It has been 6-months since any of the cast member of Bravo’s Real Housewives Of New York have had any contact with the show producers or network. And now, everyone’s contracts have expired, meaning that the ladies are free to pursue other opportunities.
“The show is retuning,” one Bravo insider tells Naughty But Nice Rob. “No decision has been made yet about casting but some of the ladies will be invited back, maybe not all – but at least two or three. It changes every day so it’s too early to speculate who will and will not be returning.”
The New York franchise is still a ratings monster for Bravo, however, moving forward the network wants to move away from reality TV and into scripted programming – where it can make more money from advertisers. Interesting, Bravo’s upfront – where the shows and casts are introduced to critics and advertisers – is in a few weeks and no one from the New York franchise is invited.
“Letting all the contracts expire is a negotiating move,” says on TV lawyer. “No other networks are knocking down the doors trying to steal away any of Bravo’s talent. This way, everyone will have to renegotiate a new deal from square one.”
“Gone are the days of Ramona Singer and Countess LuAnn earing $500,000 per season. If they are given the opportunity to return they will be offered a much lower salary,” say’s on TV expert. “The three new ladies, Aviva Drescher, Carol “I married a “ Radziwill and Heather Thompson all earned $40,000 for the entire season. Ramona and LuAnn will be offered something similar if they are asked back. And if they don’t like it, they can feel free to walk.”
