I HAVE TO SAY…

Hello! It’s time for another Reality TV Chat. This was going to be a podcast, episode, but after my surgery a week ago, I decided not to push myself into recording *and* creating content on top of the other responsibilities I have that I can’t take a real break from.

But I still want to put out *something*, so….

I have to say…it’s time for another Reality TV Chat.

This will be my full, unfiltered thoughts on the reality tv show I’ve been watching, and what I will be watching.

So thank you for joining me, than you for being here. And let’s get started.

RHOP S10

Real Housewives of Potomac just concluded with their reunion special.

One thing Monique is gonna do is bring a receipt, but I’m not gonna lie, I was very annoyed that the first part of the reunion ended on a cliffhanger for the second part to be receipts that are bleeped out. This isn’t even the first time this year that housewives across franchises have made an issue of things that were not caught on camera or cannot be discussed in depth on camera and at that point, I checked out because it clearly has nothing to do with me or us as viewers.

It doesn’t help that I genuinely do not care what if Stacey had anything to do with Chris or not. Their time on the show didn’t overlap, so it doesn’t feel like that big of a deal and no one could actually explain why I should care. 

Honestly, though, I don’t have much to say about the reunion or the season as a whole that I haven’t already said. Ashley’s still weird for messing with Charisse’s son. Gizelle shared a little at the reunion towards the end, but it’s worth mentioning that they left her out of the packages and at the end they all made the realization that she was left out. Hopefully this will signal to her that she needs to bring a little something something to camera. It doesn’t even have to be her dates or anything, but just…even if she talked one or one with a woman of her choice in the cast about what’s going on in her life, that’d be more than she is doing now.

Next season, I also need people to let their animosity or whatever towards Stacey and Angel go. I don’t know if personality wise Angel fits as a housewife, but I don’t think she was given real time to find out if she fits in this group because she was constantly on defense about different things. I like that she owns up to shit and I think her life could be interesting, so it would be cool to see her get another season, but I won’t be surprised if she takes a step back.

Next season, I do think Ashley should probably go, or at least be demoted to a friend of. I don’t blame her for hardening after her decade on reality tv and her divorce and everything, but it’s not fun watching her anymore, and I’m saying this as someone who enjoyed her in the earlier seasons. 

It need Stacey back.

I hope that things work out well for Wendy and she’ll be back next season.

I think either Gizelle and Karen should both be on, or neither of them should be on. Karen gets Gizelle to chill a bit, and I think it was missed this season, but I don’t really care if both of them to come back or neither of them come back.

I don’t know if Karen was any meaner to Wendy as any of the ladies are to anyone, but it was harsh given what Wendy is going through and what Karen has recently gone through and given that Karen just had a moment on camera with all the ladies, but I think she was trying to land a dig since she’d been missing.

Overall, the season was entertaining. I don’t think it’s peak Potomac, but it was fun.

Vanderpump Rules S13

I also don’t have much to say about what we saw so far about the Vanderpump Rules reunion. The rest of the season was okay, but it ended with Audrey roasting Angelica and I just know she was holding all that she said in. I cringed out of secondhand embarrassment for Angelica when she told those jokes because she aired out her business, and also because the things Audrey said didn’t feel like jokes. I get why Angelica felt attacked by Audrey saying she pretends like she’s healing, but she isn’t. But I was entertained, not gonna lie.

The reunion has been eh for me, and there’s not much to say about what they discussed, but one thing I want to talk about is Kim and Natalie’s argument because Natalie called Kim insecure in her relationship…and she is.

I think jealousy is normal, just as all feelings are, but there comes a point where you have to recognize that you’re projecting and in this case I think Kim knows her boyfriend, his name escapes me sorry, is capable of cheating on her and she knows Natalie as flirtatious person, so she’s reading more into than there is. I don’t think Kim is wrong for feeling that way, but I think that she’s wrong for not addressing that with herself and acting as if Natalie did something to her.

