The Real Housewives Crazy Train

I watched last night's episode of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" with my mouth agape. From the opening credits Danielle Staub managed to put herself in a seat on the crazy train next to Kelly Killoren Bensimon. Previously I wrote about how maybe the ladies were hard on Danielle and needed to admit that people make mistakes. Watching the fiasco last night, I had to eat my words.

I think it was stated best when one of the wives said "no one bothers Danielle, she just pops up all the time." Even with the magic of television editing, it was obvious that Ms. Staub was interested in making a mountain out of a molehill. The saddest part? It was at the expense of a sick child's fundraiser. Really classy.

When asked by the family of the child to present the check at the event which was held at the Brownstone, Danielle kept stating that "she was there for the family." However, if this was true, Danielle would have kept her appearance to a minimum, did what was asked and left without incident. Maybe because she doesn't have gainful employment, she didn't understand the sentiment extended by the Manzo family of not wanting to make waves and cause a disturbance in their business. I gained a new respect for the family in their handling of the situation and lost respect for Danielle in so many ways after watching her behave like an instigating schoolgirl.

In "The Real Housewives of New York", Ramona is renewing her wedding vows and decides to invite the ladies on a Bachelorette cruise. The setting couldn't have been more perfect-sun, sand and the ocean. Apparently these ingredients led Kelly straight to what appeared to be an emotional break down. Insulting everyone, talking in rambling statements, even making grotesque facial expressions led the Housewives on the cruise to believe there might be something amiss under Kelly's flower-child exterior. After admitting she felt like others were trying to kill her, Kelly ended up leaving what appeared to be paradise and headed back to New York early.

The common strength that both Danielle and Kelly posses is the ability to take the slightest comment and turn it into a personal attack. Danielle managed to take the comment made by Caroline's son, Chris upon her arrival at the Brownstone and morph it into something sinister. "You're in for a big surprise" never seemed so evil when all it implied was being grossly overdressed for the function. Likewise, when it was simply implied that she loosen up-possibly by having a one night stand- Kelly interpreted that to mean sleep your way across the United States. What started as girl-talk culminated in Kelly calling Bethenny a "Ho-Bag." Talk about playground antics.

I believe both of the ladies may be suffering from the stress of being put under a microscope. Putting things in perspective, since taping the show, Kelly has experienced the negative aspects of being in the public eye, her earthy reputation somewhat tarnished with accusations of abusing her boyfriend. Danielle has had her entire past bought to light with the rediscovery of her ex husbands book on one of the most popular franchise shows on the air. I'm sure trying to live with any of that hanging over your head isn't easy.

There is another side of me which shakes a finger at Bravo and wonders are they instigating these fiascos for ratings. If so that's a crime because no matter what these ladies do for our entertainment, at the end of the day they are parents. Yes, its easy to forget that both Danielle and Kelly are single parents to young, impressionable girls. Each time another blow up happens, I cant help but think about the damage done to their children, watching and absorbing all the chaos. So sad.