Shed had a tough year.
Her dad was sick, and her Berkshires estate, Blue Stone Manor, had flooded.
They should have my face next to it in the dictionary.
I was one of the few Housewives who said, I did not leave on my own.
I wanted to stay!
Within a year, shed released amemoir,Make It Nice,andabourbon brand.
And fortunately for Dorinda, her break from the franchise didnt last long.
As forRHONY,Bravorebooted the series withan all-new castthis past summer.
Dorinda watched only one episode, she says, for no personal reasons.
It was probably difficult for them because maybe they lived a little bit in the shadow of us.
Shed love to blend the two casts.
That one didnt go over so well, she says.
You cant mess with my Blue Stone Manor, OK?
Below, Dorinda talks about money, unfair edits, and whether she inspired an infamousSex and the Citycharacter.
WhenRHONY Legacywas coming together, there were negotiations about money.
How much does the paycheck affect your decision to keep signing on for moreHousewives?
I mean, I love money.
Who doesnt love money?
Its a weeks worth of work, and they pay you a fortune, so who wouldnt take it?
And, for us, its not even work.
Its like spring break for middle-aged women.
And theres the afterglow of all the opportunity it brings.
It keeps you relevant.
We all sort of feel unworthy.
Its nice being back on TV and watching people have this love affair with you again.
Who wouldnt like it?
Where do you fall on that spectrum?
Im not like Ramona.
[My daughter] Hannah asks me all the time, When do you think youll retire?
I think Im one of those people who will be going forever.
Im not a retiring pop in of person.
I dont think Im in Sonjas place [either] because Sonja really does [need the money].
Thank God, I managed my life well in that perspective.
Ill do it as much and as often as they want me to.
Luanns eggs a la francais: Whats your honest review?
We always do the eggs a la francais, and I always think theyre scrambled eggs, right?
There are just certain things you have to go along with.
Its part of who Luann is.
Its like how shes always got to sing at least one time on a trip.
And she also has to speak French to people who dont speak French, of course.
WhichHousewifes songdo you listen to the most?
Money Cant Buy You Class.
[Sings]Money cant buy you class.
Money cant buy you class.
Elegance is learned, my friends.
Do you ever feel like you got an unfair edit?
A lot was going on in my life that audiences didnt see.
Blue Stone Manor flooded, and I had over a million dollars of damage.
They never really showed that part, which was huge.
I just do it and hope that the audience receives me well.
And I think theyve shown me that.
You have so manyDorinda-isms, but what isyourfavorite Bravo one-liner or shade?
Ill tell you how Im doing: not well, b*tch.
I love that Imsaying it to Candace Bushnell, and she has no idea what Im talking about.
Since youre friends with Candace, compare your cast members toSex and the Citycharacters.
Whos a Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte?
Well, we know that Luann is Samantha, right?
Who do you think I would be?
Wasnt there a rumor that Candacebased a characteron you?
Thegirl who fell out the window?
People have always said that!
I dont remember falling out a window, but OK.
So its not true, then?
No, I dont think its true.
I dont think our group is exactly likeSex and the City.
Its that feel-good factor, that good, old-fashioned camaraderie between women.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