Overall, this season of Vanderpump was great. I’d be interested in seeing some new people on, but as it is, as a standalone, it was enjoyable, for the most part.

Canada Shore S1

This is my favorite reality tv show that’s on right now!

Every single person is dramatic and messy in their own way. I think that Ryleigh and Keyaira getting into it over Emmett, because Key set someone up with Emmet because Ryleigh was making out with one of their bosses RIGHT in front of them, top tier fighting. I was entertained even though I can acknowledge they were both doing the most for almost no reason.

In the most recent episode, Chris fighting with his house bestie Lila because she refuses to admit that she likes Ethan, annoying, but also entertaining. I don’t know why he was so pressed. Well I do, it’s explained, but the way he went about it was very immature. They were just trying to enjoy a nice wine day with Snookie, I don’t know why he had to ruin it. Though it was hilarious that he says red wine makes him messy and that’s why he drank it in his confessional.

I know I’m toxic for saying this…but…I like Isaiah and Gizelle together. 🫣 They have some sweet moments together, but once they’re out of the house, I hope Gizelle will runs, ’cause Isaiah is too immature.

My only gripe with this show is that almost everyone is boo’d up with someone. Literally only two people, Emmy and Chris, don’t have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone else in the house. And they’re mostly loyal, which is amazing, I love it. But they got together so fast and I’d love for it to get a little tiny bit more messy in the club.

Overall, if I was to recommend one lifestyle reality tv show, this is the one!

Traitor US S4

Congratulations Rob! You deserved it!

Not gonna lie, the editors had me and I really was doubting he would make it to the end, but his strategies, yes there was strategy involved, paid off. I need everyone to give him his flowers, because if you want to say he coasted, you have to acknowledge that it was because he made certain moves that made it so that he was able to coast.

Maura’s shock in the end. Priceless.

Also, Rob telling Eric, “my fault g” for backstabbing him, hilarious. Iconic.

I don’t know if I have it in me to argue about how things played out this season, which I’ll admit, is unlike me, but I’ll blame it on the surgery recovery.

But one thing I do want to talk about is the housewives on celebrity seasons conversations. An article I haven’t read has been circulating and it’s titled if housewives need to be off of the show. I don’t want to get rid of the house. I like seeing random people I recognize from different tv universes together in one place, and I’ll admit, they bring in views (though I don’t know if that’s a good thing), but I think that they need to actually show parts of what the show is if not a full season to contestants before they start playing, like Big Brother does with its contestants. I also think a reduction in the number of housewives would make a slight difference to game watchers, because as someone who loves all types of reality tv, the reunion was overshadowed by housewives doing their housewives thing and I didn’t want to watch that. I wanted to hear about people’s strategies, what people were thinking in the castle, and more about some of the big topics of conversations happening online, like Rob and Tiffany’s eliminations, like the gamers going out early, like if others thought throwing Lisa under was a good move, etc.

People watch The Traitors for different reasons, but at its core, it is a game, and it’s frustrating when people, both inside and outside of the castle, act like it’s not. Luck is a big part of that, and some of that luck comes from personal privileges, but there is still skill and strategy involved too. And though I know that even in civilian seasons, people end up taking things personally, ’cause that’s life for a few weeks, I think that unfortunately coming on with a following means you have to adjust what you publicly say and respond to so you don’t inadvertently, or purposely, mobilize your base.

And I think there’s a difference between being hurt and being a sore loser. 🍵

Overall, I wasn’t happy to see next season is a civilian season, but I get it now and I can’t wait!

Love is Blind S8 Ohio

So, this is gonna be my last season of Love is Blind.

The only reason I tuned in was to be able to talk about it, with a drop of nostalgia and fomo, but yeah, I’m done. I can’t do it anymore. I can’t pretend like I like this show.

It’s not even the fact that it’s clearly not about finding love anymore. Most “love” shows aren’t, sorry if that bursts your bubble.

But I HATE that this show positions itself like it is a serious love show. I hate that they pretend like this is a genuine love experiment about deciding ‘if love is blind” and then cast people who aren’t there to find love, or who are abusive people (the men, let’s be real), or who have secret families or whatever, while cutting out anything of substance.

