Soooo….
Didja watch the first part of the RHONJ Reunion?
Well. While it was arguably the most exciting episode of the season so far, it was also the most overwhelming. Insults were hurled back and forth, names were called, people were continuously interrupted… to do an entire recap/play by play of the episode would be not only difficult, but redundant.
After talking to Shelly, we have decided to do the Reunion Recaps (from the previews, they are ALL going to be pretty nasty) in a different way — I’m going to go over a few of the most shocking highlights, give my opinions, then have the comments open for discussion.
I’d love for you to share your thoughts, respond to the thoughts of others (respectfully, PLEASE) and Shelly and I will comment and respond as well.
I think this whole thing will be a lot more interesting that way, don’t you??
A few of the things that stand out from the reunion so far:
Kathy’s new face!!
Although I do like Kathy a lot, and thought she looked great, I am not sure how I feel about this. I guess I’m kind of over the over plumped lip look that is so prevalent amongst all the housewives… Not to belittle people who get plastic surgery because of self esteem issues or deformities, but I’d hate for my grown kids to come home when I’m older and look at a mom with a completely different face than the one they’ve loved their whole lives.
Am I crazy?
Teresa’s dress.
Caroline repeatedly called it her “Christmas Pageant Dress”. I have to say that although the color was flattering, it was a bit much for the reunion show.
Agree or disagree?
Melissa’s sparkly eyeshadow.
First off, I’m not a huge Melissa fan ( I don’t dislike her, just not crazy about her either) but I thought she looked amazing. Much better than usual. Teresa, however, accused her of copying her “sparkly eyeshadow” look from the previous year reunion. It was possibly the most ridiculous thing I heard during the entire show.
Is Melissa a copycat or does Teresa need to get a life?
Caroline the Bully
I’ll be honest — I am a Caroline Manzo fan. I love how she runs her household, doesn’t take any crap, and loves her children fiercely. However…I was super disappointed with how she talked to her daughter about her weight this season.
With that being said, Lauren seemed to love her mom as much as ever, and wasn’t offended in the slightest, so maybe it was bad editing or just how they normally communicate…I don’t know.
Andy had tons of reader comments and emails though, accusing Caroline of being a bully this season. A bully towards who? Teresa? I wasn’t really sure.
My opinion is that Caroline has had enough. As bad as Teresa comes off on camera, I cannot imagine what it’s like in real life…and to constantly see your friends and family getting pulled into the crazy has got to take it’s toll.
Thoughts?
Lauren’s Lap Band Surgery
I thought Lauren looked great, but apparently she has been criticized for not losing weight the traditional way. Personally, I was blessed with good metabolism and rarely even think about what I eat or exercise. So I have no opinions on how others who have to face that struggle should deal with it.
Apparently Teresa was amongst the critics, calling Lauren out on her blog for taking the easy way out.
Low blow?
In another of my favorite moments, Lauren accused Teresa of having someone write her blog for her, which Teresa (of course) denied. Lauren then asked Teresa to spell and define “Napalm” (which Lauren couldn’t spell herself). Teresa stared blankly back at her, and it was fairly obvious that she had no clue.
Does Teresa have a ghostwriter or not?
Teresa and Jaqueline
Teresa and Jaqueline’s friendship seems to be irreparably over. Jaqueline is convinced that Teresa was behind “Strippergate” at the Posche Fashion Show, not only because of what she witnessed, but because she claims that Teresa asked HER early in the season to expose Melissa for being a former stripper.
Teresa vehemently denied all of this, claiming that Jaqueline is making it all up to frame her and make her look bad.
Who do you think is telling the truth?
Nicholas has Austism
It has recently come out in the media that Jaqueline’s son Nicholas has Autism, and she was struggling with treatment and diagnosis during the last season. Apparently Teresa knew about this, but it wasn’t being revealed on camera until Jaqueline had specifics.
I felt awful for Jaqueline. I remember her struggle with fertility, and then to have to struggle with finding out what is wrong with her sweet boy is just heartbreaking. Teresa used this opportunity to say how her daughter and Nicholas had to “break up” because of her and Jaqueline’s friendship issues, which was just a dumb thing to say.
