OK...I can see that. Picture this, though: Jessica has her mother over to watch something special on TV that Nick isn't interested in at all. If he stays home, which I doubt he would, what should he do? Bring the women some snacks? I'd love to see it, but... - and if he shouldn't, why not?

Can't wait for Dr. Phil. I don't like him much, but, if he sees what we see, I'm interested in their reactions to his usually-no-bullshit style.

I agree. If she's expected to bring him snacks when he's doing something with friends or family that she's not interested in, he should be willing to do the same for her. She's not his servant. And let's face it, she's never shown any ability to make even the most basic snacks -- something I'm sure he was aware of before he married her -- so why should he expect her to do that now? She's an idiot, but I don't think she every pretended to be a doting wifey or anything other than what she is. If he wanted a wife to wait on him while he hung out, he should have married an adoring groupy rather than a selfish brat with her own busy career.

I didn't see their marriage as cute the first season at all. I thought there were serious issues there under the surface that were bound to surface with time. One of the things I hated about him was his desire to train her into a "good wife," which seemed to mainly involve her learning how to cook. Dude, as much as we all hate her, she's the main breadwinner here. You should be learning to cook for her.

Many people, me included, didn't like Nick from the start. He was less awful than she was on the first season, but I couldn't like him because he married an idiot and treated her like a child.

Goldilocks, I agree with your entire post, but mostly those two quotes. These two are totally disfunctional.

And speaking of Nick and Drew, it appears that next week they're spending the holidays together in some hotel. Whatever happened to Drew's wife?

See, I disagree with this. His first offer was to grill something for dinner (which I suspect would be the same offer if it were her parents instead of his). He has been seen several times bringing Jessica her purse or a drink or more food or what ever. No one is expected to be a servant to their spouse, but that give/take is part of being married. I help you- you help me.


Unfortunately, I'm sure this will be another opportunity for them to "show the world how fantastic their marriage is!" Why would they go on the show otherwise? I doubt they'd be on it if they didn't have some sort of agenda that ended in roses and kisses. PapaSimp has a very tight grip on the puppet strings of this marriage. He'd never set them up to be railroaded and blindsided on tv. They don't need the exposure that bad.

I never said Nick shouldn't or wouldn't do the same. In fact, I actually can picture Nick doing that, he's always doing nice stuff for her. Her for him...not so much. My point was that if Jessica wanted to get Nick's attention, she could have gone about it in a better way than to whine and piss him off out of sheer boredom.



That's exactly what I meant. Jessica's first impulse whenever NIck asks her for anything at all is to whine and snort at the idea, as if there's no reason at all for her to do anything for him. But most people who like, let alone love, each other actually do like doing things for each other once in awhile and appreciate it when the favor gets returned. This is never going to happen between these two because Jessica considers it beneath her to lift a damn finger for anyone but herself.

I loved the first season of this show but I agree with the poster that said that their arguing this season is not lighthearted, you can see some strain in their marriage. I think Jess is someone who delays dealing with problems until it is unavoidable, she delayed going to the dentist until she was in alot of pain. This is one example of her desire to avoid confrontation and to avoid dealing with problems. In my humble opinion, that is the greatest issue she has.

A dog is not a human being, so there is no comparison. I see nothing wrong with calling an 'animal' 'it' because that is what it is.

::blinks::



Exactly. There's nothing wrong with "Hey babe, I'm in the kitchen, need a drink or anything?" by either the husband or the wife. Damn, when did 'being nice' die?

Sucka doesn't know the world exists beyond a three-foot radius around her, so she probably doesn't think her in-laws need food and drink or that it is the mark of a good host to offer refreshments. And talking smack to your spouse in front of his/her parents is never a good idea, because all of a sudden you will be outnumbered 3 to 1.

For sure ! If my family were at my house and my boyfriend started to talk to me like that he wouldn't know what hit him cause they'd turn on him so fast. Love is about being nice to the person you love, the little things you do for them e.g make a cup of coffee when they come home after a horrible exhausting day at work without them asking you to. Its about being nice to the people that are important to them and making them feel welcome in your home even if you don't like them. I am continually amazed at how self centred this girl is and how she has managed to get to this stage of her life without developing the basic skills of dealing with a situation she doesn't like by doing something OTHER than whining, sulking and pouting like a toddler does (but then grows out of).

::shakes head::

An "it" would be an inanimate object, dogs have gender (and don't talk about neutering, is an infertile woman less of a woman because she cannot reproduce?) and therefore are defined by their gender. I know this is off topic, so I'll stop now.

