Russian Dolls: Michael Needs a Publisher!

Someone pointed out in our comment section that Michael is looking for a publisher for a book of Russian recipes that will come out of his restaurant's kitchen and which will be headed up by Marina, the reality show star.   According to Marina's press release last week, you would have thought offers were pouring in from publishers, here is a quote: "She received a great deal of interest in getting her own reality show and writing a cookbook of her favorite Russian recipes from Rasputin. The cookbook will feature contemporary Russian cuisine from the restaurant." 


Where did all the interest for this cookbook go?  Well I think we all know it was never there to begin with.  Marina and Michael are trying desperately to milk there 15 minutes of fame and turn it into money, but the problem is they are their own worst enemies thanks to the show and how they were portrayed.  Michael came across as a man without backbone who takes orders from his screw of a wife.  A wife who insulted his mother many times on national television, without a word out of him.  Marina came across as a loud, obnoxious, self-centered, materialistic, rude, shrilled voiced, controlling woman. 


Anyone who knows anything about publishing a book knows you have to have the interest of a literary agent and something to show them that will sell.  If you can do that, the agent will try to get interest from publishers and strike a deal.  What do Michael and Marina have to bring to the table?  Recipes from their restaurant and Marina's picture for the cover?  How much do you think that will be worth?  Just reading it make me laugh! 

Russian Dolls: Recap Episode 12 “Russian Dolls” Finale

Guess who was at Rasputin's International Women's day after all?

Count Vlad, Boris Glickstein, Renata Krumer and Tobi Rubenstein Schneier at Rasputin Restaurant & Cabaret, celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting With Love…A Russian Soirée



Thank God this is the last episode, and I mean that. It’s hard enough to watch one show a week, but 4 shows in one morning was way too much.

At Anna’s house, Eddie tells her he wants to model and he has some pictures of himself. He feels it’s easy money. Is this is the same Eddie who insulted Anna’s school and career a few shows ago? Anna feels he has potential, but he is very arrogant and that is going to affect his chances of getting work. He has no idea how much work is involved.

Every year Michael and Marina host Women’s Day at Rasputin, with high end food and dancing. They discuss the guest list. Sveta is definitely not coming, but they are not sure about Renata and Boris. It’s a big problem. Michael says they need to have a “sit down” with Boris and Renata; he expects an apology and for them to say they were wrong asking Marina and him to leave the after party.

Anna calls Eddie about a modeling job. It’s a photo shoot and he wants to try it. Meanwhile, Albert tells Eddie he is getting serious about Anna and he is tired of being single, he wants more. Eddie warns him about getting hurt, Anna doesn’t commit.

Eddie shows up at the photo shoot. He has to take off his shirt and socks. The photographer is being very critical of him, but Eddie is acting like an idiot and Anna is pissed. Now they are going to pose together, half dressed on the bed, in some very seductive poses. Eddie is getting himself so worked up that when the session ends he starts making the moves on Anna. Never mind that she is dating his best friend, Eddie is going for it, and Anna puts the brakes on. Eddie is so not cool, geez!

Renata and Boris go to see Marina and Michael. Renata feels that Marina ruined her celebration party and she want an apology. But, Michael and Marina also want an apology for being thrown out. Check mate! Marina says she cannot be friends with anyone who is friends with Sveta. That does not sit well with Boris and Renata. It’s absurd. The whole conversation is going round in circles so Michael and Marina leave.

Boris and Renata are not invited to Women’s Day!

Diana has a preparty before going to Women’s Day at Rasputin. Albert and Anna arrive. Anna has pictures for her photo shoot with Eddie to show him, but she never showed Albert, and he was caught off guard. Albert gets upset. He believes Eddie was making moves on Anna behind his back, he is a backstabber. Albert starts a fist fight with Eddie. Anna is upset. Albert tells Anna he feels Eddie disrespected him. In the end they all go to the party together. Off to Rasputin for Women’s Day. There is a fashion show of fur coats.

Renata tells Sveta she would pick their friendship over Women’s Day any time. Sveta tells her that Marina and Michael will never apologize. She wants admirers not friends. Renata says she sees the best in people and she won’t change who she is.

The young Russians are having fun at the party. Eddie is stripping and dancing and kisses Diana.

The evening is over and they all leave. Anna kisses everyone, except Albert, goodbye and appears to walk off on her own. But, at the last second, she gets into Anthony’s car and speeds off after they share a kiss. Leaving Albert standing there alone and looking like a fool. What a way to end the season and the series.

Let me just say I did a lot of research on the show before it started, to get familiar with the cast members before beginning to blog. I ran into a few articles and pictures about Women’s Day at Rasputin. The show leads us to believe that Sveta and Renata and Boris are not going to be at Woman’s Day, BUT I believe they were so I am headed off right now to check it out.

Women’s Day took place March 8, 2011.

Quote with link below: Manhattan and Brooklyn Russian hotspot, Rasputin Restaurant & Cabaret, celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting With Love…A Russian Soirée. Owner Marina Levitis of the fabulous cabaret, Rasputin, entertained her celebrity Russian guests with a glamorous fur fashion show highlighting emerging European designs and furs from Pologeorgis Fur and a live auction hosted by Boris Glickstein and his beautiful wife Russian radio host Renata Krumer.

So I guess Renata and Boris were there after all and all that talk about them not being there was a convenient lie?  So much for reality!

Russian Dolls: Recap Episode 11 “Perestroika”

Just when you think things cannot get worse, they do. The writers decide that Diana and Anastasia’s apartment is haunted by a ghost, yes a ghost. I hear it’s not even their real apartment, but one that Lifetime is allegedly paying for so they have someplace to film the show. So here we go…

Diana and Anastasia call Anna. They are upset because their apartment is haunted (all of a sudden, it was fine for the first 10 episodes). They tell her all the things that go on at night and that they are freaking out. The bathroom door is opening and closing, scratching on the wall, the fire alarm goes off by itself. What drama! If you watch the episode you can see that they even want to laugh at this storyline. But on with the show!

At Renata’s house she is rehearsing for the play “Demon” which is a classical Russian poem about love and sinful love that had been banned in Russia for many years. Renata wants all her friends there to support her, but Sveta and Marina have not spoken since the jewelry party at Rasputin. Renata thinks she can make peace between her two dear friends.

Diana and Anastasia visit Eva for some advice on how to get rid of their ghost. They figure she is a fortune teller and she should know. They tell her the television goes on by itself, there are footsteps on the stairs and all kinds of noises. Thank God Eva is well aware of what she calls the “Domoval” and knows exactly how to get rid of one! She tells them it’s a spirit and they way to get rid of it is to bang a broom against each wall of the apartment. Another remedy is to cook for it and then put your shoes out the door. They go home and try Eva’s suggestions. However, they do not cook so the order sushi for the ghost and then put the shoes outside. The rituals don’t work, big surprise! This is so ridiculous that I refuse to waste any more of my time writing about it and the writers should have been as smart as me too!

