Do You Feel Uncomfortable Watching ‘Housewives'?
Friday, September 16, 2011
Lisa Vanderpump, Kyle Richards, Camille Grammer and Adrienne Maloof join Anderson to discuss the reality of reality TV, including the recent suicide of castmate Taylor Armstrong’s husband, and exploring whether the show was responsible for his death.
Camille also discusses her painful divorce from Kelsey Grammer, revealing more details about the timing of his affair. Kyle also talks with Anderson about the current state of the relationship with her sister and co-star Kim Richards. The Real Housewives’ husbands; Mauricio Umansky, Paul Maloof and Ken Todd, and the now infamous dog “Jiggy,” also join Anderson to discuss how having cameras capture their wives’ every move has affected their lives.
Community Question
After the suicide of Russell Armstrong, did you feel different (or uncomfortable) watching?
Join the conversation.
Filed Under: Episodes
Comments
No I don't feel any different about the show "RHOBH" after Russell Armstrong committed suicide, I myself do not think the show caused Russell to commit suicide after all he was in massive Financial trouble and he hid it from the media and his wife I guess just trying to get out of the bad money times but then it must've gotten to bad because he was going through a break up with his now ex-wife Taylor Armstrong, and his lawsuits of I think $5,000,000 USD and the amount of stress he would've been under would have been huge and he might've thought that was the best way out of it. I feel sorry for Taylor and their 3 little daughters I can only imagine what they would be going through, but I'm only 14 so I hope this was what I was souppost to write about, oh and yeah Adrienne Maloof is my favorite :)
I do watch the show differently. Last week Taylor's "breakdown" on the ski vacation made me very uncomfortable. I wanted to scream at the TV, "Call an ambulance!!! This woman needs a stress center." I know the other women care but having been in a stress center years ago, I knew that was exactly what she needed and immediately.
Let me start by saying that I do no*****ch this program, nor do I watch any of these programs because they are not reality. Are you kidding me? These shows are contrived and partially scripted. The producers create scenarios that induce drama in order to entice more viewers to watch the program.
(Of course, I am NOT insinuating that the death of Taylor Armstrong's husband was a scripted scenario...far from it). Sadly, his suicide was the biggest piece of reality that's appeared on the show. "Reality TV" is NOT reality. It's gross exploitation of ego for the gain of money and temporary fame. Not all, but the majority of people that choose to participate in these shows lack morals, class, and character. What makes them so special? Nothing. Why are we as a culture placing them on a pedestal and idolizing them? What real value are they adding to our society?
How sad for Taylor & her daughter !! I myself went through domestic violence for 10 yrs. Waking up looking in the mirror at the bruises,black eyes,fat swollen lips. It is a vicious cycle to life. Especially when you life in fear. My heart hurts deeply for Taylor! I wish I could give her a BIG HUG. Adrienne is a great woman..I would love to have her as a friend. Everyone in life has "PROBLEMS" watching your show everyday..actually twice just in case maybe I missed something. I lost my grandson August 23,2009 he was 18 months..that took me as a person..in watching your show everyday,it has been therapy to help me ! Am trying to not be bitter anymore. Life is full of challenges and struggles everyday. Your show has self helped me in many ways.your moms quote is embedded in my head.."we are not put on this earth....." that is BEAUTIFUL..I WISH I HAD LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS. My depression has pushed my family and friends away ..leaving me very lonely and isolated. I need serioud help.could go on and on & on....Anderson I love you and appreciate you and your mom sharing your story..am sorry for your loss. You are so down to earth and (your laugh) puts a smile on my face...I love you for the person you are on the inside. I adore your love and respect you have for your mother. Wish I had that love from my sons..or that I could show my own mom the real love I have for her..all the abuse in the past and the loss of my grandson has put me on "the edge"I do have a 19 month old granddaughter now and anothergrand baby due on Xmas..from my son and his girlfriend that lost their son..Iwas very close to my grandson and now with my granddaughter her mom makes it impossible for me to even see her. Am in a world all alone! I do want to be in my granddaughter and the new baby due xmas..but I am not allowed to see my granddaughter. Don't understand why people use their kids..never will..I know that my problems seem/sound mild to all who read this. But they are "REAL" TO ME. Yes I have thought about suicide..so am reaching out for a voice to help me "laugh again" to be a human being bcuz really all I am is NUMB.....I WISH I COULD HEAR FROM ANDERSON BCUZ YOU SEEM TO BE A PERSON I CAN TRUST....MY STORY IS SO INVOLVED AND REALLY I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT IN WRITING.....
