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)

Sunday 19 December

By rex

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There are 200,000 women in NYC just like her.

Never has more been made about nothing than this girl.

People who find her interesting need to get a life.

Monday 20 December

By bhockey47

Bravo to Bethenny great that you've moved on...love the new show and what you're doing...it's Jill who this viewer can't stand.

By Joanne from Boston

With Bethenny, it's just a matter of time the show will go off the air..... Bethenny was the show! She's funny, witty, quick wit! That's why her own show is such a success....

Those other women Jill, Countess, Crazed Kelly are so sick...

Alex is too good for the show, Ramona is funny too (not as much as Bethenny but funny)

Joanne, Boston

By mary lou

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i like alex and the countes is countless she love to make trouble and thought she was so much

all of these housewives shows demonstrate how stupid average Americans are.

yeah, you, the ones who patronize these idiotic shows.

By Amy

I don't understand the interest in these housewife shows on bravo-I tried watching the ones with the California women-they are as fake as the silicone in their boobs. I could only stand about 5 minutes-watching Camille I can understand why Kelsey strayed-she is high maintenence.

By jaline

It's hard to believe she's a break-out star.

By Jo

Kelly, she's is the one who would make me not want to watch the show. Love Bethany and her family, watched her show and loved it.
Get rid of Kelly, please, she's just annoying, nothing funny, clever or pretty about her.

By Mo

HaHa...that was funny! This chick was the last thing from a breakout star there was. I'm so glad to hear she's leaving. She was as fake as they came (not to mention her fake BF/hubby). Done talking about someone so worth forgetting. Yey!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to hear or see new shows on real people who actually work for a living. Or see a show on individuals getting the retribution they deserve (ie. Hurricane Katrina victims) for the heartache they have had to endure.

By Frank

ALL of those women are insipid, vacuous pinheads who are attracting an audience that is equally pathetic. How can anybody can be entertained by these whiny, shrill, middle age women with their pumped up, over the top breasts and ridiculous clothes? I haven't seen a jawline as pronounced as that Frankel woman since the last I looked at a drawing of Sgt. Rock. Geeze, what an UGLY woman.

By susan m rosa

When Bethany first came on the show...I could not stand her and her smart remarks! But as I saw her more...I really started to like her...she is very funny and REAL!!! She doesn't pull punches , she tells it like it is and either you like her or you don't...and I do!
I was shocked at the way Jill( who WAS my favorite) turned her back on Bethany!
I have followed Bethany to her new show and can not wait for it to start again. I miss her...lol!

By dasphx38

AGAIN.....WHO CARES!!!! stupid shows

By DENNIS

I think any show can make it with out her and her family. All
she doing is goinbg for the money.

By roni

Bethenny Frankel is really annoying.

By Pat

She was my least favorite. A real drama queen that likes to stir the pot. She needs to concentrate on her marriage and her child. She was lucky to snag Jason and she better treat him right. They will do fine with out her.

By Paul

Don't let the Door hit cha, Where the Good Lord split Cha !!
does she have a horse jaw or is that bad lighting ?

By Tam

Bethenny was my favorite of the New York Housewives, but I really didn't watch every week. I lost interest during the get away when Kelly went nuts...That group is a little out there for me. Not a big HWONY fan.

By Jeff

Bethenny is a bore! She is as annoying as the rest of them and I say its one less housewife to inflict on us. Now if we can just get rid of the rest of the NY cast.

By fili

can't stand Bethaney... happy she's nah on the show

By Tom Thumb

She wants to concentrate on her career which includes SKATING WITH THE STARS! I thought she was funny at first but now she's just annoying.

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