 | Bethenny Frankel: Needs Reality Television?posted by RF Club, Group AdministratorSunday, December 26th 2010 @ 9:08 PM (not yet rated) |
Mixed Feelings!
It seemed to me that the Bloggers had been trying desperately to figure out if Bethenny Frankel was returning to The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY). Now, nothing seems to have been announced officially, well, as far as I could summon up but a lot of Non-official chatter has been bounced around with pretty good sources to safely assume that Bethenny is not returning. Phew. That sentence was hard to write (LOL). Wait, not because she isn't returning but because I am just trying to say from all the reports and TWEETS it seems that Bethenny will not be apart of The Real Housewives of New York City. Of course, you have all the Bethenny Frankel fans bemoaning how awful RHONY is going to be and blah, blah, blah. I come from a belief in life that we are all replaceable in any job. NOW, that doesn't mean I think ANYBODY can replace Bethenny but I do BELIEVE that RHONY can and will survive without Bethenny. In addition, I believe the Housewives series are an ensemble cast and not one series relies on ONE CAST MEMBER. I think there are enough wonderful, outrageous,extraordinary women in every city and with that being said then any housewife can easily be replaced. This doesn't mean I won't miss Bethenny on RHONY. Just like, I will miss Danielle Staub on RHONJ. I mean as much as Danielle Staub was wacky she definitely brought interesting to the show and I wonder who they will bring in to replace her??? BUT, I am sure it will be fine! Real Housewives of Orange County has been fine with their revolving door and it is not because Vicki Gunvalson has been there to keep it going, nope!! It is because Bravo has brought on INTERESTING women to fill the voids!!
Now, many will argue that Bethenny Frankel is SPECIAL and should not be compared to Danielle Staub, Dina Manzo, Lisa Wu Hartwell, Jeana Keough and many other housewives who have come and gone. Maybe, maybe not!
But, it should not be surprising that Bethenny Frankel is leaving RHONY. First, Bethenny never really fit the show. Bethenny never REALLY HUNG in the same circle as all of the other women. It was clear that Ramona Singer, LuAnn deLesseps and Jill Zarin were in a different social circle. In addition, it was always odd for Alex McCord and Simon VanKempen to be included but they were at least openly trying to enter the 'other' circle. All the women referred to them as social climbers, even Bethenny mentioned that Alex and Simon were out and about constantly at the social events in New York City trying to be seen. I find nothing wrong with this fact. People are entitled to want what they want out of life and to go for it!! Alex and Simon are definitely enjoying their station in life now!! Kelly Killoren Bensimon and Sonja Morgan both were additions that were clearly thought out before included because they were more in the social circle with Ramona, LuAnn and Jill then Bethenny and Alex. Therefore, RHONY producers were trying to keep the outer circle to a minimum they unfortunately do not do psychological testing on the women and WACKOS are found in all CIRCLES OF LIFE (LOL). Although, if you ask me all the women doing the REALITY shows have NUTTY in them!! I mean to enter the realm of REALITY television you have to have a screw loose, right?? And, the producers hit the jackpot with more nutty for some than others. I mean, it is hard to decide REALLY who is at the top of the NUT CHART?? Kelly,Danielle,Kim,Camille,Dina,Teresa,Tamra and on some given days you can add, NeNe,Phaedra,Jacqueline,Jill,Vicki,Gretchen,Sonja and on and on and on (LOL)
But, this post is more about BETHENNY FRANKEL. Bethenny seemed to INSINUATE to the viewers that she was different than all the other ladies. Bethenny loves to portray herself as the self made woman. You know,The young girl who had a rotten childhood and has had to claw her way to the top!! She used REALITY TELEVISION every step of the way and now she is balancing the tactful way to extricate herself from the venue that MADE HER. Bethenny's statements are measured and she is careful not to upset her fans because they are REALITY fans. Bethenny Frankel wants to get out of Reality and can't quite make the leap. She claimed that RHONY was fun, than not so fun then became scary. She claims she likes her own show because it is real but her problem is she also claims her husband HATES all the limelight and she believes children should not be apart of it. UH OH! Bethenny is in serious trouble because she has her own REALITY show and her fans will want to see her husband and child because that is her REALITY. Watching her WORK with Julie and others will only get her so far!! Bethenny endured her first failure with 'Skating With The Stars' and I am not talking about her Skating. The show tanked. Period. You cannot argue with numbers. Now, that is not Bethenny Frankel's fault but she was on that cracked ice with the entire bunch so she gets lumped into the failure. Bethenny wrote her little Newsletter and she spun it as best as she could but I am thinking she wishes this IS was ONE TIME she HAD said NO!
