The Real Housewives of New Jersey - Episode 19 Recap

Melissa has a meeting with a VP of a big record label in New York, and George Miguel is helping her pick out what she should wear to the meeting.  While this is going on, Melissa received a call from Kim D, inviting her to the Posche Fashion Show.   Kim said to her that there were things that happens in the previous month or two that she stuck her nose in to and got involved in "gossip and nonsense" and she owed her and Joe an apology.  Apparently she was discussing  Joe's business to make him look bad as a business man, and Melissa called her on it.  While Kim wouldn't discuss the details of what she did, she did say that she owed them an apology and would like to make amends.  Since Melissa walked in the show last year, she's like to invite her as a guest this year.  Melissa didn't accept right away, and thanked her for calling because she was really pissed off at her (and had no problem telling her).  Kim said "when I'm wrong, I apologizes".  (Words that, given the previews of this episode, will probably come back to haunt her.)  After they hung up, Melissa didn't feel that Kim was sincere at all - she knew Melissa was pissed so she called, said "sorry", and now wanted her at the fashion show.  George Miguel agreed with her assessment of the situation.  Melissa said she would call Teresa and Kathy to see if they wanted to go.  During her interview, she questioned what Kim's motivation was in extending the invitation and mused whether she was the biggest celebrity Kim knew!  Melissa said she doesn't trust her as far as she can throw her (good instincts!)

Teresa decided to teach her girls Italian.  Which I think is a great idea - all children should be taught a second language.  The problem is that Teresa doesn't seem to know what she is saying ("I speak a dialect, I don't speak proper Italian") and doesn't seem to have any control over the behavior of her children.  Which leaves her "class" a little ineffective.  It's pretty bad when Gia is the voice of reason and seems to get more respect and focus out of her sisters than their mother does.  During this "lesson", Kim D. shows up and, over a glass of wine, invites Teresa to the fashion show as her guest (insert clips of the past train wrecks aka Posche Fashion Shows).  Teresa asks who else she has invites, and Kim brings up the issue with Melissa.  Kim tells Teresa that she doesn't know if she straightened the issue out with Melissa, but she apologized to her nonetheless and is hopeful that she will come.  In addition, she will be inviting Jacqueline and Caroline.  A few comments about how Caroline doesn't want to be her friend anymore, some interview clips with Teresa trying to say "she is dead to me in Italian but messing it up, and then we cut back to Gia teaching her sisters Italian while Teresa and Kim are in the kitchen drinking wine.

Caroline, Al and Lauren go to the boys apartment for breakfast (that Lindsay cooked).  Actually I think it was more brunch.  And Chris did a sweet toast with his "Manzolini", and then served their brunch "sandwiches" that looked really yummy.  Christopher feels that Al is really happy with Lindsay there at the apartment, so he's totally fine with her being there.  Lauren announced that she signed her lease at the old Chateau and it is now the location for Cafface.  Caroline feels like the last few years have been a challenge for her kids - but they are all working hard, building things from the ground up and doing a great job.

Kathy and Rich finally have their meeting with Giacomo from Bindi Desserts (who was at her tasting) to discuss making desserts blending her recipes with their flavors.  They were also meeting with Attilio Bindi, the owner, and Kathy was a nervous wreck.  In part, because she was making a big pitch to them and in part because she was concerned that Rich was going to trample all over her in the meeting.  Kathy has some signage that she's developed with a tagline of "Goddess Sweets".  Rich jumps in to the conversation a couple of times and it's difficult to tell from the editing if he's helping or not.  Kathy is pitching herself and she looks like she wants to smack Rich (I kind of wish he would zip it too.  And I didn't need the dessert/fish/Kathy commentary during the interview segment.)  In the end, they would be very pleased to work with her!  Woohoo for Kathy - she wants to pinch herself she's so excited!

