Bethenny Ever After: In-Law Smackdown

Recaps

By Honey Gangsta | Thursday, March 3, 2011 | 6:01 pm | 25 Comments
Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in: Bethenny Ever After, Featured, Recaps

Hey everyone, Bethenny’s back!  We left off following her life shortly after the birth of her daughter, Bryn.  And now she’s letting us back in to watch how she’s adjusting to family life and balancing her career with her new husband and baby. Let’s see what’s going on!

whining about skinny girl.bea.2.28.11“I still have plenty to say!”

What’s going on first is that Bethenny and Jason are taking Cookie and Bryn out for a stroll in Manhattan.  Jason points out that Bethenny’s become one of “those women,” and she says she loves it.  She tells us it’s been hard being a newlywed, a new mother and a career girl.  That’s a lot to try to juggle, so I’m sure she still has her team of helpers who will appear as supporting cast members.  Guess what.  Bethenny is about to turn 40 and has been thinking about having baby number two.  Remember last season when she was adamant that one pregnancy was all she was in for?  It sounds like she’s so enamored with Baby Bryn that round two is a distinct possibility.

Bryn in stroller.bes.2.28.11Hello, Jason Jr.!

So they’re sitting in some kind of park talking about their lives and Bethenny suddenly tells Jason that he needs to step in and help her with her Skinny Girl business.  It seems that lots of people are telling Bethenny they can’t find Skinny Girl stuff when they go shopping and Bethenny wants Jason to find out why this is.  What’s holding up the show?  I’m not exactly clear on why Bethenny can’t do this herself.  This is her business, isn’t it?  Jason has his own job.   They get home from the park and Jason seems none too thrilled about getting to the bottom of the Skinny Girl shortage.  Bethenny says she feels like it’s something he would be passionate about and besides, this is Bryn’s college money we’re talking about.  That’s very dramatic, Bethenny.  I assume you have a phone in your home office there?  You could maybe use it to find out what’s up.  Talk of Bryn’s college fund leads to talk of other official things, like life insurance and a will.  Bethenny wants to know that if she dies her money will go to Bryn and not to Jason to spend on some new ho.  Ha ha!  Jason just giggles, which riles Bethenny up into fantasies of young blondes living happily on her hard earned Skinny Girl cash.  As for her, Bethenny says she might never marry again, but of course she’d probably sleep with some hot pool boy; she’s only human.

Cookie.bea.2.28.11And look! Cookie’s still rolling with the punches.

The next scene we have is Bethenny and her friend Lauren (who also recently gave birth) going for a bra fitting because, as Bethenny says, it’s time to leash the hounds.  The lady measures Bethenny and tells her she’s either a G or an F.  I’m sorry, what?  G or F?  That sounds like crazy porn star territory and Bethenny, while looking well endowed, does not look like a freaky cartoon.  Plus she’s tiny.  How is this possible?

bra shopping.bea.2.28.11She had a C-section, right? No scar?

While bouncing around in size G and F bras, Bethenny tells Lauren that they’re visiting Jason’s parents this weekend and that she feels like she sees a lot of them.  Jason sees them every two weeks and Bethenny sees them every three weeks.  I’m guessing this is largely due to Bryn and the fact that Bryn is the first and only grandchild, but that is quite often.  And it sounds like since they don’t live in the city, these visits last full weekends.  Bethenny feels terrible for feeling like it’s a lot since Jason’s parents are so sweet, but I agree with her – that’s a lot.  Especially when every time it happens it means house guests.

We’re taking a road trip to Hazleton, Pennsylvania!  This is the small-ish town where Jason grew up.  So Jason and Bethenny transport half of their apartment into their minivan and head out.  No servants on this trip?  But there’s immediately trouble.  The car smells like dog poop.  They stop to pick up a birthday cake for Jason’s mom and Jason discovers that one of the floor mats is the culprit and must be disposed of.  After that is finally taken care of, they pull out and Bethenny realizes it’s time for Bryn to eat.  They pull over again so Bethenny can feed Bryn and Jason can eat a salad.  By the time they get going it’s been an hour and a half since they left their house.  I’ve noticed this about people with children and it makes nervous for my own future if there should ever be children involved.  Leaving the house is no longer a matter of 30 seconds, it’s an entire afternoon – just to get everything into the car!

scenery.bea.2.28.11Wow! Remind me to move here.

