‘Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ third season finale: you big dummy!
The t-shirt Cynthia wore the morning of her wedding. Was she talking about herself?
This was the episode which had no big arguments, fewer than normal absurd moments and relatively few interesting quotes. Instead, there was an air of actual sincerity, reconciliation and warmth.
Loading ...And the big question mark the producers milked almost to the end: would Cynthia Bailey actually go through with her marriage to Peter Thomas?
Regulars to this blog already knew the answer from last July, thanks to an over-enthusiastic publicist. Shockingly, the press wasn’t invited.
Here’s a brief recap of the 90-minute finale episode:
Cynthia is talking to her sister about her dire financial situation. They can’t pay the $3,000 guarantee for the bar at the Fernbank Museum, the site of the wedding. She doesn’t have the cash because it all went into the Uptown Restaurant & Lounge Peter had just closed. Her dad can’t give her the money but her mom eventually bails her out.
It’s the morning of Cynthia’s wedding and she looks like she’s ready to go to her funeral. With just nine hours before her weddings, Cytnahis takes a walk by herself to clear her head.
Loading ...(As a commercial break approaches, the camera guy points to a STOP sign. Subtle!)
Cynthia’ s mom Barbara finds her and expresses doubts. “I don’t like the way he handles his business,” she says. “I did it and see where it got me.” She said she feels Peter is abusing her financially. Cynthia keeps making excuses. “It breaks my heart,” Barbara says. “He needs to take care of you and Noelle.”
But it’s clear Cynthia wants to keep going.
She hears her dress isn’t quite ready yet. She still looks miserable until she sees it once she arrives at the museum, where the wedding and reception are being held. It’s a pretty, stylish platinum silver custom dress. She’s ecstatic, finally feels something is going right. She looks stunning. Her daughter Noelle gives her comforting words about Peter, the only person she said who seems to support her decision.
Then she realizes she doesn’t have the marriage license. She thinks it’s left at home. Then we find out her mom and sister have it, pondering a way to sabotage the wedding. But they think the better of it, realizing Cynthia would hate them if she found out. So voila! The license is “found” and crisis is averted.
In the end, the marriage ceremony (however brief) goes off smoothly in front of a big dinosaur.
While NeNe supports her friend Cynthia’s decision, Kim is more cynical. She predicts it won’t last a year.
More cattiness points: Kim brings her own wine because she didn’t think Cynthia would have good wine. Sheree says she could tell the wedding was not ultra-chic and corners were cut. (Meow!)
In other housewives news:
- NeNe Leakes and Gregg are on the road to divorce. Gregg tries to reconcile with an apology but NeNe is having none of it. For her, the damage has been done. We see at Cynthia’s wedding Dwight Eubanks attempting to make things right with NeNe. NeNe seems receptive to that but I don’t think they are really buds anymore.
- Kim Zolciak and Kandi Burruss discuss their business arrangements. They agree they don’t want money to get between them so Kandi says Kim’s attorney should hash out the “Ring Don’t Mean a Thing” contracts with Kandi’s manager. Of course, we now know Kim went on to record “Google Me” with someone else while not releasing Kandi’s song. So clearly, finances were not straightened out. Heck, we already know the monies related to “Tardy with the Party” got a bit messy, too.
- Kim is dating Kroy Biermann seriously and uses Cynthia’s wedding as a “coming out” for the two of them to everybody else. Hey- at least she can show him off since he’s single and hot, oh, and an NFL player to boot. Plus, he’s not married. Within a month after this wedding, she’s pregnant. She said in “Watch What Happens Live” that she’s now 5 and a half months pregnant as of late January. That means she conceived in mid-August. She announced the pregnancy in late November. The show said she’s due in June but it’s more like May.
- Sheree Whitfield auditions for a movie, “If These Hips Could Talk,” her first storyline in ages. The panel judging her were as harsh as Simon Cowell. They ream Sheree multiple times in almost an excessive way, as if they expected a reality show star to become Halle Berry overnight. Sheree wasn’t half bad and she handled herself well. Ultimately, the panel was playing to the cameras because Sheree got the part!
- Phaedra Parks has her most touching, real moment of the show when she leaves the house for work after eight weeks with Ayden. She sheds a tear. She says nothing ridiculous, just sincerely can’t believe how emotional she got over leaving Ayden. It was actually sweet. At the end of the episode, she said she feels complete with work, child and husband. All is good.
WATCH WHAT HAPPENS with ANDY COHEN, KIM ZOLCIAK and KROY BIERMANN
Kroy said he loves Kim’s personality. “She’s not like anything what people think she is.” Kroy said he has not met Big Poppa. (I have a feeling that won’t ever happen.) His family is supportive of Kim, he said.
