By now, fans are well aware that the Real Housewives of New Jersey will not be given the normal three-part couch reunion. Usually, the cast of a franchise will sit, dolled up, on a magical set to represent the cast’s trip to talk about their issues. Sadly, RHONJ had no cast trip, and no one was willing to talk about their feelings. Andy Cohen, the king of Bravo, has been pretty quiet on the matter but recently shared that he has big plans for a reboot.
The rebrand of RHONJ
Even though some Garden State viewers might not want a reboot of the once-popular franchise, Andy is admitting one is in the works. While hosting his Andy Cohen Live radio show, the father of two noted that the network was looking into ideas on how to revamp the longtime reality show. A fan called into Andy, noting, “I think it’s time to do what happened with New York. Bring fresh faces in.” There is no doubt that Danielle Cabral and Rachel Fuda have brought a “fresh and young dynamic to the group. But people born in 1991 and 1967 shouldn’t be housewives on the same show. The caller believed the OGs all have negativity around them, claiming Bravo should “Set them free. Let them move on to the new.”
Andy couldn’t agree more as he told the caller, “I agree. We’re gonna figure something out. We’re gonna figure something out. We are all on the same page about that.” Even though Andy did not go into detail, it is clear that the fate of the Real Housewives of New Jersey is now in the network’s hands. The women tried creating drama hence the fever dream that is Season 14. Between Jackie Goldschneider switching teams and Teresa and Melissa Gorga refusing to film, enough is enough.
The RHONJ reunion that wasn’t
For the first time, Real Housewives of New Jersey won’t be having a reunion. This is unheard of. Honestly, it’s a bit pathetic that the women of the Garden State can’t get their act together for a sit-down. I thought we were all adults. But Bravo has figured out a contingency plan that seems a bit ridiculous if you ask me. In June, People reported that for the first time in the show’s history, Andy wouldn’t be asking the women questions.
An insider told the outlet, “A reunion is meant to have resolution, and it’s clear in the season finale that there is no path forward in that type of setting. So the network is figuring out a different concept to wrap up the season.” During a Watch What Happens Live episode with Teresa, Andy noted the finale was “kind of like the reunion and the finale all in one. The OG agreed, adding, “It is. Pretty much everything I had to say. Everyone’s going to see it this season. So everyone’s going to have to tune in and watch.”
Plan B
On July 15th, two sides showed up at Rails Steakhouse, the scene of the finale crime, and watched the finale. Rachel, Margaret Josephs, Jenn Fessler, Danielle, and Melissa on one side. Teresa, Jackie, and Jennifer Aydin on the other. Dolores Catania went between both viewing parties. The network used the same premise as they did with Vanderpump Rules and refused to send out screeners thanks to the magnitude of leaks during Season 14.
A source told People that instead of the iconic ballgowns, each housewife just wore normal daytime lunch attire. The outlet noted that while there were no explosive on-stage moments, one major revelation surprised both rooms. According to the source, it is not the moment that Teresa has claimed will leave her “vindicated.” After the finale, each woman was invited to participate in their own confessional. Andy did not host.
Even though fans are still on the fence, Andy has doubled down, stating, “It’s in the great tradition of absolute shocking, dramatic Jersey finales, and they have this final epic group encounter, which is like, it feels like The Last Supper and is just so Jersey. And it’s shocking and it’s dramatic and it’s amazing TV. People will be talking about it for a long time to come.”
