It seemed laughable when Tamra Barney called out Gretchen Rossi for a lack of moral character during Bravo’s Real Housewives of Orange County reunion show last month, but the more I learn about Gretchen, the more Tamra is starting to resemble a nun (a nun with blonde hair, breast implants, an over-inflated sense of entitlement and complete lack of spiritual depth – the kind of nun that would star alongside Steven Seagal in the action/adventure movie Praying for Keeps. But, a nun nonetheless…)
The latest on Grossi is that she is swapping spittle (and probably more) with OC veteran Slade Smiley. Slade, whose name sounds like a used car salesman from a Coen Brothers movie, seems to be Orange County’s hot brotato – an ex-fiance of former OC “housewife” Jo De La Rosa and also a former boyfriend of cast member Lauri Waring. (He had a short-lived reality show with La Rosa called “Date My Ex: Jo & Slade,” which was exactly what it sounds like, and lasted exactly as long as it should have) Most everyone assumes the “hook-up” is just a stunt to increase the likelihood the two will be invited back to the show next season. (More icky photos here)
What makes Gretchen’s reprehensibility stand out among the other current cast members (I just started watching the show last season) isn’t that she seems a bit sl**ty, or that she had a terminally ill sugar-granddaddy that she wasn’t much comfort to; it’s her weaselly dishonest desperation.
I know a lot of what we’re shown of these women’s lives is polished over and artificial (like much of their bodies) but it seems “real” enough to warrant being called a reality show. Between all the charity events and manufactured drama there are accurate glimpses into life on the “other side of the tracks,” most of which are unflattering to the women and the families involved. Gretchen not only doesn’t have a family, but everything she is and does on the show is because she desperately wants to be on the show! And unless they start filming her when she doesn’t know she’s being filmed, she might as well be on The Hills or the new Melrose Place! So, as an officially uncloseted fan of TRHOOC, let me be the first to cast my vote to not bring Gretchen Rossi or Slade Smiley back next season!
(Ha ha! I’m talking all serious about the Housewives of OC! Where’s the snark? Where’s the goofy drawing?!?)
Even if this latest act of sleazy and desperate fakery doesn’t merit her return to the show, Gretchen Sleepswithanymanshecomesacrossi may have other options to choose from. During last season’s episode in which she was at a party and received a Harley Davidson motorcycle from her hospitalized fiance, Gretchen was able to show off her mad chopper skills (the ability to sit on it without falling off), and that combined with her sack-hopping proficiency have spawned rumors that Gretchen will play the lead in this remake of the 1969 Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda classic:
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Bad news. Jeana is leaving the show. Such a bummer. I was hoping Vicki or Tamra would leave. Can’t stand either of them anymore.
Tamara is writing all of this please stop take care of your house oh……. you may not have one for long stop this sick you and your husband have been fronting . and being a true hater you made bad comment a bout gays
and then you had to clear thing up did you think that you would lose yor working relationship is that what you called it please do not let her return Gretchen makes good tv every wed site has her on there not you.
I think the show really isn’t about housewives to begin with. What housewife gets drunk in front of their kids all the time like Tamra? She is disgusting.
I think Gretchen and Bethanny (who are both single) are the most entertaining for sure and have the most glamourous lives so I love watching them.
I wish they would bring back Kimberly Bryant, I loved watching her too.
You are absolutely right Mimi!!! It was difficult to watch Tamra and Vicki be so childishly mean. Gretchen was full of life and fun. It’s obvious shes more popular as she gets ten times the comments on bravotv than the other women.
Gretchen is not an anything wife, so she really shouldn’t be on the show. I don’t have anything against her – she’s one of those lost women who have fabulous looks and confuse getting laid by rich or famous men with being loved by the right man. I just don’t get where she fits in on the show.
Tamra is a strange one. I’ve never enjoyed her on the show and now like her a lot less. She is a hypocrite. How dare she call anyone immoral. Who grabs their husband’s crotch in public or intentionally gets a “friend” drunk??
If I had to choose between the two, I would prefer to watch the foibles of Ms Rossi over those of Mrs. Barney.
I totally agree. Tamra hated Gretchen the minute she met her, had nothing to do with anything but pure jealousy.