Kroy, despite a cute grin, is showing the personality of wet cardboard on the live show.
Andy gives a bunch of cheesy gifts for Kim, including a baby bottle of wine and a Sheree onesy: “Who Gonna Change Me Boo!” Plus, he provides an “in memoriam” for Kim’s old boobs. (She got new ones but the show didn’t make that much of a deal out of it.)
“Top Chef: Just Desserts” Yigit Pura provides some dessert cookies including Kim’s boobs and Kroy’s butt.
The viewers polled voted Kandi as favorite housewife (31%), followed by Kim (23%), NeNe (22%), Phaedra (13%), Cynthia (6%) and Sheree (5%).
Andy also reads this Tweet from NeNe as she watched the episode:
NeNeLeakes She’s a victim again! Don’t bring it if u can’t take it
QUOTABLE QUOTES
“They are such saggy t*****. Get a refund, b****.” – Kim, about NeNe’s work compared to her own.
“I’m showing off my figure and my lactating breasts. I’m feeling pretty darn good.” – Phaedra, very happy at Cynthia’s wedding.
“Sometimes, people front and flex when they’re on the verge of foreclosure and bankruptcy. It doesn’t surprise me Cynthia was able to pull off this million-dollar wedding for 50 cents.” - Phaedra.
“I’m ready to sue everybody.” - Phaedra, being so happy as a lawyer.
RATINGS RECAP
On January 23, “Real Housewives” drew a series record 3.43 million viewers. The show is averaging 2.9 million viewers over 15 episodes, up from 2.8 million season two. It’s the top “Real Housewives” franchise.
NEXT UP
Bravo is running repeats next Sunday against the Super Bowl. So the two “reunion” shows taped earlier this month at Georgia Aquarium will air the following two Sundays. We see a teaser of Kim and NeNe reprising their bus argument yet again.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
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88 comments Add your comment
MRBIGUNS
January 31st, 2011
1:52 pm
Anyone can see you a klansman disguised under this name.
hopwong22
January 31st, 2011
1:54 pm
hey Mr BIGGUNS, Anyone can see you a klansman disguised under this name.
Aha
January 31st, 2011
2:04 pm
Its very interesting Nene is the least likable housewife but NO ONE would be watching it if she wasn’t on it. While Kandi might be the most likable I can assure you her CD sells does not reflect it. Kandi fans please go and purchase her CD if you like her so much. Very intersting point. Pull Nene off the show and lets see who would be talking about it. Just a thought!
Von
January 31st, 2011
2:11 pm
I enjoyed the show last night and every Sunday night! I love Lawrence new song (Closet Freak), he did a great job performing that song. GO LAWRENCE! I’m so sick on Nene! How in the world will she manage in LA w/o an job?? Hello, RHOA is your one and only job. Too me NeNe looks like a BIG ole overweight MAN….that’s a big girl! Cynthia wedding dress was so pretty, original and out of this world. She was a beautiful bride. Why didn’t they exchange rings? I saw her ex Leon at the wedding…he should have been the groom and Peter been a GUEST. I thought Sheree looked really cute in that blue dress and she is totally in shape. She got it going on to be a mother of 3! Okay, why was Terry Vaughn (LaVita) so hard on Sheree? I thought she was a bit much and over the top in auditioning Sheree….dang she was trying. Phaedra got her shape back or she had on the Body Magic…either way she was working it. Did anyone see the clip of Kandi hair from the reunion show? It was a MESS!
atty tom
January 31st, 2011
2:30 pm
Y’all know I’m kidding, right??!!!! I looooove brown sugar, xxxxx
CandyRain
January 31st, 2011
2:51 pm
Its just sad that these woman are all really BROKE!! The money that cynthia lend peter was $10,000.00 I was thinking it was around $60,000.00 then she didnt have $3000.00 for the bar sad but true it always makes african americans look like we are always living above our means. Pheadra’s hous is ok my townhome loks more extravagant than hers she wears all cheap clothing and her and appollo need to upgrade them cars to 2008 at least. her son is GOURGEOUS none the less. nene SICK OF HER!!! Sheree was the fabulous one this season no ghetto bickering at all candy i love her but want her to change that dam hairstyle plzzzz….. Kim no comment cmon ladies do better. Did you see phadras client the girl from the original destiny childs gropu are u freaking kidding me!! I cant but i love to laugh!!!!!
