WELL, colour me stunned. The toxic vibes on “Selling Sunset” have been toned down for a more kumbaya feel in season eight.
I know, I was left speechless, too.
The popular reality series centres on the Oppenheim Group and its Los Angeles real estate agents, who look like they stepped off the runway. The narrative sees their professional and personal lives dovetail.
For the first five instalments, Christine Quinn held the title of resident mean girl. She wore it like a badge of honour, ruffling feathers and leaving a trail of tears and anger in her wake.
But with the ebb and flow of arrivals and exits, cliques were formed, trust was broken and wars were waged in the oestrogen-charged office, where I’m surprised that owners Jason and Brett have survived unscathed.
Like with most reality shows, real-life events tend to overtake it.
Chelsea Lazkani’s divorce from Jeff after seven years of marriage is one of the big talking points this season.
She’s been a regular since season five and despite not wanting to be ensnared in the drama, she inevitably did. Last season, her beef with Bre Tiesi reached new lows.
In taking shots at Bre, who is one of Nick Cannon’s baby mamas, she revealed her prejudice.
Sadly, karma caught up with her and, boy oh boy, did it throw stones at her glass house.
But more on that later.
The season opens with Chrishell Stause pushing for Bre to return to the office. Meanwhile, Mary Fitzgerald takes offence to Chelsea’s outfit, which, in all honesty, was more fitting for a party at the Playboy mansion than at an open house.
Chrishell and Amanza Smith have been healing well after falling out in the previous season. This is evident at Amanza’s 47th birthday bash, where she celebrated her triumph over recent medical setbacks.
Interestingly, she also revealed that she’s been seriously crushing on Trevor Noah, whom she jokingly refers to as her “future husband”. But mums the word for now … lol.
As always, the listings are more extravagant and the challenges more frustrating.
Back to the Chelsea and Bre saga. Bre happened upon solid intel that Jeff was stepping out on Chelsea. Having been down that road, she decides to tell her.
However, while later processing the information with BFFs Chrishell and Emma Hernan, she starts questioning Bre’s motives in choosing to be the bearer of bad news on camera.
Rather than deal with the matter at hand, she chooses to direct her rage towards Bre, with Chrishell and Emma being put in an impossible situation.
A storyline that had fans in their feels was the death of Mary and Jason’s chihuahua, Niko. The cast was emotional, including a normally stoic Brett.
I don’t think there were any dry eyes for those watching episode nine titled, Two Listings and a Funeral.
By the way, there’s a new agent in the office. A leggy beauty, Alanna Whittaker is the calm needed, for sure. She remains impartial, even when she is made privy to rumours she would rather not hear or repeat. She also happens to own a Western oasis in an off-the-beaten-path town.
With the heated face-offs between Chrishell and her arch-enemy Nicole Young, it was bound to be a tense season for them.
Thankfully, a surprise cameo by a previous OG helps them bury the hatchet. For how long, though, who knows as Nicole can’t stop putting her foot in it.
The personalities on the show are strong so clashes are inevitable. It has certainly heightened the appeal of the show over the seasons.
Let’s not forget about those head-turning wardrobes, luxury homes and flashy rides. Speaking of which, Jason consoles himself with an expensive gift, which he puts on his black card.
Overall, it’s been an interesting season. Now that Chrishell is happily married, she’s calmer - and certainly more balanced - in addressing upsetting issues.
Mary wears her heart on her sleeve and viewers can’t help but love her.
As for Nicole, the jury is still out on her turning over a new leaf. That scene with her choking on her apology to Chrishell was telling.
This season was more emotionally-charged for sure as the daggers were put away. The catfights were upstaged by forgiveness and healing among the cast.
Of course, with the cliffhanger ending, it looks like Bre will be unleashing hell in the next season. Stay tuned!
∎ “Selling Sunset” season 8 is streaming on Netflix.