Breaking up the dog n' gender debate to say that I'm shamefully excited for the episode tonight. Something about spoiled celebrities trying to whip themselves into shape in an inconceivably short time frame that is sort of fascinating to me. Maybe it's the fact that they have the luxury to spend 5+ hours a day in the gym. Must be nice!

Not to mention that it puts unnecessary hardship on the relationship. If you don't even try to be nice to your spouse/significant other's family OR be nice to your spouse/SO in front of them, there is virtually no chance of them liking you or being able to get along with you (depending on the degree of outspokenness the family has.) That causes problems for holidays and makes it difficult for people to get together with their families and can cause major rifts in relationships.

If you actually care about your loved one, you'd make an effort to at least do your personal best to make a good impression (they may not like you anyway) but the important thing is to try.



Thank Roman! I wasn't looking forward to 10 pages of back and forth between animal lovers/haters/don't carers. Can't we all just unite in hatred of the Simpson family?

I'm not on the Nick Love Train or anything, but I could not get over that he had to eat his ribs at the table. Whose idea was that? If it was his, cool. If not...man. I think it would be tough to not even be able to eat ribs while you watch The Game. And I don't even like sports.

What amazes me is that Nick's family is even allowed in their home. I was seriously beginning to think that if you were not a relative of the Simpson clan you didn't exist.

Nick doesn't get off easily because he knew that Jessica was spoiled and self centered when he married her. Granted she has turned into Diva Bitch from hell instead of just mindless, annoying, spoiled brat but still no pass from me.

In our house it's the opposite. I watch the sports and hubby who swore the day he walked off the football field after playing his last game a couple of years ago said if he never saw another football game he'd be fine, well he sleeps during the games LOL.

As for who wears the pants or has the most money, I think they keep their stuff seperate and he put a lot of his 98 Degrees money in investments that have netted a nifty profit. He doesn't need her money. I just haven't figured out why he doesn't go out and do things on his own instead of just trailing her or sitting around all day. Makes me think he's lazy.

I mean get back in the studio, go out on more acting auditions-do something damn it. If she leaves you then guess what-she didn't a crap about you to begin with she just wanted another lap dog.

Heh. All part of keeping your man in line, dontcha know!

Protip for Nick: If you keep the receipt, you can return your gift from Drew for a newer model.

The Plot Device: Bwah!

*sigh* Stupid MTV and their faux-buildups. I had a strange feeling that the "suspenseful knock at the door!!" wasn't going to be what they wanted us to think. Which was Nick getting in trouble. And I really wanted to see that. So, Jessica being at the door was a dissapointment in two ways. The other being because...it was Jessica.

It was hilarious that Nick was having much more fun at FAO Schwarz than his little brother. And what did that saleslady expect from showing a teenage (or pre-teen) boy a variety of frickin' stuffed animals? Why did she even show him those? Anyhow, he seems pretty humble and he doesn't seem to want to spend Nick's money. Which, as Nick pointed out, is a nice contrast to Jess' constant begging.

Jessica's constant repeating of how she stinks? Hate. It was funny, though, how they showed us a glimpse of the Stinky Ass shirt. But seriously, Jessica, just because you think you're cool for being the "girl who has no shame when farting" doesn't mean you are. Because you're not. And it's not cute. So, shut up. Now.

IMO this new season is a vast improvement from the Cacee-a-thon we were subjected to in prior episodes.

I liked tonight's episode. The difference between the famewhore Simpsons and the laid back Lacheys was never more apparent. Nick's peeps barely said a word and looked uncomfortable in this episode. Real down to earth. I don't think it is a coincidence that his family is never on the show. Did we even know Nick had another brother besides Drew? He doesn't even mentioned them.

These episodes are getting more and more boring. Why do I even bother watching?

I agree, Baylor, the episodes are definitely lacking. I did enjoy seeing Nick's family for a change, though. I wasn't even aware that he and Drew had a stepmother, divorced parents, or another sibling. And, as always, I was pleasantly surprized by the little things in this episode. Nick's father doing the quick math in his head after they were told the price of the stuffed elephant ("so it's $1000 a foot?)? I mean, you KNOW that if this had been Jessucka and her family they would have just stood there with their mouths agape and someone would've paid for the stupid thing.

Nick's family seems so normal, and Jessica's family is ...decidedly not. Why is he with her? How did Drew end up with nice Leah and Nick found stupid, mannish Jessica? Seriously, she must stick out like a sore thumb in that group and that's why we don't see very much of the Lacheys.