Rich vs Juicy Joe
In what was one of the weirdest moments of the night, Teresa accused Kathy and Rich of having marital issues and almost divorcing (projecting, much?). Kathy, of course, denied it (I believed her) and somehow the two ended up in an argument over which husband could pick up the most women in a bar.
Is this real life? Who has arguments like this??
Teresa gagged at the thought of being attracted to Rich. Because, you know…Juicy Joe is so darn sexy.
Are Kathy and Rich really in trouble and OMGWHOHASARGUMENTSLIKETHATREALLY??
Okay, I am sure I missed like eleventy things in the crossfire, so please bring up any of your favorite moments/talking points that I may have missed. I’m ready to get this conversation started!!
P.S. Rosie almost murdered Teresa at the very end, but I think we’ll hear more about that next week.
P.P.S. I love Rosie now.
I agree that this was probably the most entertaining episode of the season! But the part that really upset me in the beginning is when Andy asked Jacqueline a question (I don’t even remember what it was but I think it was about her dealing with Teresa and her feelings on that), and Jacqueline started to answer and then Caroline just talked over her and talked FOR Jacqueline…and I love Caroline, but at that point I thought she was being too overbearing. The fight was between Jacqueline and Teresa and they are Jacqueline’s feelings so I would have liked to hear them from Jacqueline!! Also, it looks like in the previews the husbands actually get involved in this reunion?? I don’t recall that happening before, but I could be mistaken, but I’m super excited for it! plus, I feel like the husbands were really involved this season
I agree, but I think that in Caroline’s mind, she views Jaqueline as maybe more fragile, especially after what is going on with her son…so I think that she was trying to speak up to defend/help Jaqueline. Of course, it is a little obnoxious and she needs to let Jaqueline speak for herself, but I do think it comes from a good place.
Very excited to see the husbands next week!!
I agree. I also didn’t like it when Andy was asking Jac about the “procedures” she’s had done and Caroline said “She’s done.” That struck me the wrong way. But I do like Caroline.
I agree about Kathy’s face; I thought she looked good before. Maybe not beautiful in a conventional sense but I thought she was very attractive and I am not a fan of her new nose. And for the most part, I was really impressed with how calm, cool, and collected Melissa was throughout the episode. I’m not sure why they sat her and Theresa next to each other (hoping for some hair (read: weave) pulling perhaps?) but out of everyone, she definitely knows how to play the game. What probably annoyed me the most was that Jacqueline couldn’t shut up. Clearly she has a lot to say, particularly because she opted out of the reunion last year, but now it’s like she’s trying to make up for lost time and she just gets hysterical. At this point, I’m not sure why anyone is still trying to reason with Theresa; she is clearly out of touch with reality. And I can’t wait to see how Juicy Joe responds to Andy’s questioning about his illicit phone call.
I think they sat Teresa and Melissa next to each other because it was the lesser of two evils…Jaqueline was DEFINITELY more fired up. Melissa actually kept herself in check, which was impressive considering the situation.
I wish Jaqueline would move on. She clearly has bigger fish to fry, and Teresa isn’t going to stop.
Kathy’s new face weirded me out, I like her old face. I don’t feel like they let Kathy talk enough at the reunion but maybe that’s coming. I sincerely hope they let Rosie out soon, she sounded like the Incredible Hulk backstage.
That dress was TOO much. But, then again, Teresa is TOO much.
The eyeshadow thing literally had me laughing out loud. Hey, Teresa, Junior High called, they want their drama back. I mean, seriously. I loved Caroline’s response of “Yes, they only made ONE pot of sparkly eyeshadow.” Which I personally know isn’t true since I have at least 15 myself.
I don’t think Caroline is a bully. I think she’s a straight talking strong woman. Again, I like Caroline. Having said that, I didn’t like how she tries to act like she hates the drama, can’t stand it, won’t put up with it, but then at the finale it was obvious she was sticking around for the drama. She could’ve gotten in her car and left at any time, which she did not do.
I am definitely on team Jac. I think Teresa never wanted Melissa on the show and has been getting people to try and drag her down from day one. I would believe Jac over Teresa ANY day.
Rosie was hilarious. It looked like Teresa was afraid, which totally cracked me up!!
I agree with so much! I thought Lauren wasn’t making an attempt to spell napalm. She was just piecing random crazy letters together, demonstrating how Teresa might spell it–i.e. NO CLUE how to spell it.