During the drive they discuss the possibility of moving to California because it might be more practical to raise two children outside of Manhattan.  Plus Bethenny says there are a lot of work opportunities for her there.  Jason points out that his work is in New York, so Bethenny offers to trade him baby number two for California.

Grandparents and Bryn.bea.2.28.11The baby hogs.

Upon arrival at Jason’s parents’ house, we learn that there will be a dinner outing this evening, and that some neighbors may be at the restaurant.  Apparently this visit to Hazleton is big local news.  Also, Jason has this goofy childhood friend named Brian who stops by to say hello.  Brian has a haircut from the 80’s and is wearing a shirt that says “I heart hot moms.”  Where did this guy come from? Oh and he explains how he drives all the way to Philadelphia to visit the only stylist on earth who can achieve this Bon Jovi look.   Nice to meet you, Brian!

Brian.bea.2.28.11“So Bethenny, do you have plans later?”

Jason takes Bethenny to a little diner for hot dogs and as they walk in you can hear people telling her that they love the show.  The owner of the diner even comes over to introduce himself.  As they sip a milkshake, Bethenny kind of laughs and tells Jason he’s in his glory.  The triumphant warrior returning home to say hi to the little people.  Bethenny tells us that coming to a place like this makes her realize how truly different she and Jason are and that she should give him a break once in a while.  Just now this cute girl comes over and nervously tells Bethenny that she’s a huge fan and that Bethenny is stunning.  Bethenny is totally flattered and really sweet.  She hugs the girl and thanks her over and over.  Aw, that’s nice.  She tells Jason she loves this part of it.

Molly.bea.2.28.11A Skinny Girl in the making.

Later, as promised, we go out to dinner with Jason’s parents and everyone in the restaurant is hilarious.  They all turn to stare really hard as the family – and camera crew – walks in and sits down.  They don’t even bother trying to pretend they’re not staring.

staring diners.bea.2.28.11Way to play it cool, guys.

This must be their first experience with a real live celebrity.  Or a real live camera or something.  But it’s Carol’s birthday (Jason’s mom) and it’s time to give this sleepy town a thrill.  By the way, Jason is wearing a black sweater with a peach collar sticking out.  It’s very odd.  And he brings up the California conversation that he and Bethenny had in passing in the car today.  It seems premature to already tell his parents, but okay.  There’s this HUGE pause and both of Jason’s parents look like they’re about to burst into tears.  Carol is so cute.  She reminds me of my mom – always trying to be sweet to the children-in-law, not wanting to step on anyone’s toes.  She says that while they’d hate to see them go, they know that they have a whole life ahead of them and they don’t want to hold them back.  But just leave Bryn here in Pennsylvania, k?

Jason is racked with guilt because he is the only living child and Bryn is the only grandchild, so he feels like he has a huge responsibility to provide his parents with all of their grandparent experience.

dinner 1.bea.2.28.11“And I wore this peach shirt because I thought you guys liked it.”

That’s hard.  His first obligation is to Bethenny, not his parents, but I can understand that he feels like this is their only chance to be grandparents.  Carol insists that she understands that they need family time, and Bethenny brings up the time that Bryn first rolled over.  It sounds like the minute they saw her roll over Jason was on the phone to tell his parents about it.  Yeah, he probably could have waited until the next time they talked, I don’t know.  This is tough.  I dated a guy once who called his parents like three times every day and it drove me nuts.  I realize a grandchild is different, but really, Jason’s focus needs to be at his home, not in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.  Bethenny starts to cry.  She tells Jason’s parents that she loves Jason for who he is and that they have everything to do with that.  Eventually they leave it saying that there needs to be a balance.