Renata is stressed about Sveta and Marina fighting at the play so she invites them over, but she doesn’t tell either one that the other is coming. Big mistake, she should know better. The doorbell rings and Sveta arrives first. Then it rings again and Marina walks in talking at the top of her lungs, so Sveta immediately knows who it is. Sveta does not like surprises and who can blame her…who wants to be surprised with Marina? Renata begins by sweetly talking to them both and trying to get them past their differences. She wants them both at her play. This is a huge deal for her being on Broadway. Marina says she cannot ignore what happened at Rasputin the evening of the jewelry show. Sveta says she has to leave, telling Renata “who does she think she is?”

Renata’s play on Broadway, “Demon” is her dream come true. Sveta shows up to support her. Diana is there to support Renata, but finds the show very boring and spends the entire time on the phone (great support! As I roll my eyes). Sveta enjoyed it and was glad Marina was not there. Wait a minute…Marina was not there? I smell trouble.

Boris is very upset that Michael and Marina did not show up for the play He says he will talk to them later about it. Boris and Renata host a party after the play and everyone is asking where Michael and Marina are. This was a big deal and they missed it. Marina gets to the after party late, with flowers, for Renata. Sveta mentions that it was disrespectful for her to miss the play and come late to the party. Renata doesn’t want any fighting, this is her night and Boris is hoping for an apology…good luck with that. Boris tells Michael off.

Eva approaches Sveta and says something to egg her on. When Sveta responds, Michael is upset that she is saying hurtful things to Eva. Then Marina comes over and the fight breaks out with lots of screaming. Marina claims that Sveta brings out the worst in her, but this socialite clearly does not know how to behave in public. The fight goes on as the two women curse each other out. When Renata comes out to see what is going on she sees Marina screaming and Sveta calm and collected. Boris becomes upset about Marina’s behavior and tells them to stop it out of respect for his wife. Marina, of course, keeps going. Boris throws out Marina, Michael and Eva. It was Renata’s day and they should not have ruined her party. Michael and Marina are pissed. I think this was pretty inevitable considering the people (Marina) involved.

Russian Dolls: Recap Episode 10 "Eastern Promises"

The young Russians are partying and when Anna decides to leave, Albert is a little disappointed. He realizes that his feelings for Anna extend beyond friendship.


Eva tells Michael that he needs to have another baby because it’s good for the family and it’s a sign of success. Michael is taking it all in and agrees. I think Eva is really interfering in her son’s marriage with this idea. This is a decision to be made by husband and wife alone and that is what Michael should have said. Instead he devises plans to try a sway Marina into going along with the idea. He knows she is going to give him a hard time, but he is determined to reawaken her feelings of motherhood. What kind of man is going to act like this? If he was ready for a baby then he should have brought it up to Marina long before his mother mentioned it.


Albert decides he is going to ask Anna out. He gets advice from Boris about being different from other men and acting confident. Maybe if Albert had been in the show more this might have been a credible storyline, but he has rarely done anything except those ridiculous confessionals with Eddie.


Michael arranges a romantic getaway for Marina at a hotel. There is champagne! Marina is automatically suspicious that if he is doing something nice he has to want something from her. He tells her he is ready to have another baby. Her feeling is that he may want another baby to play with, like a toy, for 15 minutes, but when he is done he will hand if back to her and all the work will be hers. She says their lifestyle right now is too busy and hectic for a baby. Michael answers they will get a nanny to help out. Marina says she is not that kind of mother, who has a baby and then hands it over to a nanny to raise. They can’t agree. But guess what? I totally agree with Marina on this issue. Having a baby means making sacrifices. Being a mother means being a “hands on” mother to nurture your child, not give it over to a stranger!


Diana throws a party and all the young Russians come, of course. Albert approaches Anna and is waiting for the right moment to ask her out. However, they start playing stupid games and they end with Albert having to kiss Anna in front of everyone. Albert resists, he holds back, and Anna is insulted and embarrassed. She hates the party and the games. So do I.


Albert calls Anna and asks her to meet him for coffee. He wants to explain what happened and why he didn’t kiss her. He is sorry she felt rejected. He tells her he was planning to ask her out on a real date and he didn’t want their first kiss to be part of a stupid game in front of everyone. She says yes to the date, she cares for him as a friend. They decide to try it and see where things lead. I think everyone knows this was probably not a great idea, but the writer’s needed something, they haven’t used Albert all season.


Michael is back on “Operation Baby” and his next bright idea is to borrow a toddler from a friend and let Marina watch her so her mother’s instincts will kick in. Marina is happy with the arrangement until the baby starts crying and she can’t calm her down. She starts calling for Michael to help her and of course he is nowhere to be found. This just confirms for her that she is right about not being ready for a baby. Michael didn’t spend any time with the baby and his plan totally backfired!


At Anna’s house, Anna tells the girls about her date with Albert at the Orange Room. She tells them that he isn’t her type and she has no romantic interest in him. Diana and I both want to know why she accepted the date in the first place. We don’t get it. But then Diana and Anastasia help her pick out a dress to wear without questioning her about it.


Albert wants to impress Anna. The restaurant is very nice but she mentions he didn’t bring her flowers. He says he couldn’t afford flowers and dinner because it was expensive. She says well at least you are honest. He tells her it’s easy for him to be himself because they have been friends a long time and he is relaxed. Anna feels at ease with him and says she is starting to change her mind about him and seeing him differently. She gets a bouquet of flowers with monkeys, she loves monkeys. Apparently Albert had ordered them and had them delivered to the restaurant for her. They kiss. Very impressive move Albert.


The two storylines, Michael and Marina’s baby and Anna and Albert dating, were really pushing the envelope. Shouldn’t there be a little reality in a reality show? Just a little. The more I watch the more unreal things get. Nothing is believable. The storylines are weak and when you don’t have professional actors to try to make them seem plausible is it any wonder the show went under?

Russian Dolls: Recap Episode 9 “Single Russian Female”



Countdown to the last four episodes begins with number 9 “Single Russian Female.” I have already recapped episode 8 and you can search for it in the search bar (right hand bottom side of blog). I will try to recap all the episodes as soon as possible, but I have no idea how long it will take.

Diana announces she is going on a blind date to Anastasia and Eddie. He is older, serious, has businesses, is marriage minded. Diana thinks she is ready to settle down and “pop one out.” She meets her mystery man, Albert, and tells him she is in school. He has a business degree and 13 cell phone stores. She tells him she is 23 and wants a baby by the time she is 25. Her mother told her to finish school and have a family. They toast to a potential second date. Diana should have a clue how to conduct herself on a first date. These contrived storylines to move things along at ridiculous speeds just makes the show more ridiculous.

Eva announces to Marina and Michael that she is ready to start dating again. She is lonely. Marina says, “I need to get rid of this woman!” She is all for Eva dating. She wants her to see a reliable matchmaker and Eva says she already did. Can Marina be any more rude and disrespectful? Every single time she talks about Eva it is with contempt.

