Will NYC 'Housewives' Be as Good Without Bethenny?

By Rob Shuter Posted Dec 16th 2010 02:37PM

As the cast of the 'Real Housewives of New York City' busies themselves with shooting the next season of the reality hit, Bravo insiders wonder if the show will still be ratings gold without its breakout star, Bethenny Frankel.

"Bethenny is the biggest star the franchise has ever produced," a Bravo insider tells me. "She not only connected with the most fans, but she also allowed the audience to laugh at how ridiculous the other ladies are. Without Bethenny making fun of the cast, the show just won't be as much fun."

For Bravo, a main concern is who will play foil to rival Kelly Bensimon and her oft-erratic (but always entertaining) behavior on a Bethenny-less 'Housewives.'

"Without Bethenny on the show, Kelly's strange behavior is no longer funny, it's just annoying," my source concedes.

Insiders tell me that after Bravo caught a glimpse of how the new season is going, they have asked Bethenny to return for more than the six appearances she is contractually obligated to make. But she wants to phase that part of her life out.

"Bethenny is done with that show," a friend of the new mom and wife (to Jason Hoppy) tells me. "She is focused on her own show, writing her books and being the best mom and wife she can be. Every time she thinks about going back into that toxic environment it makes her feel physically sick."

I'm told Bethenny loves Bravo and is very appreciative at how the network changed her life (and made her rich), and that she will probably agree to make more guest appearances on 'Housewives.'

"But in her heart she wishes she could just move on," a friend tells me. "To tell the truth, she doesn't even want to watch the new season let alone be forced to be part of it."

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Tags: Bethenny Frankel, real housewives of new york city

Comments

(133)

Thursday 16 December

By Cindy

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I do not care for Bethenny Frankel. Glad that she will not be seen as much on the real housewives. I do not watch her show and will not.

By Edward

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Is that really you Jill?

By gobig444

Bethenny was far and away the best and most entertaining part of the show, hence she became the breakout star with her own show. She also had the overwhelming support of the fans in the disagreement with Zarin. If you read the message boards, you know it wasn't even close with Jill getting 99% of the hate directed at her. Bottomline, Zarin and the rest of her posse were and probably still are jealous of Bethenny's success.

Sunday 19 December

By Irene

I feel the same way. Bethaney just used everyone to get ahead. I can not stand her. Glad she is gone.

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By yyheb

Insiders tell me that after Bravo caught a glimpse of how the new season is going, they have asked Bethenny to return for more than the six appearances she is contractually obligated to make. But she wants to phase that part of her life out.I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'lessmate.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..

By JB

I agree - I think Bethany's departure will restore some sort of professionalism to the show that it is sorely lacking. Quite frankly, I stopped watching because of her and her immature, self centered behavior.

Monday 20 December

By me

I agree. She's very annoying, talking very fast and just spits out of her mouth what is in her head without thinking prior to talking. I'm GLAD she will be gone. It's so typical of these "celebrities" that they want to be famous and when they are, they can't wait to go back into the woodwork and take their money they made of of the show they were on...grow up Bethenney and get some psychological help. You are too annoying to watch. I feel sorry for your husband. He seems like a nice guy..see how long that marriage last before she explodes into it.

By Theresa

The thought of returning to that show makes her ill. It didn't while she was on it, getting famous and making her rich....... I just dont like or care for her, she is stuck up and a witch

By kat

u wish u had her life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Sugar No Name

Nobody is irreplaceable. Bethanny was funny at first but the more she searched unsuccessfully for one line zingers the more annoying she became. She likes to act like she is different than all the other opportunists who star in the RH franchises but she isn't.

She'll be back on show, just wait. Once she no longer appears her reality fame will dim and other woman on the shows will get the offers.

By Mickey

Her exit is the show's improvement.

By Gigi

She was the only reason I was still watching that show. Next season I will not be watching. No reason to. It is way too disturbing to watch a mentally unstable woman unravel on public television. Bravo needs to ditch RHONY and RHONJ.

Jill, get a freakin' life will you. So pathetic how you have your buddy Johnny Weir attack Bethenny week after week. You just can't move on and are all about revenge. As Bethenny said: Get a hobby, will you?!? You act like a spoiled jealous 13 year old brat. Not very mature are you? You are almost as pathetic as Theresa Guidice.

Friday 17 December

By Heidi

Gigi, you are one delusional kool-aid drinker.

I didn't realize that Jill Zarin controlled so much in the world.

I stopped watching RHoNY BECAUSE of Bethenny.

By almasearch

I didn't like her (or any of the other cast members)on Houswives of NYC, but thought she was absolutely hysterical in her B. Getting Married spin-off.

By themeeker

Will NYC 'Housewives' Be as Good Without Bethenny?

Who said it was good? It is not. Now the show just has one fewer boring hooker on it.

By Diane in Cal

I really enjoy watching Bethany. She cracks me up. I don't think I can watch the show now that she is off because the other women seem waaaaay to fake and calculating for me. Jill is the absolute worst. You can practically see the cogs turning in her head when she is trying to hide her vindictiveness and manipulation of the other sad sacks. She is one conniving yenta. I think the show will just be bad acting and fake storylines without Bethany. Just sayin'.

By Lindi

no sence to watch NY housewifes without Bethenny, these other females are not worthy of my time. Jill "the wanne be somebody", the fricken countess who thinks she can hold a tune, that "I need to be in a nuthouse" Kelly, I really don't have a clue who Bravo tinks we, the viewers, are, giving us these fricken skanks, the same holds true for the New Jersey skanks....the Mafia tribe!!!

By sass

NO!! She is the only reason I watched the show. I love her spin off and will probably have fun watching it later next year.

By Steve

I really believe the show will be better without her. When she talks it's like listening to Brando doing the Godfather. Very annoying listening to her. Entertaining show in general and I do watch it. I wish her well.

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