said Maxie had sent everyone on break; she was trying to salvage the day. Chase asked, what happened? and Lulu told him to tell her. Sasha was a mess. She overslept, was hungover, and couldn’t stop crying. Chase said he was sorry, but Lulu said it was too late for apologies. She’d thought he was a decent good guy, but he was just hiding the jerk underneath. Lucy and Maxie were going to lose their investments and reputations if the shoot didn’t happen. She told him to talk to Sasha, and maybe they could salvage their careers and their lives. Martin told Carly that he knew who Sonny was, and how those who displeased him disappeared. Carly said she didn’t know what he meant, and he said he was sure she was well-instructed on how not to incriminate herself or Sonny. She said her husband was a businessman, but he did have powerful connections; connections that a lawyer might find lucrative. Diane arrived with Michael and Willow, and Martin said, a sudden marriage before court, and wondered if he had to keep an eye on them. Diane said who was she to stand in the way of a happy, committed, stable family? and everyone went into court.

Valentin found Laura sitting at his table, and she asked how Charlotte was. He said she was fine. He’d dropped her off at school, and they were going riding later. He appreciated whatever she’d said to Lulu. She said he should thank Charlotte. She ran away when she thought they’d separated. Valentin said he’d intended on letting her go for her own good, but he realized it looked like abandonment, and would have the opposite effect. He was abandoned, and look what happened to him. Laura said she’d persuaded Lulu to compromise for Charlotte’s sake, and not to make her regret it. Lulu told Maxie that she’d sent Chase in to talk to Sasha; it couldn’t get worse. Maxie said Chase was the guy who’d blown up Sasha’s life, and if he and Sasha had a mutual meltdown, this was over. Sasha asked Chase what he was doing there, and he told her Carly told him that she was grateful for what they’d done. Sasha asked if Carly admitted she knew they’d faked the affair, and he said, not in so many words. She said she appreciated what she called their sacrifice. Sasha said she didn’t think it would be this hard, and he said, neither did he. Nina told Jax that Sasha wasn’t having a good morning, and she’d felt the need to comfort her. Then she dropped by the shoot, where Maxie was drowning in self-doubt, and she wanted to boost Maxie’s self-confidence, and gave her a pep talk. After that, Charlotte needed her. Her point being, she knew she’d told Jax that she didn’t want go down that rabbit hole and look for her daughter, but denying her feelings wasn’t helping. She needed to know. Jax asked if she wanted his help, and she said, absolutely not. Michael asked what Carly said to Martin, and she said she just reminded him of who Michael’s father was. Diane told her not to try to intimidate Martin. He was going to do his best to goad her, and paint her as a domineering, controlling woman, who wanted to wrest her grandson from the arms of his loving mother. Martin came in, and Diane said, underneath his Southern charm, Martin was a shark, ready for blood. Judge Lowe took the bench, but Nelle was nowhere to be seen.

Finn said he’d never seen Robert so upset, and Anna said, Robert and Holly had a unique relationship. They would fight and makeup, Holly would leave and Robert would go after her. She didn’t think Robert had ever stopped loving Holly. Finn said he could see Robert’s need for her to be alive, and Anna said she was afraid Robert was going to lose himself, and neglect everything else in his desperate quest. Finn asked if she thought there was a chance Holly was alive, and she said there were always questions with a maritime accident. Until and unless Holly’s body turned up, she didn’t think Robert would accept she was gone. Chase told Sasha, when Michael and Willow had custody of Wiley, they’d see it was worth it. Michael and Willow may never know the part they played, but they did a good thing. She said Chase was coping better than she was, and he said he’d barely gotten out of bed; the Chief of Detectives had called him. All he can think about is Willow’s smile and the sound of her voice. Sasha said she couldn’t get out of her own head, and she was ruining Lucy and Maxie’s dreams. Chase said they were her dreams too, and to make them start happening today. She asked him to tell Maxie that she’d be right out. Laura said it was proven Valentin wasn’t a Cassadine, and he said he was aware of that. What was her point? She wondered if Nikolas and Spencer were free from his retribution, and he said he was no fan of Nikolas, but he had no plans for that. They were safe. Laura said second chances were rare. Valentin could write his future, and decide who he wanted to be. She hoped he used it wisely, and became the man he was meant to be. He asked who that was, and she said, a man who puts family first, before money and power. He asked if she thought he could be that man, and she said, the question was, did he want to be?

Maxie asked Chase if he was 200% sure Sasha was okay. He said he thought so, and she said that didn’t sound like 300% (not a typo). He said he explained what matters, and Sasha breezed in. She asked why everyone was hanging around, when they had a dream to make come true. Let’s get this party started. Maxie told Chase, get out. We saw the makeup table, with the empty vial sitting on it. Brilliant of Sasha to leave it there, especially with a cop walking around. Nina said she didn’t need Jax or anyone else to undertake the journey that should be hers. If her daughter was out there, she’d sure as hell find her herself. In the hallway outside the courtroom, Martin called Nelle, leaving a message for her to get there now. He went back in and thanked the judge, assuring him that Nelle would be there soon, and sent her deepest apologies for being late. Diane told Michael not to  get ahead of himself, and Michael asked what the best case was if Nelle didn’t show up. Diane said the judge had all the documents, and could rule in his favor. Judge Lowe asked if Martin’s client was in the courthouse, and Martin said he was sure she was. The judge said they’d waited long enough, when Nelle blew in, wearing a wedding dress and carrying a bouquet. She said, the most incredible thing just happened, and flashed he ring at everyone.

It Finally Happened…

On Monday, the wait is over for all new GH episodes.

https://deadline.com/2020/07/general-hospital-resumes-production-original-episodes-to-begin-airing-next-month-1202993569/

Below Deck Mediterranean

Captain Sandy tells Kiko that she doesn’t want to ruin her reputation, but it’s not a beat-up session; it’s a reality session. The food has to be spectacular, and he needs plating and organizational skills. He also needs to learn how to take the pressure. In Kiko’s interview, he gets weepy, and says the captain’s words hurt a lot. He tried his best. Jess ices her finger. She wants to show Hannah how squashed her finger is, but Hannah doesn’t want to see it, and asks if Jess can just help scrub the bathroom.

It’s time for the preference sheet meeting. The primaries are Sean, an entrepreneur (isn’t everybody?), record label owner, and a dabbler in real estate; along with his wife Crystal, an ad executive. They’re going to be celebrating their anniversary, want to take a shopping excursion, and want a Vegas party, as well as a hip-hop themed 90s night. It’s a four-day charter, and in her interview, Hannah says, one extra day added makes a difference. It’s harder for interior and the chef. Captain Sandy says she doesn’t want guests to see an empty table, and wants to kill it this charter. Rob is ready to have a humdinger. I’m not sure if he means a good time, some kind of drink, or something completely different.

Rob snuggles Jess, and in her interview, Jess says she’s due to have an actual successful relationship. A producer asks if she and Rob are in one, and she says she thinks so… kind of. Alex flirts with Bugs in the crew mess. She tells him to be up front, like Rob, and not play hard to get. In Alex’s interview, he says, last night was terrible. We flash back to his shrinkage in the cold hot tub. He says when he’s drunk, he gets out of control and doesn’t have a chance. The crew gets ready to go out, but Kiko wants to rest. He has a lot of sh*t to do. Bugs comes out in a really cute mini dress, with tons of hair ornaments and jewelry. She says she loves accessories. It’s her thang.

The crew goes to a restaurant, while back on the boat, Kiko tries to organize the galley. In his interview, he says he comes from a country where there wasn’t a lot of support for his choices. He thinks whether or not you can do something, you should always try to do well with your chance. Alex says things went sour in the galley, and asks Hannah if she thinks Kiko is going to last. She says she hopes so. Rob feeds Jess, and Alex says he loves Bugs’s passion. Malia asks when they’re moving into the same cabin. In Bugs’s interview, she says she thinks Alex is cute, but she holds back from potential relationships because of fear of rejection. When she was fourteen, a guy told her that she wasn’t the one for him, and it was a huge turning point. She’d never allow herself to be set up for heartbreak again. Wow. She gave up early. Rob tells Alex that he has a chance, and just keep going the way he is. They move on to a club that’s very Vegas; an outside elevator, lots of flashing lights, and people in costume. Malia tells Jess that Hannah seems off. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s connected with one person, and he isn’t there. Bugs tells Malia that, to be honest, the chef is a great guy, but… Malia says, that doesn’t cut it. If Hannah and the captain keep supporting him, it could have an impact.

Kiko plays guitar alone in the crew mess by himself. In his interview, he says he’s freaking out, but he’d never quit. He keeps imagining his father and mother. They had a painting store, and it grew fast, but people started stealing from them, and at fifty-four, his father was broke. He’s a fighter, and he’s back now, so Kiko learned to never stop trying. The crew heads back to the boat. Rob and Jess cuddle in Jess’s cabin. In Jess’s interview, she says she thinks she manifested him. Her spiritual therapist made her write a list of what she wanted. She listed sensitive and intuitive, but not an emotional trainwreck. A former bad boy, but a nice guy. In the crew mess, Alex tells Bugs that he respects her a lot, and thinks she’s an awesome person. At the end of the day, she might not care, but he’s having a hard time explaining. She takes his hand across the table, and he says he’ll see her in the morning. In Alex’s interview, he says she wishes he had a breathalyzer that said, buddy, stop talking. He sees a red light, but he’s still going 90 mph through it.

Hannah tells Kiko that she needs him to stay. Malia tells the deckhands, they’re going from top to bottom, and Hannah meets with the stews. She says Bugs will do lunch and dinner service to insure service flow. There are issues in the galley, and Kiko needs support as much as possible. The deckhands talk about their laundry, and Rob says his underwear was a different color. Hannah tells Jess, she doesn’t know what’s going on in laundry, but it needs to change. Bugs suggests shelves with the crew numbers on them. Provisions arrive, and Captain Sandy hears Malia tell the deckhands that she wants a quick chat on the aft deck. Malia tells them that they need to step up as a team. If a guest is out there, greet them, and don’t assume someone else did. They need to keep the pace up. The captain hears Malia tell Hannah, Jess claimed laundering the uniforms wasn’t a priority. Captain Sandy joins them, saying, that’s not the case. She tells Hannah that Jess either gets it right this time, or she’s getting another strew. She’s tired of excuses. Jess has a great attitude, but she needs someone who does their job, and Hannah can tell Jess that she said that. Malia is excited that boyfriend Tom is coming to visit, saying, it will be refreshing to have intelligent conversation with a man on board.

Hannah says tells Jess what Malia said about the uniforms, but Jess says that wasn’t the case; she didn’t say they weren’t a priority. Hannah says Captain Sandy overheard Malia, and said Hannah needs to whip her into shape or she’ll find a replacement. Jess asks if she going to be fired over a miscommunication, and Hannah says, make sure she’s giving 100%. Jess says she is, and in her interview, she says she loves Hannah and loves working with her, but she’s also making Jess’s job more difficult, and making her look bad. Being the third stew is like being her little bitch. She’s not supposed to remember everyone; it’s not her job. We flash back to the dinner where the guests sat unattended. Malia says she’s psyched for the next charter. Jess tells Malia that she wants to clarify something. She’d said the crew’s personal clothing during charter wasn’t a priority. Next time, talk to her, so it doesn’t get to he captain. Malia says Captain Sandy was sitting there, and had asked about her uniform. In Malia’s interview, she says she has no time to supervise Jess, but she feels for her. Instead of being hard on her and hurting her feelings a little, Hannah keeps throwing Jess under the bus, but Jess has no voice to stand up to what the problem is. Jess tells Malia that the captain threatened to fire her, and Malia says the laundry doesn’t just fall on Jess; things need organization. She didn’t mean to throw Jess under the bus. Captain Sandy radios for the crew to get in their whites.

A load of gorgeous people arrive, and the crew greets them. Captain Sandy says she wants to get off the dock as soon as possible, and Crystal says she wants a conversation with the chef to make sure everything is copacetic. In Kiko’s interview, he says, the guests are going to be very picky. The guests are given champagne and warm towels. Alex takes a look at all the luggage, and says he didn’t know they were having twenty guests. Hannah gives the tour. When they get to the galley, everyone says hey to Kiko, and a guest steals an oyster. The boat starts to move out. In Alex’s interview, he says he had a 1.9 GPA and a disability, while his sister’s GPA was 4.0. When he found yachting, he was in his element. He didn’t need to open a book to know what he was doing. Rob steals a kiss from Jess. Oysters are served, and the table is set for lunch.

Hannah tells Kiko to get as much information as he can from the guests. He goes up to meet with them, and Crystal and Sean joke that they don’t want any vegetables, meat, or fish. Kiko says all the preference sheets are different, and he’s going to follow what’s there, so everyone is happy. One guest tells him that when they do a making-it-rain gesture, he’s good. Everyone cheers. In his interview, Kiko says this will make his life much easier. The ship is anchored, and Hannah tells Kiko to put the steaks on. Hannah tells the guests that they can be seated when they’re ready. They’re ready now, and paella and filet mignon are served. The guests declare the food great. Captain Sandy comes by, and they tell her it’s fantastic. Crystal invites the captain to join them at their anniversary dinner, and she says she’d be delighted. The guests toast to living their best and their blessed life. The captain tells Kiko to put the gravy on the side next time. In his interview, he says, it seems like she wants to change him, and not help him anymore. Sean and Crystal go out on a jet ski, and take a spill. Malia is a rescue diver, and dives in. Alex and Pete follow, and right the jet ski, while Malia helps the couple back to the boat. She asks if Crystal is good, and says, it can be scary. She tells Alex, it was their first emergency, and he handled it well; nice job. In his interview, he says, Malia is a badass; she’s awesome.

Hannah tells Kiko that the captain will be at the anniversary celebration. Malia tells the captain that the guests had a rough go at water sports, but everyone is fine. Crystal  tells Malia, they need more girls on deck. Captain Sandy sees a squall coming, and says, it’s getting rough. They’re going to have to go to the dock. Everything is brought in, and they head for Sóller, Spain. Some of the guests nap on deck, and Bugs tells them, enjoy. Hannah phones boyfriend (another) Tom, and says she needs to help Kiko; he’s struggling. She’ll be home soon, and can’t wait to get back to normal life. Bugs creates a beautiful burgundy and gold table setting, and in her interview, she says she has mad drive when comes working. A captain told her that she’d never last as chief stew because she lacked experience, and she burned to prove them wrong. She puts up balloons that say, 15, and Captain Sandy says she’s so talented. Hannah mumbles that she hates this boat. The guests are seated, and Sean says, twenty-five years ago, it was love at first sight, and he looks forward to another twenty-five. The table toasts to their anniversary. Kiko is nervous about the captain being at the table. In his interview, he says he’s not fancy. That’s not how he cooks, and he can’t change himself. The guests keep calling him everything but Kiko – names like Keedo and Kido – which I find really rude, and I’m surprised.

The guests say the starter is beautiful, and Hannah relays that to Kiko, and says they’re raving about the food. Keep it up. Bugs and Alex help in the galley. One of the guests says, Kido makes it delicious, and Hannah tells Kiko, everybody’s happy. Hannah tells Malia that she was thinking about sending Bugs and Alex on the excursion, and asks if that’s okay. Bugs says, but is it okay with her? Alex jokes that he doesn’t feel comfortable. In Bugs’s interview, she says she’s become a weirdo with relationships. Crystal says Kiko’s presentation is superb, and Captain Sandy tells Kiko, nice job; she liked it. In her interview, the captain says she’s never had a problem with the flavor, but Kiko needs more super yacht style. She hopes he blows it out of the park tomorrow. After dinner, it’s lights out.

In his interview, Kiko says he’s totally ready for the second day. Jess sets the breakfast table, and Bugs tells her how pretty it is. In Jess’s interview, she says, Bugs is a good influence. Jess tells us that she generally does her jobs as best as possible, and she’s probably at 90%. She thinks that’s good. A guest wonders what they’re going to see today, and Sean says he doesn’t know; that’s part of the adventure. Bugs and Alex bring the guests to what looks like a trolley. In Bugs’s interview, she says, it’s one of the world’s oldest electric trams. It gets thisclose to the shops and restaurants, I get nervous. In Alex’s interview, he says he likes Bugs. She’s weird, and can go from working hard to goofy. It’s super cool and cute, and he’s definitely into it.

Kiko confers with Hannah on the Las Vegas party. He’s thinking finger food, and Hannah suggests truffle fries and nachos. The guests go to the south side of Sóller, which is charming and quaint. In Bugs’s interview, she says, it’s beautiful, and the perfect date… day. Now she’s embarrassed. Everyone tries on hats, and Alex buys a visor for Bugs. She asks if she looks bougie. He gives her a hug, and the guests cheer.

The guests begin their return, and Bugs radios Hannah that they have a twenty minute ETA. When they get back to the boat, they’re met with fancy shots. In Kiko’s interview, he says he’s never been to Vegas. On TV, it sounds fancy, but he’s trusting Hannah. Crystal tells Hannah that she wants to do something wild, and wants the crew to do it with them. The crew talks about Vegas, and Alex suggests the guys wear bow ties with no shirts. Bugs says they can be the Wellingtondales, and finds Columbina masks for the women to wear. Bugs decorates the table, and Captain Sandy says, it captures the spirit of the night. Kiko uses a blow torch on the nachos. In Hannah’s interview, she says when she sees what he’s sending out, it’s not what she had in mind. In Malia’s interview, she says she doesn’t want to be the one to tell him what he can serve to the guests, but the nachos are disgusting. They do look awful, and so do the fries. Crystal says, Kiko better get it together, and Sean says it’s the most fried food he’s eaten in years. No one looks happy, and Crystal says, it’s not like last night. Kiko gives Bugs a plate of brownies decorated like dominos, and in her interview, she says serving brownies with nachos is unheard of. Captain Sandy wonders what’s up with the brownies, and Bugs says Kiko told her it was like a buffet. The captain says this concerns her, and tells Kiko, the guests can eat the brownies afterward. She asks the guests how dinner is, and they tells her, good, but too much fried food. Sean says, to each his own, and the captain sees the nachos. She asks Hannah, what is that? In Hannah’s interview, she says, this is really not good. After this, she’s definitely going to need therapy, Xanax, and Valium; anything she can get her hands on. Crystal says, it’s like a kid’s birthday party. In the captain’s interview, she says something like this would never be served on a super yacht in a million years.

