HOLLYWOOD—Oh, Bravo how you have fallen from grace. What the hell is going on with this network. It seems like all of their reality shows have become so fake and inauthentic it’s not fun to watch anymore. Why? What is real when it feels like everything has been conspired before the cameras even roll.
For starters, I loved the first season of “The Valley” the spinoff of “Vanderpump Rules” which was cancelled with the original cast after that 12th season that was a hot mess. The second season wasn’t bad, but this third season. Dump it into the toilet, I clocked out very early because the storyline this entire season has been Danny’s drinking. That was also the same storyline in season 2.
In addition, the producers decided to bring Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz to the table. Guess what? Big mistakes. We didn’t need those two on this series and as a result, more so Kent than anyone else, this show has tanked massively as a result. That woman is so toxic it is not even funny. Get a storyline Lala because this undying loyalty that you claim Kristen and Zach have for Nia and Danny; you have that for Janet. Hello, pot calling the kettle.
She is insufferable to watch, and I totally understand why Ariana Madix said deuces to “Vanderpump Rules” and has gone on to bigger and better things. Best thing she could have done after that cheating scandal. You know would be fun if “The Valley” is renewed for season 4, bring in Scheana Shay. Hmm, Lala is not besties with her anymore, so that would be some conflict I would love, and I mean love to see.
Lala knows who to go toe-to-toe with and who not. She tried it with Jasmine, and Jasmine with ease put her ass in place. She has tried it slightly with Kristen, but once again, she knows Kristen is not one to play with because she will eat her ass up. Why Tom was brought on this series I have no idea. He adds nothing; he is flat and boring and not really has connections to the people on this cast except Jax, who is no longer on the series, but it feels like Jax could be coming back, and I wouldn’t be mad at it.
It is obvious Michelle, Lala, Janet, and Brittany have conspired a narrative to target Nia and Danny. Brittany needs to stop with the Kentucky bumpkin narrative. Girl you are mean girl, everyone sees it, including your bestie Zach. He’s over it. Also, you being upset that Nia didn’t come see you after your million-plus ‘Mommy Makeover” is ludicrous. Nia just had a newborn and has 3 other kids. You decided to have cosmetic surgery; you were not near death or dying.
Is Danny behaving badly? Yes, but when the hell did some of these ladies become the moral police? Lala you were messing around with a married man, and with the Janet of it all; that woman is just not likeable it’s that plain and simple. She comes across performative and you saw that with her immediately texting Brittany that people were talking about her and the others when it comes to drinking. Guess what Brittany, you do look bad when you get hammered, same with Zach, Jasmine and a few others. So, a spade was simply being called a spade.
“The Valley” is not the only problem. You have this with “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” this season with this Shamea vs. Porsha drama. Stop the narrative that Porsha is innocent. Watch that spinoff with Porsha’s family and Dennis. She showed her you know what; the veil was dropped and she was NOT seen in a positive light. Porsha did NOT want Shamea as a housewife. She can sit there and deny it all she wants, but it’s obvious. Like, Angela I rooted for you last season, this season you’re grasping for straws and you’re showing yourself to make lies up and it’s not a good look. Drew, you’re looking like a lapdog, which you called Shamea and Phaedra, why are you even hear? Two seasons in a row, we have no storyline from you.
And I totally see why Nene called Cynthia a flip-flopper. You literally sway where the wind blows, talking on your podcast that the momma drama from this season was the worst thing you’ve seen on the series? Really? How about season 9 when Phaedra and Porsha played a role in that rape allegation rumor against Kandi Burruss? That was nasty, that was dark, that was despicable; this mess, not even close. Wonder who Cynthia would talk to if Nene Leakes returned to the canvas or if Kandi Burruss came back (it ain’t happening with Phaedra still there), we’d truly see Cynthia blowing with the wind as always.
These “Housewives” series have some of the most obvious, planned storylines where the ladies all try to ice another housewife out. Its TOXIC and disgusting to witness, which is why some of these ladies are so hated by the fandom. I mean that salacious lie Gizelle Bryant made up about Candiace Dillard-Bassett’s husband Chris being inappropriate with her was just nasty on “The Real Housewives of Potomac.” She never provided a single shred of evidence. Gizelle is another housewife with no storyline for years, yet she remains. I still love the moment in season 5 when Monique Samuels read her for filth and had her looking like a complete idiot with nothing to say. Same with Candiace reading her for filth on season 7.
When you try to ice out a cast member, it makes the audience root for them that much more because as viewers we love underdogs. Bravo you might want to learn that. I felt the same way with “In the City” and this stupid Whitney vs. Lindsay drama. Girl, you did play the mom card, and it was annoying. Just got damn own it. That show will be lucky if it gets a second season because it ain’t as interesting as the people on it thinks.
This same mess of icing out people happened on “Real Housewives of Orange County” with Katie Ginella, the only person of color on a cast of a bunch of Caucasian women. I don’t need to discuss any further, Bravo ONLY DID THIS AS A RESULT OF THE George Floyd protests across the nation in 2020. There were trying to make it seem like they were inclusive, because they did the same damn thing with “Summer House.” Don’t act like an ally to a community when you are not actually an ally.
Similar tactics with “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” with Garcelle Beauvis who gave deuces on her own terms leaving the ladies flabbergasted. Gosh, I wish Lisa Vanderpump would return just so she could wipe the floor with Kyle Richards and Dorit Kemsley with ease. However, Lisa V doesn’t need the reality series, she has her successes outside of the TV world, which so many of these wannabe celebrities are grasping for. They NEED THE PAYCHECK and will do anything to get one.
Look, at “RHOP” bringing back Robyn Dixon, who literally lied and hid a massive storyline involving her husband cheating on her (she’s going to deny it), but it was as obvious as day and night and pissed WWHL host Andy Cohen in the process when he grilled her. I have never seen a person appear so delusional and pathetic looking in my life. She’s only a friend, but we’ll see if she presents her real life or a facade that all is well.
Remember, you’re on reality TV so we want to see the truth, but the level of toxicity that is coming with a lot of the series on Bravo is becoming a turnoff, so much to the point that I’ve stopped watching a vast majority of the series. I’m not interested in that nasty energy. I want to be entertained, but not when it is delivered with a bunch of toxic people, looking to ice out one person because they don’t like you. Guess what, you’re adults, grow-up and act like it.
Written By Jessica Rivers
