Farber spoke with pop culture professor Robert Thompson, who said of the Real Housewives franchise,

Essentially, this is a show about women behaving badly. That may be fun to watch, but by no means does it play to the more noble parts of the human spirit.

It's kind of hilarious that Farber felt he needed to consult an expert in order to tell us that the Real Housewives aren't, like, Tolstoy. On the other hand, it is kind of interesting to speculate about whether, as viewers, we're laughing at or with the 'wives. Andy Cohen, the show's executive producer, says, "It's about strong, driven, independent women, each with their own singular point of view." And he claims that the show's stars are cast for their status as "archetypical women," not their boobs or willingness to catfight. But Thompson says, "The 'Housewives' gives you a sanctioned, alternative space in which you can freely watch people you hold in contempt." And even Cohen admits that, "There are a lot of times where we are winking at the audience and saying, 'This one said she believes in raising kids healthfully.' Then the next thing she says to the kid is, 'Light me a cigarette.'?"

So is it Okay to like the Housewives? Clearly, anyone who says they watched the recording of "Tardy for the Party" for its musical value is full of shit, as is anyone who claims not to chuckle once in a while at the spectacle of grown women carrying on like overprivileged teenage girls. On the other hand, maybe a show about "women behaving badly" isn't so ignoble. I kind of giggle every time I hear Sheree say "People are intimidated by my success" in the opening credits, but at the same time, it's a pretty ballsy thing to say on television. Yes, the Real Housewives are full of themselves, but it's kind of exciting to watch women who are unafraid to assert how important they are. Kim, Sheree, and the rest aren't models of generosity or restraint — okay, they aren't really models of anything, except sometimes their own clothing lines — but they are loud and bitchy and attention-grabbing and people love them for it, which is maybe not such a bad thing.

Although Cohen may take it a little too far. He says, "Often, people want to apologize for watching. But I would defend this show to my death, for one reason: It's fun." The Real Housewives is pretty fun — but it's not really worth dying for.

It's A 'Real Housewives' World: How Catfights, Cougars And Cosmetic Surgery Conquered Television [NY Daily News]

1.) Flash Dance
This week on So You Think You Can Dance?, some woman flashed her crotch, and Fox gave her a flesh-colored blur, leading these ABC News correspondents to wonder whether or not she was going commando.

2.) Barbara disses Mariah's boring story on The View.



The interview was preempted for the breaking news that Chicago did not get picked to host the Olympics. When The View returned, Mimi's dog appeared.

3.) This.

4.) Jesus wanted John Phillips to have sex with his daughter.
Because he knew it would help Chynna sell her new album.

5.) Tyra has a knack for discovering people who are really good at being assholes.

6.) Tyra also finally discovered Objectum Sexuals.

7.) Check out this hot ticket on Judge Judy.

8.) So not glitz.

9.) Kim doesn't like anything "cheesy" or "cheap."
So don't let the wig fool you.

10.) NeNe bitches out Lara Spencer.

1.) Behind the Music: Bobby Brown



Despite the fact that Whitney's comeback album and big interview on Oprah is what's renewed the public's interest in Bobby Brown, none of that was mentioned. In fact, when he did speak of Whitney, he wasn't exactly diplomatic.

They were both fucked up during that marriage. After getting addicted to cocaine and heroin, Bobby says that he doesn't remember an entire five-year block of time.

2.) Seth MacFarlane dropped the F-bomb live on E!'s Emmys red carpet show.
And the censors were too slow on the uptake to bleep it.

3.) Michael Jackson's illegitimate sister's first-ever TV interview
Joh'Vonnie Jackson, 31, is Joe Jackson's lovechild who was evidently always known about and even invited to a family reunion at Neverland.

4.) In other fucked-up showbiz family news
While on Oprah on Wednesday, Mackenzie Phillips thought this anecdote about Mick Jagger would lighten the mood set by her incest bombshell, but the audience was too freaked out.

5.) Synergy of #3 and #4
The Insider presents Mack and Mike, together, singing a song about addiction…to junk food.

6.) Lara Spencer's spot gets blown up.

7.) Language arts with The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Alternate way of saying "tardy for the party":

Alternate way of saying "STFU":

Alternate way of saying "vagina":

8.) Wendy Williams sucks at American history.

9.) Khloe Kardashian ponders one of life's big questions.

10.) Senior citizens in a strip club
A strip club in Florida offers senior citizens free flu shots and a buffet lunch.

Free food, meds and tits? This guy is probably wondering if he died already, 'cause he's in heaven.

1.)The Jerry Lewis Telethon
He ages like cheese, becoming saltier, stankier, more intense, and thus more enjoyable.

Also more offensive.

2.) AARP Lapdance

Charo performed Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music" in the middle of the night during the telethon. I guess the intent was to wake people up. She went out into the crowd to get the audience dancing. When they didn't want to, she would hit them with her vagina.

3.) Tyra's back!

4.) And she wants to teach you stuff.
About menstruation.

How to frown with your eyes.

And how to not like your makeup.

5.) Janice still hates her.
After Tyra's Nightline interview during which she refused to discuss Janice Dickinson, Janice went running to The Insider to respond.

6.) The View returned.
Which is good news for those suffering in the recession.

7.) Kim needs a job.

Her daughter concurs.

8.) Blind-folded musical chairs.

9.) "She ain't messin' with no broke bro."

10.) The La Toya interview tonight will be awesome.
Judging from The Insider's preview of it.

Tameka is said to be replacing DeShawn Snow (the boring one). Her marriage to singer Usher is her third. The couple are parents to two kids, and Tameka has several more from previous relationships. Also, according to this source, Sheree is lying about unveiling She by Sheree at Fashion Week, and Nene is getting her very own spinoff series. [Bossip]

Earlier: The Real Housewives Of Atlanta: We Think We Know Who Kim's "Big Papa" Is

So NeNe…

...received some devastating the news in the form of an extremely poorly written letter from her aunt who seems to have sour grapes over the fact that NeNe has some money now. They showed shots of three different pages from the letter and I paused it and transcribed them exactly.

You need to look in the hart and ask your self what kind of person am I eeery time you wesh face. You are the kind of person all for your self. you cam down here for xmas gave nellie something but did not give me any thing. You was trying to hurt me but that is all right. God give it and he can take it a way so dont for get that I live on a fix income. Hilda help me. You never give me anything. You go....

When you can from New Yourk you 3 year old we took you as our girl and you did not want for anything. Now you are lady and you have for got about me and Nellie the two that you across the brigde you have come up in life and for got all...

This is not a good letter. But I got to get this of my mine. I want want to let you know that you are wrong for get were you can form and who was there when you need them. I was there. I did all kind of thing for you when you was a little girl and your brother. Ask Nellie and she will tell you I make sure that you had a new dress even...

Related: Get Thee a Creative Director! And I Don’t Mean Joe Zee [Observer]