Holy Toledo. Okay, so like, we knew Real Housewives of Atlanta star Apollo Nida was in some serious trouble with the law. He was charged with enough fraud and identity theft that it could have left folks wondering if he wasn't trying to get his own reality show "Apollo Goes to Jail: The Return". Here's hoping he inked that deal, because the judge came down with a verdict. Apollo is going to jail FOR EIGHT YEARS.

Whoa. I mean, I should feel pity for the guy, because that is a decade and jail is no joke but here's the thing -- I don't. This won't be Apollo's first visit to the clink, and if he didn't learn the first time around I give officially none of the toots about him going back because he too stupid not to do stuff like perpetrate fraud in the name of financial advancement. You know who I do feel sorry for? His wife Phaedra Parks and their two adorable sons! 

Look, I know it's tempting to call out Phaedra. She's no dummy, and stuff with Apollo has been the worst since she had their second kid, but you have to give the woman props. She's going to school, she's raising two kids, she's running a business, and she's smart and quippy as hell. Can you really fault for her trying to make her struggling marriage work? I mean, for Apollo's pecs alone I give that marriage some time....this is probably why I am not married.

That said, if ever there was a time to walk, this is it. What kind of example and message is Phaedra sending to her kids by staying with this guy who committed a crime so grievous (and then lied about it) that he's going to be gone for a huge chunk of his children's childhoods? I'm not saying cut the guy out of their lives, kids need their dads, sure I get that -- but Phaedra deserves a slice of happiness. Sending sexy boudoir pics to Apollo to enjoy in the comfort of his cell isn't exactly anyone's idea of a good time. You know, except for Apollo. He'll have his copies of Donkey Booty and old texts from Kenya Moore to keep him warm at night.

Do you think Phaedra should leave Apollo?

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It's been way too long since Leah Remini has been on my T.V. screen. Her new reality show on TLC, It's All Relative, chronicles her real life (hence reality show) with her family and friends. The twist? Leah and her family are starting over, having parted ways with the Church of Scientology. The main takeaway from the first couple of episodes that aired tonight? It is totally Scientology's loss! Leah's family -- particularly her mother -- are bright, shining, hilarious, goofy stars. Here's hoping this new show is here to stay.

The series started with a double-header, two half-hour episodes that had one thing in common: Leah's mom Vicki is totally hilarious. In the first episode, she can't understand a phrase Leah's husband Angelo is using to describe Leah. "Highend Order?!" She says it over and over again, not understanding that it's high-end HOARDER. She is full of these malaprops and they are delicious.  

My fave? At the end of the dinner party Leah and Angelo throw to thank their post-Scientology friends for sticking around, a tipsy Vicki says that she is "enhammered" instead of "enamoured." Classic drunk speak. Vicki's gaffes are doubly funny because of her relationship with Leah. For all her daughter's teasing, it's clear that they are exceptionally close, and it's awesome to see that sort of bond on my reality T.V. for once. 

Vicki totally stole the show in both episodes -- especially the second one where she insisted her family throw a "fake wake" in her honor, complete with lox and bagels served afterward! The family rolls their eyes and goes along with her demands -- but everyone is surprised at the emotional toll the memorial takes on them. I defy you to watch this episode and not go so quickly from laughing to crying that you accidentally soil yourself. My wet drawers and I are proof it isn't possible. 

Are you going to keep watching the show?

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Poor KhloeKardashian! Will the disastrous aftermath of her marriage to Lamar Odom ne'er cease? I mean, clearly it has in her present-day life, but that isn't the case on this season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. This week dealt with Khloe becoming a bit of a party girl to hide from the pain she was feeling. I'm not saying you should turn to drink in times of trial, but, like, the odd glass of bubbly does not an alcoholic make, yeah? *Herein the author pauses to take a sip of her delicious and refreshing chardonnay*

Everyone tried to intervene and get Khloe to open up. Seriously, everyone. Even Papa Brucie Jenner took a shot, though I gotta say -- his heart was barely in it. At the end of the day, only one thing really managed to crack her severely bronzed facade: When hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Lamar's jewelry was stolen as she was moving out of the home they once shared. 

