'Real Housewives of New York' Reunion Part 1 Recap: Ramona Won, Hands Down

Wow, gotta admit that made for great TV, any wonder RHONY remains my favorite 'Housewives' show. The 'Blondes vs. The Brunettes' saga stayed intriguing all season long, but who knew how bitter things would get between the two teams, so much so that I can't see them making up or anyone swtiching sides anytiem soon. That said, I thought Andy Cohen did a tremendous job under what had to be very trying circumstances--he asked all the right questions and called out the 'Housewives' who were clearly being hypocritical. Now granted, I'm definitely with Team Blonde, so call me biased, but here's what I thought of what went down last night anyway:

1) Alex was clearly ready to do battle, getting in on every turn and interrupting Team Brunette members every chance she could get. But I liked how the brunettes tried to play "Ramonja" against Alex, because they're not that close to Alex and Alex desperately wants to be down with the rich, blonde girls (Jill was at her best here, making snide little comments referring to Alex and Sonja not really being that close, but she took it to another level getting nasty and calling Alex an "effing bitch" twice). And while Kelly, LuAnn and Cindy did their best to throw some shots at Alex too (and get her to speak only when spoken to) Alex did get in some great zingers, including the line of the night telling Cindy how she "needs to get laid". However, the problem with Alex still remains her inability to stay calm while making a zinger (practice by watching some tapes of Bethenny when she throws darts) and clearly as long as Simon stays by her side, people will always have a valid reason to not like her (can we please get Alex some friends?).


2) I don't care what "Cosmo" says, Crazy Kelly remains a nutcase. I loved when Andy smacked her down when she was supposedly trying to play "peacemaker" while Cindy and Sonja went at it. And that B.S. story about being "abused"? I'm not buying it, esp. considering that the woman has been arrested before for beating up a guy. Nor am I buying that Kelly isn't phased at all by Bethenny's success. That said, I could go either way on Kelly coming back next season--no one could say she's not entertaining.


3) Ramona, to me, was hands down the winner tonight. She took on the Brunettes with gutso, zeal and plenty of barbs that tore into the hearts of each of them--and she managed to stay calm throughout. Did she go too far talking about LuAnn's kids? Of course. But LuAnn went there first about Ramona's marriage while they were all in Morocco and we all know by now that when it comes to talking about Ramona's family she doesn't play. Ramona also got in some great shots at Cindy and Jill and for the most part put Kelly on ignore where she belongs.


4) Cindy is a bitch. I don't like her at all. She just refused to acknowledge that what she did at Sonja's house, taking that meeting in the kitchen, was flat-out wrong. I don't even have a problem with Cindy picking up her phone or having the stupid meeting, it's just simple etiquette to excuse yourself and ask if you can use another room. Then too, the woman clearly has anger issues--the way she shouts people down and talks down to them is just revolting. And as I've said from the beginning there's this air to her that makes you feel she really thinks she's better than "those people" (i.e. the Housewives)--please Bravo, just be done with her.


5) I just feel bad for Sonja and was surprised when she broke down about how much her marriage meant to her (tho I can't help but think that what she really misses is the lifestyle). Loved how she took down Kelly for talking about her house like that.


6) LuAnn did well for the most part, but she is in clear denial about how rude and unclassy she can be towards people. I liked how she even called out Cindy for taking the conference call in the kitchen at Sonja's. LuAnn may deny it too, but she also "found her voice" this year, esp, when it comes to reunion shows.


7) Compared to last season's reunion Jill had an easy time of it. Her current feud with Ramona doesn't look like it will end anytime soon, but somehow they always find a way to be friends again. That said I can't wait for Part 2.

