Bravo is attempting to put The Real Housewives of New Jersey rumor mill to rest. With chatter surfacing over whether a number of castmates will get the boot – Jacqueline is the leading contender – the network released the following statement today: “Bravo is not firing anyone from The Real Housewives of New Jersey. This is completely inaccurate information from sources who are unreliable and making up rumors. All five cast members will be featured on season 4. No decisions have been made about season 5 at this time. We are looking forward to the season 3 finale this Sunday at 10 p.m.” But what if one of the Housewives quits?!? Or all of them? We can dream, can’t we?
Unlike most supposedly Real Housewives, Kandi Burruss possesses an actual talent – and she’ll soon put it to use on her own reality program. Bravo has given the greenlight to The Kandi Factory , which will follow around this Grammy winner as she mentors a pair of pop-singing hopefuls. “With her breakout personality and straightforward attitude, Bravo fans have grown to love Kandi on The Real Housewives of Atlanta ,” Bravo’s VP of Development Eli Lehrer says. “ The Kandi Factory will capture a unique look at her successful music career as Kandi transforms two music hopefuls into the next big pop star.” Burruss – who won the aforementioned Grammy for TLC’s “No Scrubs” – returns as part of fourth season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta on November 6. Check out the new promo for what’s ahead on that series NOW . [Photo: WENN.com]
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. So A President And A Housewife Walk Into A Fundraiser… According to TMZ reports : President Barack Obama was all smiles as he hung out with “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Kyle Richards at his fundraiser at the House of Blues in West Hollywood on Monday. Unlike another party crashing “Real Housewives” star who shall remain nameless, we’re guessing Kyle was actually cleared to be at this Presidential event. Caption this!!
It’s almost time for the return of Bravo’s beloved Real Housewives of Atlanta and guess what, after all that speculation about new cast members … the show stuck with the same six broads from last season. Here’s a few details: Bravo’s water cooler sensation, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” returns Sunday, November 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. In a season about taking chances, the hottest Housewives in the South are embarking on new ventures and returning to their roots. Kandi, Phaedra and Cynthia are exploring their entrepreneurial prowess. Though their dreams vary drastically – sex toys, funeral homes and a modeling school – each woman has jumped into their chosen endeavor with a signature boldness and innate sense of humor that defines these Atlanta ladies. On the relationship front, NeNe and Kim remain estranged, but their personal love lives have changed drastically. Kim is madly in love, pregnant and building a home with Kroy, while NeNe’s now-official separation with Greg teeters on the brink of divorce. Sheree has grand plans for her own dream house, however the pieces aren’t coming together so smoothly. The interworking of these six unique women continues to captivate audiences, as “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” remains the highest-rated city in the franchise. The series delves into the lives of six sassy women from Atlanta’s social elite. Juggling families, careers and a packed personal calendar, the Real Housewives live their triumphs and frustrations out loud. Atlanta continues to be a character in itself as one of the hottest entertainment hubs in America. These driven and ambitious women prove that they’re not just “housewives,” but entrepreneurs, doting mothers and feisty southern women. Hold up, wait a minute… Phaedra is working with dead people??? We have a hard time picturing that one. Guess we’ll have to wait and see. New photos and a breakdown on this season for each castmate when you continue.
She begged. She pleaded. She was rejected. Despite issuing a statement last week that made it appear as if she were totally cool with being let go from The Real Housewives of New York City , sources confirm that Alex McCord went to producers over the weekend and asked for her job back. They said no. “Bravo doesn’t want to cut the relationship, Alex and [husband Simon van Kempen] are nice people, but as for the show and them they are done,” an insider tells E! News. “They will be asked to make guest appearances on other Bravo shows, perhaps as judges, or in guest spots – expect to see them in one form or another. They don’t want to burn a bridge.” The McCords were making $275,000 per season and will now need to find a new platform on which to plug their new line of Egyptian cotton sheets and towels, Aluxe Home. Our heart goes out to them.