During the random short segment, a neighbor of Jason’s parents pops over to the front yard to say hello.  His name is Buck.  He tells Bethenny that his father, who was also named Buck, was a sperm donor and now he’s taken over the sperm donor business.  This is just a clever way for Buck to say he’s promiscuous.  Bethenny is highly amused.

The next day over lunch or dinner in Jason’s parents’ dining room, the visitation subject continues.  It’s almost like last night’s conversation never happened.  Bethenny finally says that they’re going to need some space to be their own little family.  She tells them that she likes visiting them, but she wants to KEEP liking to visit them and not feel like it’s something they have to do.  Jason is mortified and shakes his head. He tells us that this is very hurtful to his parents and that family is everything.  Bethenny promises that they’ll have a good relationship with their granddaughter – and with her and Jason.  Carol’s like, “That’s all we ask,” and Bob is like, “Let’s never have this conversation again.”  Awkward!

Bob and Carol.bea.2.28.11It’s hard to eat through tears of disappointment.

Later Jason takes Bethenny to another one of his old haunts, this time the Capri, which is a little dive bar.

Capri.bea.2.28.11More like a dive rec room.

A bunch of Jason’s friends are here, including Brian Bon Jovi.  They toast to meeting Jason’s wife and Bethenny is astounded to discover that two drinks only cost five dollars.  When she’s surprised, the bartender says, “You’re not in New York.”  True that!  I was once in New York with my friend and we ordered a “special” cocktail in the bar of a hotel.  We each ordered ONE and the check came… for fifty dollars.  Fifty dollars!  No wonder they didn’t put the price on the menu.  And no wonder Bethenny can’t believe she’s getting two drinks for five bucks.  Some guy tells Bethenny she’s very attractive and mature.  He kisses her hand and she says she’s starting to feel like Jodi Foster in The Accused.  Ha!

They chat with Jason’s friends and Bethenny continues to be surprised at how different their backgrounds are.  One of Jason’s friends tells Bethenny she can have roots here.  This was after she said she didn’t have any roots.  Bethenny is so touched (and wasted) that she starts crying and saying that’s the sweetest thing ever.

Bethenny cries.bea.2.28.11“I’m going to buy Hazleton and rename it Skinny Girl-ton.”

Jason tells Bethenny that he loves her tonight more than ever.  I’m sure that’s true, but five seconds ago he was saying how hammered he is, so methinks Jason might be an amorous drunk.

The next morning as Jason and Bethenny pack up the car, Bob tears up.  They don’t want to say goodbye to little Bryn.  His parents are totally sweet.  I mean, Bethenny could have ended up with completely psycho in-laws, but these ones are just lovely.

Ah, it’s another visit to our old friend, Dr. Amador.  Bethenny tells him about the weekend, and about how different she and Jason are, and Dr. Amador nods.

Dr Amador.bea.2.28.11“I accept cash or credit cards.”

He asks her to expand on some of her thoughts, and he wants her to admit that she has roots with her parents, even if they didn’t have good relationships.  He reminds her that her own mother fed Bethenny just like Bethenny feeds Bryn and doesn’t she think her mother loved her?  Geez, didn’t Bethenny have a terrible relationship with her mother?  Would the fact that her mother fed her as a baby make her feel better about all that?   But at least Dr. Amador is talking and not just nodding this time.

This season!  Buster is back!  And he won’t eat raw oysters.  It also looks like Bethenny goes on Rachel Ray and Skating with the Stars.  Bryn participates in some sort of African baptism, and Max the assistant is back… maybe messing up?  There’s one dramatic scene where Bethenny storms through a crowd sobbing and locks herself into a bathroom.  Oh, and I caught a glimpse of Ramona and Alex – won’t it be fun to see them?

So what do you guys think?  Are you happy to have more of Bethenny?  What’s up with this in-law visitation drama?

