Real Housewives: Product Placement

Bravotv.com

I always wonder how our beloved Real Housewives became so oblivious. They actually mean it when they say "I wanted a platform to promote my cause/business/charity/product/etc." Every person on this planet knows that the only thing taking center stage on the Real Housewives of "Wherever" is the drama... except, apparently, the Housewives themselves.

In a post-Bethenny world, Real Housewives all over the nation seem to think that they too can become multi-million dollar tycoons or philanthropists. Seeing business meetings and infomercial-like interviews about their businesses or charities is now par for the course and it's confusing.

Take Moron of the Day  -- or actually Year (yes, all "265" days of it!) -- Porsha Stewart who made a tragic appearance on the Wendy Williams show. Wendy asked why she would do such a "drama-filled show" given her family's prestigious legacy (her grandfather is Hosea Williams). Her response: "For me, it was important... to be able to have this platform, for me to express what's important to me, and that's my family's foundation: Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless. I thought, hey, this can take it nationally. So that's what I decided to use it for."

I searched Porsha Stewart on Google News, and among the headlines were "Kenya Moore and Porsha Stewart's Fight Escalates in Anguilla," (my favorite) "Porsha Stewart has Video Vixen Past," and "Porsha Stewart says Kenya Moore is Envious." Her family's foundation is, unsurprisingly, absent from all the headlines, and it comes as no surprise that it has taken a backseat to the drama that keeps ratings high. I know, Porsha is only one Housewife, and given her penchant for stupid, it's really not a surprise that she didn't think that response through... but Portia isn't the only one suffering from delusion.

Kathy Wakile really thinks we care about her "Dolci Della Dea" Cannoli Kits; Teresa Giudice truly believes that we're bursting through doors to buy Milania Hair Care products (which, by the way, she named after her daughter. How low-rent...); Alexis Bellino assures us that Alexis Couture will be the next Marc Jacobs; Sonja Morgan won't stop talking about a toaster that hasn't even hit shelves yet.

News flash ladies: We don't care! All the products that these women try to hawk are just novelty products with shelf lives -- as soon as the show ends so will the purchases (if they're even being purchased now). In 30-40 years, people are still gonna be drinking Dom Pérignon and Moët, but Ramona Pinot Grigio will be forgotten. 

So why do these women really think they're establishing legitimate brands by joining this show? The only explanation I can think of is because Bethenny turned Skinny Girl into a 128 million dollar business, but she was a diamond among cubic zirconias. It won't happen again. 

What happened to the good old days, when the housewives did the show for the money and fame? Is that any more commendable? Ehh, but it was authentic and realistic. Watching the Housewives talk about their business lives and their array of products has become nauseating. I wish the women would stop trying to be Richard Branson and Martha Stewart* -- leave the innovating and business managing to the ones who know how to do it!


*Take note ladies: You would never see Martha Stewart or Richard Branson throwing drinks and exchanging blows....