Apparently the preview of the new season that Bravo sent out to reviewers earlier this summer was filled with Russell and Taylor Armstrong drama. It was going to be the centerpiece of the show. From the very first seconds of the trailer, Taylor talks about her marriage falling apart and then Lisa and her husband dismiss her concerns. It goes on from there. With a story line already in place, the producers are going to be forced to find a new story line and then edit it and there might just not be enough time. Plus, even if they do edit it, are they going to remove Taylor completely from the show because all she does is talk about Russell? An added worry for Bravo is the fact they may be blamed for Russell's death and do not want to make things even worse for his family. So, do they cancel the show? Do they just scrap the season? What do you think should be done?
I don't think they can cancel their highest-rated show. If the could find a way to just cut out Taylor and Russell, I think they should. No one wants to see her and it would be creepy to see him.
ReplyDeleteBring in LeeAnn Rimes and let it rip...
ReplyDeleteI saw that they were now re-editing due to his death. I guess that's the answer.
ReplyDeleteI like califblondy's idea. "Catfight!"
ReplyDeleteKind of ironic that she badmouthed him so much for extra screen time and now all of her attention whoring is for naught.
ReplyDeleteMore important...and earthquake in Washginton D.C, Virginia ...we felt the aftershock here in New York....
ReplyDeleteweird I thought they were working outside on my building...My desk vibrated ...
@MISCH
ReplyDeleteI wondered if any of the "regulars" on here felt it. Quite a sizeable one for that region, isn't it?
I like Califblondy's idea as well. I would love to see Brandi kick LeAnn's skanktastic ass. ; )
ReplyDeleteThey shouldn't do anything- we know he killed himself- show the reality.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is I HOPE they dont take Michale Salahi up on her offer to be on RHOBH since she moved to California to try to be on it. PLEASE don't let that happen Bravo.
ReplyDeleteI felt the quake too! In Kentucky! I thought I just had a bad hangover!
ReplyDeleteI think they need to edit Taylor completely OUT if they continue with it. I don't care if they mention her/his death in the first episode but I just think it's kinda tacky to include him at this point. Plus his family is NOT cool with them airing ANYTHING on Russell.
ReplyDeleteI read an interview that Russell did with a magazine and he basically said the whole show was total bullshit, all the fights were coerced and that they threatened to can them both if they wouldn't include their marital drama. Now, duh, to all these revelations BUT now that someone has died, I just think it's best to not include them in this season.
Voice O' Reason
ReplyDeleteVery unusual for this area, really just thought it was construction being done...the airports are closed they're checking the runways for cracks, the bridges are open ....
I wouldn't be surprised if after all said and done there is some damage to the buildings...we won't know for a while.
I don't think they can save it. They can't just shove the storyline (Russell's life) off to the side. Too cold and to try to suddenly make everyone look like they care would be too much acting for any of them.
ReplyDeleteThe only respectful thing is to cancel. But when is a station respectful of human life verus ratings. Bravo will most likely go for the ratings over Russell's life. Feed the masses their blood and gore.
Sorry to sound so cold I don't think you can save this situation. I mean the guy's dead and they've been showing him at his worse, even if he was not a wonderful guy can you do that to his family, folks, kids, siblings, etc.
@Jessica: Michaele Salahi is the embodiment of the word "famewhore." White House party crasher, RHODC (cancelled,) Celebrity Rehab (fired,) MS (maybe,) wannabe "recording artist" (lame,) enlisting the aid of a surrogate mother to have a baby (please,) now sniffing around the wreckage of the Armstrong drama to finagle a spot in BH...she's like the tall, blonde, emaciated Tila Tequila.
ReplyDeleteTara, I'm with you. I don't see much merit in sugarcoating the situation.
ReplyDeleteI think he took the cowardly way out, and they should show it, unless Taylor objects. I'm sure she's distraught about it, but if she's cool with it, show it. Guy sounds like a real DB. I feel sorry for the kid though, she's gonna have some issues.
ReplyDeleteI don't get why people say committing suicide is cowardly? To me, if anything, it takes some guts to do that to yourself.
ReplyDeleteOr is it cowardly because it's hard to live with your problems?
Can someone explain.
I agree with Jeri.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for saying that, Sue Ellen. People who say that people who commit suicide can honestly shut the fuck up. Clearly you have never been in the depths of despair where the only relief you can see is death - good for you. But how DARE you judge a person if you haven't walked in his/her shoes. I can tell you from experience that survivors of a suicide don't feel as if our loved ones are cowards, we feel sorry and guilty about their pain. And those of us who have contemplated it ourselves know what that pain is like.
