"Basketball Wives" has officially returned for its third season, firmly entrenching itself as television's most guilty pleasure. But then again, is it really a guilty pleasure if we unashamedly love this weekly trainwreck? A wreck that features verbal jabs, angry threats, and cat fights, all taking place within the backdrop of lavish condos and expensive dinner rendezvous?
"Basketball Wives" began with Jennifer Williams showing Evelyn Lozada and Shaunie O'Neal what life is like as a single woman. Jen stated that her her ex-husband, Eric Williams, told her she had to move out as he was selling their condo. With her tears now behind her, Jennifer tells viewers she feels like a "new person right now."
That brings us to Royce Reed, who apparently also is single. Her relationship with Dwayne, last seen in season two, didn't end well. Royce and Dwayne simply didn't "mesh," and Royce referred to the brotha as "safe."
Ouch.
In a private meeting with Tami Roman, Royce tries to encourage Tami to meet Suzie. For the moment, Royce's request falls on deaf ears, as Tami's head is still stuck on the season two finale.
Via Twitter, Tami tells Royce she heard Evelyn is cooking up a plan to make shirts related to her "Non-motha-f---- factor, b---!" comment. It's a wonder Evelyn hasn't turned that memorable phrase into a dot com already.
Royce then calls Evelyn a ho and jokes about gardening tools. She does a digging motion while singing "Ho, ho ho. Ho!”
We also get introduced to a new basketball wife (this cast is getting bigger than a rap entourage) named Meeka Claxton, the wife of Speedy Claxton. Meeka has no previous affiliation with any of the cast members from "Basketball Wives," so we see her meet Shaunie, Jennifer, Evelyn, and Royce face-to-face for the first time.
Speaking of firsts, Tami and Evelyn meet at a beach for the first time since the reunion show. No blows were thrown, but you can't say they came to a peaceful agreement, either. After Tami told Evelyn her feelings were hurt due to the way she approached her regarding the Kenny Anderson situation, Evelyn said she planned to donate a portion of the sales she makes off her trademarked T-shirts to Tami's charity.
Tami balked at the idea, and the two went their separate ways.
But they're confrontation didn't end there. Later, Tami enters "Dulce" and sees Evelyn behind the counter. Evelyn holds up a black t-shirt that says "You're a Non F'N Factor B!tch!"
"I can't understand how you could think this is cute," said Tami.
"Because I'm turning that whole negative situation into something positive."
Positive, Evelyn, or profitable?
"I offered you money from the proceeds," said Evelyn.
"I wouldn't take it because it comes from a negative place," snaps Tami.
The argument blows up from there when Tami hits Evelyn with a defamation lawsuit. Violent threats are then made on both sides (my money's on Tami), with Roman flipping the bird to Lozada as she walks out the store.
Cue the credits and week two preview.
Whew. It's only episode one, and I'm already spent.
What did you think of the season 3 premiere of "Basketball Wives?"