Joe and Melissa meet Corte Ellis (the songwriter that she works with) and Jason Kpana (recording industry executive) at the Russian Tea Room in NYC.   Melissa is looking for someone to help her independantly before she gets to the record label stage.  Jason really impressed that they don't want to pitch a label right away, they want to work it on their own first.  Corte feels they need a record industry "translator" to work between them and the labels so everyone is speaking the same language, and Jason is ready to do that for them.  He feels he can take her from an artist just starting off to a star.  Melissa feels like the last year has been a dream and she is "making her story" like the ones she watches on television of celebrities and famous singers.  She's thrilled where she's at and will continue to sing what she believes in.

Caroline and Jacqueline go shopping at Posche, and Kim D has pulled stuff for the two of them.  Caroline doesn't try things on, but Jacqueline does and she looks adorable in a sparkly dress.  Kim has booked the fashion show and wants them to come.  She'd like to talk to them about where they want to sit.  During her interview, we see Caroline say she is concerned.   They are going to a fashion show that "historically has never ended well" (understatement of the century), and now it's after the blow-up in Sonoma.  It's a recipe for disaster.  Jac and Caroline talk about Teresa and how different things are between them, and Kim D is listening in (nothing negative is said).  Jacqueline said she feels like Teresa is playing nice because she doesn't want any drama.  Caroline has no issue with sitting at the same table with her - she can ask her to pass the salt like anyone.

Jacqueline goes to Teresa's for a play date, and she feels like it's a little awkward.  She's hoping things become genuine again, but for right now it's kind of "fake it 'till you make it".  Melissa and the kids show up too, and there's a water slide in the backyard for the kids to play in.  Melissa says during her interview that she is in a good place with Teresa, and she feels that the two of them have a lot of catching up to do.  She is happy with the place that they are in, and she does't want to see the bad times return again.  It's Melissa and Teresa together, and Jacqueline and Nicholas all by themselves.  It's a strange dynamic - but Melissa doesn't want to get involved with it because she is in such a good place with Teresa.  Teresa says that Jacqueline is acting cold and distant, and she doesn't have time to babysit her. 

Caroline and Lauren stop by the new Cafface space to check out.  They are both really excited!  Lauren feels good about working with her mom, and she knows that they will fight but it will be okay in the end.  Lauren is jumping around and she is very happy, which is wonderful to see.   And Caroline says she is fine with it for today, but tomorrow Lauren gets to work her ass off.  Caroline doesn't feel like Lauren really knows how special she is, and Cafface will go a long way in helping her realize that.

Jacqueline Skypes briefly with Ashlee, and we see that she has moved to LA and she is talking about how happy she is (and how she left the gas on in her apartment for two days?!?!)  Ashlee is currently doing public relations work right now, and she told her mom that she got to interview one of her favorite bands recently.  Jacqueline is very proud of her that she really wanted to go to LA, and she figured it out and made it happen.  What she's not so proud of is the addition of TWO new tattoos.  Lord help Jacqueline - she tries her best to keep quiet about it, stay positive and let her alone while she figures out her own like.  So hard!!!

It's Posche Fashion Show day and Melissa and Kathy are getting ready together at Melissa's house.  George Miguel is doing their make-up and they are chatting about the night ahead.  Melissa wanted to bring her sisters (Lysa and Kim) as well as George Miguel, but was told it was sold out.   We hear Kathy talk about the Posche show last year when it turned in to a train wreck between her and Teresa. Kathy just wants to go and have a good time with no drama.  Melissa and Kathy end up discussing Kim D., the phone call and apology, and that Melissa wasn't interested in going to the show until Kim called and admitted she was wrong. Why should she support Kim's business when she was bashing Joe's?  Melissa says that she is a forgiver to a fault - if someone calls her, admits they are wrong and apologizes, she lets it go.  Kathy and George tell her that whatever Kim's motive is, they'll find out sooner or later.