Captain Sandy asks, who put out the nachos? and Bugs says she did; she was told to. The captain says Bugs should have called her. In Bugs’s interview, she says, if this is Hannah and Kiko’s idea of Vegas night, what is she going to do? The captain asks Hannah why she served the nachos, and Hannah says she didn’t; Bugs did. She’s sorry, but that’s what came out of the galley. In her interview, Captain Sandy says, it’s shocking, especially after the last charter season. We flash back to Mila making crappy nachos. Sean says the service was great, and the guests toast to great service, and to Captain Sandy keeping it real. Kiko asks Bugs if everything was okay, but she says she doesn’t know. She caught the tail end of a conversation. He says Hannah told him it was okay, and Bugs tells him the guests thought it was like a kid’s birthday party. In Kiko’s interview, he says he did what Hannah told him, and now he’s getting nervous. The captain goes to the galley, and says the nachos were really awful. He says he was never in Vegas, so he googled it and spoke with Hannah. She tells him, leave Hannah out of it; it’s not her fault. That should never be served on a super yacht. She’s seen things at a kid’s birthday party that were better. It’s beyond. Bugs tells Hannah, she loves Kiko, but he’s spiraling. The captain tells Kiko, the clients are being nice, but the others are looking at her. He asks if he should apologize, but she says, no. Don’t bother. That he has to google something concerns her. He asks if she liked the food yesterday, and she says it’s what would be served to the crew. He says, if she wants to fire him, he tried. She tells him, just get through the charter. Do his food. He says he understands. If he leaves, he leaves. She says, finish the charter, and he says, don’t worry. He’ll leave.

Next time, Malia hunts for Rob, the 90s party happens, Hannah hates her effing job, and has a panic attack.

🥀 Gone But Not Forgotten…

Another spate of celebrity deaths, in order of demise. First, John Saxon, who did his share of horror films, most notably, Nightmare on Elm Street.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-saxon-dead-enter-dragon-nightmare-elm-street-actor-was-83-1095778

Regis Philbin gets his final answer.

https://nypost.com/2020/07/25/the-late-regis-philbin-was-a-one-of-a-kind-tv-talent/

I have to admit, I thought Olivia de Havilland had died already, but she was 103.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/26/entertainment/olivia-de-havilland-dies/index.html

✂️ Cutting It Short…

I’m writing articles for a new website, and haven’t quite gotten my scheduling down yet. I have an article due tomorrow, and still need to do some editing, but I’ll have some tea and real estate for you in my next post. If you want to check out my first article on the Snowpiercer TV series, go to:

https://mupoentertainment.com/theresa-krakauskas/

Until then, stay safe, stay present, and stay away from gatherings of hundreds of people. Apparently, that is not going well.

Jul25

July 24, 2020 – When Mike Had a Moment, As the Reunion Turns, New Kelly, Dead News, Two Different Cons, Apocalypse Watching, Empire Spin, Loving New York, a Lesson, an Artist, Two Big Fat Quotes & Another

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

As the gap continues to close, today’s GH Flashback is from May 13th, 2020. Enjoy a mind refresh here, or if you’re detail oriented, go to:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/may-13-2020-sonny-asks-what-mike-wants-blind-defense-vandernews-impressing-nema-free-happy-hour-upcoming-freedom/

Chase dreamed about Willow, but woke up alone. Willow woke up alone too, at the Quartermaine mansion. She saw her rings on the nightstand, and remembered getting married to Michael. Michael came downstairs for breakfast, and Brook asked if he’d gotten any sleep. He said he felt ready, and she said he’d done what he could for Wiley, and even gotten married. They’re not all so lucky. Michael said it would happen for her too, when she was old and grey. She threw a bagel at him, insisting she would never go grey. She said Willow was sweet, kind, and gorgeous; the perfect wife for him, and the perfect stepmom for Wiley. Ava brought Avery to visit Mike at Turning Woods. Sonny watched from the doorway as Avery showed Mike her drawings. Carly went to the MetroCourt, and told Olivia she was worried about the hearing, and figured she might as well come in. Olivia asked if there was anything she could do, and Carly suggested dropping a house on Nelle, but Olivia said she was fresh out of tornados. Carly said she could use some advice, and asked if Olivia had any words of wisdom regarding mother-in-law-hood. Olivia saw Lulu come in with Dustin, and said, bite your tongue, exercise patience, and slap on a smile. Robert woke up on Laura’s couch, wondering where he was. Laura asked if she should be offended that he didn’t remember.

Michael told Brook that he’d hit the jackpot with Willow, but she had to give up everything, and was in love with Chase. Brook said that was Chase’s fault, but Michael said Willow had to sacrifice a lot. He didn’t want her regretting it. Brook said Chase was a giant tool, but even if he walked on water, Willow was trading up. Michael being loaded was a plus, but he was an amazing guy, and Willow had enough sense to appreciate how fabulous he was. Seeing Willow in the doorway, Brook said, right? Still in bed, Chase scrolled through pictures on his phone of himself and Willow. Mac called and told Chase that he was late, and Chase jumped out of bed, saying he’d be there in ten minutes. Laura gave Robert some coffee, and asked if he wanted to pick up where they’d left off. He asked where that was, and she said, where you’d expect old friends with history and chemistry to be. He put his head in his hands, and she laughed. She said he came to her house drunk. She managed to get him on the couch, settled him in, and went to bed. He said she was a vision of true evilness, and she asked why he came to her doorstep. Carly asked if Olivia wasn’t a fan of Mr. Phillips; that’s how she knew him, since he was Josslyn’s teacher. Lulu and Dustin walked over to the bar, and Lulu said Dustin was there to meet Brook. Dustin said he and Brook were checking out the venue, since they were performing at the Nurses Ball, but he also wanted Olivia’s culinary expertise. Lulu said Rocco needed cupcakes for school, and Dustin volunteered to oversee the baking. Olivia asked what the occasion was, and Lulu said it was Take Your Dad to School Day. Avery continued to show Mike her artwork, and Ava told Sonny that she hoped bringing Avery there was okay. Sonny said Avery never needed permission to see her grandfather, and asked how Mike had been. Ava said it took him a while to warm up, but he’d been smiling ever since. He wasn’t talking much though. Sonny asked if Avery was scared, but Ava said she was fine. Avery had experience from when Ava was in Shadybrook. She didn’t understand, so it didn’t make her sad. She was just spending time with her grandfather, and loving him.

Carly asked to talk to Dustin about Josslyn’s curriculum. Lulu asked Olivia if something was wrong. Olivia said Lulu had barely known Dustin a year, and she was trying to erase Dante from Rocco’s life. Ava asked Sonny if Mike’s good days were becoming fewer and farther between, but Sonny said he’d stopped measuring. He was trying to stay in the moment. He wondered if Mike had coherent thoughts and couldn’t voice them, or if he had no coherent thoughts at all. He said, once in a while, Mike made a precise observation, and Ava said that showed Mike was still in there. She told Sonny that she owed him an apology. Robert said he couldn’t believe Holly was dead, and Laura said she was so sorry. Robert said he was sorry for dragging her out of bed. He knew she and Holly didn’t have the greatest relationship. She said, it was a long time ago, and people important to her cared about Holly, him topping the list. She asked, what happened? Was she ill? He said it would have been easier that way, but she was on a ship that went down in a storm, and it was no ordinary ship. Laura said, of course (🍷) not, and Robert said Holly did contract work for the WSB; another one of her secrets. On the phone with Anna, Mac looked at the report on Holly’s death, and said, there’s nothing here. Chase came in, apologizing for being late, and Mac asked if Chase needed a day off. Even though he was there, he wasn’t, and if he needed to take care of something, do it. Brook told Willow and Michael that she had a meeting, but good luck in court. She didn’t think they’d need it though. The judge would take one look at them, and know Wiley belonged with them. She left, and Michael said Brook had a flair for the dramatic. Willow said she hadn’t noticed, and Michael said everyone was talking them up to each other. Willow said you’d think they defied gravity, and Michael said he already knew she was incredible.

Carly didn’t think Dustin understood how fraught the situation was. It was hard on Olivia, seeing Lulu move forward, and not reserving room for Dante in Rocco’s life. She wasn’t judging; she thought it was the right decision in Lulu’s mind. It was great for Lulu, but she didn’t think Lulu understood how it was affecting Olivia. Maybe Dustin could see it from Olivia’s perspective. If Carly was in her position, her daughter-in-law would have been out on the street with half her hair ripped out. Rocco was bringing a new man to Take Your Dad to School Day, but it’s not like Dante was a deadbeat. He had severe PTSD, and it was hard for Olivia. Lulu told Olivia, no one was erasing Dante. She was sending Dustin in his place to make Rocco happy. He didn’t want to feel left out, and had asked for Dustin. They’d all decided together to make Dustin and honorary uncle, and he’d be wearing a Yankees hat to represent Dante. It’s what Rocco wanted, and what Dante would want too. Robert told Laura, when he and Holly saw each other, it wasn’t always under the friendliest of circumstances. Laura said Holly had broken Robert’s heart, and ran away with a piece of it. Part of him had thought he’d get it back, but now that would never happen. Michael told Willow that it was important they tell the truth to each other. He admitted that if he was going to court without her, he’d be nervous, but going with her, he knew he was going to win. Maybe not today, and it wouldn’t be easy, but he was going to get custody of Wiley. She said she’d heard what he’d said to Brook, and she regretted nothing. Ava apologized to Sonny for having Mike arrested for kidnapping Avery. Sonny said he appreciated it, and appreciated her bringing Avery. They went back in Mike’s room, and Avery showed them a drawing she and her grandpa made; he’d told her what to do, and she did it. Ava asked who the boy riding the bike was, and Mike said, his son. Ava asked if he’d taught his son to ride a bike, and Mike nodded. Avery said her daddy had taught her, and Ava said, all the best dads do that. She had to take Avery to school, and Sonny suggested they put the picture up on Mike’s wall. In the hallway, Avery asked if Ava would ever forget her like her grandpa forgot her daddy, and Ava said, no. Even if it did happen, by then Avery would be grown up with her own family. Avery asked if she’d ever forget Ava, and Ava said, just try.

Dustin thanked Carly for the advice. Brook came in, and Dustin headed back to the bar. Carly asked Brook how the newlyweds were, and Brook said, calm and focused. She couldn’t figure out Chase though; she’d never have pegged him as a cheater. He’d broken Willow’s heart, but was walking around with puppy dog eyes like he was the wronged one. Brook told Carly about Chase arresting her because she’d had the audacity to call him out, and accidentally bopped Sasha in the nose. She’d ripped up the ticket – like any sensible person would – and Chase hauled her to the station. Carly said she needed to go, and Brook wondered if it was something she’d said. Lulu told Olivia, the Dante she knew before everything happened, would want his son to feel safe with a man as good and kind as Dustin. Sonny gave Mike an iPad already loaded with his favorites, and put the earbuds on him. Mike said it was loud, and Sonny said they’d do it some other time. He asked what Mike thought of Avery, and Mike laughed, looking at her artwork. Sonny said he needed to know what Mike wanted; the next time he might not be able to say. Did he want help? Did he want to stay or go? The doctor asked if he could speak to Sonny, and it was back out to the hallway. Chase told Mac that he didn’t need time off, and Mac read from Brook’s police report. Chase said she was combative and belligerent, and Mac said all the Quartermaines were. Chase had arrested Brook three times in three months, and the Civilian Review Board might see it as an abuse of power. Robert told Laura he must have given the wrong address to the Ride Share guy, and she said if he didn’t want it straight, he wouldn’t have come there. He had to grieve Holly, and say goodbye.

Dustin told Olivia that he’d never try to take Dante’s place. He had respect for Dante putting himself on the line for justice. He said he was in a strange position, and Olivia said that’s the way it was. Lulu went to see Laura for advice and calming down. She thought she’d blown her relationship with Rocco’s other grandmother. The doctor told Sonny that Mike had stopped eating. They could give Mike a feeding tube, and keep him as comfortable as possible, but the greater challenge was that it might further disorient Mike. Sonny asked what he recommended, and the doctor said some patients made provision that they don’t want life extending measures, but Mike had left it to Sonny. Sonny said he needed time, and the doctor left Sonny with his thoughts. Michael showed up, and said he wanted to tell Mike that he got married. Sonny told him that they wanted to put a feeding tube in Mike, but he didn’t know what Mike wanted. Michael said he should ask Mike if he could, but Sonny said, what if he couldn’t? Michael said Sonny knew what his dad would want more than anyone, and to trust that. Sonny said he wasn’t ready for Mike to go, and didn’t think Mike was ready. What if he wanted to stick around and see his grandchildren? What if he didn’t want to die? Mac told Chase to make peace with Brook, and Chase told him, if you say so. Robert came into the station, and Mac said, interrogation room – now. He’d thought he put Robert in a Ride Share; what happened? Robert said he washed up on Laura couch. He’d thought work would get his mind off of things, but it didn’t. He was going to take the day off. Mac told him, take a look at this, handing him a folder, saying it was a heavily redacted report from the WSB on Holly’s death. Willow walked in, and went over to Chase’s desk.

Robert said it was black; there was nothing there. He told Mac that he had a headache, and asked what he was missing. Mac told Robert to look at it some more, and Robert would see what he and Anna had. There was more to Holly’s death, and they weren’t convinced the ship went down in an accident. Lulu asked Laura if she was supposed to run her parenting decisions by Olivia, and Laura said, absolutely not; but Olivia was Dante’s mother, and mothers didn’t move on the same way. Sadly, Olivia might be waiting the rest of her life for Dante to recover, and Lulu should have compassion. Olivia told Dustin that she wasn’t going to pretend it was easy. It was hard on Lulu too, but she was happy Lulu had found someone like him; a decent person. It meant a lot, but just so they were clear, she was never going to give up on Dante, and would be hoping, praying, and doing everything in her power to get him back home. He said Rocco and Lulu would never stop hoping either. Brook joined them, and Dustin left with her to look at the ballroom.

Michael asked Sonny how long Mike hadn’t been eating, and Sonny said, a few days. It wasn’t like he was starving on purpose; it was like he’d forgotten how to eat. Mike had been happy with Avery. Sometimes Sonny thought it would be easier to let it be over, but it wasn’t what he wanted. It was what his dad wanted. Mike had a moment with Avery, more like a connection. If keeping him alive for five more months gave him five more moments like that, who was he to say Mike couldn’t have that? Chase asked why Willow was there, and she said there was something she had to tell him that couldn’t wait. She and Michael had gotten married. She didn’t want him to hear elsewhere. She thought it would hurt less coming from her. He asked if it hurting him mattered to her, and she said she thought it always would. Goodbye. He told her, good luck in court. Carly watched their exchange.

🧼 Here Comes Another One…

The soap world has definitely kept fans busy with virtual reunions. This one’s for you, ATWT lovers.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/new-as-the-world-turns-reunion-scheduled

🏝 Kelly 2.0 Is Here…

She’s come a long way from Scary Island.

https://www.cottagesgardens.com/get-to-know-broker-and-former-rhony-star-kelly-killoren-bensimon/

⚰️ Bring Out Your Dead…

Things are coming alive in the world of The Walking Dead. The premiere date of October 4th was announced:

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-season-10-finale-premiere-date-announced-comic-con-2020/

A clip from the finale. It looks very promising.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/walking-dead-season-10-finale-clip-comic-con-2020/

There will also be extra episodes to make up for all the hell we’ve been through.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/the-walking-dead-season-10-new-episodes-comic-con/

And Fear the Walking Dead will be returning October 11th.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/fear-the-walking-dead-season-6-comic-con-trailer/

🎟 Comic Conned…

It’s already started, but you can still get in on the virtual fun.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1172203/2020-comic-con-at-home-your-guide-to-getting-the-most-out-of-sdcc-s-first-virtual-event

🛸 Beam Me To My Favorite Chair…

Alien-Con virtually begins July 28th. Since you can enjoy this free event from the comfort of your home, there’s a lot less chance of your getting probed.

https://www.thealiencon.com/

🌋 If You Haven’t Had Enough IRL…

Freak yourself out more with apocalyptic entertainment.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-best-apocalypse-tv-shows-and-movies-to-watch/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

✈️ Cookie Spins Off…

It sounds good, but I’m still mad about Star being canceled.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/23/taraji-p-henson-to-star-in-empire-spinoff-focused-on-cookie-lyon/

🗽 Only In New York…

Cindy Adams gives a bird’s eye view from the world’s greatest city in this year of upheaval.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/20/cindy-adams-i-still-%E2%99%A5%E2%80%8Athis-helluva-town/

🤷🏼‍♀️ Who Knew…?

I actually did know about some of these, but you might be using words or phrases you don’t even realize are offensive.

https://redtri.com/racism-words-and-phrases/slide/1

👸🏽 A Pioneer For Princesses…

A woman ahead of her time, whose last pandemic was in 1918.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-animation-pioneer-ruthie-tompson-turns-110-1303663

🎙 Quotes of the Week

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. – Teddy Roosevelt, speaking at the Sorbonne in 1910

You have a right to experiment with your life. You will make mistakes. And they are right too. No, I think there was too rigid a pattern. You came out of an education and are supposed to know your vocation. Your vocation is fixed, and maybe ten years later you find you are not a teacher anymore or you’re not a painter anymore. It may happen. It has happened. I mean Gauguin decided at a certain point he wasn’t a banker anymore; he was a painter. And so he walked away from banking. I think we have a right to change course. But society is the one that keeps demanding that we fit in and not disturb things. They would like you to fit in right away so that things work now. – Anaïs Nin

⚾️ Rounding It Out…

It’s Friday again, or another in a long line of when-is-this-pandemiconium-going-to-end? days, depending. But you know the world is still spinning when the Dead series are given premier dates, and the Shahs reunion finally rears its ugly head (part 2 on Sunday – July 26th). So stay safe, stay strong, and stay knowing one day you’ll be griping about your job again.

Jul24

July 23, 2020 – When Michael Married Willow, Getting There, Ramona’s Most Important 50, Tea For Sonja, Melting, Damages, Good Business, Hmm, Movie King, Material Return & Forever

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

Inching ever close to something new, today’s GH Flashback is from May 12th, 2020. Here’s a quick look, or if you want more details than you can handle, go to:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/may-12-2020-nelle-discovers-a-secret-jax-has-a-sprained-brain-alex-goes-home-late-or-early/

At Charlie’s Brook told Julian, as long as he accommodated the occasion favor, she wouldn’t have to tell anyone that he’d tampered with Brad’s car and caused the accident. He asked if that was her idea of gratitude, and she said he’d helped pass off a stolen baby as his grandson. When Brad got squirmy, Julian had tried to silence him, and Lucas ended up in a coma. He should be grateful someone worse didn’t know his secret. Someone worse Nelle listened in from the back. Michael went to the MetroCourt with Willow, and told Sonny and Carly that Willow had agreed to marry him. Carly welcomed her to the family, and Willow said it was best for Wiley. Carly said it was best for all three of them, and Sonny asked when it was happening. Michael said he hoped tonight, and Sonny asked to speak with him privately. Lucy was making Sasha keep ice on her nose at The Floating Rib, saying Sasha had to be camera ready for the photo shoot tomorrow. The photographer was expensive, and already booked and paid for. Sasha said her cheeks were numb, but Lucy said they’d thaw. She hated that she’d agreed to a non-airbrushed shoot, and said she’d sue Brook if they had to reschedule. She told Sasha that she’d been where Sasha was, and understood what it was like to be labeled the town tramp. On the phone, Ned told Tracy that he was trying to salvage the Med Tech deal. He intended to carry on as CEO, but he couldn’t force Michael out. Monica came in, and asked what was going on. At the hospital, Trina told Portia that she felt better, but it was because Portia was a great mom, not because she despised Jordan any less. Portia said Jordan wasn’t responsible for what happened to Trina’s father. Trina said, no – he is. Cyrus came by, and Trina got in his face, saying she knew who he was. Cyrus said he was sorry about her father, but Trina wasn’t having it, and said someone had to stop him. Cyrus said there must be a misunderstanding, and Curtis appeared, telling Cyrus, back off. Stay the hell away from her. Cyrus said they hadn’t been introduced, but Curtis said Cyrus knew good and damn well he was Jordan’s husband, and he knew everything about Cyrus. He told Cyrus to play his game somewhere else, and stay the hell away from Trina and Portia. Cyrus said, for the record, Trina had come to him, and he thought there was no harm in offering his condolences. Jordan told Cyrus that they needed to discuss some things. Trina wondered why Curtis was butting in now when he’d left her father to die.

