There are very few Bravo shows I don’t watch; Below Deck might be the only franchise that I’ve never tuned into (and McBee Dynasty but does that really count).
Sometimes I watch shows begrudgingly, not enjoying them to the fullest but I rarely stop watching a show in the middle of the season. I’ve done that twice in my Bravo journey — the Covid season of both Orange County and New York.
I’ve added a third to my list this year and that is The Valley.
When The Valley first started, I was one of the haters. I didn’t think we needed the show but after one episode was convinced of it’s importance to our reality TV lineup. That continued throughout season 2, even though I thought it was dark as hell.
With Jax being gone this year, I assumed we’d be back on track and maybe have a fun season.
I was wrong.
I watched maybe the first 3 or 4 episodes and knew I had to give up.
The Bravosphere has been using the word ‘dark’ a little too loosely over the past few years and while Jax is off our screens, this show is inherently dark in nature. I don’t have fun watching it; it gives me anxiety, it makes me cringe, it makes me angry.
Season 3 started with Kristen and Nia being completely overwhelmed by new motherhood and their partners being absolute idiots. As important as it is to watch new moms go through the postpartum journey, it’s very upsetting to watch the struggle that comes along with it.
It made me want to throw something at my television when hearing Luke complain about not having sex, about not being able to go out and get drunk; I saw red when Danny complained about having to take care of their fourth child, while putting off a vasectomy incase he wanted a fifth.
It might be reality but it’s not fun to watch.
At the center of this is a bigger problem and that was the timing of filming. Producers should’ve waited until Kristen and Nia were in a better place to start filming. They were underwater while trying to be part of the drama on camera and move a show along.
We’ve seen some horrible men on Bravo over the years — just down right despicable behavior from so many men — but I think Danny might be in the top five*. He is sinister, he is angry and he makes it everyone else’s problem. He is horrible to his wife, he is horrible to his friends and he most likely has a drinking problem.
*I know I said I only watched a few episodes but that was all I needed to see to come to this conclusion; plus, I see the clips, the social media posts and listen to the podcasts recaps so I’m tuned in a bit.
If I’m going to be completely honest, one of the main reasons I had to stop watching was because of Brittany. She makes me deeply uncomfortable and her voice is grating. I know that’s mean but I can’t help it. Brittany is not as nice as everyone makes her out to be; her refusal to ever take a stand or call her friend’s out on their bullshit is irritating.
Can I say something else that’s mean? I don’t understand how her accent has gotten thicker when she’s lived in LA for 10 years. I think it’s a performance which is another reason I’m not a fan of hers.
Then, there is the Janet of the situation.
We are in our third straight season of everyone being against Janet for some reason. I’ve never understood why everyone dislikes Janet — I don’t think she’s ever done anything to warrant this type of exclusion. For Bravo shows, there needs to be conflict and resolution; we need to see these people fight and get over it, without it affecting the structure of the show itself.
Kristen, Jasmine, Zach and Nia’s inability to meet Janet halfway is not productive. It drags the show down and it is distracting, not allowing any other storyline to move along. Kristen should know better than this; she should be able to put her issues aside and film & be cordial to a cast mate.
My final reasoning for not watching this season is going to sound insane so please bear with me. The Valley is not aspiration in the slightest bit. The cast always looks so hot and sweaty; they always look disheveled and messy. Watching this show makes me feel like I’m suffocating in 100 degree weather. It’s the most ridiculous reason, I know, but it’s my truth.
The Valley is simply too real for me. It is a very accurate depiction of life in your late 30s and it doesn’t make any of it look fun. It reminds me how horrible men are, how mean friends can be and how difficult it is to adjust to parenthood.
It’s simply not the kind of reality show I’m interested in. I want real life, of course, but I want aspiration, I want fun, I want drama — there needs to be a balance and after three seasons, I don’t think we’ll ever find it.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.