Too Bad
January 31st, 2011
3:11 pm
Lost ALL repsect for Phaedra for even joining
this group of filthy-mouth bimbos.
Real Housewives of Atlanta? Yeah right.
First: Dont think any of these bimbos are actually from Atlanta.
Second: How many are actually housewives vs. being just
alimony parasites.
Third: None of the bimbos are “real” in any sense of the word.
Makes you wonder what kind of “trash” actaully watches this TV trash.
Mr. Ed
January 31st, 2011
3:19 pm
@too bad.
You answered your own conundrum. Obviously, you watch the show.
melissa's mom
January 31st, 2011
3:20 pm
I recorded 2 programs last night – PBS Masterpiece Theater – Downton Abbey, and the RHOA. OMG! The difference is ASTOUNDING!! I think my brain needs a little adjusting after that.
paula
January 31st, 2011
3:35 pm
NeNe use to be my favorite, but she cross the line at the house with the other girls. I would have thrown her ass out along with Dian. No way would she have disrepect my friends house and bring another person without asking…LoL. And poor Cynthia when NeNe told her to leave she jsut sat there like a lomp on a log that girl (cynthia) need a spine. Cynthia please watch your back with NeNe she will sleep with Peter!!
Kapoonka
January 31st, 2011
3:44 pm
The best part of the show was when Kandi FINALLY addressed the business aspects with Kim. She made her money with her writing, and she finally set Kim’s dumb blonde butt straight. I only hope she continues to use her better judgement in dealing with the nimrod. Kroy is just dumb, dumb, dumb. That thang must snap for her to have him that blind.
Sheree has shown she can’t take simple direction…they were trying to give her advice and was just giving them attitude. Good luck with that..if she can’t handle direction she’s a goner. really…what does she, can she do?
Nene…needs to talk to someone …professional….soon. She is the unhappiest person I have ever seen.
It made my stomach turn to hear Kim’s youngest daughter tell Kroy..”I love you Kroy”..really? Boy is Kim setting them up for failure. They are going to have some messed up relationships if they mirror their mama.
Good luck Cynthia. Both of ya’ll were blasted when you said your vows..Peter said, “I’m F’d up”..and she had her fair share of liquid courage before the ceremony. “marriage should be entered into sober”….ya’ll heard the vows.She was stunning, so that may have sobered him up..his tears looked real. Her daughter was a breath of fresh air, so I hope it works out.
Next season is a certainty….good luck to all of them…
juan carlos diego raul sanchez
January 31st, 2011
3:51 pm
kim 32years old – is like saying she can sing good – she is a bored out oil well that needs to be fill with concrete so it won’t leak vag goooo
Dee
January 31st, 2011
3:58 pm
Cynthia looked beautiful, did not like all the exposure of Cynthia’s financial woes…Kim looked a mess her outfit was not appropriate or tasteful. Of course Kim acted just like she dressed (tacky) bringing a bottle of wine to the wedding for herself. Next time you want to be sure you have what you drink at a wedding Gift the bar bill to the couple.
Danielle
January 31st, 2011
4:09 pm
The wedding was great but I’m so happy I got to watch it in HD! I got to pay attention to a lot of the detail and since I work and subscribe to DISH Network, I got to watch it in HD for free! Congrats Cynthia!
*Danielle
Dee
January 31st, 2011
4:14 pm
Kim Zolciak is not pregnant…Cynthia’s wedding was July 27th she said she is 5 1/2 months then she concieved July however, brovo says baby due in June. Kim’s baby should be due in May not June…She claims she was not pregnant at the Wedding. Kim your math is as funny as Phaedra’s
GradyWilson
January 31st, 2011
4:58 pm
Is it me or does NeNe’s son seems mildly retarded? It’s obvious she’s spent more time in them streets than she did parenting. Also Kroy is boring as hell….seems like Tyson when Robin Givens had his a$$ doped up in their interview. Kim is worth ‘doing’ but I would have thought Kroy had been around enough women not to have ‘black-widowed’. Phaedra’s butt was hittin last nite though. And Sheree’s talent is waaay below par but she does have those hips that can talk. But…with an ass like that, she’ll take Octomom’s spot in playboy when Bravo finds the next trick.
Trueblood Junky
January 31st, 2011
5:01 pm
It is really sad how many people either can not spell or use grammar correctly… wow! Georgia folks…we’ve got to do better!
I like the show… as foolish as it is.