Okay, I just watched this season's episodes this weekend, and they were just as painful to watch as I expected. Why, why do I continue to watch this woman and her seriously dysfunctional value system? I'm actually beginning to wonder about Nick this season too. That queer trip through the empty FAO (Please, Isaac, let me buy your affection?????) Jessucka must be rubbing off on him. I no longer feel sorry for him. He should have figured out by now that she's not a good long term partner for life.

Just to put my two cents in, I don't think that Jessucka has an eating disorder, not as they are classically defined anyway. I think that she is trying desperately to look rail thin for this should-have-been-made for TV movie because that's what she has been told to do. It seems that actors, especially female, have a lot of pressure on them to be thinner and thinner. As I said, I think Jessucka is simply responding to that pressure.

If she could just put as much effort to improving her attitude as she has to improving her body, she and Nick might just see another six months of marriage.

I guess I'll be alone in really enjoying this ep.

My favorite line---
Saleslady---"...and you can have one for only 150,000 dollars!"
Nick--"Or you can go to college."
Saleslady---::crazed laughter::

Did you see the way Nick hugged her when she turned out to be the surprise? He was truly happy to see her. I, for one, "awww"ed when he opened to door to find her.

Is Drew living in that hotel? Is he basically spending his Rent paycheck on the rent of the hotel room alone?

I must admit, he did seem genuinely happy. And that was really sweet of Drew to help out with, because I don't think he's that fond of Jessica. Or maybe it's just me. But that last scene reminded me of them from the first season, it was kinda nice.

I didn't get that Nick was trying to buy Isaac's love. He justed wanted to get the kid a Christmas gift and show him a good time in NYC. Isaac is just about the least-materialistic kid I have ever seen. Loved Nick and Drew's family.

I for one was shocked-shocked!- at how happy Nick was to see Jesssica. Go figure.

"Rent" is probably paying for Drew to stay in the hotel.

I don't think Drew was in a hotel, just looked like a regular place to me.

I thought the FAO scene was really cute, he wanted to do something nice, and his family is all normal. That crazy FAO lady was sorta disturbingly shrill and excited but I so love the store.

I found it more disturbing than cute. Instead of knowing something about what his brother wants and selecting a gift for him, he takes him to the most expensive toy store in the world and tells him to pick out something for himself. And they're showing him stuffed animals. And there's a crazy lady talking about $50K, $150K. I couldn't tell if the poor kid was overwhelmed or mortified. I think it shows how out of touch Nick's become with his family. He seemed so clueless, and wasn't really connecting with the poor kid in any way.

I have a couple of nephews that age, and I'm not close to them, but when I see them I try to find out what they're into so I can pick out something they'd like. Nick has no clue what his little brother is into at all. The kid should have called his bluff and said he wanted that Ferari.

I see what you mean, but I think Nick may have just thought it'd be a cool thing to do. I mean, my family knows me, but it was a huge treat to be taken to FAO and allowed to pick something. You got to go look at all the stuff and play with it and pick whatever cool thing struck your fancy that you didn't even know about before (it has regular toys but also a gagillion things you won't find in regular toy stores). So... I totally relate to thinking that'd be the best thing to do, especially as with kids that age, they can have really specific tastes that change like the wind.

I thought the kid was just shy with the presence of cameras around, and possibly just quiet to begin with.

Wow. Could not believe the difference in Nick's attitude toward Jess from one end of the ep to the other. Was he wasted when she showed up at the hotel? Cuz he seemed really happy and glad to see her, and touchy-feely. You know, as opposed to the simmering resentment and annoyance I usually feel emanating from him.

What the hell, anyway? Why couldn't he fly out and stay in Baton Rouge house to be with his wife on Xmas? So, she'll be on set a lot, it's not like she was filming in friggin' Siberia.

Drew and Leah began dating in 5th grade (I believe). I personally adore Leah. Between her and Drew’s cold reaction to Jessica coming, and their lack of air time this year, I’d like to believe they’ve developed the same hatred toward Jess as the rest of us.


It was pretty cute. The first thing she did however, was attend to that damn dog though. HATE!


Reality shows like this are notorious for setting up little trips and activities to make things more interesting. (Watching people watch tv can be painful.) Since the lovely Lachey family isn’t likely to sit around and discuss if oysters give you boners and what makes sausage white, a trip to a giant toy store made sense. Those tricky MTV producers!

Of all the things I hate about the Simpson girls, their blatant disrespect for showing up on time is by far the worst.

Finally, IMO, any girl who can’t be bothered to tie her hair back while working out, isn’t at the gym for the right reasons.