Now, I will be honest, I have only read one REALITY CELEBRITY book. Alex and Simon. The book wasn't God-Awful but it wasn't anything all that great either,well, in my opinion. A lot of what they wrote was common sense and most of, US parents, could have written the same thing but since we are not on a reality show we don't have the access to publishers or the public. Anyways, I am unable to say much about Bethenny's books. This really isn't against Bethenny or the other Reality 'stars' but if I am going to turn to a book to help me with weight loss, cooking,parenting and finances I choose experts. Once again, my opinion, my belief, I have nothing against other people who enjoy getting tidbits from people they like. The reason I read Alex and Simon's book was because I got it for free. Anyways, I am curious to find out about Bethenny's book "A Place of Yes". ( or something like that) Bethenny likes to use that phrase and I hope it works for her but women must be careful with SAYING YES all the time. I think Bethenny's idea behind the phrase is don't be negative but her claim for 'Skating With the Stars' is she comes from a Place of yes and as a woman, I think, Bethenny is going to have to learn how to balance the 'Place of Yes' or she may find it will hurt her HOME LIFE. It is hard to be a good mother and wife if you stretch yourself thin. Oprah for years has been preaching to women to learn how to say NO and not push themselves over the edge. For years, Oprah has been telling women to learn to decline without giving an explanation. If you don't want to do something then DON'T and don't make up stupid ass excuses. Your life, your wants and your family should be first. Women stretch themselves so thin. Once again, just my opinion but I just like to remind the young mothers or mothers with young ones to not feel they NEED TO ALWAYS SAY YES. Sometimes a NO is needed for yourself and family. A mother and wife is no good if she is running on empty and the YES'S can get her to EMPTY fast!!! Okay, off my soapbox and back to REALITY TELEVISION (LOL)
My overall point with this rambling post!!! Bethenny Frankel never really fit RHONY and as much as we enjoy her I think that RHONY will be fine without her and BETHENNY FRANKEL will be FINE without RHONY. It was time for Bethenny to part ways. I think Bethenny has her die hard fans that will keep the second season of her show afloat. Personally, I will have to wait and see. I like Bethenny but I had trouble with her show. I found her therapy sessions to be staged and I did not like her treatment of Max but overall I enjoyed Bethenny Getting Married? (BGM). I watched the show, here and there and even missed a few episodes and had to catch them on repeat. I will even confess I didn't DVR BGM, I just didn't have the time or room to add her show. My point, I was not glued to Bethenny's show week after week like I am with the REAL HOUSEWIVES SERIES!! AND, I DVR ALL THE HOUSEWIVES SERIES!!
Wait, I have another POINT!! I am not sure the Bethenny Frankel Brand can withstand her leaving Reality. Bethenny's brand is young and in my opinion it still needs her exposure. I am not sure her products have quite caught on enough to withstand her leaving television. Die Hard fans, yes Bethenny has those!!! But like all celebrities your die hard fans only get you so far you need to have exposure to continue! Especially since the Bethenny Frankel Brand is still young. I know for those of us invested in Reality television we think Bethenny is quite the tops and she is in REALITY TELEVISION and it is those fans that buy her products. If Bethenny abandons REALITY TELEVISION and the exposure it brings it might hurt her Brand because when I mention her or any of the Reality stars to people who don't watch they honestly look blankly at me. Many know Kim Kardashian and Snooki, gosh that makes me sad but you get my drift, right??
Wrapping Up, Bethenny Frankel is working hard to branch out, dare I say it, she wants to leave REALITY TELEVISION but she still needs her Reality base, they are her bread and butter, and they keep her BRAND going and as much as us REALITY FANS think RHONY needs Bethenny Frankel I think Bethenny Frankel needs REALITY TELEVISION. Bethenny gained her fans from Reality Television and she might not want to jump too soon, even the Kardashians know how to work the Reality Beat and I think Bethenny needs to be careful before she leaps. Just my opinion!!
I would love to 'hear' your thoughts???
Lucy
RFclub
