Real Housewives of New York Reality Check: Jill Zarin Masters the Staged Sneak Attack
Last week on The Real Housewives of New York City, Kelly had a nervous breakdown and had to be airlifted off of the Caribbean island where Ramona was hosting her bachelorette party, but when viewers saw the ladies again last night, most of them were still trapped on the island. It was truly a hostage situation, one complete with mandatory pedicures and a torture session courtesy of special guest Jill Zarin. As always, Movieline assesses which moments hit the Real/Fake jackpot and predicts which housewife will have have the worst cast of post-traumatic stress.
REAL: Jill Zarin Decided to Host Her Winter Party in a Skating Leotard
Another week of Housewives means another ridiculous social event. This time, the fete was Jill's Winter Party, which was thrown at an ice skating rink so that everyone could enjoy the seasonal activity and a surprise performance by the host.
The whole "skating thing" threw off Kelly, who was still recovering from being trapped on an island with Bethenny for a week and babbled into the camera, "I was like, ice skating? Why a skating party? Skating?"
Why? Because Jill really wanted to show off her skate skills for the cameras. After taking a break from her hosting duties, Jill changed into a hot pink leotard (that she just happened to have with her) and asked for some Olympic skating coaches (who just happened to be in attendance) to accompany her over to the rink. "OK, who's ready?" the host shouted to the crowd of partygoers as she stepped onto the ice and then...[gasp]...tripped, diving face-first onto the rink.
"I wasn't embarrassed," Jill explained later. "If you're going to try something new, you're going to fall...but I have been ice skating since I was 9."
FAKE: Jill Zarin "Just Decided" To Drop in on Ramona's Island Bachelorette Party
If Ramona's bachelorette party had been at some Lower East Side strip joint, I could have almost believed that Jill "just decided" to drop in on the soiree. But "dropping by" a party that is being held on a secret island deep in the Caribbean -- so remote that Kelly had no way of escaping until she was declared clinically insane by a Bravo-mandated EMT and airlifted out -- is just not realistic, not even for the minimally reality-approaching standards of Real Housewives. It wasn't just finding the location that defied credulity -- it was that Jill would want to "drop in on" these women, half of whom she'd had serious altercations with in the past few episodes.
However unrealistic it was, the sneak attack was still a brilliant move by producers that was so inappropriate and ridiculous that even the cast members, now jaded by heavy "story editing," had not anticipated Jill's cameo. Their reactions to Jill, and her poor, beleaguered husband Bobby, were genuine: Alex broke out in hives and trembled so visibly that Ramona had to rock her until she was calm again, and Ramona declared herself speechless -- a condition apparently marked by lots of frantic speech. "You've got to be kidding," she said. "You have to be f***ing kidding. Jill just walked in. I don't get it. I don't know what to say." And for that very real reaction to the fakest scenario in Housewives of New York City history, we say "Bravo, Bravo."
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Comments
I just wanted to comment on the way Jill has been being treated by some of the ladies. I think that it's unfair especially by Alex. If she has some issues with Jill for 2 yrs then why hasn't she grown some backbones and discussed them with Jill. Why did she use Bethenny's issue with Jill to interfere. Alex is full of crap and I hope the other ladies will see that soon. Yes, Jill can be overbearing and wants to be in on everything, and yes, she can get on your nerves with it sometimes. But, guess what isn't that part of who Jill Zarin. She means well. She's not vicious and vindictive as Alex is and that's why Alex hurt her feelings by embarrassing her. That was what Alex set out to do and that being a mean girl and high school. Yea to Louann who remains close to Jill and a very good friend. I'm not saying I agree the way she did Bethenny and Bethenny tried to make up their friendship but Alex should have butt out. Alex has been wanting the spotlight every since she's enter the picture and she's a mess and very messy she'll do anything to take away the spotlight from Jill and she has shown it. To you Mrs. Alex what goes around comes around and I will be glad when the day comes and everyone is on to your tricks [bow-wow]
RE: From GG | Posted 30 May 2010, 6:03 PM
So obvious that the comment was written by Jill Zarin herself. It's the only one validating her behavior. Jill & Kelly can share a padded room together at Bellevue and their delusional voices in their heads !
If Alex is a "mean girl," then Jill must be Satan's spawn. It's probably true that deep down she's a good person, but between her inner goodness and her pancake makeup are a lot of cruel, nasty words that frequently spew out her mouth. I guess that GG equates "overbearing" with being cruel and verbally abusive. If that behavior is Jill's way of showing her "good intentions," then God help those she's trying to "help."
Jill feels threatened(can't stand alone against someone, always has to form a "posse").She is awkward, and jealous. Bethenney has forgiven her, but Bethenny is smart enough to keep Jill out of her inner circle. Bethenny has a life (gorgeous new hubby & baby to keep her busy). She will never have the kind of superhuman strength/energy it takes to be Jill's friend. Jill is miserable and lonely, she's a full-time job. Jill is jealous of all of the housewives(Kelly,Bethenny,Ramona & Sonja)constantly sizing everyone up and comparing herself to them. Jill is very insecure and has low self esteen. She is the LEAST attractive of the housewives and even with all of her surgeries, she can forget it. So save yourself the stress of overanalyzing the others.
When LuAnn falls in love(and she will), Jill's stalking behavior will intensify just like it did with Bethenney. Jill needs to get a life, she is clearly in a marriage of convenience, and is constantly looking for stimulation from others when she needs to look to her family.
Bethenny parting ways with jill is like having a bad tooth extracted,RELIEF!!! I'm sure Bethenny will not allow that rotten tooth back into her life.
Bethenny will allow Jill back in her life when she needs something from her. She's a sad creature who's unable to see the consequences of her actions, it's all about what someone can do for her NOW. She doesn't realize that where people are today may not be where they are in a year - and they will remember her.