Since the dawn of the Real Housewives franchise, each season has closed out with a one-, two-or three-part reunion special.

Each housewife would dress to the nines, sit on a couch, and be bombarded by questions for the host. When it came to the Real Housewives of New Jersey cast, these women were pros at airing their grievances. The ladies of the Garden State never held back, and this often included a lot of yelling. At one point in time, Teresa Giudice would get so heated that she would physically manhandle Andy Cohen.

But after a lackluster season of petty fighting and lines drawn in the sand, the current cast of Season 14 has decided that they are too good for a proper sit-down. This has left the network scrambling and loyal fans aggravated. So, what can we expect from the new format, and why should we be happy about it?

Andy speaks out

As rumors swirled around Season 14, fans began to worry. So far this season, we have already seen a physical altercation between Danielle Cabral and Jennifer Aydin. We have seen Teresa’s visceral hate for Margaret Josephs. And we have seen Jackie Goldschneider suddenly find her voice and befriend Jen and Tre. Honestly, it feels a bit like we are in the Twilight Zone. So when news leaked that the reunion had been canceled, fans freaked out.

Luckily, we had Andy to calm our worries. In June, he shared that rumors of a possible reboot were just that—false news. But Andy did note the reunion would be tweaked. While speaking on Radio Andy’s Reality Checked, Andy said, “It is one of those classic Jersey finales that people will be talking about for a long time to come. When all of us producers saw the last cut of the finale, we all came to the decision separately, and then we talked. We all had the same thought, which is the finale is kind of the finale and the reunion all in one.”

At the time, Andy lamented, “This final epic group encounter feels like the Last Supper and is just so Jersey. When you see it, I think that you’ll feel complete. I really do.” Even though Andy was meant to calm our fears, the statement was ominous.

The alternate RHONJ reunion

Evidently, gone are the days of the couch recap. The tensions have become so bad between some of the women of RHONJ that they just flat-out refuse to interact. So, Bravo had to take it upon themselves to develop a new idea for a tell-all special. And most fans aren’t exactly thrilled. News broke via show accounts that “On July 15th, the alternative reunion will be filmed! The two sides will watch the finale scene at Rails separately and provide commentary.”

In the same post, the account also added information from another show account which read, “They are doing a reunion. Separately. No men. They are scrambling. They don’t want to put this group together for fear of what else might come out.” The women have already dealt with manila envelopes full of rumors that Luis Ruelas allegedly dug up. So it makes sense that there are probably some skeletons wanting to stay hidden in the closet.

Fans are not pleased with RHONJ

Followers of the Real Housewives of New Jersey took to the comment section to share their disdain. One wrote, “Sounds dumb as hell. Reminds me of BravoCon and to think these women claim to be ‘strong’ but can’t sit in a room with each other.” Another disturbed follower added “It’s never been this bad where they can’t have a normal reunion. Housewives is so dark now.”

It very much feels like the Real Housewives of New Jersey, as we know it, might be winding down. I think fans can prepare themselves to see the two sides being filmed separately and a lot less yelling. I think that each side will be able to tell their side of the story without fear of interruption from the other. However, this also means viewers will lose out on any discourse or possible resolution between the split sides.

In my humble opinion, this new format is pathetic. The women have outgrown their egos and should either have been forced to abide by the old reunion ways or get cut.