Diana and Eddie and Anastasia throw snow around the house while Diana fills them in on Albert, her new love interest. He is 33, single and rich. They created a nice little scene between these three young Russian cast members so Diana can fill them in on her blind date, Albert, but seriously couldn’t they create a scenario that did not involve throwing snow all over the apartment? It’s time these people act their age already.

Diana meets Albert again and they are at a pool hall playing pool. Not the type of romantic date I would have imagined a rich guy, wanting to impress a young beautiful girl, would arrange. But that’s just me, I hate pool halls. Diana thinks he is marriage material and tells him she wants him to meet her parents. He takes a deep breath, she is moving fast, but he agrees to go. Now, the show emphasizes how materialistic and high maintenance Russian women are and yet this rich guy gets away with a date at a pool hall? I am low maintenance and not materialistic, and I would dump a guy for taking me to a pool hall on a date.

Eva and Marina go to the matchmaker. Eva wants a partner for life, who she can trust. The matchmaker asks if sex is important? Eva says yes, she wants someone between 20 and 40. Marina wants to throw up. This is the first time I agree with Marina and maybe the last. Eva wants someone who moves and dances and can keep up with her. She wants a friendship and sexual relationship. Of course I do not believe for one second this is actually what Eva wants. In their attempt to shock viewers with their storyline the writers have once again made the mistake of being over the top ridiculous. What else can I say? I think they should have taken more time thinking this series out and writing scripts because nothing they write is working.

Eva returns to the matchmaker by herself, to see who she has selected for her. She shows Eva the profile of a guy named Joe, who is 35. He has energy and is open to seeing a more mature woman. Eva is excited to tell Marina and Michael about her first date. She tells them the matchmaker found her a 35 year old man. Both Michael and Marina are very upset. Michael is upset with Marina because he sent her with Eva so this would not happen. Young guys are attracted to older women for green cards or money. Michael says, no way will he support her in this. Marina says it’s disgusting and Eva is a joke. I have to admit that this whole scenario makes Eva look bad. She can like younger men within reason, but the 20 to 40 age group? Her own son is in that group and maybe Joe is younger than Michael. I don’t hold it against Eva, I hold it against the writers.

Diana tells her mother she is seeing a Russian guy who is 32 years old, who owns a few cell phone stores and has a college education. Diana hates waiting for the perfect guy and moving to the next step in her life. She is in a rush to be married with a child. Diana tells her mother she is bringing him over to introduce him to her. Her mother says okay. After two dates? And one at a pool hall? This is Mr. Right? Give me a break already.

Diana and Anastasia are getting their nails done when Eva walks into the salon and tells them about her date with a 35 year old guy. She is 55 and a cougar and will wear something sexy. It’s her dream to meet a younger guy. Eva asks them about “bases and homeruns” in dating. And she wants to know when is it appropriate to have sex. Anastasia hatches an escape plan in case Eva hates the guy. She will call her with an emergency and if she needs to leave she can. What person in their right mind thinks is it plausible that a 55 year old women is going to act like an inexperienced, naïve, 22 year old? She should be looking for established men in maybe the 45 to 55 year old range. If she wants a long lasting relationship and someone she can trust, that is what is needed, but that has not shock value. I think if it was “real,” the whole matchmaker dating idea might have worked, but never this way.

Eva gets dressed for her date. She researches online what to say on first dates and practices. She meets Joey at a restaurant and he brings her a long stemmed rose. He says he is 35 and she tells him she is 55. He says she doesn’t look it. She asks him what he does in his free time. He says he watches tv and relaxes. She is not happy with that answer. He is young but acts like an old man. The phone rings. It’s Anastasia, the escape plan in in effect. She pretends it’s an emergency and runs out on Joey. So very lame, it’s pathetic.

Diana tells Anastasia that Albert is not going to meet her parents. He called and said he will not be coming, he is standing her up. He thinks they are moving too fast. Diana is mad. She tells her mother that he will not be coming after all. Her mother tells her not to push him. Diana says she is done with Albert, no surprise there. Seriously, there has not been anything remotely credible about this episode or the series. I have three more to watch and blog. Wish me luck! I’ll need it.

Russian Dolls: Saving Russian Dolls?

Brandon Boyd has recently started a facebook page to save Russian Dolls on Lifetime.  Either he is an overzealous fan or has some connection to the show, I don't know which one, but I found it interesting that he is trying to get support for the show this late in the game.  I was going to post a reminder about the marathon tomorrow morning for the last episodes for those of you who want to see it to the end.  I decided to combine both topics into one blog.

Apparently Russian Dolls does have its fans, albeit not enough for Lifetime to consider a season two.  The show probably cost them money, I doubt they made any profits.  No harm done, they can deduct the loss as a business expense.  But I do feel bad for people like Brandon, who got invested in the show only to have it come to a swift end.  I even feel sorry for me, for starting this blog when I believed the media hype that this would be the next Jersey Shore.  I thought it was going to be a successful show and make all the work worthwhile.  Instead, with the demise of the show, I am left with a virtually worthless blog.  Once the final shows air, there will be nothing to write about.  I will have to move on and so will Brandon.

But, if there are some fans out there who want the chance to show their support, please go to Brandon's page and "like" it.  They say numbers talk.  If he gets enough fans over to his page maybe it will give Lifetime something to talk about?   But you better hurry because tomorrow the final shows will air and I think Lifetime is washing it's hand of the show and the cast members.

Russian Dolls: Eddie vs Anastasia

The future of Russian Dolls seems to vary depending who you chose to listen to.  Yesterday my daughter informs me that Eddie Zee says another network is picking up the series.  My immeidate reaction was, "Are you going to believe what Eddie Z says?'  I guess she thought he wouldn't tweet something like that if it wasn't true.  Well, she was wrong. 

Today she tells me Anastasia tweets that we should all sign a petition to save Russian Dolls and keep it on the air.  In fact there really is such a petition and I will post the link below for fans. 

So which is it Eddie?  Did a new network (I can't even imagine which one) really pick up Russian Dolls, or was that some wishful thinking on your part?  Do you have a Fairy Godmother who can wave her wand and make all other networks forgot the poor ratings the show got?  Good Luck to you.

Anyway, for all you fans who would like to see more of Russian Dolls you can join the 25 who have already signed the petition @ Keep Russian Dolls On The Air   They only want 1,000 signatures.  How hard can that be?  Over one thousand people came to the blog looking for a reason why the show was not on last Thursday, maybe they will sign up?

