Jay Photoglou weighs in on Slade's arrest, via TMZ

The story of Slade's arrest wouldn't be complete without a firsthand account from Jay Photoglou, who hasn't met a web site or tabloid he doesn't like. Here's what he said on TMZ:

I lived with Gretchen in Costa Mesa. And was living out of a suitcase with a friend when I left because she was going to dinner with Slade. When I went to pick up more clothes on Wed Feb 18th Slades car was in the driveway. I know Gretchen well so I called the police dept to do a civil asst and help me recover some more clothes. I had proper identification to be there so they attempted to get Slade or Gretchen to open the door. No response from them so when I told them I have a way to get in the dispatcher recieved a call from Slade saying he was with Gretchen and they were in Vegas. Slade called a recorded line to lie to the police. He also told the dispatcher that a neighbor called him to say the police were there. So that is why he called. So I proceeded to enter the house as I did I saw there was Slades wallet shirt Jacket shoes and car keys were in plain sight. The officer and I then heard foot steps upstairs. But Slade and Gretchen would still not come out of her room. This is public information and probably on a report. I did recover more clothes BUT did not have a moving truck set up so I was only able to get clothes not furniture. The officers did not tell me but I over heard them say He has a suspended Lic and a fake tag on his unregistered car as well as a warrant for $10,000 out of LA county. This is what I think I heard. I will be moving the rest of my stuff out next week.

Posted at 1:59AM on Feb 21st 2009 by Jay Photoglou
http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/20/real-o-c-guy-really-arrested/2#comments

Slade Smiley arrested Friday...

Yup, that's Slade's mugshot above. The third part of the "Gretchen Rossi rectangle" (Gretchen-Jeff-Photoglou-Slade) was picked up on an outstanding civil warrant for back court costs and child support. He was held on $10,000 bail and released.

This is beyond pathetic....Slade's youngest son is very sick and Slade has been pretending to manage Jo's career and now Gretchen's. Honestly, he should have been arrested for being a major part in "Date My Ex."

The house he lived in for the show, "Date my Ex" clearly wasn't his and rumors of his being broke have swirled for years. Here's a guy who should have left the Real Housewives of OC and never looked back.

Here's the OC Register article on Slade's arrest. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/smiley-costa-mesa-2314808-warrant-arrested

Jay Photoglou sells his "story" to the National Enquirer

What a loser! I noted in an earlier entry that some car salesman, Jay Photoglou, had taken over the internet by posting EVERYWHERE that he'd had a relationship with Gretchen Rossi while she was engaged to a dying Jeff Beitzel. I guess he wasn't content only doing damage on Myspace and the OC Register site so he took it to the gem of honest reporting--The National Enquirer!! HA!

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/real_housewives_oc_gretchen_secret_boyfriend_cheat/celebrity/66230 This is the link for the online portion of the article. I won't bother buying a copy to find out who Gretchen dumped Photoglou for--as he has broadcasted all over the web that it's SLADE SMILEY.

What a pathetic situation. I couldn't care less about Jeff and Gretchen's relationship. And really, who goes off blabbing to the National Enquirer anyway? Since they PAY for their stories, I guess we know the motivation. I think Photoglou is a sore loser. End of story!

PS--Here is his Myspace. He must have set it to private in the last few days because when I last saw it, he had a picture of himself and Gretchen as his main photo--now it's a photo, presumably, of just him and he changed it from public to private. What a sissy!! I guess if I sold out to a tabloid, I'd hide, too. Here's the link: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=9926872

The Bachelor--"Reality Steve" and ending spoiler

I have admitted that until THIS season, the last time I faithfully watched "The Bachelor" was the first season, with Alex. I never once tuned into "The Bachelorette." Last spring, I watched some of what's-his-name in "London Calling" and I wasn't surprised when the engagement was called off--that seems to be the constant with this franchise. The idea of dating 25 people and at the end of six weeks, finding a spouse? It seems like the equation continually fails.

