Justin Reese

It’s hard to believe last night was the finale of Southern Charm New Orleans. I’ve really grown attached to these folks, and let’s be honest. These gentlemen are easy on the eyes! If you don’t believe me, let’s start the recap, shall we? Lots of gratuitous skin on the final episode which suited lil’ ol’ me just fine!

Jon Moody is prepping canvases for Gian’s party, but I’m not really focused on his artwork. Damn. Although swimming in athletic leggings. He takes a call from Gian who is very excited about the party. Speaking of Gian, Tamica Lee shares with her friends over brunch that Gian has blocked her on social media. She reveals that the pair had a very frank conversation about Gian’s treatment of Barry Smith and his dreaded “f-word” situation. Reagan Charleston comes to her friend’s defense. Barry was so quick to recognize and apologize for his behavior, and Gian heard the story third hand. Susan agrees. It’s ridiculous for Gian to have cut business ties with Barry as if she’s never said something completely ignorant and regrettable. Reagan is sure Gian’s jealousy of Tamica dates back to their high school days. Regardless, the ladies believe both Gian and Tamica are more alike than Tamica is willing the admit…and they are still going to be serving together on the board of Son of a Saint.

Southern Charm New Orleans has been a wonderful addition to my Sunday night. Jeff Charleston is so damn nice. All of these men are. I’ll go to one of their guys’ nights and promise not to complain when naked ladies make an appearance. Last night’s episode was no exception as to how kind, fun, and level-headed these gentlemen are.

After a thankfully uneventful night at the Myrtles, the crew is packing their bags. Jon Moody was missing his sock when he woke up, but the noises that freaked out Tamica Lee and Barry Smith were courtesy of their friend Susan and cousin Jared. Justin Reese completely ghosted with girlfriend Kelsey to spend the night at a hotel. The group convenes for lunch, and Justin isn’t scared to admit he’s terrified of ghosts. As Justin continues to say he’s fine, and Tamica takes the opportunity to share a story about her father dying of a heart attack at a young age. Barry interrupts to ask her to pass some sauce, and she is livid. While it is rude behavior, I don’t think Barry was listening to his wife’s conversation given the large number of people at the long table.

Southern Charm New Orleans really upped its game last night. Not only was my mouth watering the entirety of the show, the New Orleans crowd actually had a fun time together! Other than spending far too much time falling down a Myrtles rabbit hole on the internet (and not getting much sleep last night because of it), this episode solidified my adoration for this show. Take that, Savannah!

Reagan Charleston is blessing her new French Quarter apartment by burning sage with her sister as husband Jeff tends to the dogs thirty plus miles (and one long-ass bridge) away. Tamica Lee is about to head out of town with her cousin Jared. She straddles Jared and packs some roadies. The pair is heading to see Jared’s mom in the country after his recent coming out to his friend group. While he’s now told her he is gay, he hasn’t seen her face-to-face. Barry Smith bids farewell to his wife who isn’t looking forward to the road trip.

Southern Charm New Orleans is proving itself to be a Bravo contender. The combination of beautiful people stirring the pot has always been a winner, but throw in some voodoo and a level of self-absorption that defies the norm, and I’m certainly going to watch.

After the explosive end to Reagan Charleston’s jewelry launch, Tamica Lee, Reagan, and outlying friend Rachel are brunching at Nicelle’s home. In the French Quarter, Barry Smith is stewing in his bad judgment and the slur he spouted during his screaming match with Jon Moody’s friend. He’s lunching with Justin Reese and Tamica’s brother while rehashing the night. When he tells his friends what he said, Justin is floored. You can’t say that word unless you’re British and asking a cigarette or you’re looking for a bundle of sticks. Barry recognizes it was wrong, but the guy still continued to get in his face even after apologizing. Justin still can’t wrap his head around it. To him, it’s the equivalent of a white person using the n-word. A derogatory slur is a derogatory slur.