Across town, Teresa and Kim D are getting their hair and make up done at a salon (is this the renamed Chateau?), and are introduced to the PR Manager for the salon (named Angelo).  He escorted them upstairs to get their make-up done.  Teresa says in her interview that Kim D wanted her to go with her to the salon, despite usually having her hair and makeup done at home.  She's nervous that they won't get it right.  Angelo gets them a glass of champagne and then drops the bomb - he knows Melissa, they go way back.  She worked for him.  At a gentleman's club.  Then Kim chimes up with "Really?  What did she do?" (Does anyone believe that she DIDN'T know this tidbit of information ahead of time and planned this?)  According to this Angelo, Melissa "danced" for him for about a year.  Kim chimes in with the "Oh, I didn't realize, I thought she was a bartender . . ." and Teresa says "I'm feeling a little uncomfortable right now, this is my sister in law. I don't want to talk about my family."  Kim, there might be a chance in hell that people would think you didn't set this whole thing up until you said "WHOOPS!" with a giggle and a smirk.  Teresa tells Angelo that she would appreciate it if he wouldn't talk about her family.  He apologized, Kim sends him on an errand to get her ice for her champagne and he leaves the room.  Teresa looks a little shaken - I'll give her that.  I'm not sure if I believe her 100% at this point, but I'm open to it.  But Kim??  Her comment about "let's hope there no more drama for the rest of the night" is pure BS.  Kim is just stirring and stirring and stirring, trying to get Teresa riled up and start thinking bad things about Melissa.  Teresa tells her again that she doesn't want to talk about her family and she doesn't want anyone else talking about her family.  Angelo comes BACK and again apologized to Teresa.  She reiterates that she doesn't want to hear anything about Melissa or her family.  However, Kim D chimes in with "well, let me just ask you . . . ."!  Teresa gets up and leaves the room, and Angelo and Kim finish their "gossip session" about Melissa.  He said it was 7-8 years ago, and she worked for him for 8-9 months (give or take).  His customers were "thrilled" with her and sad to see her go.  Teresa says in her interview that she's heard rumors that Melissa used to dance, but this person "kind of "confirms it.  Now, Teresa was standing in the hallway and it's impossible to know (unless you were there) if she could hear the conversation or not.  But if you are her, have the history you have with Melissa, and really didn't know anything about this whole Angelo person saying these things, aren't you texting Melissa ASAP with "hey I just met so-and-so and this is what he is saying about you"?  That's what I'm doing if I'm Teresa! Kim was clearly enjoying the topic and found it quite entertaining.  She piqued her curiosity, make sure to get all of the "details" on camera, and then dismissed Angelo and called Teresa back in the room.  Kim decided now that she just wants to get their make-up done and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Teresa, Kim, Kathy and Melissa arrive first from their group and they are hanging out and chatting.  Melissa is looking for Caroline and Jacqueline, and they are sitting down at their table (a horse-shoe shaped banquette) when the ladies finally arrive (with Lauren).  Apparently they got turned around or something. Jacqueline feels uncomfortable with Teresa because things aren't 100% yet.  While they are sitting there and ordering their main entree - Peter Giudice (Joe's brother) came over to say hello.  Kathy is a little annoyed because she sees a lot of guys there and Rich would have come.  It's a club, and she doesn't usually go to nightclubs without her husband.  Kim is floating around, cocktail in hand, and stops by to say Hi again to all the ladies and remind them that she doesn't want any drama.  HA! Guess who stops by the table next - Angelo!  To say "Hi" to Melissa.  "You remember me right?", he says.  She's polite, but blank faced.   He's asking her about "so I hear this is Kim's fashion show?"  Really?  How else did you get an invitation and get in the door?  He makes a couple of other random comments, says hello to Teresa (she says an uncomfortable "Hi") and walks away.  Melissa then says to Kathy, "I don't remember where I know him from but I know I know him.  You know when you know somebody?"  Melissa says she knows his face, but she can't place him.  Teresa chimes in with "my heart's beating 500".  Kathy asks her if she had a lot of coffee today?  No answer, just a "To Be Continued . . . . ." flashes on the screen.

NEXT WEEK:  Mayhem at the fashion show on the season finale of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

You can find fabulous make-up artist George Miguel on Twitter (@GeorgeMiguelC)

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