While Bravo has reportedly invited all of the Real Housewives of New York City, excluding Jennifer Gilbert, back for a 4th season, it seems the housewives are a bit reluctant to sign the dotted line.
The NYPost is reporting that ladies are banding together, refusing to sign a new contract with the network unless they get more money. Jersey Shore money to be exact.
See, the Post states the ladies are earning a mere $4,000 per episode for their show, while MTV reality star Snooki earns $30,000 per episode on the Jersey Shore hit show.
They’ve got a lot more to say,” Jill Zarin a source close to the Housewives tells the Post, adding that the ladies “have little choice but to pimp themselves out with side gigs to bump up their earnings.”
“It’s a full-time job without the full-time pay,” a second source says. “That’s why a reality star with any sense does a book line or jewelry line to support being on the show.”
Well let’s examine things to see if the NYC ladies really deserve more money. The show averaged 2 million viewers per episode last season, while the Jersey Shore’s current season is averaging 5 million viewers. So simple calculation shows that solely based on the ratings, the ladies should be earning at least $12,000 per episode. Oddly enough, the Jersey Shore cast and the Real Housewives of NYC cast have about the same number of cast members.
Also, it is likely that Bethenny Frankel is not involved in this negotiation process with the other housewives. With the success of her spin off show, there’s a good chance her negotiations is being done solo and she will likely earn more money than her co-stars if and when she returns to the show. For example, TMZ reported Jersey Shore’s The Situation is earning $60,00o per episode on the show, way more than all of his other co-stars.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK THE LADIES DESERVE MORE MONEY FROM BRAVO?