Russian Dolls: Lifetime Silent On Series Future



We haven’t heard from Lifetime that the series is being cancelled and yet they are showing all the signs of doing away with the show. They are airing a marathon of the first shows on October 4^th and then the last five episodes are airing at 8AM on October 7^th (next Friday). I hope they give their fans enough notice to set their VCRs or DVRs. I think they also owe viewers an announcement of its cancellation. Last night people expected to tune in and watch episode 8, instead they learned it wasn’t on. I suspect that accounts for all the hits our blog got last night, probably people looking for an explanation. Marina cleverly tweeted that this was due to the Jewish New Year, however I think that was just a ploy to cover up the fact that Lifetime is done with the series. In any case, I found some clues as to what is going to be shown in the next couple of episodes and wanted to share them with you:

Episode 8: Anna cheats on her new boyfriend; Renata begs Boris to take Tango lessons with her

Episode 9: (Marina tweets) Eva dates a much younger man against Mrina’s better judgment.

Episode 10: (Marina Tweets) Michael (her husband) wants another baby! LOL

So there is just a sneak peek at what you can expect if you tune in to next Friday’s marathon. I am not sure if I will watch. It’s one thing to watch 30 minutes and a completely different thing to sit there for two and a half hours. If I do watch I will not be writing detailed recaps for all the shows, maybe just the things I can poke fun at or enjoy.

Will you watch the remaining 5 episodes? I’d like to know. For anyone who enjoys this blog, it will probably come to an end at some point. However I do write another blog, called Pet Peeves, which is about everything and anything under the sun. If you are interested in giving it a try, I welcome you. Here is the link: http://ninaspetpeeves.blogspot.com/

Russian Dolls: Eddie Zee's Poetry4Hire

Bet you didn't know it, but Eddie's a poet!

I came across Eddie Zee's poetry blog on his Facebook page and decided to have a look at his "work."  Eddie does not strike me as a poet.  Poets are typically sensitive and in touch with their feelings.  They are creative and articulate.  They have a masterful command of the English language and and skillfully use words to paint verbal portraits.  And from what I have heard from Eddie, a poet is the past thing I would have called him. 

Now forgive me if I am harsh in this blog.  I have been reading several of Eddie's "poems" and have a bit of a headache.  Let me give a little background first.  Eddie started this poetry blog back in 2008, so it's been up for four years now.  In all he has posted 38 times in over 1300 days.  I think he must get writer's block often, but I think that may be a blessing, after reading his work.  This year Eddie has written eight pieces and they ended April 1st.  Let me give you a few excerpts of what I have read:

From the piece entitled: who is the next Marilyn Monroe?

" A combination of looks and wit with a fragrance of deception, is what escorted women to their survival. So who’s to be named the next Marilyn Monroe? Who’s sex will invade into a position of power without exploiting it all? Is it the Maxmin top 100 that will direct our attention towards choosing the next hot babe, or is it a concoction of strategic planning and blonde hair and blue eyes? Neither, it’s the moment when women separate themselves from girls to reclaim what they want."

From the piece entitled: I have Writer's block:

"I have writers block. Consistent thoughts merged with ideas and formulas within inches of a solution. I have writers block. A cancer with no antidote, searching for false hope, but at least my breath is inhaling and exhaling. The ingredients to a well prepared dish without patient’s, leads to chaos. It all leads to jotting down useless sentences about corporate entities, basketball players, rappers, and this A.D.H.D. "

Finally, from In her own world:

" I would trade in the creation of Microsoft and Google for a kiss from a woman’s lips if ever molecules became instinct."

Ok that is a sampling of his work.  I've read a lot of prose and poetry in my lifetime, to say this is unique is an understatement.  The kindest thing I can suggest to Eddie is this, if you really have a desire to write, please take a couple of writing classes asap.  Now that the show is cancelled you have the time to do just that.  Your writing, in my opinion, lacks clarity to the point of being incomprehensible.  It's almost like a string of unrelated words, picked out of a thesaurus, strung together like a necklace, to make sentences that are gibberish. 

Picture credit: Eddie's Facebook

Poetry: http://poetry4hire.blogspot.com/

Russian Dolls: Letter To Lifetime

 

Dear Lifetime:

 

I am not a television producer or executive.  I have no experience or education to draw from in critiquing your decisions.  However, I do have a lot of common sense.  In creating and marketing your show, Russian Dolls, you and your staff broke all the rules of common sense.  So is it any wonder the show bombed completely after showing 7 out of 12 episodes?  Let me tell you how I think you should have handled this from the beginning.  I am not saying the show would have been a success, but it might have had a better shot than you gave it.

First of all, you advertised the show to be "the next Jersey Shore + Real Housewives" trying to capitalize on the tremendous success of those shows.  I can tell you that Russian Dolls never came close to imitating those shows.  You set up people's expectations too high and then let them down. 

Secondly, you irritated, even outraged, the one group who may have given you some ratings, the Russians themselves.  You unnecessarily changed the name from Brighton Beach to Russian Dolls, an ethnic slur/insult.  Why?  Was that in order to make it popular with other groups?  Personally, I think the title Brighton Beach fit much better and was closer to "Jersey Shore" than Russian Dolls.  And let's face it, you only had 3 dolls to work with.

Third, what may have been your biggest error was airing the show opposite Jersey Shore, which was already into it's fourth season and had premiered the week before.  If you wanted to snag some of their viewers, and clearly you did by pimping the show as the next Jersey Shore, what in the world made you think that fans of that show were going to change channels in the middle of their program to watch yours?  Only an idiot would have thought that was a good idea.  You should have aired it any time BUT that time, so Jersey Shore fans could have checked it out.  Then, when it was predictable that the time slot was terrible, you made it worse by airing it an hour later!  Way to go!

Fourth, the show tried too hard to force Russian culture and tradition into it's storyline (storylines that were lame to begin with and dialogue that was laughable).  The majority of your cast members had accents that made them difficult to understand.  And most of them were not even likable people.  Were you portraying the Russian community as materialistic, obnoxious, and self centered?  That's what I got out of it.  The exceptions to this "portrayal" being Renata, Eva and Anna.  Renata always conducted herself professionally, with class and grace.  Eva was portrayed as pursuing her dreams and caring for family.  Anna is the one young person on the show to be admired and respected. She has a strong work ethic and is concerned for her family's well being.  That is a big burden for a young girl, but she feels responsible for them.  Now if you could have found more people like that, perhaps people could watch the show and maybe the Russian community would have supported it.

Fifth, the show was too scripted. Nothing seemed natural to me.  The "confessional" skits between Eddie and Albert, were insulting to all women, not just Russian women.  And is anyone going to believe Diana's answer for the lip tattoo was to save money on pencils???  Frankly, I do not belive she really went through with it at all.  It was just drama created for the show.

Sixth, you banned me from posting my blogs on your Bright Beach Facebook Page.  Why?  I was promoting your show for you.  No one on your "team" was keeping fans up to date.  At least you left me alone on the Russian Dolls FB page where practically all the posts were mine.  Your staff couldn't be bothered to interact with the fans that showed up?  They didnt post updates?  Way to go.