I do not feel uncomfortable watching the Housewives of BH.
These are real women struggling with real issues.
Since the loss of Russell Armstrong they are trying to put aside their own agendas and offer some compassion.
Life is short. It is hard to find a sincere friend who will be there through thick and thin. No matter how big the issues they always seem to get back together and try to hold it together.
Everyone is struggling these days emotionally even the wealthy.
God you all and stick together.
I would like to congratulate you in a wonderful program, but I really would like to get shirts for my chihuahas that say I <3 Anderson. Please advise. Thank you.
I don't enjoy watching this version of Real Housewives. This version is the most UNREAL of them all. I am surprised it even got a second season. It is really sad the Bravo decided to go with airing this season with the tradgety that happened..BAD BRAVO! I can't relate or enjoy this group of women and I happen to really look forward to watching most of the Real Housewives shows...well maybe except for Miami..that was another DUD!
I love watching the show....Yes it was tragic what Taylor's husband did...but you know what...that happens all over the world....there are many families left with the sorrow and the sometimes guilt of what could I have done....we should pray for these people...I myself when I was younger tried to do this, but Thank God, God did not let me fini*****....This is a reality show...it shows that the freak they do...however, I think the ladies could get along better than what they do....pull back on your mouth..keep some opinions to yourself...life goes on, and there are people who will feel the affect of what has happened, and we must try to encourage them and help them through it....it is not easy...no one is perfect...even though some of the people on the shows think they are...just Like Jill....she needs to get a life...
I did not feel uncomfortable watching this season's Real Housewifes of Beverly Hills. Unfortunately suicide is a fact of life and I truly believe that Russel Armstrong must have had this on his mind for a long time due to his previous issues with money. He was a grown man and able to make decisions for himself so I don't feel that the show was the catalyst that set him off. I love the Real Housewifes of Beverly Hills show and watch each episode.
I really love Anerson's show. He is such a delight to watch and he is so real. It is so cute to see him laugh at himself. What a breath of fresh air. I hope Anderson's show is a success.
To abra cadabra: Bravo is apparently editing out many(if not most) of the scenes that Russell was in during the 2nd season because of his suicide. It would stand to reason that these scenes focused on the struggles with his marriage to Taylor and most likely are composed of arguments and disagreements with her. Prior to his suicide, it was reported that Taylor had filed for divorce in July and there were reports of spousal abuse as well. Even though the current season was filmed months ago - before Russell's death - it would be rather distasteful to air them now.
I'm confused about this, so far on the series Russell is still very much alive right? Taylor is seen in the hot tub with Kyle in CO. and crying however, she's crying over their problems right? I'm not getting the editing stuff...how can they edit something that hasn't happened at the time of the taping?
Anderson is so accessible that he makes those housewives, whom I consider mostly shrewish, quite palatable. Just love his show.
trag·e·dy
noun /ˈtrajidē/
An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe
- a tragedy that killed 95 people
- his life had been plagued by tragedy
Nope, doesn't seem like this qualifies to me.
There was a walk in Victoria,B.C to Help Prevent Suicide on
Sept 10. It was a cause close to my heart as my brother Todd
committed suicide. Only 300 people turned out and we held hands
in front of the Parliament Buildings.The were expecting 1200 There was only a small article in the paper hidden the next day. One lady said she was writing a play to teach how this hurts those left
behind. I encouraged her to fini*****. When I stood up in front of two groups and shared the situation I felt very shunned. I said I would break the silence in my Brothers memory. I hope more people turn out in the US than Canada. Thank you for this blog Janice
Jus*****ching the beginning of the interview. I think it is preposterous that none of the women admit, whether he had "issues already" or not, being on reality tv must have added to his troubles - clearly. Not saying the show caused his suicide; just saying it certainly (at minimum) didn't help.
Turns me off: I'd be way more comfortable listening to the women, watching them if they didn't totally toss off that the show could have, at least, exasperated his troubles. Makes them look like women who are more interested in keeping a show than being honest, even about such a tragic event in their "friend's" life. Scrap it!