There’s no way, in my opinion, Teresa is writing her blog. People generally write a lot like they speak—and we’ve heard her speak, right? She can’t pronounce cumin let alone 3 year old vocabulary sometimes–how in the world would she compose some of those blog posts?
Everyone was just so dang LOUD! It drives me nuts when you watch shows like these and they constantly interrupt and shout over one another (and yet I have my dvr set for the next episode..:). I’m on team ANYONE over Teresa at this point. There’s nothing redeeming about her at all anymore. Season 1 I thought she was just slightly ditzy with her head in the clouds. But over time she seems to have revealed that SHE has the bigger issues on and off camera–fine, have your issues, but stop with the attempts to drag others through the mud with you.
I wish Kathy had stuck with her face, too .
Makes me sad when women go on these shows and then feel the need to change who they are. But speaking of Kathy and the Wakiles–my favorite Jersey peeps? The Wakile kids! They seem like good kiddos and I hope they stay that way! 
Thanks for the fun reunion chat! Oh and the eyeshadow! HILARIOUS!!!
You know, I honestly didn’t even consider that Lauren was spelling it that way to make fun of Teresa…but it makes total sense. I kept thinking, why does she think there is a Q in there?? Duh.
Teresa is just beyond comprehension, if you ask me. It’s one thing to have problems (we all do) but to not only lie about them, but then accuse your friends of having those problems instead is ridiculous.
I thought Lauren was intentionally misspelling Napalm too! But at this point, who the heck knows, right?!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Caroline! I too agree that she speaks her mind and loves her children more than anything. I think Teresa is CA-RAZY and someone should duct tape her mouth shut so that someone else can have a chance to speak without being interrupted. Any time someone else tried to talk, Teresa started shouting out the most rediculous things that nobody cared about. Plus she would NEVER let anyone else finish a thought. Teresa is the new Danielle and I dislike her as much as I disliked Danielle. I hope she leaves the show.
Yes, I would almost have to say that I dislike her MORE than I disliked Danielle. It’s sad, but I just don’t understand where her head is.
Too funny…..my husband actually couldn’t wait for me to get home to watch the show, so he watched it (on the DVR) while I was at work. I got home, poured a glass of wine and turned it on and he was like all “Mr Expert” on the show and I had to keep pausing the program for his comments. Needless to say we’re looking forward to the next two reunion shows.
Personally I think Juicy Joe is not so juicy at all. He’s a fat balding short guy with money issues and a criminal background. He has a know it all bad attitude and a limited vocabulary. I can’t wait until Andy has his slimy @ss squirming in the corner. Just sayin’.
That is HILARIOUS about your husband. HILARIOUS!!
I can’t wait for next week either…I KNOW Joe and Teresa are going to spin their way out of the situation, but I hope Andy doesn’t let it slide too easy!!
Ok, I may be the only person in the history of ever to say this, but I think the girls are going a little too far with Teresa. Most things they seem to be harping on her about, they have done in past episodes or seasons. Like when Caroline made the “Christmas Pageant Dress” comment, then turns around and knocks Teresa for talking about Melissa’s eyeshadow (which don’t get me wrong was super ridiculous as I have plenty of sparkle shadow at home to prove just how much there really is haha), but it was a double standard. All the lady’s appear to be hitting low blows and being hypocritical now “just because they can” and not because they really want to make a point. I watched a RHONJ marathon a couple of weeks ago and rewatched the episode about Joey and Melissa’s son’s Christening… I was absolutely horrified at how poorly they treated Teresa. (In my opinion) Teresa was really trying hard to be a good sister/ aunt and they talked bad about her behind her back, then Joey flew off the handle at her for no apparent reason (he said it was bc show was putting on a front to look like a good aunt). Now a season or two later Teresa is doing exactly what they used to do to her, yet now SHE is the one who is wrong? If I were her I would have thrown their crap right back in their faces like she did.
I’m not saying I am 100% pro Teresa, but when I take a look back, I can start to see why she does some of the things she does. I have more examples, but this is already a long comment! My hubs agrees BTW that they are being too harsh on her.
Maybe I’m siding more with her bc I know how it feels to be attacked by several girls at once (whether right or wrong), and it totally sucks!!