Thanks for reading!
-Honey Gangsta

Late one afternoon in 2005, Honey Gangsta received an invite to join a two person blog set up by her former roommate who had recently ditched LA (California knows how to party) for the bright lights of NYC (these streets will make you feel brand new, the lights will inspire you). The purpose of the blog was to continue their nightly ritual of ripping on reality TV, which could no longer be done in person. Since Honey Gangsta was still watching 18 hours of TV a day and had nothing else to do, she agreed. 10,000 hits later, HG was inspired to submit a Bachelor recap to TVgasm - no one was reporting on Officer Mayo and his time traveling DeLorean - and the rest is history. It's been said that she writes what you're thinking. It's been said she is a genius - a Blogger Laureate of her time. It's also been said that the earth is flat and no one landed on the moon, so you just never know. With her keen observations, and colorful commentary, Honey Gangsta is beloved the world over.

25 Comments

  1. 1
    Angela Parisi LaRoe
    Posted March 3, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    Great recap HG! I am happy to have more of Bethenny. I envy her having such a nice pair of in-laws. I have the nightmare of in-laws and seeing her having a nice pair of them makes me want to beat her with her Skinny Girl Margarita mix. Non-interfering in-laws, such a pipe dream for me. I can’t wait to get divorced. HAHA.

    I thought this episode was really cute. I have such a soft spot of Bethenny. I also see that Crazy Eye Ramona is going to be on the season and you cannot beat that.

  2. 2
    NMH
    Posted March 3, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    Very nice and balanced recap! I hear a lot of people are giving her crap for the whole in-law fiasco, but I don’t think she was mean at all and it is a valid new-marriage issue that a lot of people go through. I know I did.

  3. 3
    Robin Robinez
    Posted March 3, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    I also enjoyed the re-cap HG. Thank’s.

    I was looking forward to this show and it didn’t disapoint. I like Bethany too. But, I think that she need’s to calm down a bit when it concern’s Jason’s need to keep his folk’s in the loop. I understand her need to make special moment’s with just her Jason and Bryn. But on the other hand, what’s wrong with calling his parent’s after a milestone in Bryn’s life? It isn’t as if he immediately scooped her up and drove to Penn then laid her on his parent’s floor so they could see her roll over. I am sure phone calls like that bring so much joy to his parents. They are such nice people and they shouldn’t be begrudged any “babystep’s” that Bryn makes.

    I think Bethany is at a disadvantage because she was brought up different than Jason was and maybe she truly doesn’t understand certain family dynamics. At first glance she looks a bit selfish but I think that she just truly doesn’t know any better. Hopefully with time, and after being a member of a loving family she will understand it more.

    Thanks again HG. I am glad that you are re-capping this.

    TC, Robin

  4. 4
    Robin Robinez
    Posted March 3, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    @NMH I guess I was writing my comment when you were posting so I didn’t see it. I agree with you completely.

    TC, Robin

  5. 5
    2muchbravo
    Posted March 3, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    I can’t imagine how painful it must have been for Jason and his family to loose his brother at such a young age. It has to have an incredible influence on many aspects of theirs lives. But, and this is just my unprofessional opinion, Jason can’t let whatever emotional pressure he feels from his brother’s death come between him and Bethenny. I understand the whole only grandkid guilt thing. But, he’s got a wife he’s committed to. I hope he never lets trying to make up for the loss of his brother with his parents get in the way of his relationship with Bethenny.

  6. 6
    thiajok
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 1:20 am

    @2muchbravo: I so agree that Jason is trying to compensate for his brother’s death and feels real pressure to not abandon his parents. It would be so much easier for them and Jason if they had other children. I don’t think Bethenney is being unreasonable at all–she’s busy, Jason’s busy, and she likes privacy. Having house guests once a month would drive me mad. I hope that the talk about moving will lead to a compromise–maybe the grandparents could come spend the weekend in the city, keep Bryn with them, and let Beth and Jason have their time together, plus get a date weekend in the bargain.

  7. 7
    kdognatl
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 5:45 am

    Yay!! I could not wait for this show and your recaps HG! I really liked this episode, very funny. Bryn is so cute and looks just like Jason. Can’t wait for the rest of the season and your recaps. On another note, how’s your newlywed life HG ;) Great I hope!

