What separates Real Housewives of New Jersey from the rest of the Real Housewives franchise is arguably, the drama between family. In any other of the half-dozen other spinoffs, cast members fight on camera and then go home. There is a more distinct boundary between work and home life. Fighting with someone in a friend group might not hit as emotionally either. Not like what goes on between Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga.
But on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, OG Teresa has been feuding with her sister-in-law for over a decade on screen. Joe Gorga, Teresa’s brother, is an honorary cast member by proxy of his marriage. And that’s made the show a specific kind of reality TV hit.
Melissa said as much during a recent interview. She spoke about what sets RHONJ apart from the competition, as well as fan interactions and how her children are also household names in the Garden State.
Melissa acknowledges that fans “want to check in”
As fans eagerly await the premiere of Season 14 this year, the On Display with Melissa Gorga podcast host teased upcoming drama during a conversation with eu.northjersey.com.
Melissa first joined RHONJ in 2011 for Season 3. Since then, she, Joe, and their three teenage children Antonia, Gino, and Joey starred on screen together in some charming family scenes. And Melissa credits her husband’s input on the show’s success.
“Joe has a big impact on the show as far as the men go, that men love to watch it, too,” the Envy boutique owner said. “We’ve always had our men involved. It’s a family show, and people love that. It’s always funny because (people she meets) ask, ‘How’s Antonia? How’s Gino? How’s Joey?’ They really do know us. They know our kids, and they want to check-in. I feel like they truly know us because they’ve watched us grow for the last 14 years on TV.”
Certainly, RHONJ is one for the guys. And it feels like now that Teresa wed Luis Ruelas, there is yet more family drama involving a husband. One thing is clear, the Gorga and Giudice families are much loved by fans.
TELL US – WHAT IMPACT DO YOU THINK JOE GORGA HAD ON THE SHOW? DO YOU FEEL THAT THE GORGA AND GIUDICE KIDS ARE PART OF THE SHOW? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MELISSA’S COMMENT ABOUT FANS “KNOWING” THEM?
