The Real Housewives of Miami

The dynamics of the show seem different enough that "Housewives" fans will want to give Miami a try. But we'll have to see if the plot lines will sustain interest.

After viewing the first episode of the franchise's seventh(!) series, you'll no doubt be left asking: Where are the catfights? Where's the mouthy gal? Where's the table flipping? None of that is here...yet. But remember how Housewives works: The first few episodes in any new city tend to be about getting to know the ladies.

The ladies are so desperate to be noticed, they recycle bits from other shows.

The "Real Housewives" formula is feeling stale. The louche locations all seem to blend into one another, and every kitchen is the same, with acres of space and double-wide Sub-Zero refrigerators that seem to hold enough food for an Olympic swim team.

Here, with no force of personality, the format is just a congress of faux-fabulous. [28 Feb 2011, p.39]

At the very least, you'd think the Miami edition of this franchise would have some striking pastel visuals. But even the look, alas, is no brighter than the content.

The Real Housewives Of Miami is even more egregiously fake than the average reality show, so much so that the producers haven't even bothered to remove bloopers in which cast members forget what day it's supposed to be.