I didn't see any of Deanna's show so I knew nothing of Jason, except the clips I saw of him bending on one knee (for an awfully long time) to propose before being rejected. When he was selected as The Bachelor, I set the DVR and decided to watch this season unfold.

I've been immune to the constant hype of the "most dramatic finale EVER" since that's all Chris Harrison says regarding each rose ceremony, but clicking around the internet, there has been a buzz about this season that has gone from a whisper to a full blown SHOUT. I'll state that I have no idea who Reality Steve is, except that research on his prior spoilers seems on target. After trying, without success to solve his riddles (which, frankly, were ridiculous), I was relieved when he made a post in the early morning hours...containing 3 Youtube links and now, more than 12 hours later, they are still on his site. Without further ado, if you want to be shocked and see how this season pans out, click here: http://realitysteve.com/

I actually believe what Reality Steve has posted. There has been a concerted effort by ABC and the show itself to boost ratings, the shows were increased to 2 hours in length, and Deanna's reappearance has been teased since day one. What do you think? Especially in light of Chris Harrison's blog this week and the announcement of a THIRD hour to the Final Rose and a closed taping...I say, yes.

Real Housewives of OC--Bling bling--Season Finale

Last night was the finale episode for the season of Real Housewives of Orange County and I, for one, am glad to put it in the past...well, as soon as I see the Reunion Show next Tuesday.

So Jeana's mystery man date, Allen, was finally revealed. I don't know why the show bothered blurring his face last week. He seems like a fine Texas gentleman. I did a double take, though, when Jeana mentioned that her friends have been giving HER grief because Allen doesn't look like anyone else she's ever dated. I found *him* quite attractive and age appropriate and the REALITY is that Jeana was a Playboy Playmate decades ago. Maybe back then she was dating the likes of Tom Selleck, but even today, Tom Selleck likely looks more like Allen than he did in his heyday of 1979. Jeana sure doesn't look the same.

I thought the date was thoughtful--from the roses and limo to the balcony table at the St Regis, Allen definitely put some effort into this first date Jeana's had in quite some time. She's lucky--men today don't usually bother and men of Allen's age were probably married long enough to rely on a wife to make dinner arrangements. Jeana really lucked out (but to hear her conversation over dinner, you surely wouldn't know it). As she admitted later, she was probably testing Allen. That's not such a great strategy.

It was a mistake for her to mention Matt on her date. Same with mentioning that she is a "demanding person" and "spoiled" (red flags). On a first date, it doesn't much matter if the guy is "geographically undesirable". Maybe if Jeana could improve her attitude, she'd improve her social life? Jeana's voiceovers were so complimentary of Allen, yet all she said aloud TO him was whiny and unappealing.

There had been internet rumors for months about Brianna joining the Army and tonight, some of the confusion was sorted out. I had learned that Colby and she were no longer dating and of course, that's sad. Vicki's recollection that Brianna and Colby "never fought," wasn't exactly true, based on what we saw of Vicki on the phone with Brianna from Las Vegas, but who listens to Vicki anyway?

The wide-eyed intense stare Vicki met Brianna's announcement with was beyond scary. Brianna called Vicki out on her being judgmental and she was 100% right. You could see the anger bubbling to the surface, with Vicki's face shaking, because she can no longer CONTROL Brianna. I am sure many moms would worry if her child was electing to join the military during war time, but it goes deeper for Vicki. She can't accept that Brianna can (and should) be living her OWN adult life. Vicki's rules are strangling Brianna--who is attractive, very smart, and capable of deciding about premarital sex and occupations. Go Brianna!

Over at Lynne's, Raquel is still the deadbeat trouble child with no career and no goals. The one thing I definitely noticed tonight is that Raquel seems to have gotten her eyebrows groomed. Okay--that is superficial, but it dramatically changes her look--for the better.

