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Bravo has confirmed what many fans of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” have been eagerly anticipating—Teresa Giudice, Dolores Catania, and Melissa Gorga will all be returning for the upcoming season. However, an insider has revealed that there are some apprehensions behind the scenes regarding the show’s dynamics.
Credit: Bravo
According to sources close to the production, both Bravo and Sirens Media, the company responsible for producing the show, are putting in considerable effort to ensure the successful return of RHONJ. Yet, there are whispers of unease among those familiar with the show’s inner workings. “Teresa has always been a pivotal figure on RHONJ,” the insider noted, “and despite discussions last summer about possibly moving forward without her, the decision was made to continue centering the show around her.”
While this decision might delight Teresa’s fans, it also presents a unique challenge. With Teresa, Dolores, and Melissa now on good terms, the insider humorously questioned what the audience could expect from the trio. “Are we just going to watch them sit around and sing Kumbaya?” they quipped, suggesting the absence of the usual drama might alter the show’s dynamic.
The insider pointed that out as a potential issue, as you now have three women – Dolores, Melissa, and Teresa – who all get along.
“What are we going to see? Them sitting around and singing Kumbaya?” the source said in jest, as there likely would not be fighting between them.
“Then you have three potential newbies,” they continued. “You know none of them will fight with Teresa because they will be too nervous that it could cause them to lose their spot on the show. So the issue becomes this – what drama will there be?”
On the last season of the show, there was a lot of drama between Margaret Josephs and Teresa.
“While Margaret confirmed she’s not returning, it’s not good for the network,” they said. “There is an unsettled score between her and Teresa that viewers are still pining to see play out. Think how epic a sit-down between them could have been. Think season 2 Caroline Manzo and Danielle Staub level. It would have been great drama that would absolutely have driven ratings.”
Bravo is also “weighing” bringing former RHONJ friend Kim DePaola, who last appeared on RHONJ in season 8, back to the popular franchise.
“This would be a move in the right direction, as you need someone to stir the pot,” they claimed. “If the show is just three women who get along paired with three new women scared of their own shadows, what will unfold to make for good TV?”
They wrapped by divulging that Bravo and fans are aware that “you need drama for ratings and a good show.”
“Hopefully, in the coming weeks, the network will make the right decisions to ensure this two-year-shelved series fans are begging to return doesn’t fall flat from the jump,” they added.
Kim recently appeared on Watch What Happens Live, something a source previously dished was “raising eyebrows” due to people “buzzing about what it means and if she will actually be going back to the show.”
“Signs are pointing toward yes, because why else would Andy suddenly have her on Watch What Happens Live right on the cusp of him finalizing the RHONJ cast?” they elaborated. “If that’s not the case, she should be coming back to the show, as she is actually friends with everyone from the cast in real life and would completely make sense to be back in the mix.”