Alex McCord's 15-Minute Cleanup

Source

BTE TV Interviews Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen

Who's Out at 'Housewives'? Alex McCord Responds to New Report, Cindy Barshop Reportedly Not Returning

Popeater.com:

Holy catfight! The 'Real Housewives of New York' reunion special was taped last Wednesday at Capital in NYC and it was full of tears, laughter and betrayal but nothing was as interesting as one Real Housewife talking about the show in the past tense. "Cindy [Barshop] barely spoke at the taping," a cast member tells me, "And when she did talk about her time on the show it was in the past tense. She is definitely not coming back."


Also buzzing around today is a new report by HollywoodLife that in addition to Cindy, original housewife Alex McCord will also not be around for a fifth season, but in an exclusive statement to PopEater, Alex rebuffs such claims.


"If I had a dollar every time an 'inside source,' i.e. a cast member, leaked a 'story' that I was out of RHONY, I'd be a multi-millionairess!" Alex wrote to me.


A spokesperson for Bravo released a statement, telling me "No decisions have been made regarding next season and everything at this point is rumor."


The tradition of the 'Real Housewives' coming together at the end of each season to tape a reunion show has delivered HUGE ratings for Bravo. So much so that these tapings are often edited into at least two hours of TV and have recently even provided footage for a third.


"They started taping at 9:00 a.m. and didn't finish until well past 7," an insider tells me. "The first few hours where everyone is on message is always thrown away and replaced by the more juicy stuff that occurs later in the day when everyone's getting tired and letting down their guard. This year Ramona and Jill go at it."


After the taping, Ramona tweeted that it had been a wild day and that she "survived the reunion." The next day Alex McCord agreed, tweeting, "Intense day of filming yesterday for Real Housewives of New York." However, Jill Zarin, surprisingly seemed to have a great time, sharing, "OMG what a day," late Wednesday night.

God, I hope Cindy doesn't come back, talk abut useless.

RELATED: Bravo Rep On 'Housewives' Departure: 'No Decisions Have Been Made'

Wow, Who Knew LuAnn de Lesseps Was Such A Snobby Bitch?

Actually, the contempt LuAnn has for both Alex and Simon has been simmering since season one. LuAnn's never liked them, much less thought they belonged in the same social circle as her (like others, but not nearly as much as the Countless feels). And while I do recall a minor incident sometime ago where LuAnn made a snide remark about having to visit Alex's house in Brooklyn, it's funny that its taken this long for the whole LuAnn vs. Alex feud to finally come to the surface considering that they've been on the same show for 4 seasons now.

Either way, yes I confess getting used to Alex and Simon's relationship is not easy (face it, the way they interact is weird and often lame) and I've often wondered why Alex/Simon are so wanton to be part of an upscale and snooty crowd that clearly doesn't like them, much less looks down on them. Not to go as far to say that Alex has no business being on RHONYC, but instead of trying to be part of the snobby and rich crowd, I think Alex would do a much better job representing all the working, married mom's of NYC who sacrifice a lot to make their marriages/families work (of course, that might be too "boring" for Bravo's taste, but still). Instead, Alex spends a good time trying to change people who have no desire to be changed.

That said, LuAnn's hatred (yes, no one acts like that towards someone unless they have an intense dislike for them) for Alex is over-the-top. LuAnn was not only snobby, but vile and dismissive towards Alex in Morocco and at that restaurant. And LuAnn knows she can get away with it because Alex often has a hard time speaking up for herself (and could be intimidated for LuAnn's size, ala NeNe Leakes). But really, LuAnn knows how much she interfered with Bethenny and Jill trying to patch things up last year. She knows she's been Team Jill from day one (clearly, in part, because of the infamous "Countless" remark made by Mario Singer some time back). But now, by pretending to be aloof and armed with a reason to let her long-festering hate for Alex come out, LuAnn is in a fight she knows that she can easily win, especially with no Bethenny (or any other person for that matter) around to stick up for Alex. Still, for someone who talks so much about "class", I think that LuAnn's treatment towards Alex this season will come back to haunt her in the long run.