Stress is a funny beast. It can send you into peals of laughter in the grocery store when confronted with a line so long, the only logical reactions are tears or gnashing of teeth. It's no small wonder that this theft made Khloe collapse so utterly. It wasn't just the lost stuff that left her bereft. Even in her state of shock, Khloe acknowledged that there was more to this than lost dollars. 

With the loss of the precious collection, Khloe was made to feel like a failure yet again: She felt like she let Lamar down! On top of that, someone had invaded her home, violated her trust, and made her feel unsafe at a point in her life when she was doing all she could to stay strong. Ohhhffff. It was like a punch to the gut to see Khloe quietly put all that guilt upon herself in the episode's final moments. I think it might have been the first time on the show that we really, REALLY saw the extent to which Khloe blames herself for the end of her marriage. Sadness!

Do you think Khloe has moved on since this episode aired? 

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This week marked the second half of the grand RV adventure for the Brown family. They reached their destination, Missouri, and the biblical polygamist family that they were so eager to meet. Well, most of them were eager. Christine Brown -- ever the voice of reason -- was slightly concerned. I love how straightforward and blunt she is. She basically kept saying, "WHAT IF THEY'RE WEIRD?" Which to me seemed like a perfectly valid (albeit hilarious) thing to keep stressing out about. 

But that wasn't the case. Although the two families approach their polygamy from different religious backgrounds, they are fundamentally the same -- they just want to be allowed to live and love as a family. Christine, the toughest nut to crack in the Brown family when it came to meeting these outsiders, just utterly melted when she spoke to Abigail, one of the little girls from Missouri. 

What started off as polite conversation became so much more -- to both Christine and Abigail. Um, can we talk about how poised this young girl is?! It blew my mind. Christine wanted to know how they knew where to look for the eggs the chicken laid. Abigail explained that it's actually quite easy, because the chickens tend to follow the rooster around from place to place. Christine jokingly said that this sounded a lot like polygamy. 

More from The Stir 'Sister Wives' Recap: Janelle Brown's Decision Has Us Cheering!

That's when things got painfully earnest. Abigail talked about her own experience of having to keep her family secret or risk being mocked or even worse. It was like someone slapped Christine in the face. Abigail's own stories reminded Christine of her own childhood. The two of them really connected, and Abigail's circumspect and kind view of people totally convinced Christine that her parents were excellent people. Isn't it crazy how much you can learn about people from their kids?

Were you surprised at how nervous the Browns were for this meeting?

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Tomorrow morning even the people around you who don't watch The Real Housewives of Orange County might have already heard about what happened tonight. It was the campiest, saddest, most ripped-from-the-pages-of-social-experiment moment I've ever witnessed -- and I was there when Giudice flipped that table. Picture if you will, poor, mentally bludgeoned, kind, funny Shannon Beador at the top of a flight of stairs bellowing down to a full dinner party: "YOU WILL ALL SEE THE TRUTH!" 

That's totally what happened. That is not even hyperbole. The caps lock? Not my own. Bitch was yelling! And with good reason! For all the drama and pathos of that moment, Shannon was probably at this point the only sane person left in the room. If there was a jail for shit-stirrers, I would ask that Tamra Judge be committed there post-haste and entombed in its bowels for the foreseeable future. *Hits Gavel* Court of Becca, adjourned! Let us go eat cookies! 

While neither Heather Dubrow of her hubby Terry "Botched" Dubrow came out tonight smelling like roses, the blame for the whole party's meltdown can so clearly be pointed at Tamra. Shannon planned to confront Terry for saying he wanted to "take down the Beadors." Luckily, Shannon decided to confirm -- on camera, because she's smart-- with Tamra, that this info was accurate. True to form, Tamra lied, lied, lied. Rather than look insane, Shannon shrugged, decided to drop it and have an awkward evening rather than an explosive one. 

So imagine her shock when TAMRA BRINGS UP SHANNON'S QUESTION AT DINNER TO TERRY! It was a move so cunning and so evil that even the Queen of the OC Vicki Gunvalson was all "touche, I will sit quietly here for the rest of the evening and say nothing." Vicki should have spoken up. She knew -- KNEW -- that Tamra was lying! She could have easily flown to Shannon's defense. But like a turtle, bitch kept her head down firmly down the neck of her leather sheathe dress. 