With regards to the earthquake, a friend in Toronto said she felt it this far up north...and here we are on the west coast, thinking we have the monopoly on earthquakes ;)
@RQ
ReplyDeleteTrue story I feel bad for somethings I have said to certain posters on here in regards to this because, honestly, I have no idea how it feels to be at those depths of depression and sadness where suicide is the best way out. I can kind of imagine, but I don't really have any idea. I do know that every life means something, so it's a damn shame when people feel so bad that that is what they do.
I didn't feel anything this time, but I did feel the one in Pennsylvania a few years back. However, there was an F-3 tornado just NW of here over the weekend that destroyed a whole town and killed one person. I know that doesn't really seem like a lot in comparision to other places, but we don't get that kind of severe weather here.
Wow. This is long. Sorry.
*some things.
ReplyDeleteI didn't edit.
Sitting here waiting for the big one to strike in the Midwest like they have said we will get for the last 200 years. We've had two minor ones in the last couple of years. The last one had the windows rattling very early in the morning, I thought someone was trying to break into our house LOL
ReplyDeleteRegarding Russell I can't get past the fact that he hung himself. What a very self punishing way to go. Pills and mostly you just drift off, a gun shot if done correctly is over in a flash. If he was cowardly or if it was for revenge there are easier ways to do it. I am no expert but that just screams self loathing/total despair to me. Having never been to the edge like that I find it hard to judge him in that situation
I just realized I needed to edit, too.
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd sentence in my 2nd paragraph should read, "People who say that people who commit suicide ARE COWARDS can honestly shut the fuck up." When I'm angry I miss words, apparently!
Amen regarding the rather obvious distinction between suicidal people and cowards. Someone who willingly gives up on life itself is running from something truly significant, at least in his or her mind. It may be delusional and wrongheaded,* but it's not cowardly.
ReplyDelete*GG bridge jumpers who survived have reported rethinking the plan immediately after jumping.
I'm in the camp of shutting this franchise down for a while if they don't have enough footage without the Armstrongs to put out a product. I think Bravo forced something that they shouldn't have.
I watched a documentary that showed people ending their lives by jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. I will NEVER look at that bridge the same again. :( Even in the opening credits of Full House.
ReplyDeleteif the show was all bullsh*t (which is probably is) and they were told they would be fired if they didn't air their drama, THEN DON'T DO THE SHOW! don't later say it ripped your marriage apart and pushed you to the edge...just get fired/quit, don't get your precious $$ and go out of the spotlight to get your sh*t right.
ReplyDeleteI thought I read somewhere or it was a BV that they were going to say they were going to cancel a show due to some major drama on the show, but it was only to fool the people and boost hype and bring up the ratings. Everyone either guessed or it was said that is we BV house wives.
ReplyDeleteI do NOT mean to be selfish, but I truly was looking forward to this season, NOT because of Taylor (I planned to DVR it and FF straight through her parts) but I will be sad not to see all the rest of the dumb bitches actin' the fool!
ReplyDeleteBut this is really, really sad, and I would say they ought to scrap this season for a lot of reasons.
I'm in northeastern NC on the ocean and one person here said they felt it today, but I didn't.
ReplyDeleteWe're more worried about preparing for stupid hurricane Irene right now...
I can't believe I am saying this, but I think they should run the program exactly how they planned it. They are being criticized for not being "reality" yet how real can you be than one of the major people on the show actually commits suicide.
ReplyDeleteBravo is NOT responsible for this man's death. The only people who could ever be held responsible is the man himself, and perhaps his doctor's, if he was under doctor's care and negligence was proven.
I do not believe that to be the case here. I see a man who was obviously a tortured soul who tried to blame everyone and everything around him for his troubles. But he was a grown man when he signed on for the show and I am sure did make money off of the show.
He decided to get physical with his wife. He decided how to spend too much money and not make enough to support he and his wife's lavish lifestyle. He decided to do the show. And ultimately, he decided to end his own life.
If Bravo stood strong and presented the show as is, how could they possibly ignore Russel? Talk about a 2000 pound elephant in the room!!! I honestly think it would be some of the most must-see television in reality tv history.
Hmmm, interesting perspective Ice Angel.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if its just easier to label suicide as a cowardly or selfish act in an attempt to somehow make the survivors feel better or less guilty?
I totally agree with Ice Angel. I don't know how his family can get upset if they air the season as planned. He signed the contracts to be on TV. He could have been like another husband (Dina's on RHONJ) and not be shown at all. I'm sorry but he was just as much a famewhore as the rest of them. Sorry for his family that he decided to end his life, but this is how it is and they can't change that fact.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't think suicide is cowardly. I've been there and I just couldn't imagine living anymore and honestly thought that everyone else would be better off without me and my issues anymore. I've taken a bottle of pills twice and have been found in time to have my stomach pumped. I've done counseling, etc. Most of the time I feel better about my life but I will say that there are times that I really struggle still and I'm pretty sure I will probably try again in the future. I will say that a couple of times I thought about stepping in front of a bus or the lightrail but I stopped at the last minute because I didn't want the person driving to have to live with my decision. I think that is cowardly - to basically have someone else do it for you.
