Producers Are Hoping That Fresh Faces and a Blast From the Past Will Reinvigorate Season 6
Last season of RHONJ was boring. That is not an adjective that you would normally associate with this particular installment of the hit Bravo franchise. Since "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" launched in 2009, fans have come to expect craziness at every turn. We've seen table flips, weaves pulled out, brawls at christenings and some the nuttiest Jersey family drama this side of "The Sopranos," but during season five, it just seemed that we were seeing a lot of the same old, same old. There was the re-heated Gorga/Giudice family drama. Even a brawl between the two Joes wasn't enough to liven things up much. Also, last season, producers were accused of manipulating things more than they usually are. The season finale was especially guilty of that. The scenes filmed at the opening of Posche II were edited so it showed confrontations between cast members that weren't happening, a majority of it was blacked out because troublemakers Penny and her husband Jonny the Greek wouldn't give Bravo permission to show it. Even the reunion was a snooze.
Producers knew there was an issue and it seems they've taken steps to try to liven things up this season. Out are Caroline Manzo and Jacqueline Laurita. Never fear Manzo fans, the Manzo family and Jacqueline will be returning in the fall with their very own spin-off, "Manzo'd with Children." Kathy Wakile has been demoted from full-time cast member to "Friend of the Housewives," and I'm pretty sure the only reason she wasn't given the boot entirely is because of fan favorite, Rosie.
Replacing the departing ladies are Amber Marchese and twins, that's right twins, Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano. Amber is an old friend of Melissa's. She was in Melissa's wedding, but they seem to have fallen out of touch, since Melissa had no clue that Amber battled breast cancer. Her husband is also working with the team that is prosecuting the Giudices. The twins seem like they will be out of control. Nicole is divorced and Teresa is married to a guy she already divorced once. I have no idea how I am going to tell these two apart and having two women named Teresa on the same show. Oy. Recapping is going to be a struggle.
Dina Manzo is back! Now that her sister Caroline is out of the picture, Dina has returned to the show that gave her her start. You may recall that Dina was an original cast member, but she left the show due to trainwreck, Danielle Staub. I like Dina. I always thought she was funny and engaging. I think her friendship with Teresa helps make me like Teresa more. It will also be nice for someone to have Teresa's back.
We can't forget about our returning ladies. Sisters-in-law, Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga, are back and are not fighting. Let's hope it stays that way. I'd rather see Teresa and Melissa fight with these new girls, not each other. I don't want to talk too much about the Giudice's legal troubles. We all know it's going on and it will be interesting to hopefully see some unguarded moments where they confront the reality of what could happen if Joe is deported.
All in all, I think we are in for an exciting season that will hopefully wash the bad taste that last season left out of our collective mouths. We'll find out when the sixth season of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" premieres tonight at 8/7c on Bravo. You can also read recaps of each episode right here on my blog. Hit play below for a preview of the season.
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