Sometimes on reality TV the drama is far better off camera than on. Which is exactly the case on Real Housewives of Orange County! Really, why bother with all the editing when these people create straight up chaos without it.
In the latest, Jim Bellino has been campaigning against the show all season long and following an explosive reunion, King Jimbo is making no secret of wanting Alexis Bellino to hand in her two weeks notice.
Here’s how it all began. Following the reunion, Alexis blogged about Tamra Barney‘s “Jesus Jugs” comment and stated it insulted Christians everywhere.
“Jesus Barbie was cute, but almost crossing the line — I can take it in stride. Yet, Jesus Jugs doesn’t just cross the line, it catapults over it. That comment has offended Christians everywhere. How does she decorate her home in crosses yet make a remark like that without an ounce of guilt?”
“Then she is promoting Jesus Jugs wine glasses her Facebook page? So now it’s blasphemy along with defaming Jesus and monetizing on what He sacrificed for us.”
In response, Tamra took the mouth that gets her in trouble over to RumorFix to accuse Alexis of being a “faux Christian.”
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“Unlike Alexis, I don’t need to hide behind the Jesus curtain and I don’t feel the need to preach,” Tamra retorts. “When someone is constantly preaching about something they are lying! Alexis and Jim are faux Christians, like her ring.”
“Does she think Jesus would be proud of her for judging me as a Christian, and the crosses in my house? Jim used to take Peggy Tanous to strip clubs after church when they were dating!” For the record, Peggy has not confirmed this.
“I don’t hide behind the Jesus curtain because of my past like him,” Tamra added.
Apparently for Jim those accusations definitely went too far and in a statement released to Us Weekly, he threatens legal action against Tamra for defamatory and slanderous statements. Oh dearie.
“The Real Housewives of Orange County is a reality show that is meant to entertain and engage audiences with the lives of its cast members. We recognize that the personalities, drama and conflict of the show attract fans to the popular Bravo reality series,” the couple’s statement begins.
“Unfortunately, some cast members use the show as a platform for personal attacks and character assassination, perhaps out of personal insecurity or simply to inflict pain. To the extent possible, we try to ignore this behavior.”
Well, attacking Alexis and Jim‘s religion, along with their marriage is something the Bellinos refuse to ignore. The statement continues:
“Recently, however, that has become all but impossible. The escalation of Tamra Barney‘s attacks has reached the level that we have been advised to take legal action.”
“To be clear, Tamra‘s most recent statements are completely false. While her motivation may be to elevate herself by hurting others, the law does provide boundaries outside of which even she may be held liable.”
“This vicious and malicious attack on our family will no longer be tolerated. We have continually tried to take the high road, however, if necessary, we are prepared to defend ourselves against these unfounded, slanderous and defamatory remarks to the fullest extent of the law.”
And just one day after a rumor that Alexis would be fired from RHOC, Jim admits he hopes that is the case as he no longer wants his wife associated with this show. And that, my friends, is the smartest thing Jim has ever said!
“I absolutely do not want her on the show,” Jim tells WetPaint. “But Alexis will do what she wants to do. It’s completely her call.”
“She’s talking to them now and we’ll see what happens,” Jim adds. “Whatever decision she makes, I just want it to be the right one for her.”
And Jim explains just what he found so offensive about Tamra‘s “Jesus Jugs” comment. “She offended so many people and she should apologize for it.”
“Think about it: What if she had called someone ‘Jew Jugs?’ It’s making fun of someone’s faith and it’s completely unacceptable. I find it offensive and horrible. That, to me, was also crossing a huge line.” I actually think that is a very insightful point.
As for Alexis, she, again, admits that S8 may not be in the cards. “The truth is, I don’t know if I’m cut out for this anymore. I don’t know if I’m cut out for such a hateful environment,” she confesses to WetPaint. (Do they have the Bellinos under contract?)
“I’ve been called phony, fake, mean, and hateful. But the thing is, there’s zero footage to back that up,” Alexis insists. “If there was, don’t you think they would have run it?”
Alexis continues, “At this point, I’m just trying to recover. I want to turn this into a positive experience. God put me in the place I am for a reason. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I’m a lot stronger today than I was at the start of Season 7. So I guess, in a way, I’m thankful. Very hurt, but thankful.”
Here is my two cents: Tamra has gone too far. I thought “Jesus Jugs” and her behavior at the reunion was ruthless – and not just towards Alexis. Tamra has always been sassy, but the comments she made at the reunion – unprovoked, largely – were shocking.
I’m not sure what the Bellinos intent is with this legal action, but Tamra is making some awfully slanderous accusations IF she doesn’t have anything to back it up. She did the same thing with Gretchen Rossi (it’s no wonder Gretchen decided to join ranks with her), but she actually had some proof there.
In response to all of this, Tamra has been re-tweeting comments like this one: “Don’t apologize to Alexis her boobs are fake, hair is fake, jewelry is fake, her wealth is fake, her Christianity is fake!” When another user accused her of “defamation of character” Tamra responded “oh plzzzz” Well, OK then.
“he’s searching to try and keep his wife’s job,” she later commented. Tamra has also been busy hanging out with Jill Zarin. Is that an omen? A photo of the two of them is below.
As for the rumors of cast firings, Vicki Gunvalson addressed it on Twitter. “The next year cast has not been chosen yet, nor as of this date has anyone been dismissed,” she announced.
DO THE BELLINOS HAVE A RIGHT TO SEEK LEGAL ACTION AGAINST TAMRA? DID SHE GO TOO FAR WITH HER COMMENTS? DO YOU THINK ALEXIS WILL RETURN NEXT SEASON?
Mean girls club! Tamra & Jill find solace in each other. [Photo Credit: Tamra Barney’s Twitter]
