According to a new report, Bethenny Frankel believes that she can save The Real Housewives of New York City after multiple reports claim that the current season of the Bravo hit reality series is struggling with ratings amid cast shakeup rumors.
“Bethenny doesn’t want to return to the show as a cast member, she wants to return as a producer,” sources told Radar Online.
“Bethenny was far more than just talent when she was a on the show. From day one Bethenny was also as a producer. She had idea and was very creative and was never shy about jumping in and shaping the show behind the scenes as well as on camera. Bethenny knows how to fix the show and is only a phone call away.”
It was reported last week that a cast shakeup for Season 14 is underway and the taping for the Season 13 reunion has been pushed back from Aug. 5 until at least September amid the reported decline in ratings and some fan backlash about the storylines this season.
As previously reported, a source claimed that a cast shakeup was underway. “Ramona Singer ain't going anywhere,” the insider told The Daily Mail. “This story is complete rubbish."
“We do not make casting decisions this early in the year, we decide after the reunion episodes have aired,” the source said. “The production company Shed and the network Bravo really take into account what the fans say online and how they respond to the cast.”
“One Housewife in particular has it out for Ramona and she wants her off the show. This Housewife is leaking to news organizations that Ramona is fired in an attempt to push the network to get rid of her,” they continued. “Over the coming weeks until the reunion is filmed there will be "anti-Ramona" stories leaked everywhere as this Housewife attempts to push her off the show.”
“The only problem is, Housewives fans who have stuck with the show this season, know what the problem is, and this year it isn't Ramona Singer.”
Meanwhile, a source told the publication that while some cast members should be prepared to get axed from the show, Ramona is simply not one of them.
“Ramona also isn't the cast member that should be worried,” they said. “There is one cast member who producers have found particularly problematic as what viewers are seeing on television isn't real.”
“Ramona has been the backbone of the show this season and she's been a key part of the series since day one. Love her or hate her, she makes great reality television,” they added.
An insider shared that it's Ramona Singer's openness that leaves her indispensable from the series.
“We've seen her raise her daughter, re-marry Mario, deal with his infidelity, get divorced and then hunt for a new man,” the source told The Daily Mail. “She opens up her home and her life with transparency. That can't be said about other members of the cast.”
The source added, “Just like OC you can expect a cast shake up though. This show can be saved. Look at how great Beverly Hills is now.”
Last month, Frankel revealed during an episode of her podcast, Just B with Bethenny Frankel, that she ended a business deal with MGM Television and Mark Burnett after filming The Big Shot with Bethenny for HBOMax.
“I left a very big, high, seven-figure contract recently with my partners at MGM and Mark Burnett because I had a good relationship with them, but I didn't want to be locked up,” the former Real Housewives of New York City star said, according to PEOPLE. “I didn't want to have no freedom in my podcast.”
She continued, “I didn't want to not be able to do something, to date other people, business-wise. And I was taking a shot. I don't know that I'll make that money back, but I didn't want to be shackled. So that's not about money - I've left money to make things happen in the future.”
Frankel's most recent reality show, The Big Shot with Bethenny, was produced by her own B Real Productions, as well as reality TV mega-producer Burnett and MGM. The series premiered on HBO Max earlier this year.
Aside from The Big Shot with Bethenny, Frankel also previously told Variety that she was working on a “soft-scripted” comedy with Burnett and MGM Television.
When Frankel announced that she was once again leaving RHONY in August 2019, she cited her deal with Burnett as a reason for her departure.
“It's time to move on and focus on my daughter, my philanthropy and my production partnership with Mark Burnett, producing and starring in shows which represent a shift in the conversation for women,” Frankel said in a statement via PEOPLE at the time.
Frankel has remained focused on her philanthropy efforts with her B Strong foundation including her Skinnygirl Jeans, Skinnygirl Supplements, numerous investments, and speaking opportunities.
Earlier this month, the mother-of-one also confirmed that she's getting back into the adult beverage business with a new wine brand called Forever Young.
Photo Credit: HBOMax; Bravo Media/NBCUniversal