Monica asked if Brook had been arrested again, and Ned said she’d reached out to him, but he’d refused to rescue her. Monica told him, tough love could have unintended consequences; look at his mother and Edward. What if leaving Brook fend for herself made it worse? Sasha asked Lucy if she was being called a tramp, and Lucy said, who cares? People cheated all the time. Lucy said she was there for Sasha, and understood how a good person could find herself cheating. She’d hurt Doc, and it took time, but now they were friends. Doc was happy and she was successful. All’s well that ends well. Martin waited for Nelle, and mumbled that she was trying his patience. Where is that nut case? Brook asked if Julian would take her home, but he said he’d done enough for one day. His phone rang, and it was Leo calling from Olivia’s number. He said, Ned did what? and told Leo he’d be right there. He told Brook that she’d be getting a ride after all. Leo was upset, and said Ned had done something. They left, and Nelle called Martin. She said she was on her way, and he hoped whatever kept her was important; he was charging her for his time and his dinner. She said she had the feeling it would be useful. Carly told Willow that she was grateful Willow had agreed to marry Michael. She knew Willow wasn’t Wiley’s birth mother, but she’d been every bit his mother by her actions. She’d put Wiley first, and Carly couldn’t have picked someone better, but was it what Willow wanted? She knew Willow loved Chase. Willow flashed back to her and Chase moving in together. Sonny asked Michael if this was what he wanted, and Michael said Willow was the perfect stepmother for Wiley. Sonny said the marriage would last beyond the court date. Was Michael willing to live in a loveless marriage? Michael said love hadn’t worked out that well for him. He and Willow had been friends for some time. He liked and trusted her, and they both loved Wiley. Sonny asked if Michael thought that was enough, and Michael said he was doing what he had to for his son. Cyrus told Jordan, her husband was protective, and Jordan said, that was Curtis, but she didn’t need protecting. He said he remembered how capable she was, and thanked her for seeing justice had been served – even if it was years late. She told him that they were alone, and he didn’t have to keep up the act. He said he looked forward to her acting on his behalf, now that he was a resident of Port Charles.

Portia told Trina, it wasn’t Curtis’s fault her father had died, and she was grateful Curtis had saved her. Michael told Sonny that Willow had made sacrifices too, and Wiley was the most important thing. Nelle was a priority, but they could give Wiley stability, and a happy home with parents who respected one another. He was taking it as a win. Sonny said he’d make some calls to get a license. Monica told Ned that he’d done a wonderful job, and thanked him for stepping in while Michael cleared up the mess up with Wiley. Ned said, family looked after family; it was the Quartermaine way. Brook came in with Julian, who wondered where Leo was. Ned said he was sleeping upstairs, and Julian asked for Olivia. Monica said Olivia was also sleeping; she’d had a migraine, and Monica had given her something. Julian said Leo had called him all upset, saying Ned was being mean. He was sobbing. Ned said Leo was playing Julian. He and Olivia had told Leo that he couldn’t have a pet snake. Julian asked to have a chat with Leo, and went upstairs. Ned asked what the hell Brook was doing with Julian. Nelle joined Martin, who said she was just in time for the bill. She said they needed to talk strategy. She saw Sasha, and bugged her about cheating on Michael, saying poor Willow couldn’t catch a break. Jordan said Cyrus was right to say she served all the people in Port Charles, and he said he was sure their paths would cross again soon.

Trina told Portia, she’d begged Curtis to go back, but he refused, and now his wife was trashing her father’s reputation. Portia said she was glad Curtis had rescued Trina, and as much as they wished it wasn’t true, her father had crossed the line. Curtis said Jordan hadn’t wanted to do it, but Cyrus was dangerous, and Trina needed to steer clear of him. Trina said Jordan was the reason Cyrus was free in the first place. She and Curtis were just as bad as he was. Lucy said Sasha needed to brace herself; Michael was marrying Willow. Sonny just called her to officiate. Nelle said Michael couldn’t marry Willow, and Lucy said he could. He was from two families who were pillars of society, and a Spencer too. He could do whatever he wanted. Sasha flashed back to telling Chase that she thought Michael and Willow would get married, and in time, Willow would fall in love with Michael and be the happiest woman in the world. Lucy said, it must be important, but like it or not, Michael gets what he wants. She suggested Sasha go home and rest; she didn’t need the aggravation. Nelle stomped over to Martin. Brook told Ned, a loving father wouldn’t have hung up on her and left her to rot. He said, so she called Julian? and she said, he was the only one available. Ned wondered if Brook being arrested was going to be a regular occurrence, and she said she was defending Michael’s honor, when her boxing mitt accidentally collided with Sasha’s face. We flashed back to that, and Ned asked if Sasha was pressing charges and was it online already. Brook said, no and no. It would have been over, but Chase got on his high horse and wrote her a ticket. The doorbell rang, and it was Josslyn. Brook asked what was up, and Josslyn said Michael and Willow were getting married there tonight. Nelle told Martin, it was obvious what Michael was trying to do, but he said no one could object to Michael marrying a lovely woman he’d known for over a year. Nelle said they needed a counter move now, and told him to earn his money. Monica said she couldn’t be happier, and Ned said he could see it as a legal strategy, but didn’t see how it could work. Brook said Ned wasn’t in a position to give advice, since Tracy had blackmailed him into marrying Katherine Bell. Josslyn said Willow loved Wiley, and just might be good enough for Michael. Sonny, Carly, Michael, and Willow arrived, and Michael asked if they were ready for a wedding.

Curtis agreed that Cyrus should be in prison, but said Jordan had been serving the greater good. Jordan said she was sorry, and Portia told Trina that she had to calm down. She’d just tried to do battle with a dangerous criminal. Portia asked her to promise to stay away from Cyrus, and Trina said she would, if Portia promised Curtis and Jordan would stay away from her. Brook welcomed Willow to the family – God help her – and went to look for a dress for Willow to wear. Sonny thanked Monica, and she asked who was going to officiate. He told her, Lucy, and she asked if he couldn’t find anyone other than Alan’s ex-bimbo. Sonny asked why Julian was there, and Julian said his son lived there. He told Sonny to give Michael and Willow his best wishes. He loved Wiley, and Wiley deserved to be with them, not Nelle. Martin told Nelle that he’d present the best possible case, but Nelle said now Michael was marrying Snow White. He said he couldn’t prevent that any more than he could conjure up a husband for Nelle, and she called him a genius. He said he wasn’t going to marry her, and she said he didn’t have to. Michael asked how Willow was holding up. She told him that she wasn’t a fragile flower, and he said he knew that. He thanked her, and she said she loved Wiley. Now he’s going to be her son again, and she was the one who was grateful. He said mutual gratitude wasn’t a bad foundation, and gave her his great grandmother’s ring. He said he hadn’t known Lila well, but she was generous, kind, and saw the good in people, but was nobody’s fool. The bickering and fighting never touched her. She was a better wife than Edward deserved, and an amazing mother. Michael put the ring on Willow, and of course it was a perfect fit.

Sasha met Chase at the pier. She said it was hitting her hard; Michael and Willow were getting married tonight. Lucy brought the license to the Quartermaine mansion, and told Sonny the judge sent his best wishes. She told Sonny that there was a one-day waiting period, and Sonny said he loved a midnight wedding; technically, at midnight, it would be tomorrow. Carly brough Wiley down to join them. Sasha told Chase that Lucy got the call, but the toughest part was seeing Nelle. If not for her, this wouldn’t have to happen. Chase asked if Nelle knew about the wedding, and Sasha said Nelle overheard, and went zooming over to her lawyer, then left. She doubted Nelle could get past the gate, but thought Michael should be warned. Chase wondered who would take a call from them. Josslyn came downstairs with bouquet she’d miraculously whipped up. Carly’s phone rang, and she told Sasha that it wasn’t a good time. Sasha said Nelle knew Michael and Willow were getting married, and she thought they should have a heads up. Carly said, nothing was getting in the way of the wedding tonight.

Jordan told Curtis that Cyrus hadn’t left the hospital yet. They saw him come by, and Curtis told him visiting hours were over. Cyrus said he was on his way out, but asked if Jordan’s son didn’t work there. He believed TJ was working tonight. Curtis said it was none of his business, but Cyrus said his interests were far-reaching, and that shouldn’t be underestimated. Nelle banged on Charlie’s door. Julian said they were closed but she was insistent. When he answered, she told him that he’d want to hear what she had to say.

The ceremony started, Willow coming down the stairs in a gorgeous gown, that again fit her perfectly. Sasha and Chase had a beer, and Sasha asked if Chase knew where the phrase a far, far better thing came from. He didn’t, so she explained the plot of a Tale of Two Cities. She told him how Sidney had taken his lookalike’s place at the guillotine, and that as he went to his death, he said, it’s a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done before, and it’s a far, far better rest I go to than I have ever known. Chase said at least their heads weren’t being chopped off, and they toasted to Sidney

Michael and willow exchanged vows, and Lucy pronounced them husband and wife. They kissed, and everyone applauded.

👨🏾‍⚕️ It’s Only a Matter Of Time…

How much is still up in the air, but TJ is back at the hospital, wearing a mask off-stage now.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/stars-go-back-to-work

The Real Housewives of New York City

Ramona checks out Scarpetta, the venue for her party. She’s brought Leah along, and says she wants the room totally transformed. She has sixty girlfriends who don’t like set tables. At the townhouse, Sonja finds water in the basement, and says she’s starting from scratch. She’s looking for a new renter. LuAnn gives her pup a bath, and says he’s feelin’ Jovani. Ramona asks Leah what she’s wearing to the party, and tells her not to be too revealing or flash anyone. In Ramona’s interview, she says a lot of her girlfriends are petite blonds, and she wants to stand out. The dress code is all black, and she’s going to wear read. Larry says, it’s going to be amazing. In her interview, Ramona says, normally, she’d have Dorinda and Sonja do a walk-through with her, but the way they acted at Larry’s was embarrassing. She tells Leah that she’s psyched, and she’s going to avoid drama. She wants Leah to shield her from déclassé. In Leah’s interview, she says if Ramona is scared of being embarrassed, what kind of women are coming? The Upper East Side facelift crowd? Leah suggests giving Dorinda and Sonja water instead of vodka.

LuAnn meets Sam, director of the Fortune Society, who helps people who just got out of prison get acclimated to society. LuAnn tells Sam that they do good work. In her interview, she says, after she was incarcerated, her eyes were opened to the plight of people who have been incarcerated for many years. They don’t have a job or a place to live. The Fortune Society helps and advocates for them. She says she can’t imagine what it’s like to be incarcerated for more than twenty years. She can’t compare her story, but she doesn’t want to have gone through the experience and not help others. Founder David tells her that he’d gone to the juvenile section in Rikers and it was an exercise in futility. Coming back to society, they had to be better. Sonja joins LuAnn, and in her interview, she says she wants to support LuAnn, who has been giving back in a big way. It’s not just about her; it’s about everyone else who’s had the experience in a bigger way. The former inmates gather, and sit in folding chairs. Sam asks how they got there, and what they want to get out of the group. One woman says she wants serenity, and a guy named Eric says he was in prison for thirty years. He’s 54 now, and has kids; it’s priceless. It was like he lived in a bathroom, since he was in solitary confinement, and he was never living in his bathroom again. Alumnus Rodney says they can do it, and LuAnn gets weepy. In her interview, she says, it’s a beautiful thing to see people who have suffered so much, and hear them be optimistic and look forward to the future. Sam says LuAnn seems emotional, and asks her to introduce herself. She tells the group that she got in trouble In Palm Beach. She got intoxicated, assaulted a police officer, and resisted arrest. She got charged with three felonies, and knows the pain of wearing shackles and handcuffs, and the pain of shame. It happened for a reason, and she learned and grew from it. She had to look at herself, and prays for all of them. LuAnn says she’s happy to be there, and Sam says she’s offered to work with them, and take some of the women for a spa day. In LuAnn’s interview, she says a spa day makes you feel good, and the women deserve to feel good about themselves. She does a group hug with the women.

Avery and Ramona go out to dinner, and Mario joins them. In Ramona’s interview, she says they’ve always loved an Italian restaurant, and follow manager Salvatore wherever he goes. She says people don’t get her relationship with Mario. He lives in Florida full time, and when he comes to New York, they plan nights as a family. She and Avery love it. Mario tells Avery that he just got a flashback. Her mom was pregnant with her, and went to the ladies room, and her water broke. She came out, and said she thought they had to go, but Mario didn’t realize what was going on, and said they hadn’t had their entrée yet. Salvatore pours their wine, and says he remembers; he was in the kitchen when Ramona said she was having a baby. In her interview, Ramona says people don’t get it, and wonder how she can talk to Mario after what he did, but she had to let it go. Mario was angry at her after the divorce, but she worked on it for Avery’s sake, and they came together as a family. Ramona talks about her party, and says there aren’t going to be any men, since she’s not in a relationship. She asks Mario if he’s in a relationship, and he says, define relationship. She says someone you go out with every Saturday night, talk to every day, and look forward to seeing. Mario says, dating is a bitch, and Avery says, he’s working on his golf. In Ramona’s interview, she says Mario squirms when she asks if he’s seeing anyone, and says they’re just a friend. Men. Who can figure them out? Avery toasts to spending time together as people. She loves them. Ramona tells Mario to tell Avery that he loves her too, and he does.

Leah and sister Sarah go to Spa88. Leah says it’s one of the top best three places in the world for people watching. There are a lot of kooks, but it’s interesting. Sarah asks how the Berkshires was, and Leah says, Dorinda went above and beyond. Tinsley is gone, and it breaks Leah’s heart, but she’s getting her castle in the sky. We see a picture of Tinsley and Scott dressed up like a fairytale couple; the sisters can’t decide which one. In Leah’s interview, she says she needs to take notes. She needs a guy with money. She has to take care of a kid already, and can’t take care of another one. She needs a man to take care of her. She tells Sarah that she had a sweet moment with Ramona. We see a clip of Ramona telling Leah that she has to heal the relationship with her mother. Leah tells Sarah that wants to get closer to Bunny, and stop acting like a teenager around her. Sarah says, even when Bunny says something that seems nice, it’s coming from an internal projection. She’s screwed up, and can’t give Leah what she needs. In her interview, Leah says it’s time to take things into her own hands and put in the work. Sarah says Bunny doesn’t like them, and Leah asks if she said that. Sarah blesses herself, and says God forgive her; she’s so mad. Bunny said Leah was looking fake in the face, and wondered how it was going to affect poor Kier. Leah says she only had her lips and Botox done, but now she’s getting a whole overhaul. In her interview, she says she thinks an apology is not on the table anymore. Bunny has some explaining to do. She asks if she can say Sarah told her, and Sarah says she’s all for full transparency.

Ramona weeps with joy when she sees Scarpetta fully transformed. Leah visits Dorinda. Sonja tells assistant Matthew that she’s stressed. She rented out her apartment, and is paying the overhead on the townhouse, where the toilet doesn’t work, and the elevator is still broken. It’s costing $50K a month, and she can’t get ahead. Dorinda tells Leah, something is going on with Sonja. She was kicked out of a bar in Philly. Leah says she saw Page Six. In Dorinda’s interview, she says she and LuAnn went to Philadelphia to hear Sonja speak at Wharton. We see a clip of Sonja telling the students to be themselves. Go for their passion, and they’ll find their way if they follow their heart. Dorinda says they went home, and Sonja stayed. Sonja got kicked out of a gay bar, and she wishes they’d stayed. Leah says, after the Berkshires, she felt she and Sonja were in a good place. She feels bad that Sonja is going through some sh*t. Sonja says she can’t afford live there, and tells a guy named Mike that she put in cheap rugs, so it can easily be redone. In her interview, she says she’s looking to redo everything in white, black, and brass; it’s what renters want. She’s filling house the house with tsotchkes again, and getting ready for a potential renter. It’s never-ending stress. Elyse drops by Dorinda’s, and Dorinda says they were talking about Sonja. Leah tells Elyse that Sonja got thrown out of a gayborhood bar Philly, after singing Hello Dolly. Geez, was it that bad? Sonja tells Mike, she’s a fan of, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but was told the place looked dated and old lady. The toilet starts running, and she says this is the third time she’s fixed it. Elyse says she took Ramona out to lunch for her real birthday, and Leah says she’s sick of Ramona’s judgement. Ramona told her to make sure to wear something where not everything was falling out. Elyse suggests she wear something with everything falling out. Dorinda says she has exactly what Leah should wear, and goes into her bedroom. Elyse tells Leah, everyone is supposed to wear black, and she’s sure Ramona will be in a bright color. In her interview, Leah says she can’t believe Ramona is concerned about what she’s wearing. Who cares? Dorinda brings out a pair of lacy tap pants and matching bra, and gives them to Leah. In Leah’s interview, she says she’s wearing what she wants to; she’s not listening to Ramona. She says she heard Ramona stopped following Elyse, and says that’s being a mean girl. Ramona has the mean girl juvenile side, and then there’s the amazing Ramona side. Elyse says, Ramona doesn’t mean to be hurtful. Dorinda says Ramona knows exactly what she’s doing, and Elyse is giving an excuse for Ramona sh*tting on her. She’s an unaccountable bitch. In Dorinda’s interview, she says Elyse has Stockholm Syndrome. She likes to be battered by Ramona. Dorinda goes back into her bedroom, and comes out wearing a cocktail dress with a fake front that has humongous boobs. Leah says Dorinda has to wear it.

Ramona arrives at Scarpetta in what she calls red, but I call bright pink. Her sister Tanya is with her. In her interview, Ramona says she’s excited about the party. Everyone who’s important to her is there, including her sister, who lives upstate, so it’s difficult for her to visit. Sonja picks up LuAnn, and asks why Ramona tries to be cool by having her parties downtown, when everyone lives uptown? I wonder, if you can afford a limo, what difference does it make? Sonja says she didn’t want to come, since she wasn’t invited to last year’s party. We flash back to mutual friend Lucia asking Ramona if she wants to invite Sonja, and Ramona saying, no. Sonja says they were all at her baby shower, and her kid is 19 now. They were her longtime friends. In LuAnn’s interview, she says, Sonja has been agitated lately. Ramona saying she has 50 friends is a trigger. We flash back to Ramona telling Sonja, without these 50 women, she wouldn’t be where she is today, and Sonja saying, STFU. Sonja tells LuAnn that these are Ramona’s social friends.

