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 Sue Allbritton

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Who cares!!! I do not like her attitude, she thinks she is better than anyone else. Have you seen how she treats the judges on Skating with the Stars? She thinks she is Ms. Perfect. She is only kidding herself.

By Well Golly Gee Whiz

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I never could stand Bethany and can't wait to watch Housewives without her! She is whiny, neurotic, and fugly. I really wish they would get rid of Kelly as well. She's just too weird and adds nothing to the show.

By franklymydear

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Some advise for Bethenny. You can be thankful to Bravo for doing the show but to go back is to be caught up in flushed toilet water. Don't let it bring you down. Move on with your life.

By Mike Rath

At least my eyes won't hurt..

By Mike

She is one nasty person, with a lot of baggage.

By Nicole

I like Bethenny and Don't think I will watch the show without her. I don't blame her for leaving, though, because her former BFF, Jill, just got too nasty and full of herself. I leave the new season to all the Jill fans - enjoy!

By lollypop77

I dont really like this show anymore! This show puts me to sleep, I would rather watch BEVERLY HILLS OR ATLANTA the others just SUCK!!! OC was good at one point, then the cast changed. DC also needs to go. I have to say, I did like Bethany on the show and I am so happy for her. Bethany was the only one that I think people watching could really relate to. She showed her dysfunctional life and didnt sugarcoat herself like the other women on this show pretend to do. Bethany shared her stories about her trials and tribulations in her life, where most of us could relate to her life where the other women are off in another world.

By Alyce

How ironic now that she really is a housewife she wants to leave housewives. Yes it will suceed 'housewives" is just fun to watch with or without her. Will she be missed/ probably, is she replaceable/ sure is. Not like a good chunk of her staying on wouldn't include her husband or child. Oh wait, she already has that on Bravo. On second thought, how can she be missed. She's not really going anywhere is she?

By Freindlyfrank

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This chick is a waste of oxygen.

Friday 17 December

By Tracy B

Will not watch this show anymore ;( Kelly is just too weird and everyone else is not very entertaining.

By ddawn07

The next spin-off will be "Bethanney getting Divorced and Fighting for Custody" I hope Jason wins.

By Katy

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Bethanny made the show...Crazy Kelley will have to find another coffin to put her nails into...Jill lost all respect and integrity after last season and Ramona is just Goofy on 2 legs. Simlex are two way out there people and there rugrats are just that...brats!

By Lauren

Bettany was the whole show, without her it is not RHNYC, Kelly is unbearable, and Jill is nauseating. I will not watch the new season, but look forward to Bettany in other projects.

Saturday 18 December

By lili

Clearly the fans loved Bethenny and loathed Kelly. Quite frankly, I can't believe they have Kelly nut-job on the show again! We'll see who she can blame her psychotic behavior on this time around! I'll change the channel when Kelly's on. What a fraud.

Sunday 19 December

By Mary

The fact is that most people detest her. She is obnoxious.

By wlh1923

OMG, did you see the chestnuts in the cheeks? Reeeeeeeeeaaaaaalyy bad facial surgery. The world can survive without this falsified, fake, contrived, plasticized, queen of nothingness

By Gillie

Bethenny will be missed and the show will not be the same, FINAL! Is Kelly returning? That's who BRAVO should release. She has nothing between the ears.

By tkizzycat

what a sad life one has if they think of these rags as stars..they are really just a flash in the pan ans a couple of years from now it will be, who?

By Carol

I can't stand ANY of these Housewives! None of these cities have any redeeming values! Thank God for the OFF button!

By sam metanza

I sure as hell won't
miss Betheny... She as a lot of nerve writing books about wieght loss since she doesn't know a damn thing about them. I still remember her doing an ' antioxidant" dinner for the cancer patients... Funny stuff considering the only study proven about antioxidants actually speeds up cancer cells in cancer patients, lol! She wouldn't know and ORAC from and orca...

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