Between the lines
January 31st, 2011
5:29 pm
Did anyone else see Ne-He trying to steal some of Cynthia and Peter’s dance (she beauregarded her way up to the dance floor dancing alone in front of them) LOL Kandi’s okay, but doesn’t have the business savvy she should–having been in the business so long, allowing Kim to pull the wool over her eyes. And what’s with Kandi having her mother tag along to every event. I think it’s great that she respects her mom, but she’s too grown for that “all” the time. (Also I really think Kandi may have gotten back some of what she’s dished out in the past where Kim’s concerned. Because something tells me Kandi’s not been so unselfish in her own past dealings. I’ve been told she could’ve opened doors for some others in the past, but didn’t. So she got what she deserves)
Poor dumb Cynthia. How ironic that she was wearing the “YOU BIG DUMMY” t-shirt on her wedding day. I agree with the previous blogger who said it was more about the “wedding event” for Cynthia than a future with Peter–after all she said )only hours before her wedding) that divorce would give her an “out” if needed. Surely she knew that Peter had nothing to offer her.
atty tom
January 31st, 2011
6:30 pm
That is not me @ 230p recanting my previous comments. That is someone else. I stand by the information and/or opinions in my previous entries
‘Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ third season finale: you big dummy! – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Advance Web Directory
January 31st, 2011
9:13 pm
[...] celebration of the mass here: ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ third deteriorate finale: we large dummy! – Atlanta … This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged cynthia, episode, funeral, live, marriage, [...]
Samma
February 1st, 2011
9:14 am
The wedding was pretty, but Cynthia was beautiful in that dress.I thought someone might have to pull NeNe back in her seat when Peter walked by, she tried to talk her into nt marrying him.The lightbulb just went off, watch NeNe something wasn’t right about the way she looks at him.
MZRED
February 1st, 2011
9:31 am
@Malorie…Thanks for the correction doll! But anywho,I see you still got the point. I sometimes don’t put on my thinking cap when things are entertaining
WTF
February 1st, 2011
10:03 am
its bogart not beuregard damn where do these people come from
Felicia
February 1st, 2011
10:46 am
I just read an article on CNN Entertainment where Peter was quoted as saying “If I need her to do something for me again, she better step up,” he said. “That’s part of her duty as a wife. Because she’s never gonna call on me and I say no—never. It’s my duty as a husband to provide whatever support to [help] her go forward.” He also said that Cynthia only put up $10,000 for his restaurant and it couldn’t even purchase the silverware. Are they still married? Cause that is a hot mess!
Felicia
February 1st, 2011
10:48 am
@Samma, I understand what you are saying, but because of the way the editing is done, we don’t know if that look on Ne Ne’s face was after Peter walked down, during the wedding, after the vows, or because of something someone said.
Debbie
February 1st, 2011
7:56 pm
Real Housewives of Atlanta is like 48 Hours was to Memphis. It is a bad reflection of the city. The show is bad for Atlanta’s image. By looking at this show, I would not be encourage to visit the city or meet it’s people. In 99.1% of situations, money improves a person’s disposition, outlook on life, appearance, mentality, etc. In this show, you see no example of this. I rather watch a show where women have it made financially and is doing something with their lives positively; enriching their lives in some way. Why not make the women competitive in this way? Then, we will really see who is the real women of atlanta. What we have been seeing is candidates for Jerry Springer’s show. How boring. I hope we see a better show next season.
Jaynicia
February 1st, 2011
10:07 pm
I, for one, am glad that NeNe is back. When she’s not there, that show is so dull and lifeless. The highlights were a garage sale in a parking lot, Phaedra’s lies/convict husband, powdered sugar, gay guys and their styling/shoes, and a maid named Sweety. What we looked forward to:
Kim – tired of her pseudo singing career and her wigs.
Phaedra – typical southern woman; pretending to be pious and ladylike but is an undercover freak and liar whom you can’t trust any further than you can throw her.
Sheree – why was she even there this season?
Khandi – every time she was on the screen it felt like one really long video.
Cynthia – broke, trying to live the high life with a man who’s a loser, cried every chance she got.
Everybody took digs at each other to jockey for position in front of the camera and in the end, NeNe pulled out the stops to stay on top. She needs her own show.
atty tom
February 1st, 2011
11:37 pm
@ Between the lines, January 31st, 2011, 5:29 pm: Hahaha, yes. I thought I was the only one who noticed Nene dancing like a drunk loser during their “first dance.”!!!!!
modesthousewife
February 2nd, 2011
10:25 am
I must be missing something – I actually feel sorry for NeNe this season…it was the previous seasons I thought she was acting like a selfish bitty. I guess because I’ve been where she is, I can’t help feel sorry for her…she’s acting out because she’s depressed and overwhelmed. I just want to give her a big ol hug.
