Luanna grew up in Connecticut and was a contestant in the Miss Connecticut Beauty Pageant. She tells us that she didn't do very well because she was kind of chunky and had bad hair. It doesn't look like much has changed. Luanna's a countess, by virtue of having married while gold-digging, oops, I mean working in Europe as a model.
The Count and Countess have two kids and a nanny/housekeeper/slave that the Countess calls "My right hand man, Roseanna". Did anybody else read the Nanny Diaries? The Countess is packing up to go to the Hamptons for the summer. Or rather, Roseanna is packing up the family to go to the Hamptons for the summer and the Countess is harassing her. I've got to say that this woman is striking me as a real B**tch.
Don't make me mad
About the Hamptons, the Countess B**tch tells us that, "everyone wants me to come to their events so I really have to pick and choose what I do over the summer, but I manage." It's a tough life being a countess.
We have a quick clip of the little match girl explaining that the "Hamptons is a complete concentration of Manhattan wealth. Such a vulgar display of wealth--it's a combination of waspiness and jew." Politically correct the little match girl is not. But I'm guessing there's a little jealousy going on as she adds in a snippy voice, "I stay in the city a lot. I'm a little anti." Well, if nothing else that's all encompassing.
We move on to Jill getting in the car to leave for the Hamptons. She tells us that the cost of houses there range from 3 million to 50 million and that everybody in NYC wants to live in the Hamptons. Jill goes on to tell us that she met the Countess B**tch at a premiere of a movie and they've been palling around ever since.
But Ramona, not so much. They're more like tennis friends and they socialize minimally. Jill tells us that this summer she and Ramona are going to have a tennis match, and that will be interesting because, Ramona thinks she's gotten better than Jill and she hasn't. Jill then adds "Nanny, nanny, boo-boo" and sticks her tongue out as she blows a raspberry at the camera. Just kidding, but I get a little bored by tennis talk.
Anyway, Jill is practicing with her tennis pro who used to be Ramona's tennis pro and gets some dirt on Ramona's weak points. Ramona, we're told has a weak backhand.
We also find out that her daughter Allison has arthritis and wants to get healthy and lose weight. So Jill has been working to get her in to a friend's detox center. I've got to say that Jill is growing on me. Despite wanting to poke fun at her, I have to say that so far she seems like a decent warm person.
Ramona also has her own new tennis pro. Apparently, they're like an obligatory fashionable accessory. Her tennis pro likes to take his shirt off when he plays. And frankly, when he introduces himself on camera, he makes my skin crawl as he explains with an arrogant head toss, "I'm a tennis pro in the Hamptons by day." Leaving us with the question of what he does by night and my skin is still crawling. Ramona is apparently unable to function, much less play tennis, when his shirt is off. However, her friend suggests that he take his pants off as well. "Not in my contract," he reminds her, adding, "Some things are better left to fantasy." And now, I'm gagging slightly.
I work nights too
Simon and Alex prefer to go to Saint Barts in August. Alex tells us, "We love it because it's so European, and the native tongue is French." Watching these two pack, it is clear that they have seriously embraced the concept of fashion, both good and bad. For instance, the butt floss bikini on Alex my husband would probably consider good, but the speedo on Simon, I got to go with bad.
What would Tim Gunn say?
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Comments (13)
Manhatten?
Spell check?
1 of 13 | Posted by spacevenus | Posted on March 6, 2008 11:21 AM
Oh Dear,
I am so mortifyed--and I lived on the lower east side for years. Clearly recapping the show made me a little meshuggana. So thank you spacevenus and please consider all references to Manhatten to really be spelled Manhattan.
YentaPatrol
2 of 13 | Posted by YentaPatrol | Posted on March 6, 2008 11:49 AM
What can I say make that mortified.
3 of 13 | Posted by YentaPatrol | Posted on March 6, 2008 11:51 AM
Ramona a MILF? Do they not see the gut on her? Maybe they meant Man! It Looks Fat...
4 of 13 | Posted by trickydick | Posted on March 6, 2008 12:46 PM
the one thing, I will say about this show, is that they are definately richer than their orange county counterparts. So far Jill looks normal, and in reality is the one that is even featured on the NY social pages. The codependent couple, came of as social climbing wannabes, being on reality TV will definately not help their cause. The countess, is bitchy, and snubby, the preview when she says if you are going to introduce me to someone like a driver, it's Mrs Lesepps not Luanna, just ludicrous. and ramona oy vey, what can I say about her and her husband, other than the swingers comment sounds appropriate. The single gal, looks like a gold digger.
Having said all that, I will still watch this train wreck.
