Season 4 of The Rachel Zoe Project opens up with the celebrity stylist six months pregnant, launching her first ready-to-wear line, and having to hire several new staff members after losing right-hand man Brad Goreski last season.
Pregnant and rocking it.
1. Zoe makes a big entrance in heels, a couture suit and no sign of a baby bump.
2. Upon discovering that her child would not be a girl to carry on the fashion empire and to take trips to Paris with Mama, Zoe tells us:
“When I found out I was having a boy I did cry for a week. Or two. Maybe even three. … But I’m over it, because I found really cute clothes for a boy.”
The stylist reveals that it was a tiny leather jacket that resolved her to being the mother of a boy.
This season also introduces us to new staff members at Team Zoe.
3. Execubitch Mandana
Rachel Zoe on left. Scary Bangs on right.
The new Director of Brand Development (I swear these are all made up titles signifying nothing) is Mandana Dayani. I like call her “Scary Bang Spice.” Rachel Zoe calls her:
“Execubitch.”
4. Brad’s Betrayal
Brad doesn't look sorry.
There is also the issue of Brad Goreski from Season 3, who we discover did not leave Rachel Zoe in the amicable fashion as reported in the news. According to Zoe, Goreski told her he wanted to leave in order to lead a quieter, less public life. Once he was gone, he immediately set about stealing her clientele and setting up his own styling business:
“It’s not the first time I’ve been used. I would say it’s going to be the last.”
Zoe’s comment harks back to when her assistant Taylor Jacobsen did the same thing after Season 2.
Taylor doesn't look sorry either.
5. Cute Jeremiah
Jeremiah looks a little scared. As he should.
Having been presented with several logical choices for an assistant, Rachel goes with the illogical choice of the inexperienced gay interior designer, Jeremiah. We all know Rachel needs a cute gay on the team. Here’s a sampling from the interview:
Rachel: “Tell me about you. You’re clearly a very handsome … boy … man …”
Jeremiah: “Manchild?”
Rachel: “Manchild.”
He’s totally hired at that point once they connect over Rachel’s love of ridiculous turns of phrase.
6. House Hunting With Rodger
Rodger mans it up this season with a beard. No, not his wife. His facial hair.
Rodger searches for a house for his wife and child. When he sees an over-the-top 7,000 sq. ft. mansion with a sauna, fireplaces, chandeliers, winding staircase and ostentation everywhere, he tells assistant Marisa not to tell Rachel about it because she’ll love it.
Which Marisa does, and Rachel does. Despite the $20,000 per month rent. Which leaves me to wonder: Why is Rachel Zoe renting? It seems Rodger constantly struggles to keep their life in order and Rachel constantly spins it out of control. Dramatic tension, anyone? No wonder I love this show.
7. Rachel confirms her impractical decision-making process when she tells Rodger she wants the house based on her “witchy vibes.” She’s totally having a Stevie Nicks moment. I see her in a shawl, hair blowing in the wind as she sings:
“I had a witch vibe in this house. I had a witch vibe in our last house.”
Sold!
Next season's look for The Rachel Zoe line?
8. John and Yoko-Style Editorial Shoot for Elle magazine.
While Rachel struggles to get into her Givenchy jacket, she informs the photographer:
“I could suck up anything for fashion if I didn’t think it was genuinely squashing my baby.”
For those naysayers who think the fashion-obsessed Zoe will not make a good mother, I offer you that self-sacrifice. She’s a natural, I’d say.
9. During the shoot, Rodger expresses concern over imitating the John and Yoko white bed scene, wondering if it’s disrespectful. Zoe responds:
“We aren’t making me Asian.”
I'm confused. Which one is Yoko?
10. Tether Ball
Another highlight is when Rachel discusses the difference between volleyball and tetherball with new assistant Jeremiah.
“What’s tether ball?” Rachel asks.
“It’s when it’s tied to the pole,” Jeremiah responds.
Rachel stares blankly at him.
“Maybe it’s a poor people game?” Jeremiah says.
Jeremiah seems affable and cute, a promising replacement for the adorable and lovable Brad. Even Zoe notices his knack for reality television when she tells him:
“Your one liners are really good.”
As are yours, Rachel Zoe. Which is exactly why I can’t quit you, even if Brad could.
Lexa
09/08/2011
I cannot imagine Rachel and Rodger having the sex needed to make that baby. She is downright asexual.
Mandy
09/08/2011
He looks way more heterosexual with the beard. It was Major.
Alyssha
09/08/2011
I feel like this show is a hybrid of other “reality” shows. Should be called “The Hills have Sunglasses” or similar. I don’t understand how she thinks she has been “used” by her former staff. She hired young, creative types and worked them like rented mules. What did she think they were in it for – her charming company?? Why not have the staffers sign an iron-clad non-compete / NDA (for industry and trade secrets) when they join her firm?
Sue McGoo
09/08/2011
I didn’t know about the Brad business- this is one of the shows I catch in reruns. *Moment*
I laughed all scary-like at, “Maybe it’s a poor people game?” (recalling that trademark blank stare helped) I don’t know, I like her. She’s a little… Focused on the trivial, sure, and even downright vapid at times, but she’s just doin’ her thing. Would you let her do your taxes?! She’s where she belongs, and I’ll be damned if I don’t find her likable.
-And when you work and party and share the minutia of your life with a couple of people every day, it pretty much Always comes as a shock when they dump you and try to steal all your peeps.
Alyssha
09/08/2011
@Sue McGoo: I agree that it might come as a shock, but I guess it’s the Quaker pacifist in me that thinks you can still love people that leave, you can have competition and win on merit versus cornering the market, and that I want the best for the people that I care about – even if it means they aren’t with me or helping me to achieve my bucket list. It just seems like she’s the elder in the situation and she’s not being super mature about it despite having been through it before and doing nothing legally to prevent it from happening again. Just my $.02…
Jonah Gibson
09/08/2011
I can’t for the life of me figure out why they call this shit ‘reality’. Nothing would please me more than they should throw all the reality stars off a cliff, and put some writers and actors back to work.
Alexandra
09/09/2011
This will only be fun if I watch it with you.
The show was made for side comments.
Mandy
09/09/2011
Slumber party?
Sue McGoo
09/09/2011
@ Alyssha- You know, when it comes to me, I feel the same way about loving people even when they leave. For some reason it’s harder to see other people get it. Oh the drama!
jerod
09/09/2011
I totally watched this last night. Your recaps might be able to get me through this. All these shows are so scripted but there is just something about the dramatic atmosphere that Zoe creates that is hilarious to me. And her buck teeth.
jerod
09/09/2011
I also forgot an “r” in my name.
Just wanted to make that known.
Kristina
09/09/2011
Jay-Rod
Jerrod
09/09/2011
Even better Kristine. Thank you.
Kristina
09/09/2011
I cannot believe that I don’t watch TV with gems such as this.
Mandy
09/10/2011
When it comes to TV, I’m not looking for intellectual stimulation. This fits the bill.