A Tale of Two Housewives DUIs

As a long-time fan of the Real Housewives franchise, I must say that Karen Huger, the Grande Dame of Potomac, has been a captivating figure since season one. Her regal persona and no-nonsense attitude have made her a beloved character in the series. However, this season seems to be testing her mettle more than ever before.

Over the past ten years since Shannon Storms Beador made her debut on The Real Housewives of Orange County, each passing year has brought fresh hurdles for Bravo’s most unfortunate Housewife. Given that she was recently arrested for drunk driving and crashed her car into a house, one might have thought season 18 would be an exception. However, the show also welcomed back Alexis Bellino, who is now engaged to Shannon’s ex, John Janssen, which seems intent on pushing her to her limit. Despite the challenging episodes, filled with emotional breakdowns and dramatic exits, Shannon managed to establish a strong footing on the series. Based on viewer reactions, this could potentially be the long-awaited good season that Shannon has strived for but never quite achieved.

For numerous viewers, the rising popularity of Shannon has taken many by surprise. However, for Tamra Judge from Orange County Housewives, this newfound fame hasn’t been as delightful. Some might claim, and she probably will during the upcoming reunion, that her persistent criticisms of Shannon and alliance with Alexis were driven by genuine feelings, but they were often strategically planned instead. Tamra believed she was following the wind, only to discover herself far off-course. Heather Dubrow’s late-season conflict with Shannon also didn’t generate much tension. Heather was correct that Shannon was crafting a storyline, a skill all long-term Housewives have mastered. However, it turned out to be an incredibly effective one.

In all its variations, “Real Housewives” is more than just a show about conflict and resolution; it’s also about the women’s personal journeys and the various roles they assume. After spending years on the defensive, which Tamra refers to as playing the victim, Shannon reached her lowest point this season, and she spent the time climbing back up. This is the narrative she is trying to promote: As she tells Tamra during a conversation, “I’m digging myself out of a hole, and I feel like you are one of the people trying to push me back in.” It’s this narrative that fans have connected with. We may not admire a DUI arrest, but we do appreciate a comeback story. We root for a fallen diva because it means she’s picking herself up again. Shannon’s rock bottom has given her an opportunity to reinvent herself. “I feel like I’m drawing strength from within myself,” she says in a confession. “I know that I’m a survivor. I’m not a victim.

It’s true that shaping one’s story isn’t always simple – just take a look at many Housewives whose apologies were met with strong rejection as evidence. Shannon doesn’t have control over audience reaction, but she has made an effort to evoke empathy from the start of season 18. In a remorseful and penitent manner, she expresses her regret and embarrassment for letting down her daughters in the season opener, questioning what kind of role model she is at 59. Later in the episode, she admits to her attorney that she wants to “accept responsibility” for her actions, labeling herself as a “complete hypocrite.” It’s clear that Shannon is taking accountability in these scenes, and Lisa Rinna, a former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, understands the importance of such behavior on the show.

Despite Heather and Tamra’s efforts to portray Shannon as a skilled manipulator, much of what happens in her narrative is beyond her control. Instead, it’s her fellow cast members who have significantly contributed to her positive image. Previously adversarial Gina Kirschenheiter has transformed into a loyal supporter, forgiving Shannon for past transgressions related to her DUI incident. In a confessional, Gina expresses that she sees Shannon being truthful for the first time, which allows viewers to extend the same acceptance and encouragement towards Shannon’s transformation.

From my perspective as a movie enthusiast, there’s Tamra, who seemingly dedicated this season to shouting at Shannon about her alcohol issues. Now, I get that viewers might share Tamra’s concerns – the producers strategically highlighting every drink order from Shannon certainly seems significant. However, the way Tamra expresses herself is a concern for many. As Gina puts it in one of her confessionals, “It’s not for Tamra to judge if Shannon is an alcoholic; it’s not for Tamra to belittle her and make her feel worse.” It seems that Tamra’s harshness, coupled with John Janssen’s lawsuit against her and Alexis’ constant jabs, has only served to further hurt Shannon. Given that Shannon started the season already feeling low, these attacks seem like taking advantage of a vulnerable situation, and it stirs up sympathy for Shannon among viewers. When she describes Tamra’s actions as “a classic case of kicking someone when they’re down,” I find myself nodding in agreement.

Shannon’s continuous struggles, or the hard hands she’s been given, play an integral part in the intriguing storyline. Although she might not want to be seen as a victim, it’s clear that life has repeatedly dealt her challenging situations. Her responses over time – marked by sudden departures and intense emotional conflicts with producers more than any other Housewife – have painted her as resilient yet delicate, a bird seemingly broken but not defeated. This is why Gina expresses empathy towards her in the first episode, saying “I can’t help it, I always just feel bad for her.” The audience finds it more compelling to root for her triumphant return when she seems so desperately yearning for success.