Lynne's heart is in the right place. By motivating Raquel to go to vocational school, she is at least providing more than a place for Raquel's underaged drinking escapades.

I really liked the location for the "End of the Year" party...The Cliffs at Laguna Beach. It was kind of odd that Gretchen's parents and Tamra's mom were there, as well as Ryan and also Raquel's boyfriend.

Jeana brought her date, Allen, but the big buzz amongst the housewives was Jeana's cleavage and whether or not she was headed for an unfortunate "wardrobe malfunction." I couldn't believe my eyes--seeing Slade and Jo!

The bit with Simon pulling Tamra aside to gift her with a $35,000 diamond tennis bracelet? Who does that ? Her birthday was several days before the party, but I guess it won't be on air if you gave it to her on the actual day? And considering Tamra linked the jewelry store's web site on her blog, I'd say it's a safe bet that an unemployed Simon didn't drop 35k on ANY bracelet.

Tammy Knickerbocker was back and I felt for her boyfriend, Michael, who was accosted by a demanding Vicki--needing hugs--perhaps in an attempt to fill her depleted love tank?

I was blown away by Vicki and her silly Rolex watch. I laughed when she mentioned that she'd "rather be CLASSIER and fly under the radar " and not make Donn feel bad for not having purchased the watch for her. Can Vicki EVER just fly under the radar? Nah, I didn't think so.

Surprise, surprise--Laurie is back. I know she left, on account of Josh being in jail, but she's been on several episodes since she, ahem, left. She's still spinning the yarn about having 7 kids and being overwhelmed, but I'm still not buying it.

It seemed a little odd when Gretchen gathered everyone up to give out gifts. It was a thoughtful gesture, but I just don't see this group "slumming" it with the Coach label. Immediately, Vicki had a snide remark about how nobody gives gifts at these parties and Tamra wondered if it was genuine or an attempt to kiss ass. SERIOUSLY, Tamra needs to get over herself!

Jeff's note to Gretchen was really sweet and it proved, to me, that they did have some kind of romantic relationship. The Harley was over the top, but it was his money to spend so who am I to question? The reaction of the Housewives was pretty surprising....Lynne and Jeana were gracious and supportive, Vicki refused to even acknowledge it, and Tamra's bitter jealousy couldn't be sustained.

Even as Vicki was bitching about how Gretchen demands attention, she was showing off her Rolex to anyone who would look and same with Tamra and her new bracelet. Those two are so jealous that it's insane. Ever so full of herself, Tamra accuses Gretchen of only wanting a pink motorcycle because she wanted one first...and goes so far as to question, "Are you stalking me?" Good grief! Tamra even tells Laurie that SHE had wanted that motorcycle...well, sweetie, why didn't you just buy it last year? Is it because you never sold any Real Estate and your husband has no job?

Then, FINALLY, the accusation I'd been waiting to hear all season--Tamra says that she has trouble trusting Gretchen and she thinks Gretchen's relationship with Jeff is one of "convenience." (Kind of like when Tamra sent her firstborn to live with her Mom and Dad so she could marry Simon--ya know, pawning off a kid, for CONVENIENCE.) She outright says, "WE don't believe Gretchen is dating this guy. WE believe he's paying Gretchen to take care of him."

First off, who is *we* in this situation and who in the hell cares??

I don't know who it was (a male) who was discussing riding motorcycles with Vicki and she dismissed the silliness of riding a motorcycle at "their" age. When the man clarified that Gretchen is 20 years younger than Vicki, she objected (twice) and said Gretchen is *TEN* years younger. NO! Vicki is 47 and Gretchen is 30. Do the math....and yes, Tamra is 41 so maybe Vickster can try that argument with her, but Gretch is far younger than those old broads.

Kimberly from Season One returned, but I didn't watch the show back then. She's been in a few episodes this year as she's living in Chicago, but she bores me.