Alex McCord Lets Everyone Play Her For A Fool

So I just saw the last episode of RHONYC and just when you thought Alex was finally able to find her voice and speak up for herself she reverts back to her old, indefensible self. To think she had every reason to confront LuAnn, whose been siding with Jill against Ramona and Bethenny for over a year now and when Alex finally gets a chance to confront the Countless about her classless behavior and she blows it and allows LuAnn to totally bully her ("Go back to your cabinet. Witch"). And then, of course, why Alex (or anyone on the planet earth) would waste her time chasing after (and apologizing!) to a lunatic like Kelly ("Alex! Weird! Inauthentic! Weird! Alex Inauthentic!") and attempt to have a serious conversation with the mental case is anyone's guess. But worse yet, considering how much you'd think Alex would know Ramona by now, why she would take those crocodile tears that seriously and feel the need to be Ramona's spokeswoman was utterly esp. lame when you saw how quickly Ramona got over it. Alex you've been on the show too long to allow for kind of stuff to keep happening. Yet, throughout the show I couldn't help but wonder why Cindy, who does nothing these days but scowl and throw petty hissy fits, wouldn't rush to defend Alex...at least. Either way the whole thing was just pathetic to watch.

RELATED: 'RHONY' Recap: Alex Gets Taken Down During A Weird Henna Attack

Simon van Kempen Gives Shockingly Awful Live Performance

Gather.com:

The Real Housewives franchise has spawned a number of wanna-be singers before Simon van Kempen's latest train wreck. With Atlanta's Kim Zolciak's "Tardy for the Party," the intention seemed to be to create a competitive pop single. With music heavyweight Kandi Burruss ("No Scrubs" writer) producing, the tepid single managed to perform well on the dance charts.


Countess LuAnn of NYC attempted to imitate the success with the cheeky "Money Can't Buy You Class," which was universally panned. Ex-New Jersey housewife Danielle Staub also flopped with "Real Close." The same can be said for Gretchen of Orange County's multiple singles. White House party crasher (and DC housewife) Michaele Salahi's new tune "Bump It" will likely follow the same path.


So why did Bravo TV choose to heavily promote the worst single of them all, Simon van Kempen's (husband of NYC housewife Alex) "I'm Real" with a hyped live performance on Watch What Happens Live? There may be some grand marketing reason, but to imagine this single moving more than a novelty sale or two is mind-boggling.


If camp is the intent, the talent takes the ridiculousness much too earnestly for the experience to be anything but painful. Simon bobs and weaves while losing any semblance of pitch as Andy Cohen plastic smiles even more nervously than usual. The sight is a sad one. But given the continuing charade, it must be somewhat lucrative.


To add more confusion to the mix, it is worth noting that one artist has used the Bravo platform to cleverly launch a single: Miss Lawrence of Atlanta ("Closet Freak").

Really if Bravo keeps this kind of stuff up, don't be surprised if the 'Housewives' franchise is done soon.

Alex McCord Donates Famous Dress at Fundraiser Hosted by LuAnn de Lesseps

Examiner.com:

Alex McCord from the Real Housewives of New York attended a charity fundraiser hosted by fellow castmate LuAnn de Lesseps last night which raised money for the homeless. While at the event, Alex McCord delighted her fellow castmates, and guests of the event, by donating her infamous “S&M Dress” to the charity. The so-called “S&M Dress” was worn by Alex McCord when she and Sonja Morgan hashed out their differences at Sonja Morgan’s party in episode 2 of this season’s Real Housewives of New York.


From Alex McCord: “I love this dress by Walter, and it certainly got my castmates and the viewers talking. Who would have thought a simple black dress in New York City would create so much excitement? I’ve now worn it on TV twice as well as a red carpet, so it’s time to donate it and let someone else start her own conversation. Simon and I love supporting Henry and ACE, and that LuAnn was there hosting the event was the icing on the cake . . . or the detail on the dress!”