Southern Charm New Orleans is already far and away more entertaining than its Savannah counterpart. It’s got meltdowns, it’s got marriage drama, it’s got second line…and it’s got hella abs and very attractive, albeit messy, people. Isn’t that the recipe for great reality television? Last night’s episode is no exception. Jon Moody’s painting party is being blown to bits by Tamica Lee and Reagan Charleston. Justin Reese is thrilled he isn’t a husband yet. Tamica is screaming at Jon, Reagan is screaming at Jeff Charleston and Jeff is trying to defend the party in its purest form. It was just for painting! Tamica ushers out husband Barry Smith who calmly tells her she is behaving irrationally. She insists her beef isn’t with him, it’s with the host and asks how he would feel if the tables were turned. I’m guessing he wouldn’t mind if his wife was at a party where he wasn’t in attendance, but he keeps his mouth shut because he’s clearly not stupid…unlike the Charlestons.

The drunk duo is trading slurred insults. Reagan is pissed that Jeff never answered her calls, but he swears he didn’t have any missed calls to her because of poor service. Check his call log for Pete’s sake! Realizing he’d left his phone and his jacket at Jon’s the pair turns around to retrieve it. Reagan swears she’s simply concerned because her husband never drinks this much, and she worries he’s been hit too many time in the head due to his stint in the NFL. She also warns him not to get the wet paint from his attempt at nudes all over his nice jacket. What a stupid painting. The Picasso of NoLa is insulted. He’s hanging the masterpiece in their bedroom. As if! Reagan slams the painting into her husband, coating his jacket. She whines a nasally apology while promising to clean it. Jeff counters that she’s never cleaned anything in her life, and I believe him. He’ll be the one cleaning his jacket. She works and puts him down, and it’s sad. He screams that he isn’t the wounded concussion bird that she wants him to be. He’s just upset because his wife is being a giant beatch.

Oh Southern Charm New Orleans, we are back and ready for some drama. Last night’s episode did not disappoint, and I think the guys are much needed comic relief while the women fly off the handle in feeble attempts to whip their husbands into shape. I actually kind of like this show!

Tamica Lee and husband Barry Smith are cleaning up after their dinner party, and he finds the priestess’ incense to burn to increase their intimacy. Barry wonders how all of their friends know about their lack of sex life. Tamica plays dumb…she has no clue how that subject came up during the meal. She certainly isn’t sharing their lack of pillow talk with her friends. Outside of the city, Reagan and Jeff Charleston are walking their dogs, and Reagan wants her giant house in the suburbs as well as a pied-a-terre in the French Quarter. Jeff isn’t yet privy to the news that he won’t be joining his bride during stints in the city. Reagan is in her second year of law school, but she wants a flexible schedule so she can run her multiple businesses. #CraigLife Jeff is willing to support Reagan in any endeavor since she had his back when he was in the throes of his NFL career.

Well guys, Bravo is trying once again to franchise one of its fan favorites with Southern Charm New Orleans. Did Andy Cohen learn nothing from that Savannah debacle? Whatever. One of the gentlemen from the latest endeavor describes his town as “boobs, beads, and booze,” so there’s that. To say my hopes aren’t high is a bit of an understatement, but I’m willing to give it a go!

Tamica Lee heads to work as morning show anchor. She’s quick to remind us that her father played for the Saints and she’s quite the benefactress. Tamica is married to Barry Smith, who she asserts isn’t nearly as fun as she is. Barry claims to be Mr. Mom. He’s all about driving his kids around town to school and activities. Jeff and Reagan Charleston are married and are the parents to several dogs. Jeff is a former NFL player and Reagan takes a lot of pride of being New Orleans born and raised, with her ancestors basically founding the city (according to her). They are hosting Tamica and Barry at their home. It’s huge. There is a giant foyer that boasts three stories of stairwells. Reagan and Tamica are like sisters, which just means they fight all the time and are extremely competitive. Tamica and Barry are moving into a new house, but Tamica doesn’t want to talk about it with her pal…basically because of that whole competitive piece. Clearly these people already know the golden rule in reality television…keep your friends close and your enemies closer.