Tamra continued spreading the sunshine by blurting out that Slade looked like a HOMO by wearing flip flops and then she told Jo, to her face, that her hairstyle made her look like she is 12 years old. Nice. I don't care for Jo or Slade, but who is TAMRA to insult people?


The finale wrapped up with current updates:

For Laurie, Josh is out of jail and has been sober for 8 months. Laurie and George still haven't taken their honeymoon and Ashley's skincare line "A2Z" is set to launch later this year and she's attending broadcasting school.

Lynne got strict and took away Raquel's BMW for three weeks, but Raquel got a job in a boutique as an assistant manager and got the car back. Alexis, at 16, is now bugging her folks for a Range Rover.

Brianna has put off enlisting in the Army. Vicki received a SECOND Rolex from her peers in the insurance industry. Michael graduated college in December.

Tamra no longer wants a pink motorcycle and somehow, Simon's tequila business is doing well, DESPITE the economic downturn. Ryan was hurt at work so now he is taking online classes.

Jeana's dating Allen evolved into just a friendship. Kara is still at Berkeley, but wanting to transfer to UCLA to be with her boyfriend. Shane still has hopes of joining the major league for baseball, although his batting average was .244.

About a week after the filming of the Year End Party, with the motorcycle, Jeff died. Jeana dismisses "the other housewives" and their theory about Gretchen's relationship, but Jeana believes it was a "real" relationship.

For the latest backstabbing, read the blogs on Bravo's web site--especially Vicki's. She outright accuses Gretchen of having another man move into her home shortly after Jeff's death. http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/season-4/blogs Tamra alludes to Vicki's accusation and Jeana's blog is much more kind.

I have seen, on the OC Register site, Jay Photoglou (the apparent OTHER boyfriend that Vicki is referencing) has been airing his dirty laundry for all of cyberspace to see. He claims Gretchen broke up with him last week and ever since, he has taken to web sites and Myspace with a vengeance.

Next week's reunion will be aired at 9PM, Eastern, just before the newest Real Housewives of NYC. Tamra seems to want to take all her accusations and allegations to the public stage with poor Andy Cohen. This should be good!!

The Bachelor--Episode 7 (The Overnight Dates), Jillian Harris gets sent home!

In case you haven't read Chris Harrison's blogs on The Bachelor, they are a must-read. http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/02/chris-harriso-2.html This week's entry was slightly cryptic, but I'm sure it will all make sense in the end (and to be fair, I am so used to Chris throwing out lines like, "The most dramatic rose ceremony ever," that I kind of ignore the hype).

Now that it's down to three girls, it's time for the overnight dates. I am far from a prude, but this concept has always skeeved me out because the bachelor/bachelorette is dating three people at this point. I, personally, don't want to be sleeping with someone who I *know* is sleeping with two others on consecutive nights.

We're in New Zealand and Jason arrives, by helicopter, to pick up Jillian. They are wearing matching plaid flannel shirts. (Odd?) The mountains and scenery are beautiful, but I'm not sure I am sensing a chemistry vibe between these two. They land on a ledge, overlooking some water and settle in for a picnic. Jillian explains that she is looking for a best friend. Jason says used to want that, too , but he wants something more passionate, as a couple and he's not sure if it's too much to ask to have both.

At dinner, Jillian is wearing a shimmery and short pink dress with boots. They are having dinner at a winery. Jill says that when she's not with Jason she feels super overwhelmed. She's away from her life and career and she's okay with it as long as she's with Jason and she admits that she is crazy about him. Jason doesn't say anything in return, but he kisses her.

Jillian asks if he has something to give her--as in, the invite to the fantasy suite. This is how you know the show is getting played out....it's predictable and I was kind of surprised that Jillian was so forward.

After Jason gives Jillian the key, she says in her private interview that she wanted him to know it was going to be a long night and he would have to deal with "all her fire."

