There is plenty of blame to go around after the big brawl on “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” but Cynthia and NeNe are blaming Kenya and the show’s editing. While NeNe most likely didn't intend to start a physical fight, she definitely instigated at every opportunity. (Why were so many cronies on her guest list?) These two are trying to save their careers and sway fans.
Cynthia on “Watch What Happens Live”
The same night “Pillow Talk” aired, Cynthia appeared alongside La La Jones on “Watch What Happens Live.” La La did her best, but it was obvious that Andy Cohen really wanted to address the fight. Cynthia waved her hands around and apologized on behalf of everyone. She said she didn’t want to say who was responsible for the fight unless Andy asked, which he eagerly did.
Cynthia said everybody was rolling with their awkward questions and having a good time, but Kenya stood up and caused a chain reaction. She subtly blamed the editing and said Peter wasn’t as involved in the fight as the episode made it look.
After watching the episode twice, I’m not ready to go back for another viewing to search for editing clues. Peter was definitely getting agitated during the lap dance convo with Kandi. That exchange looked like it was ready to turn into something bigger until Kandi said it didn’t matter to her what Peter did. Editing didn’t make Peter’s voice and demeanor change. It didn’t seem like anyone was having fun except for the few times they were laughing and cheering when someone else squirmed while answering the pillow talk question.
To be fair, the fight scene with Brandon and Peter did have some quick cuts that may have made it seem longer. But Peter was pretty heavy handed in the way he handled Apollo. Editing didn’t alter that.
My thoughts abt last nite's episode! Let give a round of applause 2 the editing team👏… http://t.co/dJ23rIbMje
— NeNe Leakes (@NeNeLeakes) January 28, 2014
NeNe’s Twitter Protest
The cast usually tweets during the episode, but NeNe boycotted because she “CAN'T & WONT support violence or lies.” She followed up with a blog post that began like an infomercial for Pillow Talk: The Game. (Not that anyone wants to buy that game or watch her host a gameshow or whatever she was hoping for, but Pillow Talk definitely sounds like something that belongs in Kandi's business empire.) She gave her version of events, suggesting that viewers read between the lines:
"In my opinion Kenya was the spark that lit the fire. Whenever she’s around, we have the worst times! I’ve been on this show from the very beginning and we have NEVER had a physical altercation on this show! I am all about a good read, throwing shade and even getting you together when need be but violence is never okay to me. I think it’s a sad display of behavior and I think it is sad to the black community to be a part of such negative activity! I am bigger, I am better and for that I apologize!
Here's a few questions I would like to ask you: why do you think they let Kenya narrate the whole fight scene? Why do you think they took the part out when Kenya was charging across the room? All the housewives would say we were having a good time! Why do you think they showed it as if we were not?"
I’m not watching this episode again. Really. But I recall seeing Kenya storm toward Natalie before Christopher intervened. That wasn’t edited out. Her narration didn’t affect my perception. I do wonder about the party, though. It had some awkward moments, but it’s hard to believe that all of those people would sit through it if it were as bad as it seemed. And Porsha looked like she was having a good time when she was laughing, dancing, and loosing her neon headband like she was an audience member at "Showtime at the Apollo."
“Real Housewives of Atlanta:” Damage Control
Still, it’s hard to believe NeNe 100% when she seems to have forgotten her alleged choking incident with Kim. NeNe and Sheree also had a pretty aggressive encounter with Kim that led to the infamous wig pull. It seems like the cast is scrambling to avoid any major consequences. Remember the backlash VH1’s “Basketball Wives” received for brawling? It lost sponsors while public figures, including Star Jones and Wendy Williams, condemned the show.
Will fans and sponsors say “no, no” to NeNe after the big fight?
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