Has there been a shift in the Bravoverse? Longtime Real Housewives stars Tamra Judge and Dolores Catania think so. They believe that Housewives has shifted away from the dramatic fights that put the show on the map.
During a recent episode of Two Ts in a Pod, the pair reflected on how the tone of the Housewives franchise has evolved and why aligning with fan expectations has become increasingly difficult.
Real Housewives fans only like seeing fighting “to a certain extent”
Dolores and Tamra talked about the evolving world of Housewives while recapping the Real Housewives of Potomac Season 10 reunion. During the sitdown, some of the veteran cast members spoke about a shifting dynamic in their group, claiming the newbies were more sensitive to shade. The reunion ended with many of them committing to acting more sisterly to each other.
Tamra is currently filming Real Housewives of Orange County Season 20, so seeing the Potomac cast attempting to enter their kumbaya era must have got her thinking.
She asked, “Do you think Housewives in a whole are changing, that fans do not want to see the fighting and all that stuff?”
“100%, that’s why we aren’t on anymore,” Dolores replied, referencing her long-paused Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Dolores might have been joking a little bit, but the sentiment is real. She said fans have made it clear what type of balance they hope to see on the shows.
“They still like to see the drama and the fights, but to a certain extent,” Dolores said. They don’t want to see the same fight dragged out across the whole season.”
With that in mind, Tamra said she’s felt “stuck” over the last few years trying to adjust to strike the right balance. Too much drama comes with a barrage of online hate.
Tamra said, “The problem is that the fans, especially on social media. They don’t want to see the fighting, and then as soon as the fighting happens, they go after the person. And then they want them fired and all these things.
Tamra is speaking from experience. On the flip side, if there’s not enough drama, complaints roll in about the show feeling too boring. Just ask the cast of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
“You can’t make them happy,” Tamra said.
Of course, both of these women are professionals, so they’re ready to roll with any changes that come their way. Plus, Dolores said she could see some good coming out of a less-aggressive world of Housewives.
She said, “People want to see women building each other up, not tearing them down, and I’m happy it’s changed like this.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County and The Real Housewives of New Jersey are both streaming on Peacock.
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