Jason admits that his family would love Jill--maybe way more than anyone he has ever dated before. He says it's possible that he's falling in love with her. They head off to the hot tub and suddenly, we hear some strange Spanish music as they make out and grope each other. As Jason notes about the hot tub..."It was steaming in there.... because of us ."

The next day, Jason is standing in the rain (with an umbrella) waiting for Molly. As he says, "I had a fantastic date with Jillian, but today, IT'S ALL ABOUT MOLLY." Wow, he got over that pretty fast....

Jason covers Molly's eyes as he takes her to the bridge where bungee jumping was invented. I have to admit that I was terrified, just looking at the height, but they suited up and jumped together and Jason was the only one screaming.

Molly has to remind us (yet again) that her parents didn't like her previous boyfriend and she would never date a man they didn't approve of again. To lunch, she brought a list of questions. "If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?" Hamburger . What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Peanut butter chocolate . Molly says it's important, in a relationship, to know the little things. His favorite holiday? Birthdays. Favorite car? Mustang . Favorite meal of the day? Not breakfast . Whose concert would he go to, if he could chose anyone? Elvis! . If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be? The President, because you can make a big difference (look out, Obama) What is your favorite period of time in your life? NOW, says Jason.


Apparently, Jason gets ready in 20 minutes. It takes Molly 45 minutes, but she can get it together in 5 minutes, if she had to......Molly decides to save the final question for "later." I gotta say, Molly is no Barbara Walters, but she was amusing and she did get to know a little about Jason since it's usually he, trying to find out about the ladies. (Small shout out to Shannon, aka, "Tooth Nazi." I just know, girlfriend, you WISH you'd had this treasure trove of trivia to throw Jason's way, while dropping his brother's ex girlfriend's dog's birthday, which you read on Myspace or Google).

Molly goes into the dinner date knowing that Jason needs to get to know her emotional side. Jason's biggest worry is that Molly will curl up and shy away from everything. Jason kind of calls Molly out on some BS. She says New Zealand is her FAVORITE place and he asks how she could know that based on just landing there . She explains that it will always have a connection to him and she saves the day with that answer.

It seems like Jason needs to be validated by Molly, unlike with the others. It's a different dynamic altogether, but for me, not a preferable one. I don't care much for Molly or her snooty golf family. There's something about her which doesn't ring true as being genuine. Chalk up another girl who, knowing the fantasy suite is in the midst, blurts out, "I think I am falling in love with you."

Now it's time for Molly's final question from her earlier list. She asks Jason to spend the night with HER. That makes her the 2nd girl to take the initiative and make the move. Jason says he finally felt "loved." Somehow, he seems like the "chick" when he's with Molly. The two move into a bubble bath in an awesome tub.

Day three and Jason is waiting for Melissa. They run to each other and they are so happy to be back together. They go out on a lake on Winston Churchill's old boat. Jason revisits his doubts about not meeting Melissa's family on the hometown date.

They go into a hot pool, with a view of the lake. Jason broaches the subject of Melissa's parents. She reassures him that if he makes her happy, her parents would accept him, but she still wishes they had met him. Jason is bitterly disappointed and he rationalizes that he can fall in love with Melissa without meeting her parents, but it can only go so far...

Jason and Melissa are downtown in Queenstown and they had dinner in a private dining room. The conversation goes back to Melissa's family and she confides how scared she was to admit that her parents didn't want to be part of the process. FINALLY, he is able to be the one to offer spending the night in the fantasy suite and Melissa says, "Absolutely."

They head off to the Matakauri Lodge, overlooking all of Queenstown. (Complete aside, watching the dinner and afterwards, I am convinced that Melissa doesn't drink--not that I care--but she appears to have water or sprite in her glass at all times.) Almost with a gun to her head (not really--but all the contestants at this point feel COMPELLED to say it), Melissa admits that she's fallen in love with Jason. Now I just hope she washes off all that horrible black eyeshadow because she looks so fantastic without it. Jay admits all his doubts about Melissa are gone and he's been waiting a long time to have Melissa all to himself.