5 of 13 | Posted by nflow | Posted on March 6, 2008 2:30 PM
Was anyone else reminded of the Griswalds shopping in France in European Vacation when Alex and Simon were shopping?
6 of 13 | Posted by Allycatt | Posted on March 6, 2008 4:04 PM
Oh, Yenta, you are funny!
I was going to rag on your spelling of meshuggana (it's technically meshugener or meshuggener), but I googled it, and it's an acceptable spelling.
Yes, that's right. I don't feel like working. Have a great weekend!
7 of 13 | Posted by spacevenus | Posted on March 7, 2008 9:14 AM
This show is an affront to all that is good and decent in the world, but I'm going to watch it anyway just so I can read the recaps. Hope I don't gag to death!
8 of 13 | Posted by FreeSpirit | Posted on March 10, 2008 8:08 AM
I must say I cringed when I saw they were spinning off my favorite guilty pleasure, The REAL Housewives of Orange County; however, this show is a MUST SEE. What it's lacking in silicone and Sky Tops, it makes up with blatant social climbing,snobbery that would make a character in a Wharton novel blush, and positioning most marketing executives should take note of. I hope the recaps keep coming. I love them!!! I only wish more would have been written about the OC Housewives. These women make the Housewives of Orange County almost seem earthy and real -note I said 'almost'. Great Recap, and is it just me but a Countess named Luann? Good call on the social climbers!!!!! "like characters out of an Agatha Christie mystery" :)
9 of 13 | Posted by chask70 | Posted on March 19, 2008 6:13 AM
Just watched Real Housewives NYC for the first time last night. Had Tivo’d it but never sat down and watched it. Only had the last 2 episodes recorded so am really out of the loop. I was so blown away that as soon as I could this morning, I went looking for a someplace on the net to find out, what on earth, others were thinking about these women! Yenta, absolutely loved your recap and comments!! - couldn’t wait to register for the forum.
My particular fascination is with Alex/Simon. I am still reeling from their unabashed shallowness! They are living in a self absorbed fantasyland trying to fool themselves and others. I have met a lot of shallow people in my life but none so stupid as to let the whole country in to observe firsthand! Do they really think their fraud will go unnoticed? Not only, is it blatantly obvious that they are climbers but, they are the epitome of near do wells”. They seem so very self important for no reason that I can see – and how are they financing this? One of the other wives was spot on when she pointed out that Alex/Simon vacationed in St. Barths, as if they were part of the society crowd, but were actually there “off season”. Why, if all the trappings are so very important to them (i.e. clothes, status, vacation spots, private schools, etc.) would they be caught dead living in such a shamble of a house?!! - and without any apology/excuse. Don’t they realize that if they are trying to “play that game” one of the most important “trappings” of the crowd they want to run with is their home/address. I thought Bethany was kind to overlook their fraud – though I wonder if she won’t expose them to the others next week. Can’t wait to see!! Also, can’t wait for re-runs to see how this all began!
10 of 13 | Posted by tivofan | Posted on April 10, 2008 10:05 AM
I am originally from NY, live in the DC area now. Love this show, knew people like that, wow pretentious or what!!!!! Ramona is a piece of work and so is Alex. I like Jill, I think for the most part she is very real, but the countess, although she is pretty fair for the most part is a little plastic sometimes. Betheny is beautiful and although has issues, is fun to watch. The one that irks me most is Alex, just the fact that her and her husband are constantly trying to go up the social ladder is pretty sad.
11 of 13 | Posted by irishgal | Posted on April 14, 2008 11:24 AM
I am originally from NY, live in the DC area now. Love this show, knew people like that, wow pretentious or what!!!!! Ramona is a piece of work and so is Alex. I like Jill, I think for the most part she is very real, but the countess, although she is pretty fair for the most part is a little plastic sometimes. Betheny is beautiful and although has issues, is fun to watch. The one that irks me most is Alex, just the fact that her and her husband are constantly trying to go up the social ladder is pretty sad.
12 of 13 | Posted by irishgal | Posted on April 14, 2008 11:25 AM
I am originally from NY, live in the DC area now. Love this show, knew people like that, wow pretentious or what!!!!! Ramona is a piece of work and so is Alex. I like Jill, I think for the most part she is very real, but the countess, although she is pretty fair for the most part is a little plastic sometimes. Betheny is beautiful and although has issues, is fun to watch. The one that irks me most is Alex, just the fact that her and her husband are constantly trying to go up the social ladder is pretty sad.
13 of 13 | Posted by irishgal | Posted on April 14, 2008 11:25 AM