The Real Housewives of New York City

The Real Housewives of New York City (abbreviated RHONY) is an American reality television series that premiered on March 4, 2008 on Bravo. Developed as the second installment of the Real Housewives franchise, it has aired twelve seasons and focuses on the personal and professional lives of women residing in New York City.

The Real Housewives of New York City
GenreReality television
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons12
No. of episodes225 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Camera setupMultiple
Running time41–43 minutes (approx.)
Production company(s)Ricochet
DistributorNBCUniversal Television Distribution
Release
Original networkBravo
Picture format
Original releaseMarch 4, 2008 (2008-03-04) –
present (present)
Chronology
Preceded byThe Real Housewives of Orange County
Followed byThe Real Housewives of Atlanta
Related shows
External links
Website

The current cast consists of Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan, Dorinda Medley and Leah McSweeney. Previous cast members include original cast members Bethenny Frankel, Alex McCord, and Jill Zarin; and later additions Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Cindy Barshop, Aviva Drescher, Heather Thomson, Carole Radziwill, Kristen Taekman, Jules Wainstein and Tinsley Mortimer.

The success of the show has resulted in the conceptions of spin-offs Bethenny Ever After and Bethenny & Fredrik.

Overview and casting

Seasons 1–4

While in pre-production, the show was initially titled Manhattan Moms. It was later rebranded to become the second installment of the then-new Real Housewives franchise.[1] The first season premiered on March 4, 2008, and starred Bethenny Frankel, Luann de Lesseps, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer, and Jill Zarin.[2]

Kelly Killoren Bensimon was added to the cast for the second season, which premiered on February 17, 2009.[3] The third season premiered March 4, 2010 and saw the addition of Sonja Morgan as a main cast member, along with Jennifer Gilbert in a recurring capacity. In August 2010, Frankel left the show in order to expand her Skinnygirl product line.[4]

Cindy Barshop replaced Frankel for the show's fourth season, which premiered on April 7, 2011.[5] After the fourth season, McCord, Zarin, Killoren Bensimon, and Barshop were effectively let go from the show.[6]

Seasons 5–8

In April 2012, Bravo announced a revamp to the cast for its fifth season, integrating Aviva Drescher, Carole Radziwill, and Heather Thomson into the main cast. The season premiered on June 4, 2012.[7] Production for the sixth season was set to begin on May 8, 2013, but the cast instead chose to go into salary negotiations with Bravo, effectively delaying shooting.[8] Drescher, Morgan, Radziwill, Singer, and Thomson renewed their contract in May 2013, while de Lesseps was demoted to a recurring role.[9][10][11] The sixth season premiered on March 11, 2014, a year later than planned with Kristen Taekman as the latest housewife.[12] Drescher was dismissed after the sixth season.[13]

The seventh season premiered on April 7, 2015, featuring the return of Frankel and addition of Dorinda Medley.[14][15] Thomson and Taekman did not return.[16][17] For the eighth season, which premiered on April 6, 2016, Jules Wainstein was added to the cast, while Thomson returned in a guest appearance.[18][19] Wainstein left the show in September 2016 for personal reasons.[20]

Season 9–present

The ninth season premiered on April 5, 2017. Tinsley Mortimer joined the cast, while former housewives Thomson and Zarin appeared as guests.[21][22] The tenth season premiered on April 4, 2018, with the cast of the ninth season returning. Thomson and Zarin both appeared as guests.[23] It served as Radziwill's final appearance on the show.[24]

The eleventh season premiered on March 6, 2019. Barbara Kavovit joined as a friend of the housewives, and Zarin appeared as a guest.[25] Frankel departed the series after the season for a second time.[26] The twelfth season featured Leah McSweeney joining the cast, which premiered on April 2, 2020.[27] Elyse Slaine joined as a friend of the housewives in the twelfth season.[28] On June 11, 2020, Mortimer announced her exit from the series.[29]