  8. 8
    mulecitybabe
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 7:18 am

    I don’t understand all the whining about packing. It’s not like they’re going to a motel. They should have their room at the grandparents set up with everything they need, and packing should consist of throwing the diaper bag in the car and hitting the road.

    Personally, I don’t see this couple being married long. Jason’s small-town upbringing is going to get on Bethany’s nerves eventually. I think Bethany is too high-maintenence for Jason to ever keep happy.

  9. 9
    Tmurda
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 8:25 am

    It really bothers me that her name is spelled “Bethenney” and not “Bethany”. Other than that, I love her and think she’s hilarious. I also love Jason, Bryn, the in-laws, and the assisstants. Maybe i’m just in a good mood today. Love the show, and love your recaps, HG

  10. 10
    thiajok
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 8:38 am

    An added bonus is that you know it’s got to be grinding on the last nerves of LuAnn, Jill, and Kelly that Bethenney’s show is up and running while theirs has been pushed back. That makes it all worthwhile to me.

  11. 11
    LAC
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Love the recap! Okay, I want to scoop up Bryn and cover her in kisses – omg, she is sooooo cute! @thiajok, that is the best part of the show, huh? :)

  12. 12
    sheesh
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    My brother moved to New York when he was 19. All of the kids in my family (we are a large family) came back to the small town in Iowa that we graduated from for a funeral.
    We went out for drinks after the wake which was in the afternoon so we got to the bar aroung 3ish.
    My brother lost his mind over the prices.
    He kept yelling, “$1.50 for a bottle of beer? That’s crazy?”
    “$2.00 for a jack and coke? This is crazy!”
    Then happy hour came around and it was twofors. He was giddy and buying drinks for everyone.
    We asked the bartender to fuck with him, so when she gave him the final bill (written on a napkin) she put all kinds of crazy shit on it including billing him $10.00 for free snacks.

  13. 13
    TWoP_Fan
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    They do C-section incisions so low you can cover it with a bikini bottom. My scar’s only 4 inches and really light. I have no idea how they get the kid out without a bigger incision.

    I love Bethenney, she says all the bitchy things I think.

  14. 14
    thiajok
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    @Sheesh: Hah! Shouldn’t have told him and then tipped your bartender the extra from it and maybe had enough left to split among yourselves.

  15. 15
    sheesh
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    The bartender got a GREAT tip!
    Plus since I worked part time as a bartender she really loved that I took over as waitress for my rowdy (but very VERY fun) family.

  16. 16
    jersey4041
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    I don’t know.. I was a little disappointed with Bethanny’s behavior. First of all, bargaining a baby with your husband? I feel like that’s a bit selfish. And while Jason is an adult, he has two parents who have no other children (through an unfortunate loss) She has to respect that she doesn’t own him and she can’t kick his parents out of his life because she doesn’t understand it. I’m very close with my parents and sometimes I find myself not giving my bf the respect his family deserves, just not going to visit them enough or never really being excited about seeing them…I have to check myself and remember that he is someone’s son, someone’s brother and that those people are entitled to time with him just as I am.

    Seems like Bethenny just wants to live with him and the baby and not have to share him or care about anyone in his life. He lets CAMERAS film their every move but she gets annoyed when his family wants time with their grandchild, from their only living son? I think she’s being a little bit of a control freak. And slightly selfish. I love Bethenny but I feel like her fame is going a bit to her head..how does she expect people to act when she drags her camera crew to a small town in PA??

  17. 17
    Robin Robinez
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    @jersey4041,

    I disagree, respectfully. From what I saw it didn’t look like Beth was trying to kick his family out of their life. I think she was just trying to set some boundries.

    As far as what she expected when she dragged a camera crew to a small town, I think she was soo sweet to the girl in the hotdog place and you could see that she was suprised and emotionally overwhelmed by Jason’s friend’s “root’s” comment.

    I think along with Bryn, Beth is taking baby steps too. She is trying and she deserves credit for that.