Funny trivia--as we see Jason get ready for the Final Rose Ceremony, he looks in the mirror and he's wearing a hideous blue/purple tie. Then, as he exits his hotel room, he's wearing a much nicer tie, which is explained in Chris Harrison's blog. Why in Earth would a man own a tie so ugly--much less pack it on the trip to New Zealand to wear it on a tv show??? Ugh!

Jason bounces his deliberation off Chris and explains his week of adventures with the three girls and he says he's falling for all three. He tells Chris how Jillian wants to marry her best friend and although it sounds fantastic, he wants a whole lot more than that. He says they have always had the best friendship quality, but since coming to New Zealand, they definitely have the passion.

Chris brings up date number two with Molly and Jason lights up. They laugh about the bungee jumping and how he's glad that Molly finally opened up and showed her "emotional" side.

Talking about Melissa, Jason can't help but mention his disappointment about not meeting her parents. He can't see proposing without ever meeting her parents. Jason knows that after he sends one of the women home, the remaining two will meet Ty and his family. To help with his decision, each of the girls has sent Jason a video message (or as Chris degradingly calls it, a "video plea," give me a break!).

Jillian starts out with possibly a too-familiar, "Hey, babe." She thanks him for showing her how it feels to fall in love again. It was a sweet message.

Molly starts with, "Hey, Jay." She thanks him for a great date and for helping her to open up with her emotions. She is positive that she's madly in love with him.

Melissa starts with, "Hey, you." She thanks him for being him, says she misses him and loves him.

At the Rose Ceremony, there are just two rose and three girls. Jason issues the standard speech about how he's falling for each of them, for different reasons, and how he hates to have to send one home and break her heart.

The first rose goes to Melissa. After a dramatic pause, the final rose goes to Molly. Poor Jillian is breathing visibly through her mouth and Jason asks to walk her out. They pause on a couch and Jason admits his strong feelings for her and he tells her their lives are more different than he originally thought. Apparently, Jason is really AGAINST marrying his best friend and Jillian thinks when they are both 90, that's ALL that will matter. Sadly, for Jillian, she has hit "the friend zone." All single people understand that once a member of the opposite sex hits "the friend zone," it's almost impossible to resurrect them to "flame" status.

It was hard to listen to Jillian talk about a dream she had about her and Jason and Ty. It was very real for her, yet she has to go home to Canada. Jason's eyes tear up as Jillian enters the limo to leave. In her interview, Jillian says that before she was on the show, she had a jaded notion that she would never find love. Still, she opened herself up and maybe one day, she will have the fairy tale ending. Her heart is broken.

As she is talking, Jason slumps down on the couch and he's crying into a tissue. It was difficult for him to send her home, but he rationalizes, "I was falling for Jill, but I wasn't in love with her. He returns to Melissa and Molly and promises to introduce them to Ty and his family.

Next week will be the "Women Tell All," followed by "the most dramatic conclusion EVAH!!" Since before this show started, we all knew Deanna would be back, but as we haven's seen that witch yet, it has to be that she shows up in time to ruin the finale. Nice!!

For next week, it will be behind-the-scenes from this season and some previous bachelors/bachelorettes. In two weeks, it's the most dramatic finale in history. The previews show Melissa getting along great with Ty and Molly? Not so much.

Then--even the preview got dramatic!! It showed Deanna coming back, Jason running outside to break down (but we have seen that clip since the beginning). I don't think Deanna is saying she still has feelings...when she says, "I think I made a mistake." "You haven't proposed yet and that's why I cam here." I believe she's talking him out of using the show to find a wife.

Then Chris says, "Nothing could have prepared us for what happens next. What you are about to witness is potentially so dramatic, so emotionally difficult, that we decided, out of respect for the parties involved, to keep the taping of the show as intimate as possible." I have no idea what this means--except that maybe ABC realized that this season involved a small child (though not wholly exploited) and whatever the issue was, though GREAT for ratings, should be handled with some sensitivity.