No truer words....not to mention appropriate emotions

Yeah, I have had the feeling since Newlyweds started that Drew doesn't like Jessica very much at all. He probably never has. He never talks to her and barely acknowledges her existence. He will laugh at her stupidity, but he doesn't seem to communicate with her that much. His body language says it all.

Harking back a bit for you guys Stateside now I know and apologies for this but the new series of NW started over here last night and I got to see first hand for myself what you were getting at over the trip to Napa Valley. Has someone ever needed a strong does of reality more????? The initial meal started out ok, yes the card and the handwriting was a total snub to Nick but I was going to give the girl (who doesn't tie her hair back in the gym??) the benifit of the doubt but it was sadly misplaced. I was astounded at how rude she was in the restaurant about the food that had beens specially prepared for her and Nick. I am a picky eater but rather than turn my nose up at what is put in front of me in situations like that I eat what I can. I may not like it but (unless its fish and I'm allergic to that at least) it doesn't make you throw up. And even if she ate the bloody started its chicken for God's sake and the dessert, cause really how bad can ice cream be? and then pretend to be full for the main course. Then that pathetic " I feel bad" girly whine of hers Jessica you KNEW that would be shown on TV and the chef would find out you dumb ****** If this is what she is like further in to the series (and from the sound of things on this forum it seems that way) I'd divorce her myself.

I couldn't even watch the episode because I was so horribly FREAKED OUT by the commercial with the contortionist girl who turned into Regan from The Exorcist. And that was a commercial for candy?!?!?!?!? Holy shit. I will never be the same.

I'm sure that's true. And FOA Schwartz probably paid a fee to get on the show. But still, he showed no connection with that poor kid at all.

It's easier to like someone more when you haven't seen them for a while.

I wanted to punch that lady's lights out from the FAO store. I'm sure it was probably set up, but DAMN. "Hey! Here's a semi-rich guy and a camera crew! Let me try to get him to buy something expensive that no normal person would buy!" Too bad Nick and his family are actually normal people. If that were me and someone was whoring the most expensive items on the sole fact that I was rich, I would've walked out of that store. I agree with the poster who said that it wasn't a lack of connection between Nick and Isaac, more just a feeling of being overwhelmed on his part because of that stupid lady. Bitch.

I love editors sometimes. The whole "I stink" segment was hilarious. It just seems like Jessica tries to act all natural and constantly voice her flaws so people will look at her and be like "Wow she's gorgeous but she gets B.O. too!" Does that make sense?

I, too, did "awwww" when Nick opened the door. The look on his face was priceless. He really was happy to see her. And then the bitch ignores him completely and makes sure her stupid Daisy gets attention. [small voice] I only realized last night that they called her Daisy because Jessica's playing Daisy Duke. [/small voice]

I think someone way back mentioned that Jessica likes to also say her big boobs are a flaw when in reality some people would consider that a blessing. Farting and big boobs to me are not flaws. Now if she needs to point a flaw out to be "normal" then I suggest her teeth and mannish jaw.

I also loved that her slack-jawed, live-in personal trainer was mesmerized by the tv when Jessica and all her little pixie friends were lugging their $5,000, car-sized pieces of luggage up the stairs. He wasn't neglecting them on purpose, I don't think, which is too bad.

My mileage is varying here. Because I actually came away watching that all, "Aww." The only person who wasn't connecting at all during the FAO Schwartz visit was that super-annoying tour guide/salesperson. And Nick's college education remark was perfect. Ultimately, I think Littlest Lachey was just being refreshingly camera-shy. Perhaps with a little more time, Nick would have scored over at the skateboards, though. I had my hopes up.

Although I totally support the intent behind those New York City fire laws? I was all aboard Nick and Drew sneaking in that tree. They are too much fun together.

And color me surprised along with many of y'all at Nick's seemingly genuine joy and enthusiasm at seeing Jessica at the door. Drew & Lea are sweethearts.

The only possible funny part about Jessica voicing her stinkitude was the quick cut to Nick explaining to his parents that he and Jessica had to be separated during the holidays and how "that stinks." That cracked my shit up!

Does FAO Schwarz have video games? Cause all the boys I know in that age group are into video games, sometimes to the exclusion of every other fun pastime. If they did not have a video game department, Isaac may have mentally checked out, and was just counting the minutes till he could get back to his GameBoy.

Bwah!!! Me too.

I did something I've never done before during a Newlyweds episode: I turned it off half way through. The format is like a repeat of last season - you get a few episodes of them together, like, you know, NEWLYWEDS. And then for the rest of the season, they're apart.

