When it comes to the Real Housewives of New Jersey, everyone has an opinion about what should be done with the famed franchise. Season 14 wasn’t great. It gave us episode after episode of nothing. There was no storyline since half the cast refused to speak to the other half. And the long, drawn-out Gorga/Giudice feud had run its course. Naturally, viewers were left wondering about the future of the Garden State women. For a series that was the gold standard for so long, it was horrifying to watch its demise. But could Bravo add to the cast instead of launching a total reboot? Let’s take a look at the theory.
RHONJ OGs think they are safe
For some Bravo personalities like Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga, it is hard to imagine not having a place on the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Over and over again Tre has stated that she is the OG. And while it can’t be argued that she put the franchise on the map with her infamous table flip, she doesn’t work well with others. It boggles my mind how any network executive would think that Teresa should still be a staple of the series. She is as stubborn as they come. However, some of her reality TV deeds were evil and should have consequences. While I don’t necessarily want to see all new faces, adding a couple could work. But I would argue Tre would have to go.
Let the countess speak on the RHONJ cast
Luann de Lesseps, who went through a reboot of her own when the Real Housewives of New York was hit with low ratings and racism allegations, had some thoughts. Instead of giving the Real Housewives of New Jersey a total makeover, the countess told TMZ that Bravo should mix and match the cast, noting, “The newbies and the OGs.” The cabaret star added, “Instead of wiping out the entire cast, they should meld some new people in.” The idea isn’t half bad. If the network were to take Luann’s advice, fans wouldn’t have to invest in five new backstories. And they would feel a sense of comfort in still being able to recognize a face or two. That’s assuming the ones who stay don’t enhance their lips anymore. But the countess has a point.
RHONJ could go for a younger cast
Now, while I have loved being able to follow around most of the women since 2009, I am ready for a lighter, younger group. I want to see New Jersey as I am currently experiencing it. The new reboot would show single women and women with young families. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I wouldn’t mind if Bravo angled some of the storyline around Rachel Fuda or Danielle Cabral. Both are millennials, and I imagine they have a friend or two who would want to join the franchise. We could keep Dolores Catania as the glue. Dolo would be the one to usher the younger crowd into the franchise as she gracefully bows out after Season 15.
Bravo might stick with the RHONJ status quo
The network could also decide to stick with the older, more experienced group. The main cast could consist of Teresa, Dolores, Rachel, and Jennifer Fessler. But with the addition of one to two newbies. These fresh faces would need a family connection to each other or someone already on the show so RHONJ could return to its roots. But I think we know Tre won’t sign up for that again. Missy G could be demoted to a friend of. But Bravo must treat it like the Richards sisters on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. And possibly have Jackie Goldschneider back as a friend of, too.
One thing is for sure: whatever Real Housewives of New Jersey we were being given was just too toxic for Reality TV. I know. It sounds like an oxymoron. But there is a point where the entertainment factor crosses over into the disturbing. And I think we found it with Season 14. Bravo has yet to reveal its plan for the Garden State, but one thing is most certainly assured: It won’t be what fans are used to seeing.
TELL US — WOULD YOU WANT A TOTAL RHONJ REBOOT OR A MIX AND MATCH OF OLD AND NEW?