With no allies to stand by her (except a very confused Lizzie Rovsek) is it any wonder Shannon totally blew her top? Frankly, I think it's insulting that when a woman explodes with rage or hurt she is made to feel as though she's being "crazy". Shannon: It is not crazy to have a reaction! I am rooting for you! Tamra and the horrific Duran Duran-style white eyeliner she has favored this season deserve the boot. 

Do you think Tamra is lying about this too? I CLEARLY DO.

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Here's what we learned this week on Ladies of London. If you're having a hard time juggling two friends, don't be wasted to the point of fake-accent-having hysteria. I'm looking at you, Noelle Reno. Girl, I get it, you want to suck all the experience and connection you can get out of Caprice Bourret, but you'd rather hang out with Caroline Stanbury. Fine, totally fine. But if you're going to play both sides, you've got to keep your wits about you.

Noelle was doing such a good job juggling her two besties, but today it finally caught up with her. And by 'it' I mean the bottle of Champagne she drank in the cab before arriving at Caroline's place. Noelle's fatal error was this: She told Caprice about the flak she was getting for throwing Caprice's shower. This had the unfortunate effect of throwing Caprice into a tizzy. Caprice is like the idea of a person. 

It's weird and discomforting when someone with only peripheral idea of what it means to exist in the world in relation to other people tries to have feelings. If I were Noelle I would've fallen into a bottle of vodka and never climbed out. She did the next best thing: She got politely wasted, dressed up, and was basically the Gob Bluth of Caroline's dinner party, just wandering around, waiting for Caprice to arrive and start shit, and being like:

The only person she didn't share her worries with? Caroline. Oy vey. It's going to get messy next week in a huge way. Noelle might have gotten away with this delicate balancing act were it not for her own bungling. Now all the blame is going to leveled upon her tiny faux-accented shoulders. That seems like slapping a baby deer for no reason.

Do you think Noelle's pot-stirring was accidental?

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He may still tan, but if you tuned into TVGN's premiere of 'The Sorrentinos' looking for The Situation to be up to his old tricks -- you're better off watching re-runs of 'The Jersey Shore'. Mike Sorrentino (as he would like to be known from here on out) is sharing a peek into his new sober life with his two brothers, his mom, and his girlfriend. They run a tanning salon together. Because you might be able to remove the G and the L and the boy from the shore, but the T -- that's here to stay. Mike meant it when he said he's changed, and making his brother Marc Sorrentino cry was proof he means it. 

I was surprised by this new toned down version of Mike. He's still cut (like, scary cut. I know I shouldn't body snark, but damn boy, eat some Nutella) and he's still funny and strange, but he's sober and focused and really wants to reconnect with his family. He made good strides with his bossy brother Marc. 

When he became uncomfortable with how his family was using his former image to promote the salon, he could have let it fester, but he didn't. Instead he took Marc aside and opened up to him and the impact that had on his brother was staggering. Marc not only apologized, but broke down talking about a time in the not-so-distant future when he thought he was going to lose Mike.

It was hella touching! I maybe yelled "I can't believe The Situation is making me crrrry!" But that's because he wasn't, not really. Mike Sorrentino trying to navigate a post-Jersey Shore life made me cry, and that's a whole other beast entirely. 

Don't expect the show to be drama free, though! A look at the season ahead showed Mike going toe-to-toe (and fist to face) with his brother Frank Sorrentino. I will be tuning in, because I already dig this familia stuff a lot -- though I'll be real, 'The Sopranos'-style font is deeply annoying and eye-roll worthy. There, I said it. 

What did you think of this first episode?

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Andy Cohen asked Tamra Judge some questions she couldn't squirm her way out of giving a straightforward answer to on Watch What Happens Live, so instead of trying, she did what she does best: She lied. Shocker. I know. I had to lie down. I feel so betrayed. Nothing is what it seems. *Pauses to wipe the sarcasm off of her computer* OF COURSE TAMRA LIED. THAT IS WHAT SHE DOES. 