This season had too many people, and the one couple that displayed what the show is supposed to be about, didn’t get very many scenes.

I’ve seen online people saying that Emma isn’t ready to be married or on this show, but I’d argue that she is actually who this show is supposed to be for, people who want to fall in love blindly, with physical details on the backburner.

And in my opinion, I don’t think physical details includes race, like people should be able to discuss their race, because as shown in this season and previous ones, race can be an important factor, especially when you’re casting conservative and racist people. I HATE HATE HATE this “colorblind” approach that Love is Blind is taking, acting as if “race doesn’t matter” or “I love you in spite of your race” when it should be, “I see you and honor your experiences and culture.” Obvi, not worded like that, but you get me?

Too many people conceded on their values to get airtime or to keep their contracts. The amount of talking about kids blows my mind, and it’s not that it’s an important discussion, it’s that Emma and the guy, sorry not looking up his name, got engaged knowing Emma didn’t want kids or was on the fence about kids. It’s that man dating a single mom after saying he didn’t want to be with a woman with kids, and then also not really having moments, at least shown that I can remember, with her kid. And it’s this man worried about getting trapped and wanting to track this woman’s period to make sure she doesn’t get pregnant. Like??? What are we doing here?

And to be clear, I don’t think it’s necessarily a problem for people to go onto reality tv with children, I think producers like that because it will inherently create drama, but I think there’s a lot of reality shows that are unserious, and when marriage is supposed to be the end goal, going on is a wild choice, but their choice to make. To me, I wouldn’t do it. If, IF, IF, which I never would, but IF I went on a reality tv show, as a single mom, I wouldn’t go on one that ends in an engagement or marriage. But obviously, going on any show can lead to future opportunities and a fanbase, so I’m not knocking it in its entirety, And in this one, if I remember correctly, they got married….but…..update post reunion: they got divorced. So….yeah. Alla that could’ve been avoided.

This show also highlights people’s (unfortunately women’s mainly) desperation for marriage. I don’t fault Brittany 100% for missing what seems to be obvious signs. Devonta should’ve spoken up sooner, but again airtime and contracts. It’s easy for us to say with the edit it’s clear he didn’t like her, but you never know what’s going on behind the scenes or in unedited moments. At the same time, I fault her some still because I think she was also blinded by her desire to be married. She knew he wasn’t attracted to her, but convinced herself it was in her head because she wanted a happy fairytale ending.

The only thing I don’t get is that people are getting on her for buying a wedding dress. Like your lockscreen is a vision board, you’re chanting “everything always works out for me” why do you not understand why she bought a wedding dress that she liked before going on Love is Blind?

So, yeah, I will be watching the reunion tonight, but as I said, I’m done with Love is Blind, hopefully. Don’t let me relapse. If I talk about it in a few months spray me with water or something.

Conclusion

So, that’s what I got for you today.

We just found out K Michelle. is going to be on RHOA, which I’m sooo excited for. It’s going to be a fun time!

This will be last season of Jersey Shore Family Vacation, which lowkey, I’m surprised it made it this long, but I’m excited to see them for one more season. Also wishing Snookie the best with her recent diagnosis of cervical cancer.

The next reality tv show chat may include shows like:

• Love & Hip Hop Atlanta (maybe, probably not, but I am watching)
• Ladies of London (need to start)
• House of Villains
• Southern Hospitality
• Top Chef (probably not, but I am watching)
• America’s Culinary Cup (maybe a one or two liner)
• Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
• Blue Therapy (maybe)

I may have forgotten some but yeah, thanks for reading.

I plan to have an episode out next Wednesday, 3/18/26 discussing Sinners!

I’m on instagram @ihavetosayyy. I’m on threads at lyssa_posts_ and @ihavetosayyy in case you want some visuals, updates, and whatever else.

Okay. thank you for joining me. Thank you for being here. Bye bye.

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