Anyway, the inevitable happened.  Eddie is looking for another reality show, like he deserves one.  NOT!  Anastasia's gravy train has come to a halt.  After seeing her attitude on the show I doubt she is going to be getting work any time soon.  Diana better find Mr. Rich Right soon too, before she gets more facial tattoos and ruins her beautiful face altogether.  Anna, I wish you the best of luck in all your business endeavors, maybe the exposure from the show did you some good.  I  hope so.  Eva, please teach your grandchildren some real values, like the importance of family, because Marina just teaches the about materialism and disrespecting their elders and your son allows it.  Renata best of luck with Outstanding YOU and your Passionista Movement.  Svetlana, did you really come up with that idea of a Russian nesting doll necklace or did a company approach you to use your name?  They look over priced to me. 

Russian Dolls: Big News End Of Russian Dolls!

Apparently things are not going well for the show. And as Eddie’s posts indicated, he needs a new reality show because Russian Dolls is coming to a very quick ending. Shocking or not, depending if you are a fan (which there appears to be very few), Lifetime plans to air the last five episodes on Friday, October 7^th, 2011 at 8 AM.

According to reports, the premiere episode had less than one million viewers and were down to 772,00 in mid August when the time slot was changed to 11:30 PM. It seems we will not see any more episodes until Oct. 7^th, when they dump the remaining episodes on the air and wash their hands of the show. Well, we had a good run of 7 weeks anyway.

We are not sure what we will do with the blog. Watching 5 episodes all at once may be more than we can bear. What do you think? Will you watch all five in the planned marathon? Would you like to read recaps of the shows? I can already picture Marina’s reaction and I will not be sorry to see her gone most of all.

Russian Dolls Cancelled?  Get The Smelling Salts!

Russian Dolls: Recap Episode 7 “Cold Wars”

This episode opens with Diana and Anastasia at the tanning salon with Diana saying how good she has to look and how she gets her nails done every week. She thinks a “tanner” person looks better, but did she ever look into the risks of tanning? You know “skin cancer?” But, she thinks it looks “healthier to be bronze. She thinks people judge you on your looks, but maybe not everyone is as shallow as she thinks and she looks fine the way she is. Then she adds she is thinking of doing a tattoo lip liner! She realizes it’s permanent. And when she finds out the tattoo artist lives right next door, how can she not go? Well how about if 5 or ten years from now she regrets doing it or what if it doesn’t come out the way she envisions it? Diana actually says she is doing this to get a rich guy! And surprisingly, Anastasia voices common sense and tells her a Russian guy doesn’t just want someone who looks good, but someone who can take care of him and has a brain.

Marina’s House, my favorite place to be (insert sarcasm here). Marina, Michael and Eva are talking and Eva tells them it is going to be the 20^th anniversary of her father’s death. Eva says her brother and uncle will be going with her to the cemetery on the anniversary of his death and Michael says, yes they will all go. To which Marina immediately says, she doesn’t think she should go because she never even met the man! Michael tells her that is disrespectful. Eva says why she doesn’t know him and isn’t related to him. This woman has no idea at all of what it means to be respectful. She should keep her mouth shut and someone should explain to her that it is to show respect to her husband and mother in-law to attend as a family! She didn’t know the fashion designers, but she went to many parties during NY Fashion Week! And on top of that she doesn’t think her 12 year old son, Zev, should go either. She thinks he is too young to visit a cemetery. Michael and Eva disagree. It’s about showing respect to his great grandfather and Michael says it’s for him to learn to appreciate where he came from. Oh brother, she goes on to say that as his mother her job is to protect him from extra stress. And as Eva and Michael point out, it’s normal to have some stress in life and he needs to be prepared for that. Eva thinks Zev should learn about the history and suffering of his father’s side of the family. Marina, as usual, is being totally unreasonable. Eva is reduced to tears and Michael sees his mother’s pain. Eva is hurt and asks Marina if she can change her decision. Marina says it’s how she feels and as usual, Michael doesn’t stand up to her as the man of the house. He is the father and yet has no say. And, if I heard correctly, Zev is named after Eva’s father, all the more reason for him to go!

Anastasia and Diana’s apartment up next! What a joke! Tatiana, the tattoo artist, lives in apartment 7A and the girls live in apartment 7B! And Diana is just now learning that she is her neighbor and lives about three feet away? Diana explains she wants a lip liner and Tatiana explains the procedure step by step to her, making sure she knows lips are more sensitive. The discussion of the different size needles makes Diana freak out, but does common sense kick in and make her leave? After thinking about it a few minutes she decides to go through with it. But not now!

Does Marina look HOT?

Marina’s House again, oh brother. Michael tells her his mother is upset and guess what Marina answers, “I don’t care about your mother being upset, this is about ME being upset! You better care about me being upset, OK!” He says ok and pathetically walks away. Come on Michael, stand up to Marina, you let her bully you all the time! Marina says that she doesn’t want to traumatize her children, that’s it. Michael tells her she is blowing the whole thing out of proportion, which is true. He tries to explain to her that a cemetery is a place to reflect and remember the person, there are no dead bodies. But finally he says he is not going to fight with her over it. And, she also refuses to go.

Michael and Marina are at the furrier looking at coats. She says, it’s his job to buy her nice things, to pay her bills, and to give her a good life. But God forbid he gets any say in what goes on in the household? We see Marina trying on various items and Michael actually says one coat “looks hot on her.” (I am dying laughing right now.) Michael wants to get her a nice coat so she will change her mind about the cemetery. Marina was already on to him. Marina says there is no fur coat in the world that is going to make her change her mind. Ugh! Michael says he will respect her wishes. She puts on a $20,000 coat and he tells her it looks stunning…I think Michael needs an eye exam.

Back to Anastasia and Diana’s apartment. Diana’s parents stop by, isn’t that nice? She invited them over because she wants to hear their opinion about the lip liner tattoo. Really? She already knows what they are going to say and so do I and I never met them. Immediately they both say “NO” when she bounces the idea off them. Perfect. She explains why she has to have this procedure done. Every day she has to put on lip liner and every day it’s annoying…gee how lazy can you get? And she seems to think this will help her find a man in the future. Come on, is this the best the writers can do??? Please!Diana’s father is upset because she has always placed too much emphasis on her looks.

Damn, back to Marina’s house! Michael goes to talk to Zev. He plans to smuggle him out to the cemetery. He explains to his son that the family is going to the cemetery and why. He asks him if he wants to go. Zev answers, what is mom going to say about it? They get ready to go while Marina is out with her daughter. At the cemetery the family leaves rocks on the tombstone and prayers are said. Eva feels it is very important for Zev to have this experience, it‘s Russian culture. Michael wants his son to toughen up and also to know about the strong man his grandfather was. Then Michael tells his mother, you know Marina is going to kill me for this.

Eddie and Albert chat and Eddie says that Russian women go out of their way to make themselves something that they are not. Yet Eddie is forever trying to become the next Situation from Jersey Shore! Maybe that analogy with sink in with him?

What do you think?