The event that was hosted by Real Housewives of New York cast member LuAn de Lesseps last night, benefitted a charity boutique from the NoLita neighborhood in Manhattan named; Use Your Head, Shop for a Cause. The charitable boutique features vintage and contemporary designer clothing and accessories which are donated by generous supporters of the shop. 100% of the proceeds from Use Your Head, Shop for a Cause go to support ACE Programs for the Homeless. For the past twenty years, ACE Programs for the Homeless has been providing job training, work experience and a support network for the homeless.

Alex McCord Sounds Off On "The Real Housewives of New York City"

TVGuide.com:

Whether she's calling Sonja Morgan a "thug in a cocktail dress" or dressing down Jill Zarin for being a phony, the usually reserved Alex McCord has been killing us with her newfound chutzpah on The Real Housewives of New York City. And she's no less cheeky when it comes to fielding our questions about life as a Housewife.


TV Guide Magazine: Gotta say, you are sassy this season!
McCord: [Laughs] I've always been empowered. It's just that now you're seeing it on TV.


TV Guide Magazine: Do you think your friendship with former Housewife Bethenny Frankel changed you?
McCord: My metamorphosis, if you want to call it that, had nothing to do with anything other than my being fed up. In the real world, it might be enough to think someone's an idiot. But on reality TV, you sort of have to beat them over the head with it. Otherwise, they don't know.


TV Guide Magazine: And who is the biggest idiot you have to deal with on the show?
McCord: I can't tell you! That's a spoiler!


TV Guide Magazine: Has it gotten old, always being filmed?
McCord: The more I do this, the more fun it's becoming. One thing that I think makes New York special is that we still have four original cast members left. What that means is whether we like each other or not, we have a shared history of four years. We know where each other's buttons are and how to push them. That makes for magical TV. All you have to do is get us in a room and turn the cameras on.


TV Guide Magazine: So after four years, would you consider any of your fellow cast mates real friends?
McCord: [Laughs] Some yes, some no. The entire group is one dysfunctional sorority. It's Kappa Kappa Housewives.

Which Self-Professed ‘Classy’ Real Housewife of New York Is Actually Classy? Anybody?

Terrific article on the Real Housewives of New York City from NYmag.com:

LuAnn de Lesseps


Why She Thinks She's Classy:
-Has branded herself that way through many forms of media, including her book and her dance single, “Money Can’t Buy You Class.”
-Appears to believe in an osmosis-type superiority that results from partnering with Europeans, as evidenced by her aristocratic ex-husband, a Count who gave LuAnn the title she will never relinquish, even in death, and current boyfriend Jacques, a French David Schwimmer look-alike in the wine distribution business.
-Is against discussing pubic hairstyles, even in a friend’s private spa [see: Cindy Barshop].


Why She Might Not Actually Be Classy:
-Wrote a book stating class is the art of being yourself, then later admitted that she wasn’t “being herself” because she didn’t actually write it.
-Clings to pretentious Countess title, although it has not officially been recognized by anyone in the royal family.
-Is completely unaware when she’s being condescending toward others, as shown in the episode when she made a classroom of inner city girls sit through a reading of “her” book, and in every episode when she moans out at least a couple of “Dahhhhling”s.
-Seems to wear excessively large turquoise jewelry pieces for the express purpose of reminding everyone that she’s half Native American.
-Tone-deaf dance single and accompanying video.


Jill Zarin


Why She Thinks She's Classy:
-Co-runs the oft-mentioned Zarin Fabric Warehouse, which only carries the best of the best, and also “runs in a fabulous circle of people” — her tagline during the opening credits of seasons 1-3.
-Has now changed her tagline to “Good or bad, I know who I am, and I own it,” which speaks again to the Countess-endorsed art of being yourself.
-Enjoys taking the less fortunate under her wing, meaning friends who are going through a sad sack period or who are currently without husbands.
-Is a loyal wife to mensch Bobby, a gem who reflects well on her.
-Spearheaded an expensive redecoration of her Upper East Side apartment that landed it the cover of Traditional Home magazine.


