RHONY: The sweater-clad, martini-wielding, Michael Byrne

The most recent dinner on RHONY had every element necessary for a great episode: martinis, ravioli, and enough noise to give you a headache.

Michael Byrne was the man standing in the background of The Real Housewives of New York’s most recent dinner disaster at the Clarke Cooke House in Newport.  Kate Casey interviewed him on her podcast, Reality Life with Kate Casey, and he had a lot to say.  The episode, Real Housewives of New York and Selling Sunset (episode 261) had a ton of information about the dinner.  Michael, an ex-stylist, discussed his heavy sweater and blazer combo, his cameo on RHONY, and his martini of choice.

The man who turned down Leah McSweeney and her sister, Sarah McSweeney, said that the whole show was scripted and that viewers were dumb to believe otherwise.  His name is Courtland Sykes and he sure has a sorted history himself and called women “she-devils,” according to CNN.

So while Michael was dining, the lights got turned up and something started happening.  He asked a bartender who confirmed the ladies were filming later that night.  Michael said he got another martini and waited for the action to happen.  He watched all of the interactions and one thing he noted was that Luann de Lesseps was sitting close to a man and spent most of the night talking to him – but he wasn’t filmed at all.

Mr. Byrne said that the ladies at the table spent “at least a half-hour” at the table while Ramona Singer chatted with Courtland at the bar.  Michael said, “It was a screaming fest.  My ears hurt after.”  He said it was impossible to have a discussion with his friends nearby because the ladies were just screeching over dinner.  It was just as over the top in person as it was on the show, if not more.

One tidbit that Michael said missed the episode was that Sonja Morgan actually tossed one of the gourds she was using to cover her ears to the side.  Rest in peace, gourd.  And the most embarrassing RHONY star according to our observer?  Ramona.

So while Courtland was dismissive that the show was scripted and he was fed lines throughout his appearance on the show, it simply wasn’t true.  He spoke to the she-devils on his own accord, unfortunately.  Maybe he just wanted to have a ravioli tossed in his direction?  Sad for Courtland.

The Real Housewives of New York is on Thursdays at 9 PM ET!