At Anastasia and Diana’s place, Diana takes one last look at her natural lips. It looks like she might change her mind when considering what her parents said, however the show must go on and they need drama, so off to Tatiana’s we go. After applying tape to Diana’s lips, and not very neatly I might add, Tatiana takes out the needles and gets to work. Diana is screaming, presumably from the pain, if she is actually going through with it. She seems to be bleeding and saying OMG. We get a peek at it, I don’t like it. Then Anastasia says Diana is going to see her parents later that day. Why? Diana loves it as she looks in the mirror. I guess that’s all that counts. Seriously, I think it’s a mess.

Diana’s parents home. She tells them she had it done and they both think it looks ugly. After telling her how much they hate it her father asks her where she got the money to do it. She says she saved up. He is concerned about the way she spends money. Her father asks if it was an investment? Being sarcastic. She answers yes now she doesn’t have to buy as many pencils.

Marina’s home. Marina walks in and asks what they did all day. Michael says we’ll talk about it have a seat. Michael tells her he took Zev to the cemetery. Marina looks like she is having a convulsion! Michael says they wanted to respect her wishes but her wishes made no sense. Zev says he is leaving when the screaming starts. She yells they he took her child against her wishes and Michael finally answers, he is my child also. Then she explains how her vote is always above his vote, she is the mother. And it ends with Marina and Michael arguing and Eva leaving the house.

If you missed it and are dying to see it (sarcasm) try this link http://www.hulu.com/watch/279233/russian-dolls-cold-wars

Picture credit: Lifetime

Russian Dolls: Eddie’s Dream Crushed?

I get the impression that Eddie Zee doesn’t keep secrets. I could be wrong, but I am basing this on two tweets he recently made, so judge for yourself:

Eddie Zee I'm starting my own reality show, who's in?

Eddie Zee Time for a new reality show.. brainstorming!

What can those tweets mean? Well I think they mean that Lifetime is NOT going to be doing a season two of Russian Dolls. I would be surprised if they aired the rest of the 12 episodes at this point. Tonight’s episode will be number seven ,called “Cold Wars.” How original!

Eddie Zee had dreams when he was cast on the show. Instead of being himself, he aspired to be a copycat of “The Situation” from Jersey Shore. He failed at that. Soon he will be just another reality show castoff, with his fifteen minutes of fame.

And Anastasia? She will need to get a job to pay for her hair extensions, tans, and clothes not to mention her student loans which are accruing interest as we type. And Diana? She needs to go find herself a rich Mr. Right asap. Of course, Diana won’t starve, she will always have her mother’s borst.


Picture credit: Eddie Zee's Facebook



Russian Dolls: Svetlana's New Necklace Collection!

Svetlana Rakhman didn't get any new business from her Jewelry party at Rasputin and we still don't know if she paid the bill or did Lifetime pay it just so they could add a scene to their show.  Nevetheless, Sveta figured out a way to use her appearance on the show and her own business to create a "new" necklace jewelry line of little Russian Dolls.  Basically she just took the already very popular Russian nesting doll and put it on a chain to wear around your neck (see picture above).  And WOW! check out the price tags here at Sveta's site $349 and $649?  A little piece of Russian history and tradition is getting very expensive!  They aren't even on gold chains, they are on silver chains and here is the description:

A Russian Dolls by Svetlana set consists of a trio of nested dolls and
a matching silver chain. Wear the trio of pendants in one or separately
on one chain. Each doll is handmade with a silver body and enamel face
and belly. The diamond, sapphire or birthstone eyes and belly not only
sparkle, but also hint at the additional treasures inside.

I don't know about you, but I think I could get something similar and a lot cheaper online, if I wanted to wear one.  But who knows, maybe she can get a super star to help promote them?  Then they might start flying off the shelves!

P.S. I hope to see Sveta pitted against Marina one more time before the season ends.  Finally someone who knows how to put Marina in her place!

Picture credit: www.examiner.com

Russian Dolls: How To Eat Cake!

Emily Post wrote her book of Etiquette back in the 1920's and it has been used over the years by socialites and upper class individuals, in our country and elsewhere, as the rule book of manners.  I hate to keep harping on this point, but Marina brought it upon herself, by insisting she is a member of the "elite" because of her jewels and clothing, money and house.  I am going to repeat myself and say once again she exhibits no sign of "class and grace."  It takes more than "things" to make one "classy" and one thing money cannot buy is class.

So I happen to come across a college student who has read Emily Post and she writes tips for her fellow students to follow.  I am quoting her instead of Emily Post to show that even a college student knows the proper rules of dining.  This is what she said:

Don’t eat like a barbarian.

“Eating is inherently gross,” says Post. “It’s taking something, mushing it up, getting your saliva into it and swallowing it down.” But eating, like many other bodily functions, is necessary. And, so that we don’t gross everyone out when we do it, we have table manners. Here are the basics: chew with your mouth closed, swallow before speaking, don’t smack your food and try not to lean into your plate and shovel in the food (even if you’re really hungry, the dining hall is not a barn and you are not a pig). As far as little intricacies of dining etiquette are concerned, Post says, “even Emily Post—she didn’t care what fork you used, she cared that you used a fork.” 

Now, let's take a look at Marina's picture again. 

I think she is breaking all the basic rules at once, and on television!  She didn't use a fork.  She was talking with her mouth full. And she definitely leaned into her plate and shoved the food in.  I have to hope someone picks her up a copy of Emily Post's book for Christmas.  I would hate for her to make this kind of "faux-pas" while dining with the rich and famous!

Picture Credit: Lifetime, hercampus.com, Emily Post



Russian Dolls: My Top Ten Complaints!

A picture is worth 1,000 words!

After watching six episodes, which I did only because I started this blog thinking we had a hit on our hands, I have decided to come up with a list of 10 of my least favorite things about the show. Here we go:

10. The title! Bad choice as far as I am concerned. It is not only insulting to Russian women and the Russian community, it is also insulting to ALL women. Women are not “dolls.” We are not playthings and we are to be taken seriously. Brighton Beach was a better title or maybe the Brighton Shore.

9. Rasputin! The name of the restaurant is unappealing. It is named after a creepy looking Russian mystic with supposed healing powers, who was also known to be a notorious womanizer.

8. The agenda! The show has an agenda, unlike other reality shows, to try to force Russian culture and tradition into the storyline at every turn. From the opening proverb to the explanations inserted everywhere about how terrible Russian parents are for having high expectations for their children and wanting the best for them. Frankly, I don’t see them as being different than other parents in that regard.

7. The fortune telling! I wish they would have let Eva do a “real” fortune telling session instead of the “scripted” one that was obviously contrived just to create drama.

6. The shows are self contained. We never see anything from the past brought up and resolved, like Sveta’s fight with marina over the jewelry show and the bill. Each episode is separate and stands on it’s own, no connection to previous shows or events.

5. Anastasia. She is my least favorite of the young “dolls.” She is self absorbed and only thinks about herself. She has a whiny voice and is always complaining. She is disrespectful to her mother. She is still a student at 25! Who knows how much longer she has to go to complete her Bachelor’s degree and now she wants to add three years of law school! Maybe she is making money from this show, but it can’t be that much and it will be short lived. The reason she lost the Calendar girl competition is the same reason she is going to have trouble succeeding in life, she is a spoiled brat.