Andy asked Tamra a question courtesy of a viewer. The fan in question wanted to know what, exactly, Tamra has had done to her face, plastic surgery-wise. Is this an obnoxious question? If someone asks you this on the street, sure. But if you're the star of a reality show where your tagline includes the phrase "I'm not getting older, I'm getting BOLDER," and your obsession with youth is no secret, fans are totally entitled to bug you for your secrets! 

Tamra started shaking her head the instant Andy started asking the question. Let's call her Cleopatra -- for lo, she is the queen of denial. Not only did she out and out say that she had no work done, but she was outraged someone would think she had! I mean, I think she was outraged. It was kind of hard to tell what she was feeling ... BECAUSE HER FACE IS FROZEN.

More from The Stir: 'Real Housewives of Orange County' Recap: Tamra Judge Is an Evil Genius!

Anyone who is still team Tamra needs to see how this interview shook out. Because they won't be on her side once it's over. After initially squealing, "No, no, no, no," Tamra finally smirks and says, "I don't lie, Andy," making it really clear that lying is exactly what she's doing: It's her bread and butter! I really hope anyone who still thinks Shannon Beador is overreacting watches this clip and starts writing her a well-worded letter of apology. 

Did this change the way you think of Tamra?

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Teen Mom 2 is back, y'all! While I couldn't be more pumped to see some of my favorite gals back on the ol' boob tube (I'm looking at you Chelsea Houska, you can do my makeup for free anytime without fear of legal repercussions) I'm nervous already about how things are going to shake out for Kailyn Lowry this season. By the end of this (the FIRST episode) she was already in tears -- and I don't blame her!

Clearly Kailyn and her hubby Javi Marroquin are deeply in love, nobody is doubting that...except for Javi. The two of them have been feeling a lot of stress with the addition of the second bambino Lincoln to their little household. Kailyn feels like Javi isn't pulling his weight, child-care wise, and Javi feels like Kailyn doesn't express love for him anymore. When he shared this, she burst into tears. 

It was a really sad and frustrating moment to watch. For one thing, Isaac awkwardly tottling into the room when he sensed their fighting made me swoop in and cuddle his troubles away. While I was at, I would also swoop in and counsel the newlyweds: This is all normal, normal, normal stuff! Of course they are going to have a hard time reconnecting after baby, of course Kailyn's going to feel frustrated and Javi feel a bit neglected. 

What matters the most of all is that they're talking about it. That has them leaps and bounds ahead of other couples who let their marriages fall apart out of pure and simple neglect. That said, it sucks to see Kailyn feeling so depressed and down. She needs a break, and here's hoping Javi figures that out and gives her the downtime she needs, even if it's just a quick fix like a twenty minute nap!

What tips would you give Javi and Kailyn to get them through this rough patch?

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Newsflash -- that glitzy rock Harry Dubin pawned off as a token of his esteem (because this is the 18th century) to Sonja "Commando" Morgan? Totally a set up. That's right, everyone take to your fainting couch because I'm dropping a bomb that will destroy reality as you know it. Harry and Sonja aren't pre-engaged. They are even together! The whole ring deal on the show? It was planned, and Sonja wasn't the mastermind either! So who was? RAMONA SINGER, BUT OF COURSE. 

Apparently the ring Dubs gave to Sonja wasn't even one he bought himself. We know it wasn't one of Sonja's jewels as she hoards those in her post-divorce days like Gollum did the one true ring. So who does the ring belong to? Apparently it was the property of Ramona's mother-in-law! Sticking it to T.V. viewers AND her ex's mom? Check and check. 

While I totally understand that being on one of these shows being shoring up drama and maintaining an interesting story-line for the camera, this move of Sonja and Ramona's leaves me scratching my head. I mean, Sonja wasn't in any danger of her losing her job, right? She is such a character, what with her fake teeth, her dilapidated home, her penchant for much, much, much younger men. That is all stuff that makes for pretty damn compelling television.

