Bravo Renews "Real Housewives of New York City" and "New Jersey"; Reunion Hits Season-High
Aug 31, 2010
by Kate Stanhope


Bravo has renewed "The Real Housewives of New York City" and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey", a network rep confirms.

The Big Apple series will be back for Season 4, the Garden State edition for its third season.





The renewal news follows the explosive first part of the "New Jersey" reunion.

Monday's telecast attracted 3.9 million viewers to make it the most-watched episode of the season, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported both pickups

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Real-Housewives-Renewed-1022534.aspx






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Report: Bethenny Frankel Exiting "Real Housewives of New York City"
Aug 31, 2010
by Kate Stanhope


Bethenny Frankel is leaving "The Real Housewives of New York City" after three seasons, US reports.

"Last season was scary and painful," she told US about why she turned down Bravo's offers to return for Season 4. "It took all of the joy out of it."





Her departure should come as no surprise to fans of the series.

After two seasons of minor disagreements with her castmates, particularly the DVR-ready "I'm up here and you're down here" argument with Kelly Killoren Bensimon, things went from bad to worse this past year.






Although Season 3 captured personal joys such as Frankel's engagement and first pregnancy, it also saw her close friendship with castmate Jill Zarin come to an ugly end in a heavily covered storyline.

(Then there was also that whole scary island incident with Bensimon.)






After the end of Season 3, the 39-year-old Frankel made it no secret that she had serious hesitations about returning.

The success of her Bravo spin-off, "Bethenny Getting Married?", only made her future as a "Real Housewife" more uncertain. The series became the most-watched series debut in the cable channel's history.

The series has not yet been renewed for Season 2.










"I don't "see any reason to go back," The New York Times best-selling author and chef told US. "My gut's saying not to be part of this cast."


Even if she does not return full time, Frankel may be obligated to make a certain number of appearances on Season 4, according to US. Castmates Ramona Singer and Alex McCord both made multiple cameos on Frankel's spin-off.

Bravo declined to comment.




No word yet on whether the rest of the NYC cast plans to return for Season 4.
The new season begins shooting Sept. 20, according to US.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Frankel-Exits-Housewives-1022531.aspx

Danielle Staub Exiting "Real Housewives of New Jersey"
Sep 7, 2010
by Gina DiNunno


"Real Housewives of New Jersey's" resident troublemaker Danielle Staub will not be returning to show for its third season, the network announced Tuesday.



Staub — who butted heads with cast members Caroline Manzo, her sister-in-law Jacqueline Laurita, her teenage daughter Ashley and family friend Teresa Giudice —made her last appearance on the show during the second part of the of the reunion special on Monday.




Staub gave both Giudice and Laurita a hug and shook hands with Manzo at the end of the reunion special. "We thought the hugs were a great way to end two seasons of bitterness between the women," Andy Cohen, Bravo's vice president of programming and reunion host, said.

Manzo, however, said she wasn't buying the sincerity of the amends. "This is the biggest crock of sh-- I've ever seen in my life, I have to be honest," Manzo said after begrudgingly shaking Staub's hand, telling her that they'll never be friends.

"I am not a coward. I am not a phony. This was phony."

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Danielle-Staub-Leaving-1022656.aspx