Final analyis--I think Melissa has been getting the favorable edit from the very beginning because Jason isn't good at hiding his emotions through his facial expressions. He has been crazy about Melissa since the beginning. I'm not sure what his attraction to Molly might be, but I think she is in it to WIN (and *not cry in the limo if she loses*). I just don't see Molly + Jason. I am sorry Deanna was giving a platform (and, apparently, an airline ticket) to show up on this show a THIRD time. I know she still hosts some silly show about getting married--a subject about which she is a stranger and her reappearance damages the series more than the damage it does to her--because she's a non entity.

I'll tune in next week to get the inside scoop from the girls who were sent home and I'm looking forward to the wrap up for Jason.


***Just as I was about to drift off to sleep for the night, I had a thought. With the build-up of the bitter disappointment of not meeting Mel's parents and their fierce need for privacy, could that be all the mumbo-jumbo Chris Harrison is talking about at the end of the episode...."something so potentially dramatic and emotionally difficult" and mentioning the "parties involved" (I.e., Melissa's parents) that they decided to keep the taping as intimate as possible--because Mel's parents didn't want the "publicness" of the show??

Maybe I am delirious, but I can't see Jason ending up with Molly and yet, he's drawn a line in the sand with meeting Melissa's family (and God knows they've dragged that tired storyline all season, just about). It would be a situation never before seen and therefore WORTHY of Chris Harrison's build up? Maybe?? Okay, for once??***

The City "Unexpected Roommates"

Welcome to another week in "The City." If you are looking to view the episode online, MTV posts the full episode, generally the following day, at http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/the-city/videos-full-episodes.jhtml

I live in NYC, but this episode caught me off guard. If you have already packed up your Christmas tree and are praying, every night, for spring...get ready to flashback to Christmas/New Year's Eve 2008. The show begins with Whitney's politically correct "Holiday Party," hosted by none other than Diane von Furstenberg herself. Congrats on being one of the ONLY New York City companies to throw away money on an employee Christmas party. Until I realized that, I'd thought Diane's biggest mistake was marrying Barry Diller.

Whitney shares an endearing story about ousting a very pompous Graydon Carter from a seat during fashion week. As she muses, "How are you supposed to keep everyone and their pictures straight?" I wonder if ANYONE else in NYC wears his hair like Graydon?? Buster Brown is a caricature, but Graydon does wear that long, white man-bob. Hard to miss.

I liked Diane's toast to the employees.....at least she says, "Merry Christmas," instead of Happy Holidays.

We catch up with Allie and Adam at "Once Upon a Tart" in SoHo, where (of course) Allie isn't eating or anything. It seems staged when she remarks that Adam seems to have a lot on his mind and coaxes him into telling him what the problem is.....he finally admits that Jay has been putting the bite on him, regarding their living arrangement. Allie was supposed to be temporarily crashing at their place, while finding her own apt, and apparently, she never moved out.

I can attest, as a New Yorker, how annoying this scenario can be. Apartments in NYC are tiny to begin with--but when you try to cram an "extra" person in the small space, they invariably use the last of the hot water and never take out the recyclables. It grates your last nerves when you carry half the rent and utilities and your "other" half involves two people.

Still, Allie twists this into Adam wanting her out so he can party without her being around so to rectify her wrong conclusion....he jumps to the illogical, "I can't live without you." That means Jay will have to go.

Whitney is off to a loft party, hosted by a friend of Jay's. For some reason, this whole season...Whit has insisted on wearing some type of head gear that serves to remind of Olivia Newton John's sweatband in the video for "Physical." I SWEAR this is not a NYC thing....and although I have seem Whit sport this look more than once, this week, even Erin is in on the act as she arrives at the party with Duncan, who is back from Canada.

