The Real Housewives of New York City

I was worried the departure of Bethenny (who's living happily Ever After) would cripple these Housewives beyond repair. No need to fret! There's still plenty of delicious drama flowing from the NYC grid thanks to oversexed Sonja, bulging-eyed winemaker Ramona, and blonder 'n' bitchier Alex.

The entire premiere is quite enjoyable, despite having the tedious task of introducing us to six, brand-new faces and making them appear like people who are worth tuning in for.

I worry the premiere lacks the Bethenny punch. She classed everything up by dressing everyone down. But I remain invested in these women. [Apr 2020, p.70]

It's the usual stupid fun. [11 Apr 2011, p.47]

What once was butts up against what's no longer meant to be. There's pleasure in seeing RHONY attempt to remodel itself in 2023's image, but this facsimile can't yet muster the intrigue of the original. In a world overrun with content, it's hard to be influential.

The crew need to shake out their awkwardness, and get to know one another better. And the show needs to figure out how best to deploy its one member whose first blush of fame happened before Facebook bought Instagram. Lyons can be a brilliant agent of chaos, a person whose presence left castmates starstruck before her bluntness left them dumbstruck. At other moments, she fades from the screen, and a cast made up of people who are practiced at image creation are forced to go round-robin.

All we see on screen are the backbites and the snarky remarks, and the urgent, earnest, whispered outrage about who shows up at what party when someone else hoped they wouldn't.