I realize that the Real Housewives of Orange County started it all, and we’ve gotten some fabulously dramtastic additional members of the franchise in its wake. However, who determines when a Bravo staple has jumped the shark? I’m not saying RHOC needs to be retired. Shannon Beador hot tubbing in Spanx was television gold. Vicki Gunvalson’s inability to form a sincere apology is always mildly entertaining. Even Kelly Dodd and Tamra Judge have been easy(ish) to watch this season (did I really just type that?). That said, I can’t get over the newbies. When will Andy Cohen learn? No extra is going to infiltrate this dysfunctional foursome.
It’s a bit of a shame. I’m sure Emily Simpson and Gina Kirschenheiter are lovely people, but they are nothing more than filler. Even if they were the most interesting women in the world, no one would be interested in their storyline. The foursome runs off anyone in its path, but I have to hand it to Gina. At least she’s attempting so somewhat stir the pot with her screeching voice and her constant brashness in the name of authenticity. I actually really like her, but she won’t last. Maybe she’ll be picked up by another member of the franchise that has an easier orientation than subjecting newbies to the Kook of Coto.
Despite the fact that she’s a one season trick, just based on history alone, Gina is pretty funny and seems to truly genuine. Speaking to Bravo, she dishes on the ladies and that silly poker party. When asked how the OC pusses compare to her friends on Long Island, Gina responds honestly. She says, “I do not mean this in an insulting way, but I don’t think it’s possible to compare life-long friends to new groups of friends. My friends from home are family. I never question the friendships. Never feel insecure. Never feel like I’m not living up to some expectation. They are my sisters.” They are not judgmental shrews who respond negatively to just about everything.
A RHOC divorce before the season even gets going!
Of Emily’s poker party, Gina asserts, “I had an amazing time. I’m a mom of three young kids with a dad that’s away at work a lot. I don’t get out much. Being invited to an adult poker night was just was the doctor ordered.”
Speaking of doctors, the ladies weren’t too keen on her jokes about plastic surgery and fillers. When questioned whether she picked up on the tension from her table mates, Gina didn’t notice a thing. She recalls, “I honestly wasn’t aware I was being offensive. Other women at the table were talking about their plastic surgery, Botox, etc. so I was just honestly making a joke. I am not anti-surgery or Botox. I’ve had both. It was just a joke.”
She also takes an opportunity to clarify her version of the end of the evening when she was wearing on Emily’s husband Shane’s last nerve. Gina explains, “I left at the same time as everyone else. I was the last one to walk out. I was held up at the door saying goodbye to Emily and her family. They were thanking me, and I was thanking them. It was a great night!!”
Gina Kirschenheiter has no regrets on slamming Vicki Gunvalson
Gina continues, “Her husband came out of no where and started yelling at us all. I wasn’t aware there was any situation or struggle upstairs. Of course I would have respected that as I respected her and her party the whole night. I was polite, drank the whiskey that was served, and did not engage in any fighting. I tried my best to have fun at a party and pacify any drama,” adding, “I’ve never met Shane. He never came down and said hi to me. Emily never told us there was any issue upstairs.”
Concluding, Gina reveals, “Of course I feel bad the kids were kept awake. I’m LOUD!!! I’m self-aware, LOL, but had I known it was an issue upstairs, it would not have been an issue downstairs (or at least not from me). I was raised with manners. That’s why I attended an adult poker party and had a good time! My bad!!”
You had a good run, Gina. You weren’t given a fair shake. Ask any number of the Alexises or Lydias who came before you.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK GINA WAS OUT OF LINE AT THE POKER PARTY? WILL EITHER OF THESE NEWBIES SEE ANOTHER SEASON?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