Sure, Dubin used to be with Avivia Drescher, so I guess, drama there? But only if Aviva was still holding a torch for HDubs (God, I love this man's name), and she's made it abundantly clear that she's not doing that in the least. Sonja should trust her own instincts and keep being her fabulous self. There's enough fakery on reality T.V. as it is. Ramona should butt out of it, and let Sonja keep being her cougar-ish self, she don't need a steady man! Especially not Harry who is quickly becoming the Slade Smiley of this franchise. 

Why do you think Ramona thought this was a good idea?

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Who stole the show yet again this week on Leah Remini: It's All Relative? Why, mama Vicki, that's who! Vicki was desperate to do something not all of us would be psyched to see our moms go for. She really, really wanted a tattoo. That's not all. The woman who is nearly 65 wanted what she described as "a tramp stamp." She wasn't kidding either. The funky astrological design backed with a jaguar's haunting gaze was tramp-tacular and fun. Leah had the best reaction to her mom's tattoo ever.

At first she played the whining, grossed out kid. She gave her mom a lot of grief about wanting the ink, especially at her age. But all teasing aside, Leah acknowledged (to the cameras, if not to her mother) that if it was going to make the broad who bore her happy, she would support her on her tattoo adventure.  

Things got officially too cute when Leah's daughter Sofia presented Vicki with a list of well-wish notes from the family to celebrate her "tattoo day". I really kind of adore that beneath her funny, gruff facade that Leah is such a soft touch! It's so clear that she dotes on her mom and the feeling is mutual. Aw, so much love up in this club! It ain't even natural. 

All joking aside, you know this mother and daughter duo are on the same page. You get the feeling that if Leah had really reservations about the tattoo, her mom would have listened. It was great to see her keep her opinions to herself because she knew it would tickle her mom to get the tattoo -- even if it was trampy. And let's be real, this tattoo was trampy to the max, but also kind of adorable in a weird way.

How would you handle it if your mom decided to get a tattoo?

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Tonight's episode of Sister Wives had each and every member of the Brown family 'revealed'. At least, that's what the title indicated. Instead of shocking truths and a lot gasp-worthy moments, we get a series of home videos and baby photos screened on a mammoth white sheet in the backyard. The only real moment of truth happened so quickly that if you paused to go eat some watermelon or perhaps make use of the toilet, you missed it. That moment? When Meri Brown and Janelle Brown openly acknowledged that their relationship needs work.

You'd think that when it came to a man being married to three women, he'd be in the hot seat often. That doesn't seem to be the case with Kody Brown. While polygamy isn't my jam (the idea of my dude being married to other ladies is enough to make my fists involuntarily clench and also suddenly I am holding brass knuckles), Kody seems to have it on lock. His ladies are happy with him -- just not always with each other. Exhibit Meri and Janelle.  

The telling moment was hidden in the back-wind of a joke. The wives were good-naturedly badgering Kody to take them all on a cruise. Meri laughingly said that if Christine worked on their relationship together, she would take a cruise with her -- and Kody wasn't invited. Then Kody archly suggested that Meri and Janelle were the ones who needed work. That's when the entire temperature of the room changed. 

When Meri made the first joke, it ended with her and Christine laughing and high-fiving each other. But when it came to Meri and Janelle, it became totally awkward. Nobody laughed (except maybe Kody's hair -- it's hard to say, it's so full of mystery and wonder) and Christine was visibly uncomfortable. While it's clear that this family plans on sticking together, it's clear that this isn't always easy for them. Not that staying in a relationship is really easy for anyone, right? This glimpse into just how tough things could really be was weirdly more fascinating than the sort of propaganda we usually see about the family living in a constant state of harmony.

Okay -- so what do we think Robyn's announcement will be?! She's got to be pregnant, right? Also, do you think Janelle and Meri will ever work through their issues?

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This week on Keeping Up With The Kardashians the producers (so, the rabid genius of a monkey employed by Ryan Seacrest and Kris Jenner wearing a full Darth Vader suit) really, really wanted us to care about Kris and Bruce Jenner bickering as the family vacationed together in Thailand. If we weren't going to do that, they wanted us to worry about Rob Kardashian failing to show up for the flight. But because we are, as a nation, distracted by boobs, butts, and Brody Jenner, the moment we can't get over this week is Brody catching Kim Kardashian basically naked. 