We know Bravo fans are intense, but what we didn’t know was how hard many of them are turning hardcore on the Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger. When it comes to the Housewives , there are often camps. You’re on Team Bethenny or Team Jill. You’re a Camille Grammer hater or a Camille sympathizer. Okay, bad example. The point here is that peeps apparently hate Patti, and there are decreasing numbers of people on the side of the reality star each week. The Millionaire Matchmaker: Bad at matchmaking, casting millionaires . Among the main beefs with Patti Stanger, or her show, is that its premise is so ridiculous as to be offensive to reality TV fans. Yes, we’re being serious. Stanger has not found love for herself, nor is she casting actual millionaires these days. Not a single successful relationship has been depicted on the show. She is a hot mess and her staff? Well, no comment necessary. During her most recent episode, no fewer than 73 Tweets called for her firing immediately. No clue if Justin Theroux is one of those Tweeters.
Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon and Cindy Barshop have all been sacked. Bravo cut these four women loose from The Real Housewives of New York City late last week. While readers try to control their tears as a result of this development, a couple of the show’s now-former stars have spoken out about the firing. “I view any change as an opportunity to learn and grow,” said Barshop profoundly. “RHONY was great marketing platform for my national spa Completely Bare, and as an ambassador for children’s charities I was able to create more awareness. There are additional projects that I am considering. Stay tuned.” Oh, we will… NOT! Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen also took the opportunity to plug a product, telling Us Weekly : “After four seasons on Real Housewives of New York City, Simon and I are moving on. It’s a completely friendly departure and while it was their decision and not ours, we are in close communication with both Bravo and the production company about our next move, in addition to fielding outside offers. “Simon and I recently launched a home goods company, Aluxe Home, and we’ve been so involved in the textile market week that began today that it feels a bit like being shot out of a cannon!” Too bad they actually weren’t. [Photos: WENN.com]
Kara Kennedy, daughter of former U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, passed away Friday at age of 51. She was working out in a Washington D.C.-area gym at the time. “She’s with dad,” Patrick Kennedy, her brother and Congressman from Rhode Island, said. Their father died in 2009 at age 77 after battling a brain tumor. She was the eldest of Ted’s three children. Though she never sought elected office like many in her famous family, she heeded the family’s call to give back through public service throughout her lifetime. Kara, who also helped work on her father’s senatorial campaigns, was also a cancer survivor. In 2003, she had a malignant tumor removed from her lungs. According to her Patrick Kennedy, the cancer treatment, while successful, “took quite a toll on her and weakened her physically. Her heart gave out.” Kara is survived by her husband Michael Allen and two teenage children.
Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon and Cindy Barshop have all been let go from The Real Housewives of New York City cast, according to a Bravo source. Rumors about the casting change began last week amid reports that Zarin, McCord and Bensimon were fired from the show. At the time, their reps denied it. Looks like there was obviously some truth to it, sadly. “Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and LuAnn De Lesseps will be returning for Season 5 of The Real Housewives of New York City,” a network spokesperson said . “We’ve had a fabulous run with all the ladies and appreciate them sharing their lives with our viewers. It is a friendly departure among the other ladies.” “We continue to have on-going discussions with them.” Whatever the hell that means. McCord told People: “Of course Simon and I are sad not to continue with RHONY but it’s a friendly decision and discussions with Bravo are ongoing for other projects.” Zarin’s rep said: “Jill is humbled by the extraordinary amount of media interest in her response and looks forward to personally opening up about all of this very soon and announcing some exciting new projects.” Jill was the first to really tease her departure this fall. Bensimon, meanwhile, said through a rep that she was still negotiating her contract. Even if she were to return, it’ll be a new-look RHONY . When Season 5 airs, Countess LuAnn and Ramona will be the only original cast members returning. That leaves a lot of open, snobby slots to fill. To you agree with the decision to fire Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon and Cindy Barsho? Sound off in the comments below …
“Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and LuAnn DeLesseps will be returning for season 5 of The Real Housewives of New York City,” a network spokesperson tells us. “We#39;ve had a fabulous run with all the ladies and appreciate them sharing their lives with our viewers. It is a friendly departure among the other ladies and we continue to have on-going discussions with them.” The Real Housewives of New York City is officially down four familiar faces. Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon and Cindy Ba
