Season 8 of the American reality TV series “The Real Housewives of New York” on Bravo just aired its finale on September 14 and already, fans and critics are already talking about the Season 9 of the popular show.
Bravo has yet to officially renew the show but since the TV series is very popular among viewers because of its real-life dramas, critics are saying that there is no reason for the network not to give the show a Season 9, reports Bustle.
It is also speculated that assuming that “The Real Housewives of New York” is greenlit by Bravo for Season 9, the show is likely to premiere around April next year.
One other thing that seems to be confirmed at this point is that the next season is going to be a wild one considering the continuing drama in the lives of the housewives even after the TV series had its Season 8 finale, which was also regarded by both viewers and critics as absolutely explosive.
They were generally of the opinion that Season 8 started slow like a diesel engine but when it started heating up, it turns up the power and the drama highlighted by the mystery illness of Bethenny Frankel, the engagement issue of LuAnn de Lesseps, and Jules Wainstein’s conflict with her husband.
All of these issues actually came to a head during the three-part reunion to cap off Season 8 of “The Real Housewives of New York.”
Who is out or on the way out
It has also been reported that there would be a casting shakeup in the TV series when its Season 9 unfolds next year.
One of those who has previously said that she will no longer return for the next season is Bethenny Frankel.
In an interview in August, Frankel said that she was already distancing herself from “The Real Housewives of New York.”
She was also quoted as saying that the audience is enjoying the TV series but she has already left it behind.
However, Bravo seems determined to keep her for Season 9 of “The Real Housewives of New York” and reports also have it that the network shall be offering her no less than $1.5 million to return for Season 9.
Critics believe that it would be very difficult for Frankel to turn down a so-called hard-to-refuse offer plus the fact that she is also one of the stalwarts of the TV series right from its get-go back in 2008.
It has also been reported that Jules Wainstein does not appear to be coming back for Season 9 of “The Real Housewives of New York.” She just joined the TV series during its Season 8 run but she took quite an emotional beating already as her weight, her marriage, and her parenting skills was constantly being questioned, reports Enstarz.
Jules and her husband Michael are also going through a messy and very public divorce so fans and critics would understand if she decides to lie low and keep out of the spotlight while dealing with her personal life.
Hesitant to film wedding
There are also reports saying that LuAnn de Lesseps might not come back for Season 9 as well. Reports have it that de Lesseps is hesitant to film her upcoming wedding to her fiancé Tom D’Agostino, who was also involved in a Season 8 cheating scandal. The controversy does not sit well with the producers of “The Real Housewives of New York” so her contract might not be renewed as well for Season 9.
According to an insider, if the situation of LuAnn becomes a bigger issue, it is going to jeopardize her role in the TV series. But her wedding is a big part of her storyline and not filming it for the show would make LuAnn irrelevant going forward, the source added.
The same source said that all the rest of the cast of “The Real Housewives of New York” are safe for the possible ninth season of the show.
All these are mere casting speculations with the intention mostly of keeping the show in circulation online while it is on its hiatus. The answers to the casting questions would be known soon once filming for Season 9, assuming that Bravo gives it the green light, begins.
“The Real Housewives of New York” is the second installment of “The Real Housewives” franchise following “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” It focuses on the personal and professional lives of several women residing in New York City.
The series originally focused on LuAnn de Lesseps, Bethenny Frankel, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer, and Jill Zarin.
The other housewives joined in the latter seasons including Sonja Morgan in the third, Carole Radziwill in the fifth, and Dorinda Medley in the seventh.
Of the original housewives, Frankel initially left after the third season before returning for the seventh; McCord and Zarin left after the fourth season, and de Lesseps was reduced to a recurring capacity during the sixth season and returned to being a full-time cast member the following season.
Other housewives who were featured in the show include Kelly Killoren Bensimon from Seasons 2 to 4, Cindy Barshop in Season 4, Aviva Drescher from Seasons 5 to 6, Heather Thomson from Seasons 5 to 7, Kristen Taekman from Seasons 6 to 7, and Jules Wainstein in the just concluded Season 8.