I laughed, I cried, I ignored the entire sequence where they got a tour of the resort and then went zip-lining. Kim kind of had this awkward moment coming. Much like me, she did not pay a whit of attention to her stunning surroundings other than mewling that she heard the food in Thailand was good. She spent her time creating a book of sexy selfies for Kanye West. 

Which, fine, I'll admit, is what I too spend most of time doing. That said, I always make sure that no one I related to by law or blood happens to saunter past while my (admittedly fabulous) nipples are out. Kim was not so savvy. Kim has also extended the definition of 'selfie' so that it allows a photo to be taken of you by your put-upon personal assistant, so yeah, I can't exactly be all aghast at her lack of propriety.

Poor, Brody Jenner. He was minding his own business and stumbled across this bizarre tableau of his stepsister humping a water fountain in Thailand. She was mortified and he ran giggling to tell his brother. That's when "the truth" was revealed. Brody got a little turned on by what he saw. In his own words: "Half chub", y'all. I mean, no one blames him for this. He essentially wandered into the average dude's wet dream. Can't wait for next week to see how he enacts his nude revenge on Kim.

Have you ever walked in on a relative in the buff?

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This week's episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County was intense. Oh sure, it kind of always is what with all the drama constantly brewing betwixt the ladies. But this week the devil came home to roost, which is a fancy and rhetorically lazy of saying that Tamra Judge finally got what was coming to her. Her son Ryan announced that he was moving away and getting married and she about lost her mind. 

Seriously, it was a little creepy. While I am all for Tamra finally feeling the pangs of misery and unhappiness that she has caused others to endure (not even hyperbole, y'all), I could have done without her creepy insistence that her son was choosing to marry a woman who was "just like her." Guess what? Blond hair and a job do not make you Tamra's double. I say this as ... a blond with a job. You kind of can't blame Ryan for wanting to get the eff out of town. 

It should have been a sweet and happy moment for Ryan and his new fiance. They tap danced around the truth but eventually admitted it: They were getting married. At first I couldn't understand why they were being so cagey, but then they broke the news and Tamra's head basically exploded, so I understood their reticence. I could get her being overcome with tears of joy, but having to leave the room and then wail to her husband that she "couldn't take any more sadness this week" was the behavior of a person who is so egocentric that it is frankly wondrous to behold.

More from The Stir:Lying Tamra Judge Owes Shannon Beador a HUGE Apology

Admittedly, Tamra's been going through some custody issues with her ex, but don't project the stress of that situation onto a happy one. If her children mean that much to her, you'd think she'd be able to check her ego at the door for five minutes to clink glasses and wish Ryan all the best in this exciting new chapter. But Tamra couldn't do it! It was totally frustrating and beyond eye-roll-worthy.

What's the craziest reaction to news of someone getting married you've ever seen?

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On the finale of Ladies of London tonight, nothing could have worked out more perfectly. Caprice Bourret got exactly what she wanted: Two healthy babies and the hell away from Caroline Stanbury. It was the most satisfying conclusion to the beef that had been brewing all season long. That said, I wish the final confrontation between Caroline and Caprice had been a little less, well, British.

In America, if you are on a reality T.V. show and you demand that someone leave your house, it doesn't end a fight. Exhibit this season of The Real Housewives of Orange County. Heather Dubrow banishing Shannon Beador from her stoop didn't end their feud, it inflamed it. That wasn't the case here. Caroline said that if Caprice insisted on calling her a bully in her own home, she could leave. Caprice left ... and that was it. Things were fine! Caprice lost the battle, the friendship is over, and everyone moved on. 

This is why well-mannered people are so boring to watch on television. In America, the fact that Caroline asked Caprice to leave her home could have served as fodder for easily four more episodes of the show. But rather than bludgeon that poor, rotting horse, the show ended. It didn't paint a picture of Caprice sad and alone, it let her have some happiness with her new little family.

More from The Stir: 'Ladies of London' Recap: Noelle Reno's Drunk Antics Were Super Awkward

For all of Caprice's happiness, I don't envy her. I did envy all of the women she chose to spurn rather than play second fiddle to. Caroline and her posse of mostly-American friends shaking their booties at Polo while drinking champagne and pointing at Prince Charles? That is infinitely more fun than squawking at your maid about packing -- I'm looking at you, Caprice! I'm sorry to see the show go. I wanted more, more, more! Fingers crossed for a second season. 