I agree with Ice Angel/New Life. If you watched the first season, they really didn't show Russell in an extremely bad light. He's pretty bland, there was an instance or two when Taylor wanted to stay out and he wanted to go home (and whatever Russell says goes, so he seemed controlling, yes), and a few times when she's is talking to the other HWs about how she isn't very happy in their relationship. I mean, he didn't seem like some great guy, but they NEVER discussed or showed him abusing her, even verbally. So how much of that footage do you think they have in the second season of filming? I'm going to guess that it IS a lot marriage drama and issues, but I highly doubt he did anything violent or abusive with cameras around. And if she didn't talk about that treatment with the cameras around in the first season, why would she do it in the second season? I think they should probably edit out instances where any of the HWs speak about him badly or offensively to the point where it would upset his family, but other than that...roll it as is.
ReplyDeleteI think what Russell did was cowardly & selfish. He had 3 children, and that sweet 5 year old girl will barely be able to remember her father. And a lot of what she will see is from RHOBH where he was made to look like a villain.
ReplyDeleteAnd as IceAngel said, he made his own choices including getting physical with his wife, spending too much to live the BH lifestyle & signing up to be on RHOBH.
Does it take guts to commit suicide, I'm sure it does; I could never imagine doing it. But that doesn't mean you're not a coward or selfish.
^^ Another one who has clearly never felt the world would be better off without you and couldn't live another day. Good for you, dear. You clearly know everything and have experienced it all. /eyeroll
ReplyDeleteYes, leaving 3 children without there father is in no way, shape or form selfish. /eyeroll
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ReplyDeletetheir not there*
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ReplyDeleteIt's fascinating how much you know about mental illness and brain chemistry, Miranda, it really is. Please, tell us more.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure when Russel's children heard of his death (and when I heard of my father's), they felt exactly that: what a selfish coward my father is. Yes, I'm sure that's what they felt. Seriously. Just shut your mouth about stuff you clearly know nothing about. Done with this thread.
Gee. RHOBH went from a "reality" show to a reality show. I don't think Bravo can handle it.
ReplyDeleteI think people say it's the cowards way because it seems an easier and quicker way to end their troubles, when they don't see a way out or feel cornered. Some people just can't fight anymore, it gets tiring after a while. Lord knows I have come to understand better what some people must go through while dealing with some difficult situations myself.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I don't know Jack Sh*t about mental health and brain chemistry either but I don't think all suicides can be attributed to mental illness. Sometimes Life throws some nasty and unexpected curve balls and some of us deal with them better than others.
I've never seen one of these shows, but have always wondered why it is called "Real Housewives" because it seems like the gossip I read is about them being single and having relationships, or getting engaged. Guess the definition of "housewife" has changed dramatically.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to whether they need to cancel the show because they have to get a new story line, that doesn't make sense to me. Since the show is supposed to show "reality", I can see that they would cancel the show because the reality that they filmed would be disrespectful to the dead. However, "a new storyline" makes it sound like a scripted show.
Agree with Ice Angel 100%.
ReplyDeleteAww, Sue Ellen, how sensitive of you to apologize for telling me to go kill myself. *eye roll*
ReplyDeleteIt's because you're an asshole Mooshk. But I don't really mean it and would feel awful if you did die.
ReplyDeleteBut, seriously, you're an asshole and if anyone should have problems, it's you.
They wanted drama, they paid for drama, they got drama. Why are they acting surpised? Air it.
ReplyDeleteWow people- this is exactly why I don't post here as much as I would like to.
ReplyDeleteI like and respect for the most part the viewpoints of the regulars here but when it gets to something like this, and its nasty, and people are judging others from behind their computer screens on a topic as personal as this, it is a deterrent to an actual conversation and descends into calling people names.
The truth is there are 2 sides to this and both are valid. It is true that no one can understand what it feels like to be suicidal and truly think the world/your family/etc would all be better off without you unless you have been there yourself. It is a horrible, desperate, beyond lonely feeling, and an incredible burden to bear. I'm sure it takes considerable courage in the moment to make the actual decision to pull the trigger as it were. Judge not people.
At the same time, it is also true that SOME people employ suicide as a permanent solution to what are actually temporary (over the course of a lifetime) problems that they don't want to face, and in doing so leave behind family and friends who may be fully justified in thinking the actions of the departed were selfish. Case in point, my roommate in college, her father killed himself when he realized he was going to be indicted for insider trading. She was 16. She had three younger siblings. While of course she was incredibly sad it would be incorrect to not also say she felt her father's actions were selfish, they were not in the best interests of the family, and that the aftermath they went through was probably much worse than it would have been had he gone to jail. It's now been over 10 years since we were in college and she while she isn't angry like that anymore, she still thinks her father took the easy way out for not facing the consequences of his actions and leaving her family with serious financial liabilities and emotional baggage (one of her younger siblings "found" him) which they will now carry the rest of their lives.
