'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.

Report – Jill Zarin Disappoints Fans At Recent Macy’s Fashion Event; Was Demanding And Rude! Refused To Wear Merchandise!

This news shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who paid attention to Jill Zarin on the last season of RHONY:

Oh, Jill Zaaaaaaarin. Give it up already and stop trying. I’ll admit, I’ve found you mildly amusing (albeit irreverent) in the past, but it’s just getting sad at this point.


The failed reality star recently hosted a “Find Your Magic” Spring Fashion Show at Macy’s in Philadelphia. The event presumably partnered with Jill to advertise her shapewear and her new jewelry line–both of which are sold at the department store–and was supposed to highlight spring trends and accessorizing.


As part of her appearance, Jill hosted a mini runway show and was supposed to educate attendees about incorporating the new spring trends into your current wardrobe, but sadly, Jill again let her guests down. No, she didn’t tell them being a stay-at-home mother sucked–it wasn’t that bad–she just didn’t impart any useful fashion information and bailed after less than an hour. At least according to one, less than impressed guest.


According to the Philadelphia Weekly Style Section, Jill was an uninspiring host. “I was hoping to see something new, but she [Jill] only showed trends that are in every other store,” PW Style reports. “The only trends discussed were bold colors and chunky heels.”


Even worse, Jill “couldn’t name what designer created each article of clothing. Several times throughout the show Jill mentioned that she loved a piece, yet had no idea who made it,” the review continues. “Rather than be professional and ask a Macy’s representative who it was, she just moved right on with the show…”


Sadly, things went from bad to worse after the show when an audience meet and greet was scheduled. The former Real Housewives of New York star demanded a makeup touch-up AND refused to wear a bracelet one of the Macy’s representatives had selected for her! Jill reportedly “ripped it off her wrist and threw it on the floor.” The reason? It wasn’t part of the Jill Zarin Jewelry Collection! A photo of Jill from the event is above.


Considering Jill allegedly has no other job to speak of, and what little celebrity she ever had is rapidly dwindling, you’d think she would take her gigs a little more seriously. Particularly because Macy’s sells her products and heavily promotes her.


So there you have it, Jill conducting herself with class, as always. Quick question: who is still booking this woman at events? #epicfail.

RELATED: Travel Talk With Jill Zarin As She Launches New Businesses

Jill Zarin: I'm Not Leaving Real Housewives of NYC

Like we didn't know this already. Jill Zarin may be an evil and manipulative gold-digger who roots for the underdog (as long as you stay far below her level), snitches rumors to the press and posts anonymous comments on blogs, but love her or hate her, even I can admit that RHONYC wouldn't be the same without her:

And Jill is telling you -- she's not going!


After the New York Post's Page Six reported that Jill Zarin was getting the booted from the Real Housewives of New York when season five debuts next year, the redhead reality star set the record straight to Us Weekly on Monday.


"The rumors about Bravo dropping me from The Real Housewives of New York City as well as rumors that I am leaving the show are simply not true," Zarin, 48, told Us.


"Everything that has been reported is simply rumors, gossip and speculation. I personally have been busy with my shapewear line, Skweez Couture and am still very much part of the Bravo family."


Proof that she's sticking around? Zarin is among the housewives who'll be hitting the road on the first-ever Real Housewives Tour announced Monday. She'll appear with Atlanta's NeNe Leakes, NJ's Melissa Gorga and Miami's Marysol Patton in Atlanta, GA on Oct. 15.


Adds fellow housewife Kelly Bensimon to Us about all the casting rumors: "As far as I'm concerned no one knows what's going on," she says. "Every single event, party, house that I go to, there is a woman telling me they're going to be the next housewife!"


"All I can say is that I've had a blast doing it [and] how grateful I am!"

'Real Housewives' To Go On Three-City Tour

Other than Bravo trying to milk all the $$$ they can get from the "Housewives" franchise, this tour makes no sense:

Want to meet the "Real Housewives" of New Jersey or New York?


Bravo is bringing the ladies from their reality show franchise (including Orange County, Atlanta and Beverly Hills) on the road.


Tickets go on sale Aug. 19.


The tour kicks off on Atlantic City, NJ on Oct. 1, and also stops in Chicago and Atlanta.


"Bravo viewers like to truly engage in the shows they are passionate about," says Ellen Stone, Bravo’s senior vice president of marketing in a statement. "With The Real Housewives Live Tour, we are able to give our fans a unique, hands-on experience with their favorite cast members across franchises that they can't experience anywhere else."