The faces that Teresa kept pulling were driving me insane. Like I seriously wished someone would reach over and slap that look off her face. They just seemed so over the top and fake. I was totally incensed when she tried to take over the moment when they were discussing Nicholas’s autism. No one cares that your daughter had to break up with him. I was glad that Caroline went after her and once again I found myself wishing someone would just slap her silly.
I do feel so sorry for Teresa with all her husband drama. I can’t believe she is still with him after that phone call stunt in the vineyard. Juicy Joe comes off as a giant scumbag and while I don’t like Teresa, I don’t think even she deserves that.
T is totally a “topper”. When someone says something, she has to “top” it. Jac try’s to talk about her son, T talks about her daughter…prime example. Spot light ALWAYS has to be on her. I think it’s pretty clear that she resents Kathy&Melissa for coming on the show. While I *do* think she was involved in strippergate I find it hard to believe she thought that up all by herself…she’s just not that bright. That mess had Kim D written all over it and I think T went along for the ride. And seriously, the language they were hurling at each other was SO NOT necessary! What is it with T and the see-you-next-Tuesday word…someone get the soap so we can rinse her mouth out.
The next 2 weeks will be interesting!!
One more thing…I recently rematches the episode where Kathy and Rich came to T’s book signing and Juicy was there and he was making comments about how it sucked to be there and didn’t like it, etc. and the way T’s been this season pretty much sealed the deal for me that I will never buy any of her products/books. Now Kathy’s stuff and Caroline’s new book…I’ll be the first in line. Just like I was for BLK. That water is pretty good!!!
I’ve been waiting for this post
I love Kathy, I do, but what was she thinking?!?! I honestly think she was sooooo much prettier before.
I don’t think Caroline is a bully although she can be a bit overbearing. I really lost respect for her over the Loren weight issue though she was brutal.
What was with Jac not being able to shut up? Lord, she was acting as obnoxious asTeresa. Melissa was great, I like her, she maintained some class, I think she had the most “right” to be mad. Teresa totally set her up, she is behind it 100%, she talked Kim into doing the dirty work so she could get her ugly mug and low rent shop on TV.
Can not wait to see Rosie next week!!! She is going to “cut Teresas tongue out” and she doesn’t care if she goes to jail. I love her. Teresa looked terrified.
As much as I dislike Teresa I didn’t really think her dress was any more over the top than the rest of them. It was a beautiful color. However…..someone needs to tell her your boobs go INSIDE your dress.
I totally agree about how much prettier Kathy was with her real nose!!! Not even close really. And the boobs inside the dress comment cracks me up.
Andy Cohen has said that the show accurately portrays all of them as they really are. I’d that’s the case then I do believe Teresa may benefit from therapy. Really. She’s quite delusional and has serious problems. I liked her Season 1 but it’s all gone downhill for her. I really don’t like her now but I also feel sorry for her. Can’t wait for Rosie next episode. She’s one of my favorites on the show. I loved her during the babysitting episode. She’s keeping it real.
I can’t even believe Teresa still can show her ace. I think lives in an alternate reality where she doesn’t think that anyone will see her actions, only hear what she says. I mean, how she can deny the stuff that is filmed, like Joe calling another woman is so so sad! I’ve never seen anything like it, honestly!
I LOVE Rosie!!! So excited to see her on the reunion next week! I think Rosie and the Wakile’s should have their own show. I’ll buy Kathy’s cannoli kit #becauseIlovecannolis!
I’ll never buy any cookbooks from Teresa #becauseshemakesmesick! and she was horrible on Celebrity Apprentice.
If I had a dinner party I’ll invite Rosie, the Wakile’s, Shelly and Kristan #becauseIthinkitwillbealotoffun!
P.S. Love the RHONJ recaps
I would come!!
Teresa keeps calling everybody a Devil…She is The Devil. It amazes me how envy she is of Melissa. She wants and thinks she is the best, the most beautiful and she “knows it all”. She can’t stand her because she KNOWS Melissa is a knot out. Like she said when they went to Punta Cana:There’s no competition there’.
I actually tried to reenact the whole Rosie episode to my husband and I think I frightened him.
Gotta love the Rosie.
I would have paid to see that!
Okay, so I’m FINALLY watching the recap and I have to say, Rosie won! And that Andy, he really should moderate the next presidential debate. He can handle it.
YES!! You’re SO right Robyn! I might now fall asleep if he was the moderator