The point is, there are 2 sides here. It's not that hard to understand both. Can't people just be respectful of one another's opinions on a topic as serious as this?
@lzahart - out of curiosity, how much suicide survivor and suicide information counseling have you had? None? That's what I thought. I've had two and a half years with a major organization to understand why my father did what he did and to learn more on the subject.
ReplyDeletePlease do us all a favour and look up suicide facts and statistics - it may possibly have done your friend some good to do the same. The FACT is that less than 1% of suicides are spontaneous and based on ONE event (for example, "killing yourself over X event or X person). In 99% of SERIOUS attempts (and that is an important distinction), there is underlying mental illness and the victim (yes, I said victim) has considered suicide multiple times previously. In virtually ZERO cases, there is ONE cause of a suicide. Rather, mental illness, and overwhelming feelings of EVERYTHING being irreparable (health issues, relationship issues, addiction issues, job issues, legal issues, etc. all come together) contribute to the hopeless feeling that causes suicide.
People who have had depressive episodes and have pulled through tend to be those who cry "coward" and "selfish" the most - news flash: depressive episodes are not serious mental illness or debilitating, chronic depression. Heart attacks kill people with heart disease. Organ breakdown kills people with cancer. Suicide kills people with mental illness. Period.
Yeah, that's about what I thought your "apology" was worth. Hating you doesn't make me an asshole. Laughing at handicapped people who fall down and ignoring people who are passed out in public with god knows what's wrong with them does make you an asshole.
ReplyDeleteOh, and way to demonstrate hypocrisy in two quick sentences.
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing about some documentary they did on suicide SURVIVORS when attempted the big jump off bridges. They said that in almost every case that about half way down, the people realized their problems WEREN'T insurmountable and they regretted what they had just done. It is so interesting to think about regardless.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, I say, show it all. I dont think freaking Real Houswives on Bravo caused a man to commit suicide- he and Taylor had been having financial problems/scandels for years before this. Perhaps everything (includ his marriage) was about to go public and this tipped him over the edge. As long as they dont go too tacky or gross into their relationship, and try to draw that ever shrinking fine line between privacy and reality tv, I will be fine with it.
*who
ReplyDeleteThat;s why you're an asshole lady. You make stuff up as you go along. I say something and then you fill in the blanks with what suits you.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you reckon I do? Help an obese couple who crashed scooters into one and other and didn't fall down or get hurt, but just kept going on their merry way? Should I push away the passed out girl's friends and whip open my cape to save the day? What a fucking busy body you are. Here in the big city people don't want you in their business. You're obviously the neighbour on the street people cross the street to avoid because you're always looking out the window, taking notes.
And yeah, if that's how you roll, then you are an asshole, but I still hope you don't die. Unhappy? Yes. Death? No.
Oh yeah, and what the fuck are you doing reading my blog? Fuck off with that shit, or do you want to make ANOTHER blog directing people to my blog to do what exactly? Be mean to me? You;re so weak and obvious.
ReplyDeleteI only went to your blog once, months ago, because I was curious - after getting confirmation in your own words about what a horrible person you are, I felt no need to go back. The rest of your babble isn't even worth trying to refute - you're too delusional to ever get it.
ReplyDelete@Sue Ellen -- why LINK to your blog via your blogger profile if you don't want people to read it? Particularly when you regularly publicly expose yourself as a boneheaded, narcissistic trainwreck? Of COURSE people are going to want their opinions of you validated -- and your blog certainly does that. Therein lies the danger of being arrogant enough to begin a blog in the first place: you have an anonymous audience. Deal with it.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'm purely curious -- you DO know that an apostrophe isn't the same as a semicolon, right? You seem to feel as if those two marks of punctuation are the same thing, when they're actually quite different. I guess professors stop caring about grammatical rules once you get into, *ahem*, "law school."
It's just interesting to me, seeing how there are a crapload of Canadian CDANers who never, ever make that mistake. I'm sure you'll blame it on your keyboard or something, though.
Please ida, you read my blog more than anyone. Roanoke, indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how one day you tell me that you know nothing about me because I don't share on here and the next day you're telling me how I am. I think you might have a case of the bi-polars.
And I'd be careful if I were you talking about Canadian people on here. I mean, don't you call some of them your "friends"?
Oh, haha, right. They're not really your friends. Someone as sandy as you doesn't *truly* have any. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if your boyfriend had another girlfriend on the side.