Tickets begin at $49.50. Fans can buy the $170-per-ticket "Red Carpet Package," which allows them to walk the red carpet, sit in "premium" seats and attend a pre-show cocktail party hosted by the reality stars.


Tickets will only be sold to those 21 and older in Chicago and Atlanta.

RELATED: Real Housewives Announce Big Tour—but for What, Exactly?

Jill Zarin Contemplates Leaving 'The Real Housewives Of New York'

HuffPo.com:

She's the queen bee of New York City but this socialite's days on the small screen may be numbered. On Saturday night, Jill Zarin and her husband, Bobby enjoyed dinner at Savanna's in Southampton where he was overheard telling Jill she should not return for another season of "The Real Housewives of New York."


“Bobby made it clear that it was Jill’s decision but couldn’t understand what she would have to gain from returning to a fifth season,” a friend at the next table tells me. “Her daughter is in college and it’s time to take her parents on the cruise of a lifetime they have always wanted to do. Plus the success of her Skweez Couture and other deals she has coming up are a full-time job.”


Jill, who doesn’t need the $265,000 a season each lady earns, has never been the last to leave a party but knows that when it is time to make her exit, it's best to do so on a high note.


“The 'New York' show has been super successful but next season will never top the numbers they have now and after the failures of D.C. and Miami shows, everyone thinks the high point of the franchise is behind them not in front of them,” a Bravo insider tells me. “Everything has to come to an end. And the reunion show Part 2 ratings were very disappointing.”


A spokesperson for Jill did confirm that she was at the Southampton restaurant with her husband but declined to comment on whether Jill had made any decision about her future with the show. However, I was told that her shapewear line was picked up by major department stores during market week last week and to expect some big news about her other products in the upcoming weeks.

LOl! The funniest part of this article is the idea of Jill finally going away somewhere with Bobby or better yet, Jill with a fulltime job. I mean, isn't Jill Zarin always going on or coming back from extravagant trip that most of the rest of the world can't afford? Then too, doesn't the classic narcissist that is Jill Zarin do the 'maybe-I'm-staying, maybe I'm leaving' thing every year? Right.

Jill Zarin on Ramona Singer: She Knows I’m Not An Alcholic

OKmagazine.com:

Although the feud continues even after the season has wrapped, The Real Housewives of New York City star, Jill Zarin, has bigger fish to fry. If she’s not guest-starring on a show with a gorgeous male lead like Matt Bomer, this housewife is busy expanding her creativity and passion designing hosiery that boosts butts and flattens bellies. The reality star talks to OK! about focusing her energy on her new line of shapewear, Skweez Couture and not on the hurtful and untrue alcoholism accusations made by fellow RHONYC costar, Ramona Singer.


“Ramona knows I’m not an alcoholic. She’s seen me drink and she said it to lash back at me for what I did to her with Mario and two wrongs don’t make a right. She crossed the line,” says Jill.


Understanding the fundamentals of their “love-hate relationship,” Jill admits to being guilty of a nasty comment stating that Mario was cheating on Ramona and says she apologized for unintentionally hurting her. The feeling was not mutual.


“I apologized to her though for the Mario comment but she did not apologize in fact she reinforced it that it was okay to do it” Jill spills to OK!.


However, though still unsaid, Jill does not demand an apology. Instead she talks about the group of people that truly deserves Ramona’s kind words.


“I have been to AA meetings years ago to support a friend and the damage of outing someone… you know one of the reasons people go to AA is the anonymity. The protection. And there are people that won’t go to AA because they’ll are worried they might have a friend like Ramona who will out them,” explains Jill. “It’s not just about me…she did not apologize to the fans because it’s really not me. I don’t care. I know I’m not so it doesn’t really matter.”

Ramona Singer & Jill Zarin Brawl on ‘Today’ Over Alcoholism Allegations

OKmagazine.com:

This season of The Real Housewives of New York City may be over, but the feuding between reality stars Ramona Singer and Jill Zarin is just heating up. The ladies brought their Big Apple drama to the set of the Today show this morning, and sparred with each other over claims of alcoholism.


Ramona and Jill’s segment with Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb got uncomfortable very quickly.


“She keeps inferring that I have a drinking problem,” Ramona said of Jill. “You girls like to have a drink now and then, so do I.”


Ramona then accused Jill of having the drinking problem, which Jill denied and then scolded Ramona about bringing it up on national TV.


And before long, Ramona turned the whole thing into a conversation about AA and victims of domestic abuse.


“You guys are talking like apples and oranges,” said Hoda. “She’s right, you shouldn’t out someone who’s going to AA and I’m glad you give to domestic abuse, but those are two separate things.”