‘Real Housewives of New York City’ finale

The June 3 season finale of The Real Housewives Of New York City on Bravo not only attracted its best ratings ever but wrapped up a record season for the reality show. The finale attracted 1.76 million adults among the ages of 18-49 and a series history high of 2.64 million total viewers–up 16% and 30% respectively, versus the season two finale.

How can a group of people be so unlikable yet so fascinating at the same time? Season 3 of the Real Housewives Of New York City ended with a bang last night and proves that at least one of its cast members knows what she’s talking about: Luann is right, money can’t buy you class.

It was like a season-ending cool-down rather than explosive final show. It started off with Ramona going through preparations for the renewal of wedding vows with Mario. She is her typical flighty-hard charging self, but her excitement is palpable and she’s shaping up to be a beautiful “re-bride.”

Meanwhile, Jill and Bethenny have their “let’s clear the air yet again” lunch. Jill tries her best to accept her portion of the blame for how badly their friendship deteriorated this season, but Bethenny is still not in the mood to be conciliatory; in fact, Ms. Frankel gives her former BFF another harsh rebuke, saying that Jill’s sabotaged her relationships left and right. Jill is stunned that Bethenny doesn’t buy her “contrition”, and through her tears, there is that familiar flash of manipulation on her part. Jill, sweetie, that just may be the point Bethenny’s trying to make. Of course, nothing is resolved, friendship-wise.

Oh, sweet, deluded LuAnn. She hosts a CD launch party for her single “Money Can’t Buy You Class”, inviting all the ladies, yet only Jill, Sonja and Kelly show up. Between showing off her Eurotrash boy-toy Jacques, the Countess gives a “live” performance, which is made either more endearing or more pathetic by the fact that she ENJOYS her bad singing a little too much, or both.

The spotlight goes back to Ramona, who revels in getting glammed up with her daughter Avery (who is really quite striking in a wonderfully awkward way). And although Kelly tries to hammer home how “manufactured” this blessed event feels to her, there is a true sense of Ramona’s happiness at celebrating her union.

Hours before the vow renewal, Jill visits Ramona, and the two confirm that their friendship will endure the latest dustup that occurred in the Virgin Islands. But there will be no dice, at least not yet, for Jill’s hope to rebuild her relationship with Bethenny, as she continues to give Jill a cold shoulder. To prove that even now, Jill chooses to be selective with who she wants to make up with, she disses Alex’s attempt to clear the air between the two of them. That’s right Jill, save the drama for the reunion show, babe.

Let us end on a happy note, as Ramona and Mario’s vow renewal actually is sweet and heartfelt, thanks to the emotional personal vows they wrote to each other. And the ladies do look great at the event.

And that’s the season finale for you. The relative calm before the storm which is the reunion show.

Overall, the third season of Real Housewives averaged 1.38 million adults 18-49 and 2.02 million total viewers, the highest rated season so far for the New York City franchise. Bravo will reunite the ladies for a two-part reunion special on June 10. The Real Housewives of New York City are Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Bethenny Frankel, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer and Jill Zarin. The third season also featured the recurring women Sonja Morgan and Jennifer Gilbert.