Just say no

Why I turned down the Real Housewives of Houston: A first-person account of being producer chased

New Jersey housewives had a car wash, but we doubt the Houston contenders would risk their manicured nails.

Editor's Note: Much has been said recently about the potential Real Housewives of Houston series after news of the show broke on CultureMap. Now, we hear from one high-profile Houstonian who received the call and turned down the offer.

What do you say when someone approaches you to be on a television reality show, with all kinds of reassuring promises? Ten years ago: “Hell yes!" Now: “Hell no!"

A couple of years ago, a woman approached my girlfriends and me at the original Bar Annie, our home-away-from-home. She and her television crew came up to us and said that they were filming a show about some Houston women.

I asked her what her angle was and she replied, “Well, you know, everything’s big in Texas … BIG hair, BIG money, BIG ...” Now, imagine the sound of screeching car treads here as she saw the admittedly disgusted and disapproving look on my face. She had just made one BIG, fat mistake. Undeterred and lightning quick on her feet, she immediately switched gears and continued, “AND, that’s why we are trying to convey the EXACT OPPOSITE of that.”

Ha! Way to recover! Kudos to the desperate filmmaker! Bravo! Pun intended.

I told the woman not to include me, retreated and sat with another friend, who, incidentally, had been called by the same woman that day. (If you have not been called, contact your service provider. Something is wrong.)

Later, as I waited for my ride to take me home, I saw this guy do about 30 drunk minutes on camera outside the restaurant. I would almost swear now that he was actually dancing at one point, but that could have just been my faulty recalled impression that he was doing whatever they asked. I am darn sure, however, that he was drunk enough to sign the release. God love him.

The next day, several people told me that the Bravo woman had referenced my encounter with her, remarking that she had “scared me away” and was there any way that she could talk to me? Still, no.

Fast-forward two years when I received a phone call from a woman saying that her network wanted to “spotlight” some of Houston’s “interesting and involved people” and would I mind meeting with her? You guessed it — the same chick, but now with a better, honed spiel.

I let her chat, then asked if she remembered an attorney who would not talk to her a couple of years ago at Bar Annie. She recalled the incident. “That was I,” I said. Long pause. A few coughs.

I then told her that I was infinitely boring, that my life was a complete snore and that my scenes would end up on the cutting room floor. Yet, the woman was relentless.

The following conversation represents a paradigm of what these so-called reality shows do. Check out how many writers they have in the credits after them. If they are “real,” why have writers?

The following ensued. The woman asked about my weekend plans. I was attending a gala that Friday night, had not made a hair appointment, was trying to get one and we were having a dinner party at our home on Saturday.

“I love it”!" she said. “Laura Spalding is furious that her hair dresser won’t take her!"

“NO!" I barked. I was absolutely and decidedly NOT furious. I had waited until the last minute and my lack of an updo was MY OWN DAMN FAULT. Her reply? “Can I film your dinner party and follow you around for the weekend? You know that you don’t have to sign anything.” No!

That is when we officially broke up. Like a college frat boy, she finally let it penetrate that I really meant it when I said, “No.” Pun maybe intended.

Some of my friends might have signed on to participate in this show and I genuinely hope that it goes well. If the show is interesting, my educated guess (I have watched a respectable amount of this stuff) is that some of these folks are going to tumble … and HARD. There will be fallout.

I had my own reasons for saying no and they have theirs for saying yes. OK by me. I know these women and I know that they are good people with kind, generous hearts who contribute a lot to the community and are wonderful friends. Is it possible, therefore, that American television viewers could have become a little more savvy and will judge my peeps for who they really are? ... Nah!

They won't have a chance if all they get to see is a producer's skewed view of who the Houston women are. Entertainment for entertainment's sake.

This OC housewife had a bit too many...and even table danced at a party. All recorded for your viewing pleasure.

unspecified

Curtain Call

Porgy and Bess revival leads stunning launch of HGO’s new season

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Houston Grand Opera launched its 2025-26 season with a soul-stirring statement — one that blended history, harmony, and high jazzy American style — at the season-opening performance of Porgy and Bess, followed by a celebration dinner that felt more like an all-cast reunion than a buttoned-up black-tie din din.