4. Boris. He is too chauvinistic for me and too controlling. However, I am not married to him, Renata is, and she seems to love him very much. Hard to say if he is going overboard because that is how he really is or to create drama on the show.

3. Michael Levitis. He allows Marina to run the show. He rarely speaks up, even when she is insulting Eva, his mother. He needs to get a backbone and become the King of his castle.

2. Albert. Albert is hardly on the show at all. Why? He is just there to be Eddie’s sidekick in the confessionals and make crude jokes about women? I don’t see him as being that kind of guy, I could be wrong. But, why does the show want to portray men speaking so disrespectfully about women? Is that Russian too?

1. Marina! Yes, you knew she would be at the top of my list. There is nothing good I can say about this woman. She sets a bad example for her children the way she speaks to her mother in-law. She teaches her children that material things are what’s important in life. She has an over inflated ego and a way too high opinion of herself importance. She considers herself a socialite because she has money, jewels and expensive clothing, but she has no class, no grace, and lacks social skills. Her high pitched voice coupled with her accent, make it hard for me to listen to anything she says. Her gulping down the cake that Diana and Anastasia brought over was just the last nail in the coffin for me!

A Double Bite!

What do you think? Agree, disagree? I would love to hear your thoughts. I cannot see this show coming back for a second season (if they even air all of this one).

Russian Dolls: Recap Episode 6 New Year, Old Grievances

Well the three young dolls come to blows in this episode, Diana and Anastasia versus Anna! Let’s not forget they were all in Miami last weekend dancing it up.

So Russian New Year’s is coming up and they need to look great so the girls go shopping. It’s the party of the year according to Diana and guess where they are going? Right! To Michael and Marina’s Rasputin! “Be there or be square,” says Diana. Well, consider me square because it’s not my cup of Russian tea and you can quote me on that. If Marina is there, I will not be.

Anastasia and Diana are critical of Anna because her interest consists of talking about her modeling school. So what is wrong with that? She is working and earning a living and trying to become successful in order to help her family. Maybe Anastasia should take a page from her book. By the way, what does Diana do again? Did anyone say? Anyway Anna says that Diana and Anastasia are in their own little worlds and just care about themselves. I happen to agree with her. Anna is a little upset because she has news to share about her school, which is important to her, and the other two just don’t show any interest in that because they have more important things on their minds…shopping and nails.

Oh brother, Marina and Michael talk about the big party at Rasputin and say everyone at Brighton Beach wants to go there to celebrate the New Year. Frankly, I doubt it.

Diana and Anastasia are back home. Diana says that Eva is a fortune teller and she is curious to see what the future has in store for her (can the writers please do better than this?) Anyway, Diana is looking for insight and guidance as to what direction she should be going in. However, Anastasia is terrified of tarot cards and is not going to have her fortune told. She doesn’t want to jinx her future and feels like the devil is going to pop out of those cards. But, she agrees to accompany Diana. Guess who else is coming? Anna. However, Diana seems to have just thought of the idea and told Anastasia, so how would Anna have known? They talk about Anna being self absorbed and fail to see this trait in themselves.

We go to Marina’s house (sigh). This is where Eva is performing the fortune telling with tarot cards. In come Diana, Anastasia and Anna. Anna doesn’t believe in it! So why is she even there with two girls she doesn’t like? Eva is using her mother’s tarot cards. Her mother was also a fortune teller. Anna takes a card. A friendship card. Eva says this is just not important. Eva says Anna doesn’t depend on anybody. More important is the business. Eva says that in the future Anna is the one who will help herself. On to Diana. Her card is mostly about relationship. The card shows she is thinking of two men. And deep in her heart there is something about a woman she is scared of or doesn’t like. Diana translates this reading into the two guys are Eddie and Albert and Anna is the girl she doesn’t care for. Really Diana? Is this the best you can do? Anna did not that that comment well, and really, who would? A fight breaks out between the three of them. The other two think Anna doesn’t value friendship. They leave and Eva has no clue why they started arguing.

Marina’s house. Eva is telling Marina and Michael that there was fighting and screaming and it was so disrespectful! Marina is horrified (excuse me while I laugh! Since when is she a model of behavior?). Marina takes it personally and she doesn’t like conflict! Now she is worried they will misbehave at Russian New Year’s at Rasputin.

Anastasia and Diana bring goodies over to Marina and apologize for the fight that they had there with Anna. Marina takes a big bite of their cake while the girls complain about Anna. Geez, Marina is going at that cake like it’s her last meal! She takes several bites at a time. I am too distracted to listen to the girls whine about Anna. Then Marina takes a break from the cake to tell them they have to behave at Rasputin, it’s a VIP night.

Anastasia and Diana get ready for Russian New Year. They invited Eddie to come over tha toast to the New Year. Then we go to Albert’s house! And guess who pops in? Anna! He has cocktails already waiting. Anna says, “Guess what I did last night?” The girls tell Eddie about their fight with Anna and Anna tells Albert about her fight with the girls.

At Russian New Year you write your resolution on a piece of paper and burn it, put it in your cocktail and drink it. Anna wants her business to take off so she can provide for her loved ones. Albert wants his hair to grow back. Eddie’s is healthy commitment. Diana’s is to have a good family and love money and success. Anastasia’s to have money, be successful to have happy parents, finish law school and be happy with Vlad.

The part at Rasputin. Anna comes in and says hello to everyone but Diana. They are all sitting at the same table. Even though there is tension, Diana is the one making comments about Anna. Diana has provoked Anna and now everyone is uncomfortable. They raise their voices and Michael gets up to go over and tell them to keep it down. Anastasia calls Anna a “Russian Hillbilly, loud, obnoxious, rude and full of drama.” Gee that describes most of the women on the show including Anastasia and Diana. Anna leaves the dinner table to go to the ladies room, where the other two have already gone to talk behind her back. Anna confronts Anastasia about the hillbilly remark. They get into a shouting match in the ladies room. Anna goes back to talk to Eddie and then Diana intrudes into their conversation. Now they are arguing in the restaurant. Marina is trying to quiet them down. But it doesn’t work, so they ask Anastasia and Diana to leave and Diana is pissed. She had to spend her New Year’s in the parking lot!

This whole episode was boring and the arguments were fabricated out of think air just to create an episode. How is this reality? It’s not.

Russian Dolls: Anna, Diana & Anastasia In Miami



Looks like our Russian Dolls are enjoying themselves in Miami at the Beach!  Apparently they planned a getaway together and it looks like Anna made up with Anastasia for not showing up at the fashion show!  However, there may be some kind of problem because two hours ago Diana tweeted this picture, which looks like Anna, fighting off a nose bleed or oher injury.  I hope it doesn't put a cramp in their plans.



There was no explanation provided as yet for the picture above.  And lets have another look at Diana, who has proven to be the most interesting to our readers.  Her blogs are still getting the most hits which means more readers want to know about her. 