Timeline of cast members
Bethenny Frankel
Luann de Lesseps
Kelly Killoren Bensimon
Carole Radziwill
Tinsley Mortimer
Main cast members
Cast member Seasons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Bethenny Frankel Main Main
Luann de Lesseps Main Friend Main
Alex McCord Main
Ramona Singer Main
Jill Zarin Main Guest
Kelly Killoren Bensimon Main Guest
Sonja Morgan Main
Cindy Barshop Main
Aviva Drescher Main
Carole Radziwill Main
Heather Thomson Main Guest
Kristen Taekman Main
Dorinda Medley Guest Main
Jules Wainstein Main
Tinsley Mortimer Main
Leah McSweeney Main
Friends of the housewives
Cast member Seasons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Jennifer Gilbert Friend Guest
Barbara Kavovit Guest Guest Friend
Elyse Slaine Guest Friend

Episodes
Main article: List of The Real Housewives of New York City episodes
The Real Housewives of New York City episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
19March 4, 2008 (2008-03-04)May 27, 2008 (2008-05-27)
215February 17, 2009 (2009-02-17)May 28, 2009 (2009-05-28)
318March 4, 2010 (2010-03-04)June 24, 2010 (2010-06-24)
418April 7, 2011 (2011-04-07)August 1, 2011 (2011-08-01)
521June 4, 2012 (2012-06-04)October 22, 2012 (2012-10-22)
623March 11, 2014 (2014-03-11)August 12, 2014 (2014-08-12)
723April 7, 2015 (2015-04-07)September 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)
823April 6, 2016 (2016-04-06)September 14, 2016 (2016-09-14)
922April 5, 2017 (2017-04-05)August 30, 2017 (2017-08-30)
1022April 4, 2018 (2018-04-04)September 5, 2018 (2018-09-05)
1120March 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)July 25, 2019 (2019-07-25)
12TBAApril 2, 2020 (2020-04-02)TBA

Critical reception

The Real Housewives of New York City has received criticism for the lack of diversity in its cast.[30][31] Then current cast member Frankel stated in 2017 that she would like to see the series "represent New York more."[32] Writing for the New York Times in October 2019, author Tracie Egan Morrissey posed the question, "If less than half of the city is white, why is 100 percent of the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City white?"[33] Former cast member Thomson also stated that during her time on the series she had pitched several women of color to the show's producers to diversify its cast members due to her concerns about the issue.[33]

Broadcast history

The Real Housewives of New York City airs regularly on Bravo in the United States;[34] most episodes are approximately forty-two minutes in length,[35] and are broadcast in standard definition and high definition.[36] Since its premiere, the series has alternated airing on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and has been frequently shifted between the 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00 PM timeslots.[34]

Other media

In July 2012, Bravo released a social networking video game version of The Real Housewives of New York City titled as Real Housewives: The Game. Following weekly new episodes, a new game was available based on the story.[37][38]

In 2016, On Location Tours hosted an official The Real Housewives of New York-themed tour in New York City. The tour is centered around giving passengers an almost four-hour trip to visit numerous places where current and former housewives "have dined, shopped, dated or had a fight or two," and is described as the "ultimate, one-of-a-kind Real Housewives experience."[39]