The text at the bottom of the screen counts Ramona’s friends as they appear. Sonja has a price tag hanging from her dress, and LuAnn suggests she take it off. Sonja says she never has time, and then can’t find the scissors. She asks one of the staff for a knife. In Ramona’s interview, she says her so-called real friends didn’t pay attention to the dress code, and the friends who they said weren’t her read friends wore black. She can feel the love in the room, and she’s tickled red. Leah shows up in a sheer black number. Sonja is in rainbow sequins, and in her interview, she says, who wears black to a party? Not at her age. She’s sparkling. At this point, we’re up to #32. Leah says they’re off to a great start to a probably amazing evening. She leaves her coat on, and waits for Ramona to notice her, but Ramona is too busy babbling to her not friends social friends. In her interview, Leah says, bitch, where‘s the bar?

We hit #50. Leah tells Elyse, all she’s hearing about is people who are on the board of some foundation; it’s like Dynasty. She stood near Ramona to say happy birthday, but Ramona isn’t acknowledging her. Ramona tells Dorinda. Larry pulled it together. Leah tells Ramona, happy birthday, and Ramona makes a fuss over Leah’s dress. She tells Leah how hot she looks, and says if men were there, she’d tell Leah to put on a slip. In Leah’s interview, she says it’s a Norma Kamali dress with a body suit attached to it. It’s form fitting, not revealing. Ramona wonders why Sonja’s been so quiet, and LuAnn thinks maybe she’s embarrassed about getting kicked out of the piano bar. Dorinda says Sonja hasn’t spoken a word to her in days, and she’s worried about her. LuAnn says Sonja has some kind of sadness going on. In LuAnn’s interview, she says, Sonja is going off the rails with her drinking. Normally, she can reel it in, but the string on her fishing pole is going way out, with no fish in sight. Ramona jumps on Sonja, who spins her around. Sonja swears that she didn’t know about the black thing, and Ramona says she wants Sonja to look however she wants. It’s her birthday soon too. Let’s shine. In Sonja’s interview, she says the birthday Ramona is talking about will never be celebrated. She doesn’t even know the day. Dorinda tells the women that she thought it would be a great idea for them to take a week in Mexico; they need a girls trip, and Leah has never been on one. I guess Rhode Island didn’t count? LuAnn reminds everyone of the gift that keeps on giving – her falling in the bushes on their last trip to Mexico. Ramona tells Leah not to throw any torches. We flash back to that, and in Leah’s interview, she says she wishes Ramona would let it go. She already has to deal with her real mother not liking her. Now she has to deal with mommy dearest.

Ramona takes the mic, and says all the women there have helped her in so many ways. She sold her apartment in June, and was getting depressed. On Sunday, she would think, oh my God, I’m alone, and that she’d never have a man in her life. Because of them, she realized she loved herself. Dorinda interjects that she gave Ramona a dildo for that. Ramona pretty much ignores the remark, and says the party is a celebration of all of them. They mean so much to her. She gets weepy, and in Sonja’s interview, she says, it’s the same old speech every year. Now can they get back to drinking with the 99 other women? Dorinda takes Sonja aside, and says she feels like they’ve gotten close. She thinks Sonja is a strong beautiful woman, and a deserving soul; her kindness abounds. She thinks Sonja is suffering, and worries about her. When she doesn’t hear from Sonja in four days, she wonders what’s going on. Sonja says she’s stressed, and Dorinda says the townhouse is a burden. LuAnn sits with them, and Sonja says she hides when she’s going through something. LuAnn says she’s worried about Sonja too. In Dorinda’s interview, she says she and Sonja have developed a good relationship, and there’s something Sonja isn’t communicating. It’s not criticism; she’s concerned. She can’t help Sonja if she doesn’t know what Sonja needs. Sonja starts to cry, and Dorinda says that’s good; she’s letting it out. Ramona comes over, and Sonja asks if she embarrassed Ramona by what she’d said. Ramona ignores the question, and shows off her new purse, saying her girls got for her.

Sonja tells Ramona, the purse is ugly as sh*t; exchange it. In her interview, Ramona says, it’s not like she hasn’t thrown Sonja a party before; she’s thrown her two of them. We flash back to the surprise parties that Ramona threw for Sonja. Ramona says today is about her. She’s allowed to throw a party just for her, isn’t she? Leah asks, what’s going on? and Sonja tells Lucia that Ramona disinvited her last year, and she knew Lucia before Ramona. Ramona tells Dorinda that Sonja is starting an argument, and she doesn’t want to argue. It’s her birthday. Sonja yells, it’s actually her birthday. In Leah’s interview, she says she doesn’t often agree with Ramona, but let her have one night. Leave the drama at home for one night. Ramona tells the keyboardist to play a dance song. Whatever he plays, doesn’t sound like dance music to me, but everyone starts dancing. LuAnn takes a selfie with Dorinda and Ramona, and says, photo bomb, apparently not understanding what that means. In Leah’s interview, she says she’s all about girl power, but with all the palm trees and reds, it looks like the beginning of MILF porn. Leah starts giving LuAnn a lap dance, and pulls up her dress. Dorinda and Elyse grind along behind her. Tanya tells Ramona, it looks like they’re having sex, and LuAnn puts a giant flower on Leah’s head. Ramona tells them to stop, pulling Leah’s dress down, saying she’s dancing like a stripper. Leah says she was just joking around, and Dorinda says, it’s funny. Ramona tells Leah that she has a run in her stocking. I don’t know if that’s supposed to be code or a euphemism for something, since Leah isn’t wearing stockings. In Ramona’s interview, she says Leah is embarrassing her, and she’s embarrassed for her. She tells Leah, calm down; 100 women are there. I knew that number would end up changing. Leah says she was just having fun, and Ramona stomps off, looking for the producer. She wants this shut down. Leah yells that Ramona is being effing psychotic. In Dorinda’s interview, she says, Leah can’t do anything right. Ramona is just waiting to pounce on her for anything. Sonja jumps on a table, and dances on a mirrored tray, shattering it as she dances. Leah squeals, wooooo! Ramona barks at the producer, saying she’s quitting the show. She’s done.

Next time, Ramona says Sonja is becoming a liability, Leah says Ramona is a terrible person, Ramona says someone is bi-polar, LuAnn’s luggage vibrates at the airport, and the Cancun vacation begins.

🎤 Goodbye Dolly…

A bit more information on Sonja getting the boot. But why does she look like Terence Stamp in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert?

https://pagesix.com/2019/11/18/sonja-morgan-gets-kicked-out-of-piano-bar-in-philadelphias-gayborhood/

https://www.advocate.com/people/2019/11/19/rhnys-sonja-morgan-booted-gay-bar-after-singing-hello-dolly

But at least her neck looks great.

https://extratv.com/2020/07/20/rhony-star-sonja-morgan-shows-off-face-lift-and-neck-lift-with-before-and-after-pics/

🌪 Ramona Is Done…

It was a short road to a meltdown.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1173120/watch-rhony-s-ramona-singer-give-a-teary-speech-before-her-big-birthday-party-meltdown

🦈 In the Berserkshires…

It’s the shark – do-do-do-do-do-do.

https://realityblurb.com/2020/07/21/photos-luann-de-lesseps-shows-damages-to-dorinda-medleys-home-in-the-berkshires-following-aftermath-of-the-wild-rhony-weekend-at-bluestone-manor/

👍🏾 There’s Always An Upside…

I don’t know if I’d brag about it though.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/22/phaedra-parks-says-her-business-as-a-mortician-is-booming-as-a-result-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

💡 Just a Thought…

On RHOBH last night, Kyle said Brandi was a lot of things, but not a liar. Well, besides Kyle being dumb as a box of rocks to begin with, wasn’t Brandi talking earlier about how she spread the rumor that Adrienne used a surrogate? And what about the time she insisted Kim was on crack? Yeah. She definitely has the reputation of telling the truth.

👑 Ranking the King…

I went to a seminar where Stephen King spoke, and in regard to The Shining, he said he gave Stanley Kubrick a live grenade, and Kubrick threw his body on it. I’m not sure what that meant exactly, but I got the distinct impression King wasn’t happy.

https://parade.com/1045940/npond/stephen-king-movies-ranked/

🐒 Season Two Is Coming…Eventually…

James McAvoy and CGI animals. What’s not to like?

https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/his-dark-materials-season-2-trailer/

🌘 Phase This…

Here we are again. That day everyone used to look forward to, for many now a dim memory. But they’re going back to work on GH, so all is not lost. Stay safe, stay responsible, and stay looking forward to something new.

Jul23

July 22, 2020 – A Flashback On Flashbacks, Brandi Spills It, BH Backlash, More Emmys, Scam Of the Sea, Shah Buzz, No Charm, Her Spirit Lives On, Booking It, More Tyler & Hold On

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

Today’s GH Flashback comes straight from May 11th, 2020. Here’s the scaled down version, but for the full effect, go to:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/12/may-11-2020-michael-pops-the-partnership-a-charter-with-meaning-date-for-deck-some-new-crew-tour-the-boat-reading-harry-a-legend-leaves-us-mia-a-queens-visit-shake-on/

At the PCPD, Brook asked Chase for another call. He said she only got one, but he was curious to see who would help her, since her father wouldn’t. Nelle went to Charlie’s, and Julian told her they were closed. She said she’d come to make him a generous offer from the heart. Diane met with Michael and Willow at the Quartermaine mansion, and made them repeat after her that they wouldn’t let Nelle bait them in court. She told them, let Nelle roll out her manipulation and histrionics while they remained calm. She knew Michael would be the loving, committed, stalwart presence he always was, but she’d seen Willow give way to anger at Shiloh in the courtroom. This would be just as bad, if not worse. Willow said she was ready, and Diane said Willow and Michael made an excellent team. They knew Wiley well, and Nelle was practically a stranger. Michael was worried that would support Nelle’s argument, but Diane said it was crucial Wiley stayed with people he loved and trusted. They’d already proven they would do whatever it took. Nelle told Julian, they had their differences, but they were both victims of Brad. Brad had left her unconscious by the side of the road, switching her baby with the one who died. Julian asked if she expected him to believe Brad could pull one over on her, and she said she wanted to offer him a spot in her son’s life. On one condition.

Brook’s call to Dustin went to voicemail, and Brook accused Chase of falsely arresting her because he didn’t like her calling him out for betraying his girlfriend. If he was decent, he’d let her go; she wasn’t a lying jerk like him. Chase remembered Willow discovering him and Sasha making out, and said Brook was right. She was right about him and everything, but she’d still broken the law. She needed to find someone to get her out, or she would spend the night in custody. Either way, he didn’t give a damn. Diane said no one had shown they were more willing to make sacrifices for Wiley than Willow, and it was documented that she’d put Wiley’s needs first. That was gold. Diane left, and Michael asked if she’d heard that – she was gold. Nelle told Julian that she wanted him to testify on her behalf at the custody hearing, and say she’s a wonderful mother. Julian asked if she wanted him to lie, but she said he’d be telling truth. Wiley would be better off with her than Michael, who wasn’t Julian’s favorite person anyway. Julian said she was the same mother who left Wiley’s father to die, but she said she was under stress. Michael had been threatening to take her kid, and her hormones were raging. He said he wasn’t helping her, but she told him that he would, if he wanted to stay in Wiley’s life. She’d even let Wiley call him grandpa again. Julian said Nelle wanted to barter time with Wiley for his personal endorsement, and she insisted it was a generous offer. When she got sole custody, Wiley was never going to see a Corinthos or Quartermaine again. Julian said he couldn’t imagine Sonny would be happy, and Nelle said, Sonny and Carly would suffer more. She and Julian were on the same page. Julian said they weren’t even in the same book. He cared what happened to Wiley, and thought Wiley was better off with his father than a heartless monster who used her son as a weapon.

Julian’s phone rang, and at first, he told the caller, absolutely not. Then he said, on second thought, he’d be right there. He told the bartender that he had to leave for a while, and not to serve Nelle. She was done there. After Julian left, Chase came in to think some more about Willow, but Nelle interrupted his reverie, saying he looked like he could use a drink and some company. He said, no thank you. Willow remembered finding Chase and Sasha together, and telling Chase, in a million years, she never thought something like this would happen. She thought he’d love her forever, but she didn’t know him. Michael told Willow, they could have a partnership that worked. Willow wanted to be up front, and said she still loved Chase; she probably always would. She wondered if Michael could marry a woman who would probably never be in love with him, and he said if they raised Wiley in a committed family, who loved and supported each other, it was all he could ask for. He warned her that she’d be marrying into two powerful families, with unique traditions, customs, and secrets. It was like joining a club you couldn’t resign from, and her life would be very different. Julian showed up at the PCPD, and paid Brook’s bail.

Michael said Willow may not love him romantically, but he valued their friendship. He flashed back to him and Willow becoming friends and helping take care of Wiley together. Michael said he could trust her, and rely on her honesty, and she said she relied on his integrity. Nelle wanted to buy Chase a drink, but he said he didn’t have time. She said she figured there was no hot teacher waiting for him at home, and maybe she’d give him another chance. One or both of them flashed back to when she’d seduced Chase in Florida, and Chase asked how she could be more delusional. He thought she would have hit the threshold by now. She said she always got what she wanted, whether it was Wiley or him, and anyone who underestimated her was wrong. He walked out, and Nelle went in the back, presumably where the restrooms are. Where the bartender went, who knows? Not a very reliable employee.

Finn called Chase, who was at Pier 55. He said, apparently, Chase hadn’t taken his advice, but Chase said he wasn’t in the mood for a lecture. Finn asked, how about a beer? and Chase told him, another time. Julian took Brook back to Charlie’s, and wondered why he’d been her first call. She said he wasn’t, but she got tired of reaching out and hearing, I told you so. He asked if that included Ted. She was puzzled, and he said that’s what he called her father. She should call him that too; he loved it. She said Ned was her first I told you so, and Julian asked why she thought he would get her out. She said because she had leverage, and he said it had been a good excuse to get out of a bad conversation. Chase stood on the pier and thought about meeting Willow, and how their relationship had developed, which is about all he seemed capable of doing at this point. This was around the time we were getting episodes made nearly entirely of flashbacks

Finn met Chase at the pier, and said he thought The Rib had more ambiance. Chase said it was perfect, and Finn said, sure it was. The smell of fish and… whatever it is. Chase said Willow was gone because he’d wanted her to go, and knowing it was right didn’t make it hurt any less. Finn said, believe him, he knew. Willow said she knew Michael would always be straight with her and treat her with respect. Michael said he loved everything about Wiley, but especially the way he smiled at Willow. He recalled introducing Wiley to Willow, and other times the three of them had been together. Chase apologized to Finn for being a jerk, and Finn said Willow probably thought it was a family trait. When he’d seen her, he thought Chase had told her the truth, and they talked at cross purposes. She probably thought he was okay with Chase cheating. Why hadn’t Chase told her it was staged? Chase said, it would have been selfish. It was about what was right for Willow and Michael, and especially Wiley. It would be worth it if Nelle didn’t get custody. Finn asked what he could do, and Chase said, not a damn thing. He toasted to Willow, the woman he would always love. He said he knew she couldn’t have been happy with him if Wiley was suffering or hurting, and this was how he showed his love. By drinking beer?

Brook told Julian, if he’d turned her down, she would have had to call his bluff and talk to Sonny. It would have broken Lucas’s heart, and he’d been through enough. They made a toast to Lucas, and Brook said if Julian accommodated the occasional favor, she wouldn’t have to say he’d tampered with Brad’s car and caused the accident. No surprise, Nelle listened in. On the pier, Chase reminisced about meeting Willow, saying he could tell there was something rare and strong about her. He told Finn, people must have thought he was trying to rescue her, but she didn’t need rescuing; she was fierce in her quiet way. It took her a long time to love him, but he was a goner in the first ten seconds. Part of him couldn’t believe they wouldn’t still have a lifetime together. He thanked Finn for respecting his decision, even if Finn didn’t agree with it. Finn said Chase was a well-intentioned idiot, but love had a way of making fools of all of them. Chase wanted to be alone, and Finn told him to call anytime.

Michael said Wiley loved Willow, and knew she loved him. It would still be a marriage based on love; their love as friends, and mutual love for Wiley. Willow thought about good times with Chase; saying I love you, and moving in together. Willow said it wasn’t the marriage she’d imagined, and Michael said, him neither, but he had faith they could make it work. If she didn’t want to, no harm no foul. Willow said Wiley deserved a safe and happy future with parents who loved and cared for him, and cared about each other. She wanted to be a part of it, so her answer was yes. She would marry him.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

When we last left, everyone was at Kyle’s Black and White Gala, and Teddi said Camille didn’t have to go through pleasantries with her. She knew Camille didn’t like her.

Sutton yaps at Kris Jenner about the Met Gala. Teddi says Camille isn’t genuine, and can just wave and keep it moving. In Camille’s interview, she says she was trying to apologize and be nice, and again Teddi is being a bitch. Camille says Denise was rough on her at the reunion; she felt like Denise was gaslighting her. We flash back to that, and Denise says she was genuinely concerned. Camille tells Denise that she was in a lot of pain, and tells Teddi, time heals. Denise says she’s more forgiving than Teddi, and Camille says, it’s okay; Teddi needs time. Garcelle tells Erika that she’s going to miss Erika’s Shoe Dazzle event because she has to work. Denise asks Teddi where she wants to go from here, and Teddi says she wants Denise to tell her if something is bothering her. In Teddi’s interview, she says she doesn’t have a problem with Denise, but she has a huge problem with Aaron. She has fun with Denise, and wants to move on.

Brandi calls out, Hurricane Kim! and Kyle’s sister comes over to say hello. Camille thanks Kyle for inviting her. In Camille’s interview, she says she came in wanting to resolve things. She’s gone through a lot with the women, but feels good, like she can move on. She doesn’t know about the others, but thinks at some point, they have to put the past in the past.

Denise says hello to Garcelle and new boyfriend chocolate Michael. In Garcelle’s interview, she says it’s important to support one another. She’s been in situations where she had to fend for herself against a group attack. But she was in middle school. Preach it!  In Kyle’s interview, she says, a charity event has to be fun and exciting, so people will come and want to spend money. When she was planning the event, the first person who came to mind was friend Carney Wilson. Kyle introduces Wilson Phillips, and they put on a mini concert. In Dorit’s interview, she says, a surprise concert; what a great idea. We go back to Dorit unveiling Boy George at her party. Everyone bounces to the music, and sings along to Hold On.

Denise, Aaron, Brandi, Adrienne, and whoever Adrienne is seeing, hang out at a small bar in Kyle’s house. Pounding back drinks, Brandi says she’s good, but in Denise’s interview, she says, tomorrow, Brandi won’t feel good. Brandi babbles about babies, and in Brandi’s interview, she says she had told everyone that Adrienne had used a surrogate, and Adrienne called her a liar. Still, Adrienne was always lovely to her, even though she’d never given Adrienne a proper apology. Brandi tells Adrienne that she’s sorry; it wasn’t her idea (of course not). For Adrienne to forgive her was something she needed. She didn’t know if could do the same if she was in Adrienne’s shoes. Kathy tells Kyle that the party couldn’t have been better. Brandi says she likes that Denise and Aaron are co-dependent-ish, and wants to be a throuple. In her interview, Denise asks the producer what throuple means. Brandi babbles about Denise’s vagina. In her interview, Denise says Aaron is giving her the let’s-get-TF-out-of-here look. Denise tells Aaron, time to head out, and he says he’s taking his drink with him. Brandi stumbles around the dance floor, and Kim says she needs coffee. In Kyle’s interview, she says, it’s no secret Brandi likes to party, but tonight, Brandi has taken hot mess to another level. Brandi she gets up on the stage, and promptly falls down.