I think Tamra keeps trying to make Gretchen look bad so people won’t notice how bad of a mother she really is. Her getting drunk in front of her kids all the time and exposing them to completely inappropriate things, it’s disgusting.
She is the world’s worst mother for sure. I feel so sorry for those poor kids.
Gretchen still remains the most popular housewife for a reason, heck the paps follow her everywhere. They don’t follow any of the other ones.
She seems like a genuinely nice person.
Gretchen had the choice whether to stay and care for Jeff or not. She made the completely selfless choice to care for him as he died. Not everyone would ya know. For Tamra to say ANYTHING about that is so completely insensitive and cruel. She doesn’t compare in any way to Gretchen, inside or out. Tamra seems obsessed with Gretchen and dragging her name through the mud, only making herself look more jealous. Doesn’t she have a lot of kids to worry about? And btw, Tamras hair looks like a wig sitting on top of her head. lol
Um, this article is bullsh*t. People can have open relationships and rebounds after the death of a spouse. She was there for Jeff, and she’s been through a lot. “Desperation?” More like cracking at the heart with every lie.
I think Gretchen has just as much a right to be on the show as anyone else. Bethanny is single and is on the housewives show.
I think both women are funny and entertaining so I say keep them on.
OK…I’ve never commented on one of these sites before, but I have read many realitytv blogs and I have to say…I’ve seen the same paragraphs supporting Tamra over and over again…copy and paste obviously. And I’m talking complete overposting, every other comment..ALL DAY LONG. So…apparently we have some overly obsessed fans, or it is possibly Tamra herself? Either way, its a bit scary really. Don’t know these women, but clearly most people don’t care for Tamra or Vicki.
Jessica – You are exactly right. The comments have gotten a bit out of hand thanks to some very passionate opinions about Gretchen and Tamra. (The situation is made even worse if these comments are indeed cut and pasted and spammed out on multiple blogs.) So, unless you are actually Tamra or Gretchen and can somehow prove it, let’s just drop the debate over which one is the bigger “wh**e.” My initial post was addressing whether or not Gretchen belonged on this pseudo-reality show when it appears most of what she did and said on the show was merely a ploy to be and stay on the program. Tamra doesn’t come across as very noble, but at least I can believe she’s often honest about what she’s saying and what she’s revealing about her life, and the same can be said for the other women on the show. Anybody want to talk about that? Or maybe about how Vicki’s daughter’s thinking about joining the military actually might seem like a rationally mature thing for her to do? Or why Lynne has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING on her kitchen counters? Mmmmm… good ol’ wholesome Orange County talk!
I meant to address my post to the psycho poster #44 (which is most likely Tamra).
Stop being a psycho and posting lies about Gretchen! You call yourself a fan, either way you are a complete psycho or Tamra (which is one in the same).
Get a life!
The show ended a long time ago and everyone has moved on!
You are pathetic!
She put herself in the position to be talked about and judged when she pretended to be this grieving loving fiance, but then played the old politician trick and put blame on Tamra for leaking the real truth. I am a fan of the show and have watched all the seasons, so damm what! You are calling me sick when it is obvious you watched also, and your a$$ is leaving comments here? I call them as I see them. If anyone should be looking in the mirror here its you. And who the hell are you to say what (Gretchen) deserves, do you know her? Maybe next time you wont contradict yourself. LMAO
I think your all pretty sick on this forum!! Maybe you ladies don’t have a life.. and have nothing better to do than try to dissect Gretchen’s life. NONE OF US have met any of these people… so who are you to be calling anyone a wh**e? Take a good look in your own mirror … I wish her and Slade all the best simply because she deserves it!!
I don’t understand why people are so obsessed with Reality Stars. She’s human and maybe she moved on with her life. who cares if she’s dating Slade.
Get a life people….
Um Holly/Tamra,
What does pointing out atrocious parenting have to do with Vicki? How is being concerned about innocent children who are blatantly exposed to disgusting things wrong?
People are talking about what they saw on the show (kids being exposed to drunken parents, etc). No one is making that up, it was on the show!
Any normal person would find that disgusting.
Last I checked it is a free country and people can point out bad parenting anytime they want and express their opinions.
You sound like the true psycho.