Photo by Emily Jäschke

The cast of Porgy and Bess with conductor James Gaffigan.

Under the direction of Francesca Zambello, the Gershwin classic unfolded on the Wortham Theater Center’s stage in a performance that was both nostalgic and unflinchingly honest. The lush, jazz-meets-classical score had audiences leaning in, and many found themselves marveling at how many of the opera’s melodies live rent-free in cultural memory.

But it wasn’t just the music that captivated. The emotional weight of the story and the conversations it inspired lingered long after the curtain dropped.

HGO general director and CEO Khori Dastoor opened the evening by reflecting on the company’s legacy with Porgy and Bess, which stretches back to a 1976 production that earned both a Tony and a Grammy. This 2025 revival, nearly 50 years later, brought that legacy full circle, honoring the past while setting a tone for the season’s theme: The light we hold.

The production, which runs through November 15, features a powerhouse cast that includes bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as Porgy and soprano Angel Blue as Bess. Soprano Latonia Moore, making her HGO mainstage debut, appears as Serena. Baritone Blake Denson takes on the role of Crown, and tenor Demetrious Sampson Jr. brings charisma to Sportin’ Life. A poignant full-circle moment came with baritone Donnie Ray Albert, who portrayed Porgy in HGO’s 1976 production, returning to the stage as Lawyer Frazier. Opening night was conducted by James Gaffigan, with Richard Bado leading later performances.

The post-performance celebration on Fish Plaza, chaired by Dina Alsowayel and Tony Chase, transformed the space into an elegant nod to Charleston charm. Creams and greens, soft candlelight, and natural textures made for a timeless scene, but it was the congenial vibe that truly stole the show. The mood was chatty, the energy high, and the mission clear: Reconnect, rejoice, and rally behind the power of opera.

During the dinner, Dastoor and artistic and music director Patrick Summers acknowledged the many supporters who brought this night to life. Dastoor offered a poignant nod to Summers as he begins his final season in his current role, transitioning to music director emeritus next year. She also welcomed Astley Blair as HGO’s newly elected board chair, signaling an exciting chapter ahead.

Weeks later, HGO announced Gaffigan’s appointment as the company’s fifth music director — a major milestone in its 70-year history. Gaffigan, a rising star in European opera houses and orchestras, made his American operatic debut at HGO in 2011 and returned this fall to conduct Porgy and Bess. His connection to Houston runs deep, as an alumnus of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

As the night wound down, the cast and creative team received a standing ovation again. And rightly so. The event drew 450 guests and raised $690,000, the second-highest total in HGO Opening Night history.

CultureMap seen were Margaret Alkek Williams, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Sylvia Barnes and Jim Trimble, Vivianna Jolie, Elizabeth and Neil Chapman, Rebekka and Damon Chargois, Jane Cizik, Molly Crownover, Misook Doolittle, Marty Dudley, Elaine Finger, Marianne and Joe Geagea, Claire Liu and Joe Greenberg, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Alecia Harris, Matt Healey and Denise Reyes, Chris and Morgan Hollins, Elizabeth and Richard Husseini, Teresa and José Ivo, Monica Karuturi and Kumaran Sathyamoorthy, Sarah and Bryant Lee, Karen and Ramon Manning, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Terrylin Neale, Franci Neely, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Rebecca Rabinow and Matt Ringel, Jill and Allyn Risley, Cora and Judson Robinson, Kelly and David Rose, Anita Smith, Dian and Harlan Stai, Ellen Susman, Marguerite Swartz, Charlene Tombar, Nestor Topchy, Jesse, Brooks, and Sherida Tutor, Marcia and Alfredo Vilas, Donna Sims and Frank Wilson, Gretchen Watkins, Mary-Olga and John Warren, Yuichi and Uny Watanabe, Geraldina and Scott Wise, and Kristina and Enoch Woodhouse.

fundraisers houston grand opera