Garcelle struggles to open a box of glassware. She asks Michael for help, and he slides the box open. She says he makes it look easy, and all the glasses fall out. opens box looks easy everything falls out. I make a noise. Dorit talks to her contractor, while Jagger and Phoenix cause a commotion, LisaR picks out a wig, and tells her makeup guy that she wants to transform into a sex bomb. She thinks she was born a drag queen. Erika makes sure everything is ready for her Shoe Dazzle launch party, while Mikey follows her around. In Erika’s interview, she says when you get something, you always want more; then you want more. She went from moving to New York, to dancing in the club, to marrying Tom, to Erika Jayne to Broadway. There are no limits.

The women arrive, and at first, no one knows who LisaR is in her wig. Erika thanks them for coming, and a cake is brought out with a giant shoe on it. Erika screams when she sees it. She thanks everyone for letting her be her. LisaR tells the group that she wants get away for week and have a good time before Erika leaves for Broadway. She’s arranged something in Rome. Dorit shows off her Italian, and Kyle thinks they should invite the Pope to hang out with them. We flash back to the women discussing various sex topics. On the side, Denise tells Erika, she knows there was noise about her walking away from conversations, but just because she’s an open person doesn’t mean she has no boundaries with her children. Erika says, when Aaron is invited, it becomes something else, and Denise says she’ll get to that. She just wants to clear the air. In Erika’s interview, she says, it’s difficult to have a conversation with Denise when, if she doesn’t like what she’s hearing, she shuts it down or leaves. I didn’t consider Denise saying to wait a moment shutting it down, but okay. Denise says she doesn’t want it to be awkward on the trip. She likes Erika and has a lot of respect for her. They have fun together. In her interview, Erika says she likes Denise, but it takes work be good friend, and requires wanting to be a friend and communicate. LisaR says the only Italian she knows is pizza and pasta. Erika says LisaR is definitely American.

Garcelle and Sutton meet at Gray Tavern. Garcelle asks about Erika’s party, and Sutton says it was nice, but they missed her. In Garcelle’s interview, she says her work schedule stops her from having a social life. She’s doing Coming to America and two TV shows. She’s a single mother, and mama got to work. She tells Sutton that she got a by-the-way text about going to Rome. She and Sutton talk hair, and Sutton says her kitchen is hot. In Garcelle’s interview, she explains, kitchen to a Black person means the back of the neck. It ups Sutton’s cool factor that she knew that. Garcelle says she was brought up not to talk money, but how did Sutton get hers? In Sutton’s interview, she says she’s Southern and doesn’t like talking about money. Garcelle asks if Sutton inherited it, married into it, or was born with it. Sutton said when she was married to her ex-husband, he did well. In her interview, Garcelle says she can rub people the wrong way because she’s blunt, but if you don’t ask deep questions, you can’t get to know someone. She didn’t ask for Sutton’s bank balance. Although she’d love to know. Sutton says she’s known her ex since she was thirteen, and they married when she was seventeen. Garcelle asks if he took her virginity, and Sutton asks why Garcelle wants to go there. Garcelle says, that’s who she is, and Sutton says she’s not answering that one.

Kyle’s daughter Alexia goes to see Amelia. In LisaR’s interview, she says, New York didn’t go as planned. Amelia came home, and is now in a safe place, with family and friends close by. Alexia is working in real estate, and LisaR asks how she likes the job. Alexis says she’s blessed to have it, but it’s a long process to learn everything she needs to know. In her interview, LisaR says, it’s not a vacation. Amelia needs to get an apartment and go to school in order to move forward. Amelia talks area and security with Alexia, and says her mood is easily changed by her surroundings. In LisaR’s interview, she says her first apartment was so gross. She lived in a place with 900 units, and they had roaches. She was lucky to have a door that locked. She had no help financially, and thinks that was a driving force in getting what she wanted. She believes helping Amelia with a thousand dollars a month is fair. The rest is on Amelia. Amelia lists the million things she needs, and says rats will kill her vibe. In her interview, LisaR says, look at the monsters she created.

Assistant Celene helps Teddi with packing. Jordan helps Sutton, but he’s distracted by her clothing, oohing and ahhing over various pieces. He doesn’t know if he’s helping or shopping. Laia helps Erika. Everyone has closets the size of my house. Erika puts a wig on her dog Tiago, and we all laugh. Teddi visits Kyle who says she’s finishing packing. Everything is a mess, with clothing everywhere, including the floor. Kyle says they need to get invites out for Teddi’s baby shower. In her interview, she says she’s been busy organizing her children’s hospital event and Italy. Teddi is ready to pop, and she hasn’t had time to plan. She asks where Teddi wants to have it, and Teddi says, whatever’s easiest. In her interview, Teddi says, nothing gives her more peace than not having to invite the women to anything. We revisit Teddi telling everyone that she didn’t care if they came to her retreat or now. Kyle asks if Teddi likes games. Teddi says she does, but she’d rather cut her face off than watch people unwrap gifts. Kyle says they’re definitely doing that then. Yep. Showers are only fun if they’re yours. Kim comes by with some clothes for Kyle, and says she’s taking Brandi to dinner for her birthday; she’s in the car. Kyle tells Kim to invite her in. In Kyle’s interview, she says, Kim and Brandi have a unique friendship. They were enemies before, then became close, and now genuinely have a good friendship. Kim goes out to the car and asks if Brandi wants to come in; they’re talking about Teddi’s shower. In her interview, Kyle says Kim was friends with Brandi when she and Brandi were in a bad place. We flash back to that, and Kyle says, but she was always happy knowing Brandi was being a good friend to Kim. They’ve come a long way since the slut/pig days. Kim says she got her biopsy results back, and everything is perfect.

Brandi asks why they’re going to Rome, and Kyle explains that Erika is leaving for four months. She adds, there’s been stuff going on in the group, like usual, and tells Brandi about Denise, and how she didn’t like the threesome conversation around her kids. Brandi says, Charlie Sheen is their father, like this should make a difference. Teddi says, Denise called her a sh*t stirrer, and Kyle says Denise runs from the truth. She has feelings, but doesn’t want to say them. Kim says, she did something to Brandi… Brandi says, she and Denise are friends, then amends it, saying she doesn’t know what they are. But the women need to be careful; Denise isn’t who she pretends to be. What you see is not what you get. Now that the cork has been pulled, Brandi says Denise doesn’t like Teddi at all, and has said horrible things about her, that she’s obnoxious and will do anything to be in the group because she’s lived in her dad’s shadow her whole life. In Teddi’s interview, she says she gave Denise the opportunity to come clean, and we flash back to five minutes ago. Brandi says Denise doesn’t like Erika either. She plays cool and laid back, but she’s not. Brandi tells them, she feels that Denise tells her things because Denise has something on her. Kyle talks in Spanish on the phone, and asks the housekeeper to bring some wine upstairs. In Kyle’s interview, she says she’s never seen Brandi upset like this. Spill it. Kim tells Brandi, Denise isn’t her friend. Brandi says when they met, she and Denise hit it off. She thought Denise was the coolest chick, but some sh*t went down, and it got effed up. Kyle asks what the story is, and Brandi says Teddi knows how she feels about cheating. They did a podcast together about it. We see a clip of that, and Brandi says she was broken for so long. In Brandi’s interview, she says, when she was married and was cheated on, it destroyed her. We flashed back to Brandi talking about Eddie and LeAnn Rimes. In her interview, she says she would never do that to another woman. She tells the group that she had a friend who was dating a married man, and she had to stop talking to her. Denise put her in a situation where she was the cheater. The wine arrives, and Kim sits next to Brandi, taking her hand. I gag a little. Brandi says she knew Denise and Aaron had an understanding. Aaron told Denise that she could be with girls if she wanted; just no men. The night they met, she went out with Denise and Aaron for dinner. They clicked, got completely wasted, and she and Denise went to the restroom and made out. This was before Denise and Aaron were married. That April, Denise invited Brandi come and do her podcast from Denise’s set. She said Brandi could stay in her room with Aaron; they’d get a rollaway bed, and Denise’s middle daughter would be there with a friend as well. In Brandi’s interview, she says, Denise’s daughter was sleeping downstairs. There was no rollaway bed, so she slept in the bed with Denise. Brandi tells the women, the second night, they got drunk. They were effed up, and kind of hooked up. Teddi says, like kiss? and Brandi says, like everything. Don’t judge her. Kyle says she’s just shocked. Brandi says she was uncomfortable; it was a loft with no door, and she couldn’t get into it. Then Denise said, don’t tell Aaron, or he would kill her. In her interview, Brandi says, in a moment, she was everything she’d always hated. She’d never be a cheater and not be loyal. She never would have slept with Denise if she’d thought Aaron wasn’t okay with it, and there had been no question in her mind that he was. Afterwards, it was like she never existed. Occasionally, Denise would text, and she stayed in touch to make sure things were kosher. Denise made her believe she did something wrong. She had a breakdown and told Kim about it; she felt horrible. Kim says Denise called the night before the charity event, and asked if Brandi had told anyone. Brandi says she’d wanted it to be a calm night, and now Denise was calling her and telling her sh*t about them. Teddi says Denise was trying to make Brandi feel like they were close. Kyle says Denise was scared, and Brandi tells them, Denise said she would never spill her secrets. It was like a threat. Kyle tells Brandi not to beat herself up about it, and Kim says she’s taking Brandi to a meditation sound bath. In Kyle’s interview, she says Brandi can be mean and a bitch, but she doesn’t believe Brandi is a liar. I do, and I think the truth is probably somewhere in the middle, as it usually is. Kyle says she’s realizing none of them know Denise.

Kim says it’s hard for Brandi to talk about, but they need to know what they’re dealing with. Kyle doesn’t know what to say. On the way back to the car, Kim tells Brandi that she should talk to someone. By that, I assume she means a therapist, and I definitely agree with that. Brandi needs some heavy duty therapy. I’m not even saying it might not have happened, but this girl is messed up, and has been the entire time she’s been on this show. Teddi wonders how she’s going to look at a chick who hates her. She’s going on an effing trip with her. Teddi suddenly looks like she has a headache.

Eighteen hours later, the women are in Rome, except for Denise and Garcelle, who are still in a car on the way to the airport. Garcelle says, it’s probably for the best. On the way to the hotel, Teddi says she needs to have an awkward conversation with LisaR. Denise has been saying negative things about her, LisaR, and Erika. And things happened between… LisaR finishes, Denise and Brandi. Denise tells Garcelle, it should be an interesting trip. Garcelle says she can’t wait.

Next time, the women throw coins in the Trevi Fountain, a statue comes to life, couture shopping happens, Teddi and Erika confront Denise, and Teddi announces Denise and Brandi had sex.

👩🏻‍⚖️ Desisted Reunion…

LisaR stirs the pot, and Denise puts a lid on it.

https://theblast.com/137345/denise-richards-speaks-out-about-rhobh-reunion-taping-after-lisa?platform=hootsuite

https://allaboutthetea.com/2020/07/20/denise-richards-claps-back-at-lisa-rinna/

🏆 Online Winners…

I wonder if they were given icons instead of physical trophies.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmys/2020-digital-drama-winners

🛥 O Captain Not My Captain…

It happens to the best of us.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/20/below-deck-star-captain-lee-rosbachs-identity-lifted-by-indian-scammers-online/

💳 Some Shah Skinny…

Apparently, there’s no less drama with a virtual reunion.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/17/reza-farahan-say-mj-javid-was-retaliating-against-him-because-of-a-contract-dispute-in-shahs-reunion/

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/16/golnesa-gharachedaghi-teases-the-shahs-of-sunset-season-8-wwhl-reunion/

🤡 Oh No He Didn’t…

This loser just doesn’t know when to quit. Whether it’s with his mouth or his… Never mind.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/15/former-southern-charm-star-thomas-ravenel-calls-patricia-altschul-a-fame-whore/

https://realityblurb.com/2020/07/13/photos-thomas-ravenel-welcomes-son-with-ex-girlfriend-heather-mascoe-as-ex-southern-charm-star-claims-the-two-of-them-are-happy-as-good-friends-find-out-the-babys-name-and-how-his-children/

👼🏽 I’m a Believer…

Brittany was my favorite on Glee, and Heather Morris seems to be as kind and caring IRL.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/17/heather-morris-says-glee-cast-called-naya-rivera-out-of-the-water/

Some beautiful tributes

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/22/entertainment/naya-rivera-heather-morris-glee/index.html

https://parade.com/1061732/jessicasager/best-naya-rivera-santana-glee-songs/

📚 Reading Reality…

No surprise. I’ve read several of these books.

https://www.thethings.com/books-written-braveolebrities-summer-recommendations/

🕺🏾 A Man For Our Time…

Tyler doesn’t just put his money where his mouth is, he pitches in personally.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/16/tyler-perry-tries-to-bridge-unity-between-atlanta-cops-and-residents/

🕰 Winding Down…

If you’re lucky enough to be phasing toward freedom, please remember you can end up back where you started, so don’t abuse the privilege. That means no house parties and no gathering in crowds anywhere. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to go out like a normal human again someday. So stay safe, stay following the guidelines, and stay looking toward the day phases are phased out.

Jul22

July 21, 2020 – When Curtis Said Back Off, Eventful, a Resort Feel, a Wall, No Wives, Emmy App, Soap Legend, a Wedding, Another Rosé, Gia’s Choice, Bunny Speaks, Dancing Changes, New Reality, Learn Something, a Cake & Alright

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

Moving slowly toward new episodes, today’s GH Flashback was from May, 7th, 2020. Read the condensed version here, or for the whole deal, go to:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/08/may-7-2020-the-plan-is-in-motion-the-curse-is-lifted-warring-restaurants-beverly-hills-drama-breaking-the-wall-a-surprise-for-jax-tuccis-negroni-happy-dog-loafs-light/

At the hospital, Finn apologized to Willow, saying Chase could be a knucklehead, but suggesting she cut him some slack. Chase wasn’t an expert at relationships. Laura was having lunch at the MetroCourt, and asked Carly to join her. Carly said Michael’s custody case was tomorrow. She’d done everything she could to strengthen the case, but there was no way to be sure. Trina showed up at the hospital to see Portia, who’d thought Josslyn’s driver was bringing her home. Sonny and Jason met Curtis at the pier. Sonny asked about TJ’s memory of the kidnapping, and Curtis recalled when he’d talked to TJ. He told Sonny that TJ didn’t remember much, and Sonny said that was a good thing. The less TJ remembered, the safer he’d be from Cyrus. Mac talked to Jordan about the kidnapping, and flashed back to TJ telling him that he remembered water being nearby, and possible construction.

Carly told Laura that Nelle was a nightmare, and remembered all of her interactions with Nelle. Laura said it seemed Nelle wanted to bring down GH, and Carly said Bobbie and Monica were collateral damage; Nelle wanted to force Michael’s hand in the custody case. Laura said she didn’t think insurance was going to cover it, when Cyrus walked into the MetroCourt. Curtis told Sonny, he didn’t think anyone at the PCPD had found a link between TJ and Cyrus, but Mac was getting close. Curtis flashed back to Mac showing him and Jordan where he thought TJ had been held. He told Sonny that Jordan didn’t know about their meeting. He wasn’t sure she was ready to talk about what needed to happen next, but he was. Mac told Jordan that he didn’t understand why TJ’s phone was used to text her. Jordan remembered getting false messages from TJ, saying he just needed time away to think. Finn told Willow, he wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to see Chase again, but did Chase explain things to her? She said Chase apologized, and she knew he was sorry, but that didn’t change anything. Sasha and Michael came out of the hospital elevator. Laura told Carly that Nelle was saying they’d conspired to give Wiley surgery without her permission, and Carly flashed back to Nelle insisting she didn’t sign the consent form, Michael saying she did, and Bobbie telling Nelle that it was in Wiley’s chart. Laura told Carly that she didn’t think the insurance covered that kind of thing, but even if they paid Nelle off, she didn’t think they could survive the negative press. Cyrus approached their table, and said it sounded dire.

Mac wondered why there was no ransom demand, and Jordan said maybe the kidnappers were biding their time. He asked, why? but she said she didn’t know, and asked if TJ remembered something more. Mac told her, no, and she said it sound like he had a theory, so lay it on her.  Curtis told Sonny, the less he knew about Sonny’s methods the better, but Jordan couldn’t be near what happened next. It was his understanding that once Cyrus’s sentence was vacated, Sonny was supposed to handle him. Wasn’t it how he maintained peace and protected his loved ones? With all due respect, Curtis wondered what was taking so long. Trina said she wanted to spend extra time with Portia, but Portia wondered if Trina was there because she didn’t want to be home alone. Trina admitted that was it, and Portia told her what happened was the exception, not the rule, and the town was kept safe by the PCPD. Trina said the Commissioner had thrown her father under the bus, and she remembered Jordan explaining that Taggert had tampered with evidence. Trina asked how Portia could trust anything to do with Jordan.

Carly told Cyrus that it was a private conversation. He said he didn’t mean to intrude, and she said, but yet he had, after eavesdropping. He told her that after being in prison for so long, he was drawn to the female siren song. They’d been talking about the future of GH, which he thought concerned everyone in the city. Laura assured him that everyone would be kept posted, and he said that erased his concerns. Carly said she must have missed the part where he’d said what he wanted, and Cyrus asked for her and Sonny’s address, saying he wanted to send them an invitation to his housewarming. They’d graciously welcomed him to Port Charles, and he wanted to return the gesture. Jason told Curtis that they couldn’t rush things, and sometimes you had to let things play out. If you forced them, they could go sideways quickly. Curtis said he had a family now, and all he could think about was how one bullet separated Trina and Cameron from life and death, and Trina calling out for the father they couldn’t save. Sonny said it couldn’t happen at a worse time, and Curtis told him that Stella had filled him in on Mike’s condition. Sonny said he was doing what he could, and he was going to solve the problem. Curtis had his word. The plan was already in motion. Mac told Jordan if the kidnapping wasn’t financially motivated, the only other reason would be to use TJ as leverage, but TJ’s only connection was to her. Jordan said TJ had been returned, and Mac asked if there had been no demands. Jordan flashed back to visiting Cyrus in prison, Cyrus taunting her, using doublespeak without actually admitting he’d kidnapped TJ, and being sent a picture of TJ in captivity. She remembered the visit from Harmony where Harmony told her that Cyrus wanted to bring a shipment through, and she was to preoccupy the police. Jordan asked Harmony what guarantee she had Cyrus would release TJ, and Harmony said the only guarantee was what Cyrus would do to him if Jordan didn’t do what he’d asked. She thought about Sonny telling her that she couldn’t stay silent, admitting to Sonny that Cyrus had her son, and Sonny saying he took Cyrus’s personal reasons for being in Port Charles to mean her. Jordan told Mac that she’d heard nothing, and Mac said he thought of her as a friend, not just a boss. She said the feeling was mutual, and he told her that if she wanted to talk, he was there.