No sooner are Erin and Duncan inside the loft, and who should arrive, but JR? Sure--we found out a few weeks ago that JR moved to NYC a year ago and he and Erin never crossed paths until Kelly Cutrone's birthday bash. Of course, he would be at the same soiree as Duncan and Erin........

Duncan isn't impressed. JR notices Erin's head gear (which he refers to as a WREATH?) Erin explains that she thought it was mistletoe, but it turned out it was holly. JR, ever smooth, tells her it just couldn't be mistletoe because she's the only one under it...

Upon hearing this, Duncan DRAGS Erin across the room (as she says, "Ow! Owww! Stop, baby, stop!") His jealousy is palpable and all she can do is suck face with him to show him that she has chosen him over JR, but she somehow thinks it's a good idea to tell him that the 18 year old inside her will always love JR.

The next day...Olivia tells Nevan to get a job, Adam tells Jay that he's ready to take his relationship with Allie to the next level---so he's going to need Jay to move out. Allie moved in for what was supposed to be two weeks, while she looked for her own apartment and now it's 4 months later and they are all shacked up together in a too small apt. Adam--jerk off that he is--tells Jay that he's become the third wheel. Considering it's HALF Jay's apartment, I'd say ALLIE is the third wheel.

At Erin's, she is fixing coffee for herself and Duncan, but old Grizzly Adams realizes he will have trouble trusting Erin when he leaves NYC. (Once he sees the episode from a few weeks ago where JR spent the night with Erin while Duncan was back in Canada, he'll realize his fears weren't unfounded). The best Erin can do is tell him that she's confused and he tells her that she has some things to sort out and he has a plane to catch. Duncan grabs his suitcase and wanders down to a snowy NYC street to catch a cab while Erin sobs on her couch.

Finally it's New Year's Eve and Erin is at Whitney's as they prepare to go to Jay's Midtown apt for the big celebration. Erin tells Whit that Duncan broke up with her and ever the good friend, Whitney suggests taking Duncan's number out of Erin's phone so she won't be tempted to "drunk text" him (hey, sister, we've ALL been there). Erin, instead, offers some sage dating advice, "The best way to get over a man is to GET UNDER A NEW ONE." Okay, there goes all sympathy for Erin.

The girls arrive at Jay's (or, really, Allie and Adam's apt) and I was hopeful they would be close to Times Square. Midtown is a murky description, but I thought maybe we'd see some great MTV New Year's Eve ball footage. When I noticed the partiers were drinking Veuve Cliquot in red plastic party cups, I quickly lowered all expectations.

Jay tells Whitney that Adam is choosing Allie and asking him to move out and truthfully---Whit looks less than thrilled. In Jay's defense (where I normally don't go)...when Whit moved to The Big Apple and crashed at Erin's, Jay gladly took her in when Erin wanted "alone time" with Duncan. It's just kind of the way it is in NYC. Jay and Whit kiss at midnight and immediately, Erin is in tears because she misses Duncan. I dunno---the two times we have seen him leave NYC, she basically chased him out. Still, Jay feels bad for Erin and he bets her that Duncan WILL be thinking of her and he'll call. Deceitfully, I laughed as she called her voicemail and heard the sad announcement, "YOU HAVE NO NEW MESSAGES."

New Year's morning, Whitney is up and making tea as Jay drags himself out of bed, hungover. His resolution is to drink less and to concentrate more on his singing career. As to the living arrangements, he promises Whitney that they'll get through it.

Previews for next week show some Allie/Adam drama (yawn--now that they kicked Jay out, do we really have to watch these two?) and a nice trip to Miami for Whitney and Jay--except that he runs into Danielle, an old flame of his.

Pros and Cons--

Pro--very little screen time for Allie and Adam

Cons--no Kelly Cutrone, never enough of Nevan lounging on Olivia's couch, and way too much emphasis on Erin's manufactured drama about her love life.