Now if I could give Diana an excellent tip or friendly advice it is this: Diana, please make blog entries as often as possible, preferrably once a day, so people will find something new to read.  Second, update your website for the same reasons or it will have been a total waste of time and money.  You are in the public eye now and now is the time to strike while the iron is hot!



Russian Dolls: Ep 5 Recap “Calendar Girls”

Anastasia flipping out at salon

Diana and Anastasia entered a “Calendar Girls” beauty contest and they make it into the next round. The competition starts off with 100 girls and it’s narrowed down to 12, 1 girl for each month. Already I have to ask myself why isn’t Anna participating? Anna is strikingly beautiful and she has modeling experience. Maybe the answer will be revealed in the episode? If they win they will be in the calendars all over Brighton Beach. Excuse me, but the world is a lot bigger than Brighton Beach. Diana says, some girls have even met their husbands by being in this calendar. Well now that’s what I call “success” (sarcasm).

They visit with Anna’s grandmother and talk to her in Russian. Anna tells them she was very beautiful when she was younger and used to call herself “diamond” because she was like a rare diamond. Anna tells us why she isn’t doing the “calendar thing,” she is way too busy with her modeling school. She does have a lot of experience under her belt and she will use it to help her girls win. They do a practice photo shoot so Anna can tell them how to pose.

Over at Renata’s house, she is trying on dresses for Boris because she is hosting the Calendar Girl Beauty Contest. He doesn’t like the first dress because he thinks it has to be more glamorous. He loves the next dress, BUT he is afraid she will overshadow the participants. He wants her to find something more glamorous, again. He likes the third dress. As she twirls around for him, he spots a varicose vein on her leg and points it out. Renata admits it’s not the most beautiful thing about her, but it’s never been a problem. But if Boris notices it, she feels it may be getting worse. And he tells her they have to do something about it. I am very disappointed that he takes every opportunity to make her feel self conscious one way or another. His criticism may be well intended, but it is hurtful. He says she has a problem from the knees down. He advises her to go see a doctor.

Albert says Russian women “don’t take crap from anyone.” Then he says they need someone to control them and slap them back into place. I imagine he is joking about this and can’t be serious.

The girls get ready for the photo shoot. Anastasia says she is not intimidated by other girls. Next she starts fussing with the hairdresser doing her hair. After all she paid $800 for her extensions (pretty extravagant if you ask me) and she thinks the hair dresser was frying her hair making thin, dull, ugly curls. The hair dresser says she understands what she wants and Anastasia tells her she doesn’t think she knows how to curl hair. Diana is getting her hair done also, but Anastasia screams for her to come over to her station. She whines to Diana that they don’t know how to do hair while Anna is standing nearby rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Anna says when she heard Anastasia pitch a fit she wanted to take the curling iron from the stylist, curl her hair herself and then beat her with it. Anastasia keeps crying and Diana promises her she will be happy in the end. The salon owner is upset because she is being so disrespectful. The salon is actually sponsoring the Calendar Girls Contest. And everyone in Brighton Beach talk, so this episode is going to get around. If it doesn’t by word of mouth, it will by the airing of the show! Anastasia keeps saying her hair will be hideous. Diana has to calm down a hysterical Anastasia or she is going to blow the competition. Anastasia refuses to compete and is crying. Diana is insisting she calm down.

Anastasia says that no one knew what they were doing with her hair, BUT finally it came out nice. Anna tries to tell her that she was wrong to treat the hair dressers that way, but Anastasia insists if she hadn’t old them they would have messed up her hair. Ana tells her you don’t behave that way and lash out. This is one of Anna’s favorite salons and “princess” decides to flip out because her hair didn’t seem to come out exactly how she thought she wanted it. Anna says, “If Anastasia keeps acting like a four year old, this photo shoot is going to be a total disaster.”

Renata goes to the doctor. The doctor says he can fix it with an injection, it’s pure cosmetics, no surgery. But, the insurance will not cover it. It will cost $1,000. She has to think about it and talk to Boris. Come on now. She can make this decision herself. It’s obvious they have $1,000 for this procedure and Boris is the one who aims for perfection! Renata goes home to talk to Boris. He seems surprised to learn she went to the doctor. She tells him she is not doing the work because she looks ok, more than ok, she looks adorable. She says it’s a cosmetic procedure and insurance will not cover it. He wants to know how much it will cost. She says $1,000 and he answers “you’re worried about $1,000?” She says yes and he gets up and gets her $1,000 cash and hands it to her. He tells her use the money to fix her problem, she says it’s not a problem. He compares her to a diamond with an imperfection that kills it. It’s like a brand new car with a scratch on the bumper. But, Renata says, if she fixes this there will be other imperfections and they can’t fix they all. Finally, seeing he can’t win, Boris takes back his money and says she looks more sexy today than the day they met and all is forgiven.

The girls go to a studio for the photo shoot. They get their makeup done. They have 16 contestants and only 12 openings. During the photo shoot, Diana feels like a million dollars. The photo shoot actually looks very good and professional.

Anna tells Eddie all about Anastasia’s behavior and it sounds like they agree that she is a spoiled brat who has to have everything her way. And then take it a step further and say she is creating a bad reputation for herself which will stick with her. Even Eddie gets it.

The salon asked Marina, Sveta and Renata to judge the girls. Oh brother! Diana says she doesn’t feel well, I think it’s about adding drama and fails. Diana and Anstasia take a shot of vodka before doing the runway. Most of the contestants have very weird hairstyles. The names of the winners are called. Diana gets picked right away. How fair is it to have three cast members judge the contest? Of course they are going to be partial to Diana and Anastasia. There is a conflict of interest here. And of course to create more drama, there is one rose left and Anastasia’s name has not yet been called. And to my surprise, Anastasia did not get chosen! Wow! Anastasia says she is angry inside and can’t get over not being picked. All her friends are disappointed and show it. Diana was beyond shocked and says it was a bitter sweet moment. Renata tells them why she wasn’t picked. It wasn’t because she wasn’t beautiful enough it was all about the incident in the hair salon. Anastasia thinks it’s a stupid reason. She is filled with rage. Anastasia feels it’s because of Brighton Beach gossip that she didn’t win. She feels like a victim. She cries and complains to her boyfriend who just wants to get her home and ply her with wine so….she says he is the only one who makes her happy.

As usual, Anastasia lives up to her reputation. Once again she thinks the world owes her everything. If she doesn’t treat her own mother with love and respect, why would she treat anyone else with respect. She is 25 years old and already at several disadvantages. She hasn’t completed college and she has issues getting along with anyone. She needs to learn that to get respect you have to give respect and in life there will be disappointments. She needs to learn how to handle disappointment, because by her parents giving her everything, she has never learned how.

I want to know who paid for the $800 hair extensions and why. Good luck Anastasia, because at 25 you are socially behind most everyone your age.

Picture credit: Lifetime