Finn asked Sasha, what happened? and she said it was no big deal; just a bloody nose. Finn took her to an exam room, and Willow asked Michael if he wanted to talk about it. He said he and Brook were at the boxing gym, and ran into Chase and Sasha. Then Brook accidentally punched Sasha in the nose. Willow wondered why Chase hadn’t driven her there. Carly told Cyrus it was thoughtful, but their calendar was booked. Cyrus said he wanted to send the invite anyway, and she said he could send it there, or to the coffee warehouse; he knew the address. Carly flashed back to the shooting, and Cyrus asked why he would. She said it was as easy to find as a pub in Brooklyn (where there had been a parallel shooting). Cyrus hoped Laura’s schedule was more accommodating, but Laura said a major crime wave was keeping her busy; she had to pass. Cyrus was sure Sonny didn’t like to burden Carly with the details of coffee importing, but they’d reached an understanding. Laura asked, about what? and he said, a conflict of interest, but they’d cleared it up. He was planning a memorable Port Charles debut, and said Laura could expect an invite; he knew where she lived. Carly said he made it sound ominous, but he said it wasn’t intentional, and he’d put them both on his Christmas card list. He left, and Laura followed shortly after, having been put off her lunch. Curtis asked Sonny what he should do, and Sonny said, just live his life. The best thing to do was put on a normal front. What he had in mind took time. Curtis asked, how much time? and Sonny said it depended. Jason said if they attacked now, while Cyrus was parading around as the wronged party, it would draw unwanted attention. Sonny said that was the last thing he or Jordan needed. He and Cyrus had reached a truce. He needed to dig in and play nice, until he found the right moment. Curtis flashed back to Jordan wondering how she could stop Cyrus without risking the lives of her loved ones, and if she should confess that she was in on the frame. Curtis told Sonny, while he threaded this narrow needle, Jordan was stuck on a tightrope with a killer. Jordan told Mac that she appreciated his loyalty and friendship, but there was nothing she wasn’t telling him. She knew how it looked. Mac said he had to ask, and she said she was glad the right man was on the case. She had confidence he’d get to the bottom of it. Mac said he said stay on it until he did.

Curtis came by Jordan’s office, and asked if she wanted to join him in a late dinner. She said she would, but wanted to check on TJ first. Mac watched them leave. Finn examined Sasha, and said, the good news was, her nose wasn’t broken, but he wanted her to keep ice on it. She said, so much for the new face of Deception; they hadn’t even launched yet. She was grateful no paparazzi were around. She said Chase told her that Finn knew everything, and Finn said he wanted Chase to walk away from their well-intentioned disaster before it got worse. He flashed back to telling Chase to let Willow decide. Find her and fix it. Sasha said, so they should come clean, and then what? Everyone would be happy? He said it would be better than what they were doing now, and she said it would be for her and Chase, but Michael and Willow could never be happy if Nelle got Wiley. Portia told Trina that she didn’t like what Jordan had done, but Trina’s father had trusted Jordan. Even if they didn’t know his reasons, his opinion should count for something. He would have wanted Trina to move forward, and focus on her future not his past. Trina said he would have wanted to watch her grow up, and it wasn’t fair. Portia held Trina while she cried a little. Carly told Sonny that he’d just missed Cyrus pretending to be nice, and denying he was threatening. He’d wanted their address to invite them to his housewarming, She’d said  he already had it, since he’d tried to gun them down in three different locations, and then he made it clear that he knew Laura’s address. She wondered how much longer Port Charles would have to endure him. Trina told Portia that she felt better; because she had a great mom, not because she despised Jordan any less. Portia said Jordan wasn’t responsible for Taggert’s death, and Trina said, no – he is. As Cyrus walked by, she confronted him, saying she knew who he was. He said he was sorry about her father, and she said he didn’t sound sorry. He told her there must be a misunderstanding, when Curtis showed up, and told him, back off. Stay the hell away from her.

Finn told Sasha there would be some bruising, but no scar. He said he’d noticed how she’d looked at Michael. She loved Michael, and Chase loved Willow, but they thought the best solution was to play God with everyone’s lives. Michael told Willow that Chase was busy reading Brook the riot act, so he brought Sasha to the hospital. It was hard turning off the feelings. Tomorrow was the hearing, and they had to be ready. Willow assured him that they would be. Sonny went to the MetroCourt, and Carly asked him if he remembered the time they got married so she could spy on him. He said, which time? and she said, either one.  She told him everything stayed between them, and asked if there was anything she needed to know. Sonny said for now it was best to wait until she needed to know. She asked him to promise that he was going to end the craziness with Cyrus, and he promised. She said, when? and he flashed back to telling Cyrus that he could live in Port Charles, but had to conduct business elsewhere. He couldn’t move his merchandise through Sonny’s territory, and it couldn’t touch Sonny or his associates. Cyrus said they had a deal. Sonny also recalled telling Jason that he was biding his time, and when Cyrus stopped looking for Sonny out of the corner of his eye, he was going to take Cyrus out. Sonny told Carly, sooner than Cyrus thinks. Laura went to the PCPD looking for Jordan, but Mac said she’d left. He asked if he could help Laura, and she said, not unless he could get rid of Cyrus. Cyrus told Curtis they hadn’t been introduced, and Curtis said Cyrus knew good and damn well he was Jordan’s husband. Curtis knew everything about Cyrus, and told him to play his game somewhere else, and stay away from Trina and Portia.

🏥 In Case You Missed It…

GH has some virtual fan events going on. There are no crowds, and you don’t have to wear a mask. Unless you want to.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/virtual-fan-events

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles

JoshF was forty-five minutes late to see a house in Long Beach, an hour and a half outside of Beverly Hills on a good traffic day. His problem wasn’t traffic though; it was fighting with the GPS on Bobby’s car. The house hadn’t been on the market in nearly fifty years. Seller Julie, whose parents had bought the house after she left for college, met Josh, and showed him around. Casa Oceana was 7,692 square feet, and had spectacular unobstructed views. Built in 1928, it was designed by Roland Coate, who’d done a lot of Spanish revival, which included courtyards. They not only gave a house an indoor/outdoor feel, but prior to air conditioning, it was a place to cool off. Although renovations had been done in 1977-79, the owners kept the original wood beamed ceilings. The most interesting feature was in the chef’s kitchen, a 1970s ceramic induction cooktop, where the heating elements were in the tiles. There were 3 bedrooms and 7 baths, a chauffeur’s quarters that had been turned into a guest suite, and a 56,000 square foot lot. Julie was a stickler for time – I thought, geez, at least Josh had been honest; he could have said it was traffic – but she loved how Josh noticed details other brokers hadn’t, as well as being in agreement with her price point of just under $12 million. Julie gave him the listing, and he thought there would be a ton of interest because no one had seen it, but that didn’t mean it would sell. The buyer would probably have to put $5-6 million into renovations, especially since there were only 3 bedrooms. BTW, Josh’s commission would be $300K. I know they put in a lot of work, but it must be nice to make several years’ salary for most people in one shot.

Tracy’s own house was being sold, but she’d stepped away, since she couldn’t be objective. This didn’t stop her from reminding team member Gina about her house’s special features a million times. She met with Douglas/Elliman agent Tim, along with other investors at La Mirada, their property in Pasadena. Like Tracy with her own home, Tim felt he was too close to the property to be the broker, and wanted to keep it at arm’s length. The group had sunk several million into renovations, the imported tiles alone costing $10K. The house had 4 bedrooms and 3½ baths, engineered white oak flooring, and was on nearly 2 acres. Tracy told Tim, it was $10 million just for the dirt. In her interview, she said mid-century modern sold well because of its simplicity in design, making it easier to renovate, and Pasadena was on fire because of the value. They agreed on a price of $3.325 million.

JoshA and Heather had a new baby boy, Ace, and Josh said Lexie was being the best older sister. He drove to an area of Hollywood Hills that was populated by new money, and attracted young entertainment buyers. He met with seller Ken to look at a 7,456 square foot home with an open floor plan. The seller had put in $2.1 million in renovations, putting in Viking appliances, custom Italian cabinetry, and imported stone countertops. The master suite was huge, 1500 square feet, along with a 300 square foot closet. The house was 4 bedrooms and 6 baths, had a salt water pool, and was on a 26,791 square foot lot. Josh thought it was the epitome of Hollywood Hills, and perfect for someone looking for super clean and modern. Ken needed to go back to New York, and had no choice but to sell it. He wanted to build something for himself in New York, and wanted to move quickly. Josh said it was about comps and the market. The house had been on the market for four months; the listing was stale, and the market was uncertain. He thought Ken should ask for $13 million, but Ken said he’d talked to other agents who agreed with him that he should ask for $15 million, and he’d get back to Josh. In Josh’s interview, he said brokers told sellers what they wanted to hear to get the listing.

JoshF walked into his staff meeting with a bag of panama hats. He told his team about Casa Oceana, and said it had a resort feel, making him want to throw a party. There was something inspiring about it. He thought the party should be daytime casual, and planned on using airplane banner advertising to promote it.

Tracy and Gina went to a high-end vintage clothing store called Timeless Vixen, looking for outfits for the La Mirada open house. Tracy decided she would use a theme, and wanted to pattern it after photographer Slim Aarons. She said his photographs were quintessential of mid-century architecture, with pops of color, perfect for an older house. Tracy zeroed in on a piece of Balenciaga couture, a jacket once owned by Mick Jagger, going for $22K. She told Gina that she needed to sell her house quickly. Gina said she’d gotten an offer of $19 million for Tracy’s house, and Tracy said she didn’t want to play hardball, but wanted to be aggressive with her first counter offer. Her asking price was $23 million, and she countered with $21.9. She thought it was surreal talking about the sale of her own house. She was excited, but used to being on the other side. Gina said Tracy couldn’t buy the jacket yet, and Tracy asked if it could be put on layaway.

JoshF, Bobby, Wilie, and Hilary (Director of Operations) went to Casa Oceana to set up for the party, and watched Josh’s plane go by. In his interview, Josh yelled, da plane! Da plane! then told the group that he’d always wanted his name in the sky. We found out that the plane cost $2500 to rent. Good to know. Josh said they had booze, panama hats, and booze, and someone was going to buy the house for the land and view, not because it was staged. Afterward, he told us, on paper the event went wonderfully, but there were about 290 looky-loos who weren’t even qualified to buy it.

For Tracy’s La Miranda open house, she’d gotten models in full mod wardrobe and makeup, lots of yellow flowers, and fondue in the kitchen. It was a whole moment, and she was into it, even wearing a yellow outfit to match the flowers. She told potential buyers that it was one of the most stylish, functional homes in the area. When she pointed out the Jack and Jill bathroom, I had to go, ugh. Why? Why would you want to brush your teeth next to someone else? It’s not a competition. At the open house, Gina said she knew it wasn’t the ideal time, but the potential buyer for Tracy’s house had come up to her counter of $21.9 million. Tracy said she knew she would miss it, but a new chapter was exciting. She looked forward to something different.

Street artist Gregory Siff did a wall mural outside of the Altman Brothers office building. In his interview, Josh said when people took selfies, his name would be behind them. The mural was really cool – a wall of icons depicting Josh, Matt, and everything that was in their orbit. Josh had one request, that Gregory include his dog Diego, who he’d just lost. Josh got choked up, so I did too, having just lost my oldest dog in May. In Josh’s interview, he said that he’d rescued Diego fourteen years ago, and he was the first dog Josh had lost. In good times and bad, Diego had always been happy to see him. Ken called, and told Josh that he’d talked again to other brokers who thought he could get more for his house. He wanted the most money, and needed to move. Josh said he was a straight shooter and knew the area best. People were telling Ken what he wanted to hear, and it wasn’t the truth. In his interview, Josh said the house would be marketed incorrectly, and would end where it was going to end anyway. It was frustrating. He told Ken that he hoped he was proven wrong, but he wasn’t wrong often. He told Matt that it was bad for the market. It would have a domino effect, where other people would think their houses were worth more. Matt told him to focus on the future. Boy, do I understand this. I’ve gotten into arguments with people wanting me to sell there stuff on eBay for more than it’s worth, and I tell them the same thing, good luck with that.

JoshF said that Casa Oceana needed quality buyers, not just traffic. He decided to have private showings at dusk, when you could hear the ocean waves. While the house needed a facelift, he would steer the potential buyers toward the positives, like the historic character. Most of the people invited were interested in more bedrooms, and wanted to push back the price. Josh was concerned the listing was going to get stale. People just didn’t have the imagination for the property, and it was unfortunate.

Tracy had five days to find a rental, but didn’t seem too concerned. She spoke with Curt, a long-time agent at Douglas/Elliman in Beverly Hills, who said he had a celebrity client wanting to relocate to Pasadena because they wanted more space. They liked La Mirada, but the outside needed to be adjusted. They wanted a $100K landscaping job that would give them more privacy. Tracy thought $100K seemed steep to privatize, and she had other showings coming up. They’d have other offers. Curt said he was there now, and the privacy was a deal breaker. Tracy thought they had a bit to go before they got there. She called Tim, who she knew wasn’t going to spend that much landscaping to privatize the property. She suggested they cap it at $30K. He could sell the house today, and it was a good offer in record-breaking time. She told Curt $30K, Curt said $60K, and she said the maximum without uncertainty was $30K, and she was comfortable with his client walking. Curt told her, his authority was to get as much as he could, and he took the deal. Tracy told Curt, we get sh*t done.

Next time, and intuitive astrologer senses a presence in a 1920 Mediterranean. JoshF’s client is former glee cast member Becca Tobin, Becca says a red room feels like murder, and JoshA has a difficult client

MillionDollarListing-AltmanWall

The Altman Brothers Wall

🚫 After seeing an ad for RHOBH going to Rome, I started to think maybe the Housewives should be banned from entering all other countries. Make that cities too. Hell, can we keep them in quarantine forever?

🏆 More Emmys Than You Can Handle…

Yes, there’s an app for that.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmys/download-the-emmys-app

🌟 Goodbye To a Legend…

Phyllis Somerville did it all, and then some.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/veteran-actress-and-soap-alum-phyllis-somerville-dead-at-76

👰🏾 Jordan In Quarantine…

She’s definitely keeping busy.

https://extratv.com/2020/07/16/briana-nicole-henry-talks-quarantine-wedding-plus-general-hospital-production-rumors/

🍷 Everything’s Coming Up Rosé…

Is it me, or is everybody coming out with one?

https://floodmagazine.com/79563/yeah-yeah-yeahs-karen-o-and-napa-valley-winery-ashes-diamonds-collaborated-on-a-rose/

🔪 Under the Knife…

Have we learned nothing from Jennifer Grey?

https://extratv.com/2020/07/17/teresa-giudices-19-year-old-daughter-gia-undergoes-plastic-surgery/

👠 Putting Her Heel Down…

Lady Bunny is not having your cancelation.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/18/drag-queen-icon-lady-bunny-isnt-worried-about-cancel-culture/

💃🏾 Dancing With Tyra…

She’s ready to rumba.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/16/we-hear-episode-103-tyra-makes-moves-as-the-new-dwts-host/

And Tom takes it like a gentleman.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/16/tom-bergeron-jokes-about-tyra-banks-quickly-replacing-him-on-dwts/

🪓 A Reality Show To Die For…

It gives a whole new meaning to the word eliminated.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-cw-killer-camp-eliminations-slasher-movie/

📖 Read All About Her…

Much of bigotry comes from lack of knowledge about those different from us, so in an effort to broaden horizons, I give you Stagecoach Mary.

https://www.history.com/news/meet-stagecoach-mary-the-daring-black-pioneer-who-protected-wild-west-stagecoaches

And a journey in modern self-acceptance.

https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/gay-black-woman-self-acceptance-journey

🎂 A Peacock Lays a Cake…

And here I thought terms of use contained just that. I’ll have to start actually reading them.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/theres-a-cake-recipe-hidden-in-peacocks-terms-of-use-so-we-baked-it/

🌃 Another Day Done…

Hopefully, it’s another day closer to whatever phase you want to be in. Regardless, stay safe, stay discovering new things, and stay open to changing your viewpoint because of them.

Jul21

July 20, 2020 – When Brook Got Arrested Again, Shahs At Last Reunite, Hannah’s Not Herself & Hot

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

At last, the guide and I are on the same page… or date. Today’s GH Flashback is from May 6th, 2020. The short version is below, or you can check out the long haul at:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/07/may-6-2020-robert-drowns-his-sorrows-two-hours-of-dreck-teddis-retreat-returning-jimmys-soap-the-latest-on-erika-atlanta-reunites-non-essential-nos4a-part-2-a-new-gala-balloons/

At The Floating Rib, Felicia told Anna that she was worried about Robert. Mac told Robert, getting hammered wouldn’t bring Holly back, but Robert said it numbed the pain a little. Brook was at the gym with Michael, and told him a workout was better than pacing at home; put on the gloves and get aggressive. Nelle told Nina that she had no one to vouch for her at the custody hearing, and asked if Nina was willing. She’d heard what Nina said about her needing someone to believe in her, and how maybe Nina could be that person. It could make all the difference unless she didn’t mean it. At the MetroCourt, Carly told Jax that Nina was playing into Nelle’s hands, but Jax said Nina was nobody’s fool. All she was saying is that Michael should compromise. Sonny was visiting Mike at Turning Woods, and told him that it was Dante’s birthday, but there was no response. Mike just stared into space. Sonny said, no matter how far away Dante was, he was still with them, like Mike. He reminded Mike that Dante had stayed with him when he’d gotten arrested after taking Avery to the stables. He said Mike had to remember something. Just one thing. For him. Alexis said Sam had gone to prison for Kristina, and Kristina said now Sam was on parole, and would be home free as long as she stayed away from Jason, but she couldn’t help herself. Sam had to find a way to sneak around and break the rules, spice it up. Jason appreciated it when he wasn’t not busy taking care of Carly and Sonny. Jason was always busy cleaning up their messes, while Sam was at home with the kids. Jason would die for Sam, but his first priority was Sonny and Carly. Molly said Kristina was jealous of Sam and Jason’s love.