As a movie critic, I’ve been following the tumultuous journey of Shannon on this reality show, and the end of season 18 left her teetering on the brink of relapse. Tamra uncovered Shannon’s involvement in digging up dirt on Gina, and Shannon, unexpectedly, picked a quarrel with Katie Ginella’s husband, newcomer to the Housewives. However, the finale emphasized progress over conflict. Both Gina and Jennifer Pedranti, who have suffered collateral damage in the Tamra vs. Shannon war, underscored that despite Shannon’s flaws, she is making efforts to better herself. This heartfelt resolution beautifully encapsulates her season-long narrative arc.

It would be easy enough to say that The Real Housewives of Potomac’s Karen Huger should follow Shannon’s lead. Like Shannon, Karen was involved in a car accident between seasons and was arrested and cited for allegedly driving under the influence. But in the first five episodes of season nine, Karen seems to be taking a very different approach: Where Shannon has acknowledged her rock bottom, Karen is calling herself “totally blessed” and offering a dismissive “accidents happen.” There are major mitigating factors here, most notably that Karen’s case is ongoing and it would be legally unwise for her to publicly accept any responsibility. Even if she could speak freely, however, it’s unlikely she would ever attempt the narrative that Shannon has used to her advantage. For one thing, Karen has never been a broken bird — she’s the Grande Dame, a moniker that she has proudly employed as a sign of her Queen Bee status since the show’s first season.

In these television shows, the characters women play for years can restrict their storylines from evolving in various ways, whether it’s intentional or not. While there is potential for change, an abrupt personality shift can seem insincere. For instance, Karen’s character learning to apologize this season feels out of character because she has been portrayed as regal and prideful. Such drastic transformations can confuse viewers, especially when a fan-favorite character like Karen is involved, as her audience appreciates the grandeur she embodies. However, maintaining her regal persona may create challenges for her as the season unfolds.

So far, Karen’s actions aren’t helping her situation, as she’s using alleged disputes as a way to test loyalty among her friends. At her season premiere lunch with friends, she states, “This is your chance to decide where you stand,” implying that she wants to identify genuine supporters because she doesn’t want dishonest individuals around her. She’s been aggressive towards Jacqueline Blake, a friendship that seems unfair due to their differences, and this makes Karen appear as if she’s picking on someone weaker. The dispute started when Jacqueline suggested not judging until the case is resolved, and accused Karen of calling while under the influence. Furthermore, Karen has lost potential allies by inviting the cast to her ambiguous awards ceremony, which conflicts with an event honoring Gizelle’s late father that they had already committed to attend. Multiple cast members have accused Karen of avoiding the main issue, with Gizelle stating, “Karen, I’m not even distracted by your court case because I still know it exists.

Similar to Shannon, Karen finds herself facing criticism from her co-stars, but the style of shade known as “Potomac” is common and often reciprocated. Incidents like Ashley Darby giving Karen Uber gift cards or Gizelle naming a non-alcoholic cocktail after her don’t elicit the same response as Tamra repeatedly criticizing Shannon. On ‘Potomac’, these women are equally skilled in dishing out and handling shade. Karen herself admits, “I would be disappointed if Gizelle wasn’t messy. That’s what I like about her.” She also found the allies she was seeking in new full-time Housewives Stacey Rusch and Keiarna Stewart. At worst, Karen seems to be at an impasse with Mia Thornton, who persistently urges the Grande Dame to “admit it”. Even without legal training, it’s clear why Karen admitting anything isn’t something she’s able to do right now.

It’s possible that Karen will change her tune after her case is resolved, but filming for her show ended several months ago with no signs of the outcome yet. This suggests that the upcoming season may continue to be difficult for her. While it might be frustrating for Karen, this situation raises an intriguing question: Does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

And though crafting the right narrative is important for Housewife longevity, that doesn’t mean every Housewife should do the same song-and-dance. In Karen’s case, obstinacy and bravado have made her a star for nearly a decade, so she may well be right that being the Grande Dame is the story she needs to keep telling — whether or not she’s frustrating the audience with deflection. “People judging me is the least of my worries,” she says in a confessional, and she might be talking about viewers along with her castmates. “When have you ever known the Grande Dame to crumble? Never, and it ain’t gonna happen.”

2024-11-05 20:55

A Tale of Two Housewives DUIs

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