Now, it’s Kim that gets on my LAST nerve. That is the most selfish, self-centered woman I have EVER laid my eyes on…I have never cared for her “character” since the show started. Oh, and Rodney…the reason Kory seems like wet cardboard is obviously because he’s brain-damaged, Honey.
Sheree and Phaedra just make me laugh – one word for them: pretention. I was raised to not act like something you definitely are not. In other words – “don’t let your mouth write a check your butt can’t cover”. I say just let them live in their little fantasy worlds.
I work for a law firm downtown, and let me just tell you all – that is not what a real lawyer is like. Most of them have pride.
Side note – my boss got married in 07 at Fernbank and it was GORGEOUS. There is nothing wrong with having a wedding and reception there. G – O – R – G – E – O – U -S.
Oh well.. I always read these things and never say anything, but all the hate on NeNe made me want to speak up…try to put yourself in her shoes.
Whatever
February 2nd, 2011
11:42 am
Get a clue:
Respectable people with a ounce of class, decorum and etiquette DO NOT go out in public (much less on TV) and act like these idiots.
Marie
February 2nd, 2011
12:52 pm
@MRBIGUNS — you should learn how to READ and COMPREHEND before you post comments on what I said. I did not say NeNe was classy; I stated the COMMENTS she made about Cynthia’s wedding were CLASSY as compared to the other women (mainly Kim, Sheree, and Phaedra) who complained about the chairs, decor and other nonesense.
hmmmmm
February 2nd, 2011
4:56 pm
What’s with NeNe?? She needs a little bit of kickapoo joy juice.
Barbarian Cream
February 2nd, 2011
11:09 pm
Right, Kapoonka…..What the hell is Kim thinking to even allow her little girls to hug Kroy and certainly, they have no business telling him they love him. Whoaah! I wondered if anybody else would say something about that. I think it is boarder line abusive of Kim to include those young girls in the show at all with all of the low life situations she brags about. I did respect Sheree for limiting her kid’s exposure on the show. Cynthia….breath-takingly beautiful! She has probably advanced a trend with that platinum colored wedding gown. I wish them well but Peter is scarey. Cynthia’s daughter is very, very pretty! She seems smart and stable, too! Hate to say it, but Sheree’s acting was not bad. I predict we’ll see her in a Tyler Perry play or film real soon. I love Lawrence and hope he gets a show or a something great out of this. Nene….you scare me, Girl. If I had known you in high school, I would have been nice to you just so I wouldn’t get my ass kicked.
What to say...
February 3rd, 2011
10:23 am
@Atlantaphotog
I complete 100% agree with you. Nene’s behavior was not acceptable. It didn’t surprise me, she has always been tacky and classless on the show.
Where do people bring their own wine to someone’s wedding? Im sorry, “Where they do that at?” But what do you expect from someone who sleeps with other women’s husbands. SMh
What to say...
February 3rd, 2011
10:25 am
opps. That should have been “completely”
Gwen Needy of Miami, Florida
February 3rd, 2011
3:17 pm
I love Housewives of Atlanta and the ladies connected to this great entertainment. I reside in Atlanta, Georgia half of the year and Miami, Florida the other half and whenever I am in Miami, I miss Atlanta and all the excitement,cultural events, arts, museums and great things to do. While i n Miami, I always get the feeling it is overkill, Great advertisement about SOBE and MIAMI, until you have to stay here, you recognize it is different. REALLY DIFFERENT. LOVE YOU HWOA !!!!!
carlaroqs
February 8th, 2011
9:05 am
atty tom, as you are obviously angling for a response to your foolishness- i will oblige you: you are foolish. go sue someone and stop making ignorant statements about Black women. the rest of you/us- we watch the show or not, but we obviously read the reviews– get over it and admit the show has your attention for whatever reason. and unfortunately, a lot of the negativity and cattiness keeps the public’s attention. and… we all make spelling mistakes, but dag!!!!!!!!!!! come on people, slow down on the keys a little, Rodney will wait for you.
bigdawg88
February 8th, 2011
3:18 pm
Man, I’d hate to be at the dinner table with Cynthia and her family after the show airs. Can you say “AWWWKWAAAAARD”?!?
At least they did the right thing and gave her the license. I don’t give the marriage much longevity though, even though Cynthia seems taken advantage of.
Although, judging from Peter’s linkedin info, he certainly didn’t seem to need her help. How much of this is fiction? Is Peter a Tyree Jr. in the making?
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/peter-thomas/7/b4/66a