    Take care, Robin

  18. 18
    jersey4041
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    @Robin
    I know and I really do like her, the whole thing was just a bit unsettling for me. I guess I look at it like she’s lucky to have an assistant and money because, otherwise, she would NEED those grandparents with her schedule or even just two working parents. Bryn is so new, she shouldn’t be uncomfortable with their presence already. I must be honest and say that I didn’t see the girl in the hot dog place (I think I saw the first and last 20 minutes) but I felt like even the way she approached the bar was odd. Commenting on the whole set of teeth? Not everything is Manhattan (and I live right outside of NYC and visit often) maybe she should get out more and experience something else. It just seemed a little judgmental.

    I totally understand boundaries but I also understand family. I think a lot of her response comes from her inexperience with the whole closeness and structure and how that works. I root for her all the time but I fear that she’s not OPEN to the closeness. She shuts down or something.. we will see, I love watching her journey.

  19. 19
    thiajok
    Posted March 4, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    I agree with Robin on this one, although I see where your concern is coming from Jersey. You say you understand boundaries but also understand family–Bethenney is just learning about family now.

    Coming from such totally different backgrounds, I’d say the odds are stacked against this couple. But maybe not. I’d not be interested in working that hard on a relationship because I have a lot of obligations to my family, but maybe Jason has more patience than I and is able to multi-task better than I can, thus being able to give Bethenney time to grow.

  20. 20
    Alejandra
    Posted March 6, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    Awwww, I want to marry an I-Love-You drunk:-)

  21. 21
    MaryFrances
    Posted March 13, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Bethenny needs to think about her baby. Bryn is only going to benefit from spending time with 2 loving doting grandparents. Nothing is as great as going to see Grandma. Bethenny doesn’t understand that. I think she should buy them a small apartment in the city and they could come see the baby lots more. Would Bethenny every trust them?

  22. 22
    Veracity
    Posted April 21, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    I know this is super late, but just in case anyone reads this and cares: re: the bra: Most women are wearing the wrong bra size, and most of those should be wearing a smaller band and larger cup. I was stunned to get a pro fitting at a real lingerie store (Intimacy, for the record, the one that they take people to on What Not To Wear; don’t bother with Victoria’s Secret etc) to find that I was a 34G when I thought I was a 36C/D. That old “measure around the rib cage, add 5, it’s your band size, measure around fullest part of bust, difference is cup size” is crap and should be abandoned; that’s how so many women end up at the wrong size! For the record the pro fitting and new bras are one of the best things I’ve ever done; they feel and look great and my clothes fit better than ever.

    Anyway point is that Bethenny’s size is totally believable. I’m only surprised that her cup size isn’t even larger. Glad she went to a good place with real pros to get this done. Go get fitted by specialists, ladies! Even if you don’t buy a bra the fitting is usually free. Totally worth it!

  23. 23
    Classy Drunk classy drunk
    Posted April 22, 2011 at 5:00 am

    I agree Veracity, don’t trust Vicky’s with the sizing.

  24. 24
    jillb
    Posted April 24, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    OMG! Bethanny 120 million…Like if you believe in Santa CLause!!!
    I live in her building. She has a tiny apartment that rents for 4,000 a month..This is hardly a apartment of a 1 millionaire much less someone claiming she’s worth $120 million..
    All the people in that apartment at all times. Where does the nanny sleep. Oh, those assistants and hair people all WORK for free to be on television. As a matter of fact, I would say she is flat broke. Its hard now for all these reality stars that get famous but are broke.

  25. 25
    sarcasatire
    Posted April 24, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    @jillb, Bethenny invented the concept for her drink, but she had a silent partner invest the bulk of the money. Chances are, the stake the partner owns is more than 50% because it’s their cash that financed everything. Most likely, a great chunk of that 120 million belongs to them, although I’m sure Bethenny did come away with a few million. But who knows, it could be mostly in stock, as she has now merged with the company that purchased Skinny Girl, and plans to still work for them developing other flavors.

    Oh, and her nanny, Gina, slept on a foldout couch in the baby’s room while Bethenny ran around town in a different Birkin bag everyday. Priorities.

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