Do you think Caprice got what she deserved?

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Holy kayak-lifting-whale, Batman! I cannot stop watching this video. If you've ever climbed in a kayak for an innocent and picturesque trip around the open water, prepare to feel goosebumps all over your person. A father and daughter in Argentina got the surprise of a lifetime when they took their kayak out to look at Southern Right whales. They got a lot more than they could have possibly ever expected.

You can tell as the video starts that these two are waaaaay too close to the whales that they've spotted. But they are just too darned enthusiastic, and they kayak a little closer to the whales. Then, in an instant, one whale swims beneath them and heaves them up on its back! Ah! I can't even! I found myself holding my breath and I am sitting at home on dry land in a very comfortable chair far from every whale on the planet.  

This video is so captivating, it's no small wonder that some people have wondered whether or not it's real. Of course when something this magical happens, the gut impulse is to not believe it and to cry out that it's a fraud. But listen to the voices of the father and his daughter, they are completely awe-struck by what's happening. If they are actors, they are wasting their time with this video and should look into moving to Hollywood. 

See this video on The Stir by CafeMom.

More from The Stir: Trapped Whale Thanks Rescuers in Most Heartwarming Way (VIDEO)

If you're still in doubt, I'd posit the following: This seems like a lot of expensive potential damage to a camera and their own persons to try and fake. I'm usually a skeptic in all things, but in this instance, I am willing to put my inner critic in the backseat and just enjoy this truly magical moment with this sweet, gentle giant. I suggest we all do the same!

What's the craziest thing you've ever caught on tape?

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Leah Remini's show It's All Relative keeps getting funnier -- because Leah makes it her business to surround herself with hilarious people. Let this be a lesson to us all. This week she and her daughter's nanny Trish were running errands. If you or I were doing this, it would be totally ho-hum. But because of the personalities involved here, it was a hilarious delight. Whyfore? Because Trish is a total hoarder and Leah caught her in the act. Bling THAT, Trish! 

This episode could have become a "very special episode" so easily. The look on Leah's face when she saw the mountains and mountains of stuff blocking Trish's house was priceless. I seriously thought she was just moments away from dialing up the folks at Intervention or Hoarders to see if they could get Trish some help. Luckily, she addressed the situation in the least conflict-inducing way possible: With comedy. 

Rather than approach the situation with gravitas, Leah went another route. She cloaked herself in odd objects that she found in Trish's house. By the end of their visit, she was clutching a rhinestone studded rooster, wearing a boa around her head and making her mom Vicki and Trish dance along to a singing mechanical wolf-head. This is not me taking something out of context and sharing it to make you chortle. This is what actually happened and it was great. 

Levity aside for a minute (*Becca floats gently back down to the floor*), I like that Leah isn't one of those bosses who pokes her nose into her employees lives. I've always looked askance at Hollywood types who run their assistants ragged AND expect to be made privy to every detail of their private lives. Leah has her opinions about Trish's endeavors, but she knows it isn't her place to tell her what to do. Instead, she focuses what they have in common: A shared love of laughter and booty shaking.

Have you ever had a boss who wouldn't get out of your personal life?

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Oh my God, this show. This week, on LeAnn & Eddie, Eddie Cibrian continued to behave as though he were the star of romantic comedy called "Sexy Turtlenecks, Sex-Having, and Merlot" and LeAnn Rimes continued to try and make it appear as though her life is complex and her personality gripping and enigmatic. NONE OF THESE GOALS WERE ACHIEVED.

My biggest take-away this week was that LeAnn "accidentally" taking the girls to a gay country bar where she was "dragged on stage to sing" might be the fakest thing I have ever seen: And I watch reality television professionally, so really that is saying something. Under the guise of returning to her country roots, LeAnn and her girlfriends went to a gay country bar where they did several Jell-o shots. Because...that is authentically southern? IT IS NOT. I went to college in Tennessee and I can thoroughly assure you that if you aren't sipping whiskey you can see yourself out.