Why She Might Not Actually Be Classy:
-Says she knows who she is and owns it, but continually has no idea when she’s being awful and then denies culpability.
-Appears to begrudge the successes (both financial and emotional) of friends once they emerge from their sad sack periods.
-One of the biggest shit talkers on the show, also has a habit of aggressively probing into details of the others lives, most recently when she met housewife Cindy Barshop for the first time and immediately began pressing Cindy about why she has infant twins when she’s clearly old and single.
-Made sending her daughter to fat camp part of her own story arc.
-Related: Launched a line of body shapes for young girls called “Skweez.”

Ramona Singer

Why She Thinks She's Classy:
-Prides herself on being an independent businesswoman and received the “Celebrity Entrepreneur of the Year” award in recognition of her clothing resale company; also has a line of skincare products, HSN jewelry, and Ramona brand Pinot Grigio.
-Designs and sells faith-based jewelry with husband Mario.
-Is happily married, but extremely vocal about the fact that she will never rely on a man for his money.
-Tends to be instinctively true to herself (especially when breaking into dance) and makes a sincere effort to be true with others, going so far as to tell housewife Alex’s husband Simon that she found him creepy, then openly retracting that statement after he grew on her like a fungus. -Named her daughter Avery.

Why She Might Not Actually Be Classy:
-Pushes a faith-based jewelry line that she insists is about faith, when it’s really about making money.
-Unlike Jill Zarin, does very little talking behind her girlfriends’ backs, but does a fair amount of shit talking to their faces.
-Along the same lines, conducts extremely inappropriate employee interviews, telling one young woman — fresh out of college — that she needed to do something about her acne and then handed her a Ramona skincare product.
-Recognized by the other women as something of a spaz, especially when she gets a little Pinot in her.

Jill Zarin, LuAnn de Lesseps, Cindy Barshop, Sonja Morgan, Alex McCord & Ramona Singer @ 2011's TV Land Awards

Simon Van Kempen Releases Debut Single “I Am Real”

One question: Why?!?

Real Housewives of New York City Feud: Team Alex or Team Sonja?

People.com:

There's a new feud in town: On Thursday's episode of The Real Housewives of New York City, Alex McCord and Sonja Morgan launched a new dispute – and it all started at a march for a good cause.


"MEN called, which is the Marriage Equality of New York, and asked me to be the grand marshal. And they said, 'Well, we'll have several speakers, but we want you to kick it off because you're so light and funny,' " Sonja said. "You're such a gay icon.' "


As the women gathered at Sonja's townhouse to get ready for the march, trouble started to brew as Alex (member of the event's host committee) and Sonja (grand marshal) compared their respective official duties.


"So is it Sonja's day or is it Alex's day?" Kelly Bensimon asked.


At one point, when Alex tried to discuss logistics, Sonja interrupted and said, "Not all that. We're talking about me now. We're talking about me being nervous and my girlfriends being here to support me."


"It felt to me that she was trying to take ownership of a day that was about a cause, not about a person," Alex said.

As much as I can appreciate Alex finally finding her voice (esp. when she goes up against Jill), she went too far at Sonja house, especially after Sonja told her to leave. Yeah, Sonja probably did make the event about her, but Alex in her new "voice" needs to remember that timing is about everything and she just comes off as ignorant when she does stuff like go off on somebody in their home. Can I say too how funny it is watching Crazy Kelly being the voice of reason.

The Real Housewives of NYC: What Do They Do in 'Real' Life?

Zimbio.com:

The Real Housewives of New York City cast has just embarked on its fourth season for lots more fundraising gala drama, Hamptons poolside chats, and "work/family balance" struggles. We know that Alex McCord has an eccentric hubby, Bethenny Frankel broke off from the franchise to become her own star, and Kelly Bensimon loves to be seen with beautiful people, but who are these women, really? They are most importantly caricatures of themselves, but they must have some semblance of a job, or at least a hobby. Here's a rundown of the key facts about the women we love to hate and hate to love.