References
  1. "Bravo Starts Production on New Docu-Drama 'Manhattan Moms'". The Futon Critic. September 20, 2007. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  2. "Bravo Announces New Series "The Real Housewives of New York City"". The Futon Critic. January 14, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  3. "Kelly Bensimon Joins Season 2 of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City"". The Futon Critic. July 24, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  4. "Bethenny Frankel Tells Us: I Quit The guy tab Real Housewives of New York!". Us Weekly. August 31, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  5. Gorman, Bill (February 3, 2011). "Bravo Says Bienvenido With Series Premiere Of "The Real Housewives Of Miami" On Feb 22". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  6. Derschowitz, Jessica (September 18, 2011). "Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon and Alex McCord not returning to "Real Housewives of New York City"". CBS News. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  7. Bibel, Sara (April 5, 2012). "Bravo's 'The Real Housewives of New York City' Gets a Facelift When Three New Ladies Join the cast on the Monday June 4 Premiere". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  8. O'Connell, Michael (May 10, 2013). "'Real Housewives' Salary Standoff: Bravo Threatens to Cancel 'New York'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  9. Patten, Dominic (May 11, 2013). "UPDATE: 'Real Housewives Of NY' Sign Bravo Contracts; Season 6 Back On". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  10. "Aviva Drescher — Twitter Status". Twitter. May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  11. Nilles, Billy (May 28, 2013). "'Real Housewives' contract dispute: LuAnn de Lesseps signs deal to return to 'New York City' for Season 6". Zap2it. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  12. Bibel, Sara (January 8, 2014). "'The Real Housewives of New York City' Season Six to Premiere Tuesday, March 11 on Bravo" (Press release). TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  13. Harnick, Chris (September 5, 2014). "Aviva Drescher Fired From The Real Housewives of New York City". E! Online. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  14. Sieczkowski, Cavan (March 2, 2015). "Bethenny Frankel Returns To 'Real Housewives Of New York City'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  15. Steiner, Amanda Michelle (March 2, 2015). "Dorinda Medley Joins the Cast of The Real Housewives of New York City". People. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  16. Upmalis, Jordan (September 8, 2015). "Heather Thomson Says She Will Not Return to #RHONY". Bravo-The Daily Dish. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  17. Vena, Jocelyn (October 26, 2015). "Kristen Taekman Says She Will Not Return to Real Housewives of New York". Bravo-The Daily Dish. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  18. Harnick, Chris (March 2016). "The Real Housewives of New York City Season 8 Trailer Is Full of Partying, Feuds and Fur Vests". E News!. E Online. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  19. "The Real Housewives of New York City: Steel Calzones". zap2it.
  20. Vena, Jocelyn (September 19, 2016). "One of the Real Housewives of New York City Confirms She Won't Return". Bravo Media. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  21. Quinn, Dave (March 6, 2017). "Bethenny Frankel Streaks and Jill Zarin Returns in Real Housewives of New York City Season 9 Trailer". People. United States: Time Inc. Archived from the original on March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  22. Vena, Jocelyn (March 6, 2017). "The Real Housewives of New York City Returns This April: Get Your First Look at All the Fireworks". Bravo. United States: NBCUniversal. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  23. Quinn, Dave (March 1, 2018). "Big Drama in the Big Apple! The Real Housewives of New York City Return in Season 10 Trailer". People. United States: Time Inc. Archived from the original on March 2, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  24. Vulpo, Mike (July 25, 2018). "Carole Radziwill Leaving Real Housewives of New York City". E! Online. United States: NBCUniversal. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  25. Quinn, Dave (January 28, 2019). "The Real Housewives of New York City Returns with Explosive Season 11 Trailer". People. United States: Time Inc. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  26. Otterson, Joe (August 21, 2019). "Bethenny Frankel to Exit Real Housewives of New York (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  27. "New Friends, New Alliances, and New Beginnings as "The Real Housewives of New York City" Returns Thursday, April 2, at 9PM ET/PT". The Futon Critic. February 12, 2020.
  28. Vena, Jocelyn. "RHONY Pal Elyse Shares That She Introduced Bethenny and Jill Back in the Day". BravoTV.com. Bravo Media LLC.
  29. Drysdale, Jennifer (June 11, 2020). "Tinsley Mortimer Confirms Real Housewives of New York City Exit". Entertainment Tonight. United States. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  30. "9 New York women of color who should join 'RHONY'". 2019-10-30.
  31. Ian Mohr (2017-07-24). "'Real Housewives of New York' looks to boost diversity". NY Post. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  32. Jeryl Brunner (2017-07-06). "Bethenny Frankel on Finding Success, Shark Tank and the Newest Addition to the Skinnygirl Family". Parade. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  33. Tracie Egan Morrissey (2019-10-29). "Race and 'The Real Housewives'". New York Times. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  34. "Shows A-Z – real housewives of new york city, the on bravo". The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  35. "iTunes – TV Shows – The Real Housewives of New York City, Season 1". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  36. "iTunes – TV Shows – The Real Housewives of New York City, Season 5". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
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