Robert said Holly had beauty and spunk; Mac adding, and a talent for running scams. Robert said Holly could steal your wallet, and make you love her for it. He loved her. Felicia said Holly would want them to celebrate her life, not mourn her death, and Anna said, Holly would want everything first class – on someone else’s dime, of course (🍷). Maxie and Peter walked in, and Maxie wondered what was going on. Robert said it was a terrible time, and they didn’t need Peter around. He told Peter to get out. Sonny showed Mike a picture of Dante on his phone, but Mike only said, nice phone. Sonny talked to Felix in the hallway, saying it was strange that his dad was now eating applesauce like Avery did. Jax told Carly that Lulu and Valentin had a cease fire, but she said their situation was nothing like the one with Wiley. Nina had told Carly that she’d hired Nelle to protect Wiley. Jax said, if there was no smoking gun, Nina wasn’t going to plant one, but Carly said, why the hell not? Jax said Nina saw Nelle as herself, a woman who never got the love of a mother. Carly said Nelle gave her the same sob story, and it was an act of manipulation. Nina told Nelle that she’d misinterpreted what Nina said. She wasn’t defending Nelle, but trying to understand her. Nelle said it was more than anyone had done or tried to do, and Nina said if Nelle was honest, she’d admit there was reason to doubt, or even fear her. Nina said it didn’t matter what she thought anyway; it was about what the judge thought. She didn’t know why she’d even gotten involved, since the custody case had nothing to do with her. Michael sparred with Brook at the gym. She said he needed to get his aggression out, so he didn’t lose it on Nelle, and call her out for the psycho bitch she is. Michael swore he’d be under control, but she told him not to be cold and calculating either, or he might regret it. He had to vent. She told him to pretend she was Nelle and her lawyer. Or pretend she was Chase. While Brook was talking, Chase and Sasha came in and heard her.

Anna told Peter and Maxie that Robert was hurting, and drowning his pain in beer. Maxie explained to Peter that they were there to say goodbye to Holly, Robert’s great love. He said he thought Robert loved Anna, and Maxie said there could be more than one; look at them. Anna added that she and Holly had been frenemies. Maxie wanted to give Robert her condolences before they left. Sonny thanked Felix for being there, and Felix said he was glad Sonny reached out. Making patients more comfortable was the reason he got into nursing. Sonny talked to Mike, but still got no response. He asked what Mike needed. How did he want to live his remaining time? Did he want every measure taken to save his life, or nothing done? Mike motioned Sonny closer, and said, Yankees. Carly told Jax that Nina had unresolved issues. Nina wasn’t not a mother, and Carly thought Nina romanticized it. She told him, just because you delivered a baby didn’t make you a selfless person. She cited Nina’s mother as an example, and Jax asked if having Michael hadn’t changed Carly. Carly said it did, but it wasn’t like a magic wand. It took time for her to figure things out, and make choices. She had to give up things she liked, and had to learn sacrifice. Nelle wasn’t going to learn what was best for Wiley. Nina told Nelle that the most she could say was, Nelle had been a good employee for the near month she’d been there. She couldn’t speak to Nelle’s motives or character, or how good a mother she’d be. Nelle said they talked about it, and she felt the same way about Wiley that Nina felt when she thought she’d found her daughter. She told Nina not to believe Brad. She had a chance to do better with Wiley, but couldn’t do it unless she was given that chance. Chase told Brook to stay out of it, and Brook said Chase deserved to get beat up by Michael, but Michael couldn’t do that. She’d given Sasha the benefit of the doubt, and was willing to buy the fairy tale of Sasha changing her ways for the love of a good man, but Sasha was rotten to the core. She was a liar and a user. Chase told Brook that she was out of line, and Brook called him a cheating cheater who cheats. Willow found out her baby died, and he jumped into bed with her supposed friend. Sasha said Brook’s problem was with her, not Chase. Kristina said it was true that her love life was like the Titanic, but she wasn’t jealous of Sam and Jason. She wanted a relationship like Molly and TJ’s. Molly said she’d cheated on TJ, and Sam told them to stop talking about it. She just wanted a drink. She told Alexis, sorry, and Kristina said Alexis had been sober for years. Alexis said since they were being brutally honest, she’d only been sober two weeks. Maxie told Robert how sorry she was about Holly, and that Peter meant well. Robert said he always did, calling him Henrik. He said, how remarkable it was that a woman like Holly should die, and a dirtbag like Peter gets to live. Sonny and Mike watched the Yankees, and Sonny told Felix, out of everything Mike had forgotten, he remembered baseball. Sonny wished Dante could be there. Jax told Carly that Nina cared more about Wiley than Nelle, and to trust her to do the right thing. Carly hoped he was right. They had a lot going on with Mike, and she was hoping they could lock up the case and be over with Nelle. Jax said he’d help any way he could, and Carly said he was still the good guy who wanted to swoop in and save the day, but he couldn’t. Jax promised to talk to Nina, and Carly said if Nina would listen to anyone, it would be him. Brook asked if Sasha wanted to go ten rounds, and Sasha said she wasn’t like Lulu. Sasha said, don’t bet on it, and Chase told Sasha not to stoop to Brook’s level. Brook stepped out of the ring, and told Sasha that she’d had everything with Michael. She could have been sitting pretty, but jumped into bed with this loser. Getting wound up as she talked, Brook ended with punching Sasha in the nose. Alexis told her daughters that she’d had one drink, and went to an AA meeting. Maybe it was because of testifying at the hearing. Sam admitted that she’d gone off on Alexis, but Alexis said Sam hadn’t made her drink. She did it herself. If she drank every time she and her daughters exchanged words, she wouldn’t have a liver. She was ready for whatever was next. Kristina asked if she meant with Neil, but Alexis wasn’t sure.

Peter went out in the hallway, and Maxie told Robert that he didn’t get to talk to Peter like that. Robert said he knew it wasn’t Holly’s time, but Felicia said it was never the right time. Peter sent a text, saying, I need answers. NOW. Maxie told Robert that she knew it was the grief and beer talking, but it wasn’t Peter’s fault Holly died. Carly met Sonny at Turning Woods, and Sonny told her about Mike wanting to watch the Yankees. Nina told Nelle that Wiley had been taken away from the only parents he knew, and Nelle said Michael’s family would raise Wiley to believe he’d deserted her. He’d grow up wondering why his mother didn’t want him. She asked if Nina was going to help her, when Jax came in. Michael took Sasha to the hospital, and Chase told Brook that she couldn’t keep punching people. Brook said, it was an accident, and he wondered why accidents always involved her. Brook told him not to blame her because he’d ruined his life since he couldn’t keep it in his pants. Felicia brought Robert coffee, and Robert insisted he hadn’t said anything bad. Anna said he tried to make Peter feel guilty for being alive, and Felicia said they understood he was upset, but he owed Peter an apology. Holly would want that. Maxie said Peter was out getting some air. In the alleyway, Peter threw his henchman up against the wall, saying he’d wanted to distract Robert, not kill Holly. The henchman said he had nothing to do with it, and swore it was the truth. Peter said there was no need for distraction now. Fate had done it for him. Sonny told Carly that Mike connected Dante’s birthday to the Yankees. Sonny had asked about the DNR, and that showed him that Mike wasn’t ready to give up yet. Jax went to the Crimson office to see if Nina was finished, and Nelle said they were mid-conversation. Nina said it was late, and Nelle thanked her for listening. She hoped Nina would think about what she’d said. Nelle left, and Nina told Jax that Nelle wanted her to be a character witness at the custody hearing, and he said Nelle was shameless.

Brook asked if it made Chase uncomfortable that she called him out. The Quartermaines might talk about each other, but they closed ranks when it came to an interloper like Sasha. Chase said, behind closed doors, that was their business, but her disturbing the peace was his. He gave Brook a ticket, and she ripped it up. Peter came back, and Maxie told him, it was just Robert’s grief talking. Felicia told Anna that they’d have to plan a proper memorial, but not too proper. Holly loved a good time. Anna said she read the report from the WSB; Holly sometimes did contract work for them. Whether she’d been on assignment was classified, but Anna saw enough to believe there was more to the story. Sonny told Carly that he wasn’t ready to make any decisions, and he’d try to talk to Mike tomorrow. Brook called Chase a glorified meter maid, and arrested her. Nelle called Martin, saying she’d just found a character witness that would make their case a slam dunk. Nina said she didn’t tell Nelle that she’d testify, and Jax said she didn’t say she wouldn’t either. If she gave Nelle the benefit of the doubt, Wiley would pay the price. Could she live with that? Kristina asked Alexis if Neil had lost his license because of their relationship, but Alexis said she wasn’t sure. Diane called Alexis, who said she couldn’t talk, and just give her the news. When she got off the phone, Sam asked, what happened? and Alexis said she’d been disbarred.

The Shahs of Sunset – Reunion Part One

This was on Sunday night, but I watched it late.

After the initial introductions, and weirdness since everything is remote, GG talked about having Elijah. Since she’d only been allowed one person with her, due to the pandemic, she’d brought her sister Leila. Nema said GG had blocked him from all social media, and GG said whenever she posted something without mentioning a name, he made everything about himself. GG kept eating the whole time, making me laugh, especially since she was high as a kite. Paulina joined Mike, and we revisited MJ trash talking Mike to her when they were in Hawaii. Paulina said Mike had been honest with her from the jump, and everyone agreed she was Mike’s soulmate. Andy said there had been a rumor there was a blow-up at Bravocon, but Reza said that was false; it was just a discussion. He and Mike ended up crying together. Andy said he loved it when they did that, and we revisited other times when they’d gotten weepy. Mike mentioned that Paulina was the first significant other he’d brought to the reunion, and Andy said that was only because Mike wouldn’t allow Jessica to participate. Nema said he wanted to heal the relationship with his dad, and wanted to have the kind of relationship GG and Mike had with their parents. He was optimistic, but there was a lot of hurt to overcome. Destiney told him not to let ancestral drama get in the way. The conversation moved on to Nema’s new veneers, which Destiney, GG, and Reza had joked about on social media. Personally, I find them pretty distracting. GG got offended when Nema called the Shahs our show, and he said, like it or not, he was a cast member. GG said he had jumped on their pinky toe fungus, and I thought, I’ll have what she’s having.

They moved on to when Mike, Shervin (who wasn’t at the reunion), and Nema had been kicked off the plane to Arizona for no reason other than discrimination. Mike explained that a guy had taken their seats, and expressed his fear of them. Destiney said she consistently got her hands checked for bomb residue, which caused Andy to change the topic to Destiney’s relationship with Sam. We flashed back to that, and Reza said, after Sam slept with Destiney, he had a swaggy-ass walk like he had a five pound penis. Destiney would not confirm or deny that weight. Adam joined Reza, and MJ suddenly said she needed more accountability from Reza or she wasn’t participating. She pretended to leave, stood next the computer (GG pointed out that we could clearly see her shadow), then sat back down. GG said she’d already pulled that move at the last reunion, and Reza suggested MJ was jumping on GG’s pinky toe fungus act. MJ said she needed to intercept [sic] the conversation. She and Reza had been friends for thirty years, and she didn’t believe he’d ever cared about her. Reza said Tommy had tried to record a conversation he’d had with Reza’s hairdresser, trying to get dirt on Adam. MJ said Adam was the one who had brought Ali into their group, and that’s when the inevitable happened – everyone talking at once, so I could hear nothing. MJ said she hadn’t seen Ali since then, and Mike said MJ had allowed and encouraged Ali to pump up his story. Once he had a platform, he continued to embellished the story, and she should have shut it down. MJ said she’d nearly died in childbirth, and Reza said she used her near-death experience as an excuse for everything. He said MJ had betrayed him, and MJ thought should Reza should focus on Adam’s philandering (who uses that word?) texts, and claimed the reunion was a dog and pony show. She said, like life in the pandemic, their friendship wasn’t going back to the way it was. He’d destroyed thirty years.

Next time – part two – Mike mediates Reza and MJ, while GG, Destiney, and Nema are asked to leave. Since the fight between MJ and Reza has disturbed me greatly, I’m bringing tissues.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Hannah tells Kiko that he has to work on portion sizes; the guests are still hungry. Kiko says it’s hard for him to deal with mentally. Some of the guests start clanking something that looks like a chain, like they’re ringing a bell for the help, and shouting, where’s the food? Hannah brings out more. Rob asks how Malia feels about Pete being demoted. She says, it was necessary. It’s not okay to make someone else uncomfortable. In Malia’s interview, she says it was better to keep Pete away from the females, and give him time to get in his own head and realize he’s creeping the rest of the crew out. She confirms that Rob is to hand anchor watch over to Pete at 4 am. The guests cram into the hot tub, and dance around. At least they crash at around midnight, which beats those guests who brought their own guests, and kept going until nearly 5 am.

At 6:30, it’s a new day. Kiko tells the captain that, even though the guests liked the food, he wasn’t thrilled with his organization and presentation. Captain Sandy suggests mapping out where everything is in the galley. In her interview, she says Kiko needs to be organized; the ability for timing is critical, and the food is good, but the guests need the full experience. Hannah tells the guests that they’re going on a 45 minute cruise to a beautiful anchorage, where they’ll put out the water toys, and we find out it’s Giancarlo’s birthday. Malia instructs Alex, and in her interview, she says she’s trying to get the deck crew up to standard, and giving them an extra push. Jess does cabins despite her fractured finger. In her interview, she says it’s a bit of a struggle, but she’s determined to show she’s no different, and it’s the equivalent of someone with a bad hangover. Anchor is dropped and the toys are put out. In Kiko’s interview, he says, last night was a disaster. He has a chance to show what he can do, and he’s going to do his best. Sushi and tempura are planned for lunch, and Bernardo asks if Kiko knows how to make ponzu sauce. Rob is having a problem with his toe, and needs to tape it. Afterwards, he steals a kiss from Jess in the laundry. Malia asks Rob to help with something, and he says, there’s tension on the boat; they should try to be polite. Malia says, the guests need to be up to speed, and Rob says he’ll just be quiet today. Malia says he doesn’t have to take it personally, but sometimes a boss will ask you to hurry. Rob says she’s creating negative energy, and she tells him, regardless of how people are feeling, it has to be a professional pace. In Malia’s interview, she says she doesn’t give a f*** about Rob’s energy. He needs to move faster. She tells him, regardless of how people are feeling, they have to step it up. The guests jet ski and take photos. Kiki says he needs to kill it on lunch, and thinks he’s got some skills. He makes a ton of sushi. I haven’t eaten dinner yet, and it looks heavenly. I cry a little in my head, as our local sushi place closed. The slide is put up, and Malia instructs Rob on how to pull it out into the water. He says she’s making him stressed out, and Malia wonders why it’s so hard. Bugs asks Jess to bring wine glasses, and Jess says she would if she could understand Bugs. In Bugs’s interview, she says she doesn’t need a smart-ass comeback; she’s trying to help Jess. The guests are seated for lunch.

Hannah serves sushi a la Kiko, and Bernardo wonders about the ponzu sauce. Hannah asks Kiko about the sauce, and vegan rolls. Bernardo also wants more mushrooms. Jess comes down the stairs with the glasses, and for a moment, it looks like a tragedy is going to happen, but she makes it. Malia tells Rob that he needs to realize, sometimes something needs to happen in the moment, and she’ll explain later. They have a million different things to get done. Rob says he’s sorry. Bernardo demands the ponzu sauce, and it looks chaotic in the galley. Another guest whines that they’re not full, and Bernardo says they’re having a late lunch and an early dinner. Hannah talks to boyfriend Tom on the phone. Bugs tells Bernardo that Kiko wants to ponzu sauce on point, and Kiko chops mushrooms like a madman. Bugs tells him, the guests want more sauce, and in his interview, he says he’s not effing McDonalds. Malia tells Alex, they’re at charter four, where the boat starts going near the iceberg. Bugs asks Kiko for more vegan rolls and tempura. She asks if Jess can’t multitask, and Jess tells her, not while she’s talking. Bugs thinks things are out of control. In her interview, Bugs says working under another person, and not being in charge, is helping her to start letting go of the control freak in her. Jess asks Bugs to try speaking slower and clearer, but Bugs doesn’t know how can do it any better. Jess says Bugs is right; it’s her, but she doesn’t purposely not want to understand. Jess and Bugs start to get into it, when Captain Sandy comes by, and says, no; we’re done. The captain tells Hannah that Jess can’t understand Bugs over the radio, and Bugs asks Hannah for help. Jess mumbles, clearly, Bugs can speak clearer if she heard her the third time around. Bugs tells Hannah that she’s trying to be calm, and make sure Hannah isn’t bombarded after her break. The captain tells Jess that they’re in an industry where there are different dialects and accent. They have to adjust their ears to others’ communication. Jess says she’s trying, and Captain Sandy says she knows everyone is tired and trying to figure it out. In her interview, Bugs says it’s frustrating watching the interior run like this, but it’s liberating that it’s not in her control. The captain tells Hannah that she knows Jess is their weak link, but she has a great attitude. They also need to help Kiko adjust, since he’s not used to this level of service. Malia asks Captain Sandy if they can leave the jet skis out, but the captain says, no, since they’re going on a three hour tour cruise.

The dinner table is set, and Malia leaves to pick up the mariachi band. Bugs tells Kiko, they’re seating the guests at 7:15. Alex says he loves Bugs’s smile, and she says she loves that he loves it. He wonders if they’re flirting. Captain Sandy tells the guests that they’re going to do a cruise. When they wake up tomorrow, it will be a different experience. The guests toast to that, and Malia radios Hannah that the band is approaching. The band starts to play, and continues as they board the boat. In Kiko’s interview, he says he never had a captain watch him before. He needs to concentrate and be in control. Bugs tells Kiko that the guests are loving the food, and Kiko says, if they’re happy, he’s happy. Kiko tells Hannah that the entrée is a surf and turf, and vegan pasta. He wonders where his effing almonds are. Alex says, another day in paradise. The vegetarian guest isn’t thrilled with the pasta, and says, it’s cold. Another guest sends their surf and turf back. Hanna tastes the prawns, and tells Kiko, the flavor is good, but the texture is off.  Hannah asks if the guest wants something else, but she says she’s fine. In Kiko’s interview, he says he’s not confident at all, and doesn’t know wtf to do. The carrot birthday cake comes out, and it’s gorgeous, delicately decorated with flowers. Captain Sandy asks Bernardo how dinner was, and he says he thought it was good, but for some people… The vegetarian guy says, for a yacht like this, the food is average. The chef doesn’t know how to navigate vegetarian. The captain says she’s not happy. Her goal is for their level of experience to be the best they’ve ever experienced.

The boat moves forward, and a guest asks Bugs if they she can call for boys, or if anyone is gay on the boat. Somehow she dodges those questions, and a guest asks who she’d hook up with. She says she would shag Kiko, marry Alex, and kill Pete. The guests chant, Bugs-y! Bugs-y! In the crew mess, Kiko says he’s so tired, he wishes someone would shower him. Hannah says she likes Jess’s dressing gown, and Jess says it makes her feel like she’s not on a boat working her ass off, and Hannah says, so does valium. In Alex’s interview, he says he thinks Bugs is a little into him. The guests dance on deck, while Captain Sandy says they get to anchor in the moon, which looks amazing above the water. At 1:30 the guests go to bed. One nearly slides down the stairs.

In his interview, Kiko says the stress of the boat makes him depressed. Food is about mood, and if he’s stressed, his food isn’t the same. Hannah tells Jess to vacuum, and the dreaded slide is put out. Jess tells Hannah that the vacuum isn’t functioning, and Hannah asks if the bag is full. Captain Sandy asks the guests if it was a nice ride last night, and they agree it was amazing. She finds out no one has waited on them yet, and tells Hannah, the guests are sitting at the table, but no one has been out to see them. Not one person has gone to check. Hannah says Jess was supposed to radio her, not mentioning how she was also changing the vacuum cleaner bag, and the captain tells her to take some food to the table immediately. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, it’s disturbing. Hannah takes coffee orders, and procrastinates in the galley. In her interview, the captain says she doesn’t see Hannah leaving, and feels like Hannah doesn’t care.

