'Real Housewives' Tired of Being 'Used' By Bravo

By Rob Shuter Posted Aug 4th 2010 08:33AM

If you think being the star of a hit TV series with millions of viewers will make you rich, think again. Just ask the ladies of Bravo's 'Real Housewives' franchise.

"All the ladies have had enough of being used by Bravo and plan to start fighting back," a friend of one 'Housewife' tells me. "They are pissed that they only get paid $3,000 to tape each episode and are furious that they get paid nothing to tape the reunion episode. It's two full days of their lives with no lunch breaks and no pay. Everyone on the set is getting a paycheck except the stars. How can that be right?"

And it's not just the reunion shows that Bravo has added to the ladies taping schedule with no extra pay. Last week, executives decided that in order to breathe new life into its troubled 'Project Runway' parrot, 'The Fashion Show,' the 'Housewives' from New Jersey should make an appearance.

"None of the housewives wanted to be on 'The Fashion Show,'" one insider tells me. "However, the network insisted they film all week for hours and hours, and to add insult to injury, they got nothing in return. Not even a thank you."

However, the ladies have decided to fight back. First, the 'Housewives of Atlanta' took a stand -- getting together before taping their reunion show and all agreeing not to fight unless they got paid. It didn't work for them, but the resulting snore-fest made Bravo change its mind when it came to taping the New York reunion.

"I don't think it's a coincidence that the New York ladies showed up to duke it out and then delivered," a source close to production tells me. "Tell me Bethenny dragged her ass to the filming days after giving birth for free. No way. Bravo got so much from them. They turned it into a three-episode special and got their highest ratings for the New York series ever. So paying those girls was well worth it."

Now, with the New Jersey reunion taping today and tomorrow in Atlantic City, let's hope Bravo opened up its checkbook, because as one Garden State 'Housewife' explains to me, "Working for them is like slave labor. They might be able to make us show up, but if they want us to put on a show they better pony up the cash."

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Tags: bravo, real housewives

Comments

(205)

Thursday 05 August

By ro

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well if they don't like it then LEAVE

By Carl A. Johnson

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Bravo didn't hold a gun to these women's heads and force them to participate. OH.... booooo.....hoooooo !!!

By grouston

Who cares???????????

By C

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I Love Love LOVE Housewives New York and Jersey, Atlanta and OC can go away.

By judystinger

Who is forcing any of them to be on these shows. They all have their own businesses or agenda so they are using the show for their own publicity and/or 15 minutes of fame. It's a reality show - what talent do they need to be there - none (which shows). They all signed up to be on the show - if they don't like it - leave. That's pretty simple to the viewing audience. It's obvious they all think they are divas - the reality is that they are not even close.

By dan

go away!!!!!!!!! the real skaky hoes of tv, what a waste of time

By onyxandgold

Real Housewives don't get paid. Those that 'prostitute' get paid.

By jjgg5

People actually watch these shows?

By DEBBIE

The real housewives are the ones that work everday jobs, raised their childern,and take care of their families and clean their own homes. Not someone who wants to make money and a name for themselves on TV.

By Joe

MAYBE she should actually READ her contract before she puts her name on that dotted line next time? Of course, her "thinking" she's some big star now sure isn't helping her mind set either lol. I say, kick them to the curb and find some new housewives, can't be to hard finding "talent" like what they've got here. Once these "stars" are off this show, they'd see really fast just how much of a STAR they really are LOL!

By Michele

As I have been saying all along... this show and everything about it is contrived and scripted! Thanks Bravo for admitting it!

By dharma

good for them, their right they are as any actor or actress would be and should be paid, per series for all but only 3,000 per episode as well as days of shooting for that edited cut back. no way. give him... what for gals..

By Mike

I've never seen such shallow, phony people.

By mookey wahl

Its "acting" right? I mean......does any real woman act like these bimbos?

By Leslie

Any one of us who watch the shows are helping to pay these so called stars. I admit it, I watch. It's like a train wreck. I can't look away.

By peg

Not Happy ...GO HOME! Your all TRASH and we're tired of you taking up TV space. You aren't even worth the 3 grand you get now per episode!!

By Flagrante Delicto

Real Housewives = Prostitutes

Any questions?

By Susie

As if they'd go away if they don't get more pay. yeah, right. These pigs would show up for the opening of an envelope! They're all trained seals who love the attention.

By SexyStella

WOW !! Ya'll need to CHILL....This is TV not brain surgery. I think the women SHOULD be paid. Bravo is hauling in BIG money off these women. If you don't like the RH series I have a great suggestion for you....READY ?!?......Change The Channel !!!

By Kowens512

Then take a hike - BEACHES !!!!!

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