Alex McCord


"I've always had opinions, but now people know it."


Profession: Designer
Alex takes charge on design projects like the renovation of Manhattan's oldest camera store, Willoughbys. She also is an avid philanthropist in New York City, of course.


Side Projects: Model and Author! Alex recently signed with New York Model Management. McCord and her hubby wrote a child-rearing book, Little Kids, Big City -- which was ironic considering their tykes run around like monkeys injected with Coke Zero all day.


Family: Hubby, Two sons, Two Cats & a Brooklyn Brownstone. Alex is married to red-head standout, Simon van Kempen, who formerly managed hotels and just recently started a social media company. They have two sons, Francois, 8 and Johan, 5. The Brooklyn-based fam has two cats. 

LuAnn de Lesseps


"I thought I had it good before, but I'm just getting started."


Profession: Author (Like Every Housewife,) Wannabe Singer, "Manners Commentator"
Now that she's no longer so busy being a stately, well-mannered, countess (whatever the heck that means), she has time to be an aspiring author and really bad singer. Ex-Countess Lesseps released an etiquette book in 2009, Class With The Countess, but then she admitted she didn't actually write it. Smart. She also has a column with highly esteemed magazine OK! called "What Would the Countess Do."


She also gave singing a whack -- why not? She began dabbling in music with the dance single "Money Can't Buy You Class." We bet that's what she really thinks. She also appears on TV shows like Joy Behar and Larry King Live as a "manners commentator," but we think the shows just see it as a farce.


Side projects: See 'Profession' above.


Family: Single Mom of Two With New Boyfriend
Formerly the wife of Ferdinand de Lesseps of Suez Canal royalty (he allegedly cheated on her), LuAnn has taken to new boyfriend Jacques Azoulay, the CEO of Gabriella Wines Importer and Distributor. She's been busy spending time in the Hamptons with the new beau and her children, Victoria and Noel.

The Real Houswives of New York City On "The View"

Hot Video: If This Season Is Boring, No One Told the Real Housewives of New York City

Part 2



EOnline.com:

Worried that this season of Real Housewives of New York City won't be as juicy as years past? Consider your fears allayed, young Housewives fan, because Jill Zarin herself says, "It's the best season. By far, the best season we've ever done."


We talked to all the NYC Housewives about what's to come when the new episodes premiere, and they promise it's going to be a big year for everybody in the cast—but especially possibly engaged LuAnn de Lesseps, who says, "[I'm] working on my next song during the season…and my romance...I feel really lucky, and it's really going in a great direction."


Jump inside to see what else the "brunettes" of the Big Apple told us of life after Bethenny Frankel (Kelly Bensimon says, "I don't think any of us talk to her anymore"), plus, which one of the blondes (Alex McCord, Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan) had a breakdown and "started crying hysterically"?

"Best season by far"...yeah, right.

Celebrity Red Carpet Interviews from Marc Bouwers 3D Fashion Show 2011 (Teresa Guidice, Alex McCord, Jacqueline Laurita & Dina Manzo Interviewed)

Alex McCord on New Season: "We Go to the Brink of Insanity and Back!"

EOnline.com:

The Real Housewives are about to get real ugly.


Real Housewives of New York City star Alex McCord says this season viewers will see some extreme craziness go down—even with Bethenny Frankel and Jill Zarin's fighting done—because all is not rosy between the seasoned Housewives and new castmember Cindy Barshop.


"Oh, it's not one epic fight, it is 100 fights," McCord told us. "We're comfortable enough with each other now that it's no holds barred. I did not know Cindy before. You'll have to see what happens with her and everyone."


And where does her husband, Simon, fit in to all of this?