In Malia’s interview, she says she likes that Alex is a step up to the plate guy, who she can throw anywhere. Hannah mixes up the oat milk and almond milk orders. Captain Sandy sees a plate of what look like American cheese slices, and says, it can’t go out like that. She’s not happy with the whole breakfast. Hannah does seem like she’s sleepwalking through the second half of this episode and I wonder if it has anything to do with the boyfriend call. The captain watches, and mutters, f***. The guests jet ski and use the slide. Captain Sandy tells Hannah that she wants to chat after the tip meeting. In Rob’s interview, he says, it’s so emasculating. The slide took everything out of them. The captain has Malia help at the bridge, and in her interview, Malia says, it’s exciting to get to drive the boat out of anchorage. It feels like a dream. She feels like the captain is making her Captain Sandy Junior, and she’s okay with it. Hannah tells Jess that the captain is missing laundry, but Jess says she hasn’t done the captain’s laundry. Hannah says, Captain Sandy ain’t happy, and Jess says she’s trying as hard as she can.

It’s time for the guests’ departure. Bernardo says they’ve chartered yachts before, and it’s been amazing. He’s grateful for the experience, but knows some people weren’t crazy about the food. Giancarlo says, a boat this big should have incredible food and service, and they were kept waiting a lot. He says Bugsy was helpful and nice, and Bernardo gives Captain Sandy the tip envelope. Pete says he didn’t know the kitchen failed. Alex says, it sucks. Jess tells Rob about getting yelled at when she was giving her all. Rob says, kill them with kindness; that’s what he does. In Jess’s interview, she says Rob is her safe zone. If she hugs him for two seconds, she feels better. It’s time for the tip meeting.

Captain Sandy shakes her head, saying she thinks they failed. The crew is prioritizing themselves, not the clients. Breakfast was a disaster. She knows they’re tired and working hard, but she’s tired of having the same conversation. She wants to finish with all of them, but if she can’t do that, she’ll have to let some people go. They’re going to be there on charter five. The tip is $15K, or 1100 euros each. In Bugs’s interview, she says she feels sorry for Kiko, and Hannah. Hannah is getting flak form the captain, but at the same time, Hannah is also letting a ton of stuff slide. The boat is cleaned, and Captain Sandy calls Hannah to meet her on deck. The captain says she wanted to check in with Hannah, and asks if she’s good. She feels like Hannah is different; not herself. She knows there were a lot of challenges, and wants to support, not replace. She feels like Hannah resigned, and wonders if she’s thinking things that aren’t accurate. Hannah says it’s a shock to her, and the captain says either Hannah has passion or she’s timid. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s effing tired, and knows what it’s like when Captain Sandy is on a rant like this. The best thing is for her to keep her mouth shut. The captain wonders why Hannah never mentioned anything about Kiko’s level of cooking, and Hannah says, it’s not laziness. Captain Sandy says she doesn’t want to fire him, but if she can’t get what she needs, she’ll have no choice. She’s just making sure Hannah feels supported. In her interview, Bugs says Jess is a good person, and she doesn’t want to hold anything against her. If it’s not going to matter five years from now, why waste five minutes on it?

The captain calls Kiko to the bridge. She tells him that the guests weren’t happy with the food, and it’s not about being nice. It’s about her goal to her client. She doesn’t need personality; she needs the food, and she’s worried. She wants to hear the clients go, wow. They pay a lot of money. She doesn’t want her reputation ruined, and doesn’t want to be average. They have to be spectacular. He says he always tries, and she says, it’s not a beat up session, but a reality session. He has to be good in every capacity, or she has to find another chef.

Next time, Jess has to come up to par or be fired, Kiko thinks the guests will be picky, and Malia dives into the water when a guest has a jet ski accident.

🍵 Tea Tomorrow, Bed Now…

It’s been a long week already, and this is just the first day, but tea will be spilled tomorrow. In the meantime, stay safe, stay positive, and stay cool, both literally and figuratively.

Jul18

July 17, 2020 – When Kristina Called Sam a Danger Junkie, Matured, New Rules, Busy As a Fox, NOS4ATease, Machete Grounded, Life After Sarah, Good Fridays, When In Rome XII Quotes & Fred Daydreams

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

General Hospital

I didn’t even bother checking the guide, since I knew it would just be wrong, and also knew today’s GH Flashback was from May 5th, 2020. Revive your memory below, or if you’re a stickler for details, go to:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/06/may-5-2020-elizabeth-tells-nikolas-to-let-spencer-decide-lucci-speaks-jax-has-an-episode-kelly-gets-good-news-nick-sings-star-wars/

Franco asked Ava what Nikolas did, and Ava said she thought she was supposed to be comforting him. Franco said he was trying to get her to open up, and she admitted she and Nikolas had an argument about Spencer, and it got ugly. Nikolas said Kiki had despised her, and she’d driven Kiki away. He told her that he hoped Carly’s influence saved Avery. Franco said Ava’s marriage was toxic. She should leave the dark prince to brood on his own; she didn’t need any of it. At the hospital, Nikolas said Elizabeth was obviously upset, and she told him that he’d driven her sister out of Port Charles, causing her to abandon her daughter. The Nikolas she knew would never do that; that’s not a friend. Nikolas said he was at a crossroads, and needed her help with a decision. In her office at Crimson, Nina thanked Jax for talking to Charlotte, and Jax asked how it went. She said Lulu showed up, talked to Valentin, and agreed to drop the petition for full custody. They’re going to share custody 50/50. On the phone, Carly asked Michael how it went with Diane, and told him that Diane would make sure he had every advantage when they went to court to fight for Wiley. At the MetroCourt, Nelle asked if Martin was prepared to win sole custody for her, and he said that depended on her. Still arguing at the clothing drive, Kristina told Sam that she’d never asked for help. Sam took it upon herself to act like a savior. Sam asked if she was supposed to watch Shiloh exploit and brainwash Kristina. She loved Kristina, and Kristina had given up on them, not the other way around. Kristina said she’d been in pain and depressed. She’d felt hopeless and alone when she joined DoD. Where was Sam’s concern then? Sam had probably expected her to be a loser. Sam suggested Kristina go to therapy. Sam had been on trial for murder, gone to prison, and lost time with her children. She couldn’t be around her family now. Kristina said Sam had wanted to go against Shiloh, just like she enjoyed sneaking around, violating her parole. Sam was addicted to danger, and the only reason Sam and Jason were still in love was because of her.

Elizabeth told Nikolas to find someone else to talk to, and he said Spencer was willing to explore their relationship again. Elizabeth said she told him Spencer just needed time to heal, but he told her not to pop the champagne cork yet. Spencer had agreed under the condition he leave Ava. Elizabeth said that was a get-out-of-jail-free card. Franco told Ava, she had the gallery, but she said it wasn’t an island. Franco got that she wanted to be queen of the castle, but thought she should find a real prince, and dump the frog. Ava started babbling about where to hang the portrait, and Franco said she didn’t need to do that with him. He knew the real reason she’d married Nikolas. Carly told Michael that Diane was the best, and was thoroughly prepared to show he was the better parent. Nelle could try conning the judge, but the truth would come out. Jax told Nina, there was nothing worse than being caught in the middle of a nightmare custody battle. There was a difference between a parent who adored their child, and one who was good for them, and Valentin fell short. Nina said Charlotte made Valentin a better person. Carly showed up, and asked if Nina had something they could use against Nelle in the custody hearing. Nelle told Martin that she had a respectable job and had just bought a house. She was going to win because Michael had just suffered a shattering breakup; he’d been cheated on. Martin asked if she’d leaked it to The Invader, but she said Wiley’s mother wasn’t mean-spirited or malicious, but she expected him to tell the judge about Michael’s failed relationship. Martin asked if Nelle could keep a partner, or did they all die? Franco said, in a weird way, Ava’s choices were motivated by love, but he didn’t understand Nikolas. He thought she was punishing herself for Kiki’s death. Elizabeth told Nikolas that he had a long way to go before he turned back to being the good guy she knew. He said if he divorced Ava, he’d lose everything, and she asked if Spencer wasn’t worth it. She wondered if he had feelings for Ava. Kristina said Sam was a danger junkie, and couldn’t stand the day to day. She’d wanted domesticity with Drew, but when the real deal came back, Sam went back to ride or die. Molly said Jason loved Sam, and Kristina said she there was no question Jason would die for Sam. He just couldn’t live with her.

Nelle told Martin that her fiancé’s death had been an unfortunate accident. She’d pleaded guilty to spare his family any further pain. Martin said he’d get out the violin, and she said she prevented Ryan’s escape at her own peril. Martin said she was good, but if he brought up Michael’s relationships, hers would also be called into question. She said Shiloh was the love of her life, and their relationship was tragically cut short by Sam, who was a good friend of Michael’s family. Sam made her a widow. He asked if she had any character witnesses that could testify as to her integrity, humanity, and compassion. Nina told Carly, she hated to admit it, but Nelle had been an exemplary employee. She couldn’t give Carly what she didn’t have. Carly said Wiley would need surgery again in another six months, and if it was up to Nelle, he wouldn’t get it. Nina asked if Carly had listened to Nelle’s reasons, and said she thought Wiley would be better served if Michael compromised like Lulu and Valentin had. They put their issues aside for Charlotte’s sake, and Charlotte is better off. She thought shared custody would be the best situation for Wiley. Carly said Nelle had won Nina over. Nikolas told Elizabeth that she had no idea what it cost him to survive the shooting and the fall. The entire time, he’d been planning his return, and all that kept him alive was his need to reclaim his  name and birthright. Spencer had no idea what it was like to live without a fortune. Elizabeth said, 10% was still a fortune, and it wasn’t like Spencer would be out on the streets. How did he know what Spencer wanted without talking to him? Would Spencer rather have money or his dad? Ava told Franco that he was wrong, but he said she sabotaged her happiness because of Kiki. Ava didn’t kill her, Ryan did, and she’d rather do battle with Nikolas than deal with her feelings about Kiki. She told him to stop caring, and go back to the psycho he used to be.

Nelle told Martin that Carly had locked her on the hospital roof, and signed her name to documents allowing unnecessary surgery on her child. Martin said, so she had no one to vouch for her character? She said she visited Wiley every day in the hospital, and even brought the nurses donuts. They could attest to her maternal instincts. He said he needed someone she’d known longer than a month. Michael was going to have a parade of pillars of the community, family, and friends, which she lacked. Nina told Carly that she thought Nelle wanted to be the best mother she could, and Carly said Nelle was a pathological liar, incapable of accepting kindness, or showing love and affection. She would leave Wiley emotionally damaged. Nina said what if Nelle was affected by mental illness? and Carly said Nelle was a sociopath, and totally playing Nina. Jax said he thought Nelle was taking advantage of Nina, and Nina asked, what if Carly had been judged on how she used to be? If she’d had no one in her life who’d stood by her, who would she be now? Sam asked what Kristina meant. Kristina had always been supportive of her and Jason’s relationship; why was she saying that Jason would want to be away from her? Kristina said it was hotter when they were forced to be apart, and the relationship wouldn’t survive without drama. Nikolas told Elizabeth, he was afraid of Spencer’s answer. Spencer had said he didn’t care about the money, but he was used to the lifestyle. Elizabeth said Nikolas couldn’t make assumptions about teen boys. Cameron had hated Franco, and now they were each other’s biggest fans. Nikolas wondered how two totally different people could find happiness, and Elizabeth said Franco had stood by her when she was the town pariah, and they’d connected over art. Franco told Ava that he wasn’t a psycho anymore, even if Ava’s invite said that. Ava said he had a tumor to blame it on; she didn’t. He said he still had to deal with the people he’d hurt in his head; it didn’t go away. Ava asked how he coped, and he said, Elizabeth and the boys, making art, and being of service. She said she didn’t do healthy well. She wasn’t good at finding love, but she knew how to make money, and played to her strengths. He said by exploiting the bad boy genius artist, and she asked if he was okay with that. Nelle told Martin that she had no family, but a good lawyer could make her terrible childhood work. Martin said the judge would want to know if she had someone to call in an emergency. It would be a hard sell with her having opposed Wiley’s medical procedure. To be honest, her best hope was for shared custody.

Jax suggested Carly and Nina dial it down. He told Nina, even when he and Carly were at odds, he never thought Carly would use Josslyn to spite him. Nina said it was better to have the love of both parents, and Jax said she couldn’t compare Carly and Nelle. Carly said she never risked Josslyn’s health or safety to punish the family, and there was more to motherhood than biology. Nina didn’t understand because she’d never been a mother. Nelle asked why she was paying Martin so much, and wanted a refund on her advance, unless he could ensure she’d get sole custody. He asked if she was prepared to be a mother. Ava told Franco, talent could only get you so far, and she had to remind the public who Franco was. He said he was okay with that, but he wasn’t so sure about Elizabeth. They’d had an argument, and he’d hurt her feelings. Ava said she knew Elizabeth would forgive him. Let her bring the bad boy back to the art world. it was the one bright spot in the foolish, ridiculous life she’d built for herself. Nikolas told Elizabeth, this was about Franco, not him, and Elizabeth said she wasn’t thrilled that Ava was using Franco’s criminal history to promote his art. Franco had said that wasn’t how the art world worked, but she didn’t know that because she wasn’t a real artist. Nikolas said he was there when she found her talent and found solace in art. If she could have developed her vision, she would have put Franco to shame. She wasn’t afraid to show her soul. Nelle said Martin was accusing her of being a bad mom, and he told her that wasn’t what he’d said. Fighting for custody was easy; raising a child was hard. Nelle said she was alone for the nine months she carried Wiley, and alone when she gave birth. Martin suggested she read some baby books and blogs, and make sure she talked about the minutes she’d had with her son. He told her to wear not-waterproof mascara, and find a character witness, preferably someone not in prison. She said he didn’t want to let her down.

Carly said she knew Nina believed she would have had a connection with her child, and been the best mother, and she would have, because she’s a good person. Nelle didn’t have it in her. She’d handed Michael’s baby to Brad and said the baby had died. Nina said, maybe she was telling the truth; Brad lied about everything else. Carly said Nelle didn’t give a damn about Wiley. All she cared about was hurting Michael. She asked Nina to think about that, and tell her if she can’t remember anything they could use. Carly left, and Nina asked Jax if she was wrong. Carly waited for the elevator, and Nelle came out. Sam told Kristina, something always got in the way of her and Jason being together, like Shiloh. Alexis said Sam went to prison for Kristina, and Kristina said, now Sam was on parole. If she stayed away from Jason, she’d be home free, but Sam can’t help herself. She had to break the rules and spice things up. Jason appreciated Sam when he wasn’t busy taking care of Carly and Sonny. Jason was always busy cleaning up their messes, while Sam was home taking care of the kids. Jason would die for Sam, but his first priority was Sonny and Carly. Nikolas said he had no right to ask Elizabeth to trust him, but to give him a chance. She had the soul of a true artist. She asked him to think about calling Spencer. Franco said Ava’s life would be more bearable without Nikolas, and she suggested he apologize to Elizabeth. They had a good marriage, and could make it better. Tell Elizabeth that all he cared about was making her happy. He said he was glad he could help, and Ava said he did, more than he knew.

Nelle asked if Carly was trash talking her to Nina. Carly said she’d been trying, but Nina seemed to think she and Nelle were friends. Too bad Nelle was going to betray Nina, like she’d done everyone else. Carly left, and in the office, Jax told Nina that Carly had some good points. Nelle listened outside the door, and Nina said she was aware of Nelle’s dark side, but she’d seen Nelle’s vulnerable side, and didn’t think it was an act. Jax disagreed, but Nina said maybe Nelle just needed a person to believe in her. Maybe she was that person. Nelle came in, and Jax couldn’t leave fast enough. Nelle thanked Nina for standing up for her, and Nina said, don’t make her regret it. Nelle said she wouldn’t, and had a big favor to ask. Wiley’s custody hearing was tomorrow, and she had no one to vouch for her. Carly made sure of that. Nelle said she was wondering, would Nina willing to testify on her behalf?

👩🏽‍🎓 Growing Pains…

Porsha has moved forward from being a naïve Housewife to an independent woman. Brava!

https://extratv.com/2020/07/15/reality-star-porsha-williams-arrested-at-breonna-taylor-protest/

🎞 Speaking Of the ATL…

Kandi dishes on the new normal of filming.

https://extratv.com/2020/07/16/kandi-burruss-on-the-rules-of-filming-the-real-housewives-of-atlanta-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

🏃🏾‍♀️ She’s Here, She’s There, She’s Everywhere…

Vivica is right up there with Tyler Perry as being one of the hardest working people in show business.

https://extratv.com/2020/07/14/vivica-a-fox-talks-possible-empire-finale-plus-those-zendaya-comments/

🧛🏻‍♀️ When Dead Isn’t…

Check out episode five of NOS4A2.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/nos4a2-exclusive-clip-episode-five-zachary-quinto-joe-hill-amc/

🚀 Machete Don’t Film…

Just one more hold up in the entertainment world. And Machete in Space is just what the world needs right now too.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/danny-trejo-bad-news-machete-kills-robert-rodriguez-update/

🎬 She’ll Be Back…

Linda Hamilton talks about her new project, and life as she knows it.

https://extratv.com/videos/laenzw7oe2q/

🌞 A Ray Of Quarantine Sunshine…

This could have been my new favorite show, but I came to the party too late. If you did too, we can both watch full episodes here:

https://www.amc.com/shows/friday-night-in-with-the-morgans

🦜 Quotes of the Week

Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts. – Nikki Giovanni

All great achievements require time. – Maya Angelou

I thrive on obstacles. If I’m told that it can’t be done, then I push harder. – Issa Rae

I have standards I don’t plan on lowering for anybody … including myself. – Zendaya

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. – Maya Angelou

Before you become too entranced with gorgeous gadgets and mesmerizing video displays, let me remind you that information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other, and we need them all. – Arthur C. Clarke

Life under a good government is rarely dramatic; life under a bad government is always so. – Oscar Wilde

Good government is known from bad government by this infallible test: that under the former the labouring people are well fed and well clothed, and under the latter, they are badly fed and badly clothed. – William Cobbett

It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about. – Dale Carnegie

Today is a new day. Hiding from your history only shackles you to it. We can’t undo a single thing we have ever done, but we can make decisions today that propel us to the life we want and towards the healing we need. – Steve Maraboli

You have all the weapons you need. Now fight! – Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), Sucker Punch

When you become the image of your own imagination, it’s the most powerful thing you could ever do. – RuPaul

🐌 Keeping It Moving…

Here we are, at that part of the week I’m never sure what to call. I hope the week has been kind to you, and that you’re being kind to yourself and those in your orbit. Like a friend of mine said, 2020 seemed like such a cute number, but sometimes looks can be deceiving. So stay safe, stay altruistic, and stay looking for a light in the Eastern sky. Or the Western sky. I’m not sure.