Hey MTV: I don't want to see the romantic adventures of those asshats Nick and Drew, nor do I want to see Jessica promoting her latest loser project. Here's what I want to see: I want to see them at home. I want to see Nick shake his head and contemptuous looks. I want to see Jessica whine and pout over her burned dinners. Thank you.

Re: wardrobe. Did Nick and Jess get a memo about it being cool to wear tour t-shirts? Was I seeing things or did Nick have a Cult tee on and Jess Tom Petty when she was packing? Maybe I was hallucinating.

I find it hard to believe either of them are fans of either of those groups (although my much lowered opinion of Nick would skyrocket if he were a Cult fan).

This hasn't been mentioned yet, I don't believe. What was with the incessant questioning by Nick (and maybe Drew too?) about where the Christmas trees and garlands came from? Have you guys ever heard of people who are really careful about only purchasing US-grown trees? I mean, I'm all for love of country, but I've never heard people ask that question. Maybe it's because I'm in an area of the country where it's a given that local farms provide the trees.

I turned this one off too (though it's not the first time for me). I was bored to tears. I honestly don't know why I continue to watch the show at all, Jessica annoys me, the damn dog is getting half the screentime and Nick and Jessica barely interact anymore. Is this season the last for real? Or is it a red herring last season ala the Osbournes and Punk'd. (OT: Incidentally, I'm not going to believe that this is the last season of the Osbournes until I see with my own eyes that it's no longer on. Is anyone still watching that show?)

I saw some weird stylist dude on MTV or something talking about the latest thing being vintage concert tees. There are stores in LA that sell them for obscene amounts of money. I think that's the latest way for silly, superficial people to flaunt their wealth, pay hundreds of dollars for a shirt that cost $7 in 1974. I thought it was weird that kids would be interested in buying shirts of bands they're too young to have ever seen. I wish I saved my old concert tee shirts, but usually they were of such poor quality they didn't last very long.

They were really, really stoned during that scene; right? Because that's the only explanation I could come up with for the way they were acting. And Nick bought those outdoor icicle lights for a tree?

ETA: From below

No, it's quite possible it was a year or two ago. It just stuck in my mind because I was thinking I should have saved mine.

Last night I saw the previews for tonight's Access Hollywood, and they're going to talk about N&J's marriage troubles.

More ick re: pasimp on msn today:
Jessica Simpson's overlord, er, father is attempting to explain why (oh why) he felt the need to comment on her tremendous talent for filling out a top. "If you put her in a T-shirt or you put her in a bustier, she's sexy in both," Joe Simpson told GQ recently. "She's got double Ds. You can't cover those suckers up."

But he's now insisting his squicky remarks were taken out of context. "That interview was an all-day interview," the preacher-turned-manager tells Extra. "Look, this is a girl who's had this problem since 7th grade. We've always had to deal with it. She's sexy in this, she's sexy in that. I can't hide the fact that Jessica has boobs." (Fair enough, but you can stop talking about them. Seriously, we're already associating your face with her cleavage. Pretty please, with a Wonder Bra on top?)

Meanwhile, on a scale of pop culture cheesiness, the pairing of the redheaded stranger with the bubble-headed blond probably falls somewhere between Tiny Tim tiptoeing through the tulips and Sally Field's hysteria-tinged "you like me" moment.

But that won't stop Jessica and her gaping maw from trying to swallow Willie Nelson whole as "The Dukes of Hazzard" co-stars record a duet for the film's soundtrack.

Mrs. Nick Lachey is already doing her best to butter up the braid-favoring country music legend, gushing to MTV that he's "absolutely unbelievable" and raving to Rolling Stone, "He's amazing. One of the best people I've ever met."

Nelson plays grizzled Uncle Jesse to Jessica's short-shorts-wearing Daisy Duke in the big screen remake, which hits theaters June 24. No word on what ditty the two will perform.

"We're still deciding," she tells MTV. "We have a couple [of songs] we like."

Recently? I remember people pushing them a few years ago. Shows what I <don't> know!

I have to say, I think it was refeshing to show how happy Nick was to see Jessica. It was so cute, it made me miss my boyfriend! LOL. But it was nice to see them showing each other (even Jessica did!) love and affection, instead of the usual.

I didnt see much affection on Jessica's part...maybe to the dog...

Because she's met a lot of them. People. She's practically an expert on the subject. So she should know. He's just "one of the best" though. Gotta wonder who he's competing with for that title. The little guy in the ATM machine who gives her money?

Is Willie Nelson like totally one of her best friends??! Oh wait, wrong sister...