Simon says he's still pressing buttons, annoying the other wives—including Barshop—and, as usual, tagging along with his wife for this season.


"On Cindy all I can say it's really hard to come into a mature cast that has been around each other for four years," he told us today at the Cynthia Steffe show at Lincoln Center. "It takes a while to work out how to avoid the drama."


Alex says one incident reaches such madness that "you can't make up what happens."


"People go all the way to the brink of insanity and back and there and back again," she told us.

What ‘The Real Housewives Of New York City’ Are Up To For Valentine’s Day

Hollywoodlife.com:

From mommy-daughter dates to secret surprises, the stars of RHONY are celebrating Valentine’s Day with the ones they love!


It’s sure going to be one beautiful Valentine’s Day for the gals of the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City! Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan, Kelly Bensimon, Alex McCord, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps and Jill Zarin all share their plans for the special day with HollywoodLife.com exclusively!
Here’s what they’re all up to:


Ramona Singer: “I actually celebrated Valentine’s Day early with my husband Mario,” Ramona says. “I gave Mario a present. We got a double massage for two hours last weekend at the Equinox in a private room and shared a bottle of champagne. Because Valentine’s is on Monday, we are going out on Saturday night with four other couples for dinner. On Monday we are taking our daughter Avery (because she is the other woman in Mario’s life) to a nice dinner.”


Sonja Morgan: “I’m going to get my guy some red hot and white cashmere socks, and three long stems roses,” Sonja notes. “The rest I’ll leave up to your imagination.”


Kelly Bensimon: “My valentines are my two girls,” Kelly gushes. “I like to surprise them with some fun sweeties. Sea wants chocolates. Teddy wants gummy bears. Fortunately I love both!”


Alex McCord: “With Simon and I, every day is Valentine’s Day,” Alex rubs it in. “So we don’t do anything special on V-day. But now that our kids are getting older, they are starting to share Valentines with their friends at school. We sit at the table and go over the cards with the kids. We also had a romantic night on Feb. 10 (that was not V-Day related) where we cooked each other a big meal after the boys went to bed. Neither of us are big on the commercial V-day thing.”


Countess LuAnn de Lesseps: “I’m being surprised — it’s killing me,” LuAnn shares with us. “LuAnn is being ’surprised’ for Valentine’s Day by her boyfriend, Jacques,” confirms her rep. “She has no idea what the plans are! And then next weekend, she is taking her daughter Victoria for a girls’ weekend out in Miami.”


Jill Zarin: “Jill plans on spending a romantic evening at home with her husband Bobby and modeling the new lace design of her Skweez Couture shapewear,” Jill’s rep tells us. “Bobby always starts Valentine’s early by sending flowers a few days prior. The first bouquet of 500 imported french red roses arrived on Feb. 11.”

Simon van Kempen Gets His Own Spinoff (Web) Show

Zap2it.com:

When we caught up with Alex McCord last week at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, she told us that not only is "The Real Housewives of New York" still shooting down to the wire as its Feb. 15 premiere approaches, but Bravo has put her husband, Simon van Kempen to work, too.


"In addition to the season premiere," Alex tells Zap2it. "Simon is shooting his own webisodes for BravoTV.com. A web spinoff, which is phenomenal. That's going to be on the website the same time the show's airing."


She adds, "Literally, he's been shooting while I've been here."


It's so hot off the presses, it doesn't have a title yet! Premiering the same day as "The Real Housewives of New York," Simon tells Popeater.com that the web series will focus on his everyday life outside of his wife's show from "shopping, cooking, accidentally injuring myself and attempting to overcome one of life's toughest afflictions."


"I'm delighted to get a mini spinoff from 'Housewives,'" Simon tells the site. "And so glad I didn't have to get pregnant or married to do so! Seriously, Alex, the boys and I have a lot of fun living in Brooklyn, and these webisodes give viewers a chance to see all four of us away from the drama of 'Housewives.'"