It was so clear that the whole reason they went to that bar was so that LeAnn could get on stage and sing a "surprise" number. She barely -- BARELY -- pretended to be shy and not want to sing when they summoned her to the stage. Seriously, I think she just said no once...while already walking up to steal the mic from her friend and rip into her hit single from Coyote Ugly. Fun fact: I nerdily explained that the song was from Coyote Ugly to my roommate who shuffled out of the living room in embarrassment for me. 

I don't blame the show for trying to make things interesting. LeAnn's performance was the highlight of the episode. Neither she nor Eddie are really charismatic people to watch, so it's either invent drama or sit through a half hour of LeAnn talking about how she doesn't eat white flour. I CHOSE DECEPTION. Man, they should really call up Brandi Glanville and get her butt on an episode. That would up the drama by roughly a-million fold. 

Do you have a friend who ALWAYS has to be the center of attention like LeAnn?

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I cannot get over how great this story is. We hear tales all the time of police brutality and of families being torn apart -- it's become common. What we don't hear so much these days are the stories of the good cops out there who go WAY above and beyond the call of duty in the name of doing what's right. That's what one awesome police officer in Kansas did for one family, and it's kind of too great to be believed.

Lt. Travis Pierce responded to a terrifying call. A toddler had escaped from his home and was running down the busy highway. Pierce scooped up the tyke not long before his TOTALLY FRANTIC (and who can blame her?) mother showed up. The woman was in total hysterics -- her kid is a known escape artist. The cop could have called child protective services or given her a stern lecture -- but he did something that wasn't just nicer, but something that was actually HELPFUL. 

After calming down the poor mom, he helped the family buy a new set of locks and then he even went so far as to install them! I know the cliched old saying is "all in a day's work," but installing locks at a family's house probably wasn't how Pierce thought he'd be spending a portion of his day. But I bet it meant the world to this family, I mean, heck, it meant the world to me and I do not know this family from Adam. 

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It wasn't just his actions that showed what a decent guy Pierce is -- it was the thoughts behind them. As a father himself, he knows exactly how much trouble kids can get into. He also knows how overwhelming being a parent can be. His sympathy toward the mom in this situation gave him the perfect amount of insight, and he used that insight to fix the problem rather than creating a bigger one by snatching away this poor woman's kid for no reason. 

Have you ever had to call the police for an embarrassing reason? Once my brother handcuffed himself accidentally to his bedroom door -- that was fun. 

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Sister Wives may be over for the season, but that doesn't mean the drama between the wives is finished! We saw that was true in tonight's special "tell-all" episode. What started off seeming like a dull but sweet recap of the just-completed fifth season quickly took a turn when Christine Brown stormed off the stage in the middle of an interview. We'd expect this from the Housewives, but the Sister Wives? Never.

I'm making it sound like Christine was moments away from flipping a table, which isn't remotely true -- but she was clearly upset. Though her polite request to leave was never brought up again while the cameras rolled, it was suggested via voice-over that Robyn Brown's current plans for pregnancy might be upsetting Christine. Robyn apparently insisted that no questions about more children for the family be asked for the remainder of the evening. 

Christine, however, was quick to shut down talk that Robyn's potential pregnancy was a factor in whatever it was that made her walk off. She took to Twitter where she said, "Why did I walk off set? It's not complicated but it's not because of Robyn wanting a baby. Honestly," she said, "it was childish and I shouldn't have done it." She went on to explain that she had to "think about an issue" that she wasn't quite done processing yet. Hm. Okay, that's cool, I respect that.

More from The Stir: 'Sister Wives' Recap: Tension Between 2 Wives Got Super Awkward

I like Christine and how honest she is about herself. She admits that she makes mistakes and I think she's got the best sense of humor of all the wives. TLC should have a contest where a sassy blogger from Brooklyn gets a chance to hang out with Christine for a day ... I am suggesting this idea for a friend. Joking and fake contests aside, it's clear that something big is on Christine's mind. Here's hoping that whatever it is, Kody Brown and her fellow sister wives see her through the storm.

Why do you think Christine stormed off?

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