Right now, the Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Season 16 is giving viewers some questionable and boring moments. But there is always room for improvement. So far, we’ve met a bunch of newbies, watched Kenya Moore twirl herself off the series, and finally seen Phaedra Parks making her comeback. But for some reason, the season is not slapping like it should.
RHOA Season 17 needs to go back to its roots
In this humble viewer’s opinion, the current season of RHOA lacks spark and real drama. It’s just a manufactured mess that falls flat every single time. Looking back to the OGs and earlier seasons, the women had genuine friendships and at times genuine hatred for one another. NeNe Leakes, Marlo Hampton, Kim Zolciak, Phaedra, Porsha Williams, and Kenya all understood the mission and brought it. Every. Single. Episode. The combination of these women gave real chemistry and offered the most iconic moments that are still very much quoted in the Bravoverse today.
However, the argument can be made that even if the OGs were brought back, the franchise might not be revived. So with the idea of going back to the show’s roots still in mind, maybe it’s time for a total rehaul. All fresh faces and no OGs. This could help appeal to a younger audience. Loyal viewers have been watching for the last 16 years, and us oldies need to move on and understand that nostalgia can’t always fix the issue Bravo is having. Even though I’d love to see the Real Housewives of Atlanta as it once was, I don’t think it is in the cards.
RHOA needs a good storyline for Season 17
What RHOA is really missing is a solid storyline. The earlier seasons gave us Phaedra’s questionable pregnancy timeline and Kenya’s paid-for boyfriend, Walter. For me, one of the best storylines was Kim’s music tour, where she and NeNe got into one of their biggest fights. NeNe’s words still live rent-free when she said, “You think you are Lady Gaga, but really you are just Kim.” Nothing has quite compared since. In fact, the newest season has already seen some odd storlyines such as Brit Eady’s porn past and dramatic editing of Shamea Morton’s issues with Porsha.
Not to mention, Brit also threatened to brandish a weapon while fighting with Kenya. Even the once-favorite confessionals have taken a turn for the worse. RHOA producers have started to film full-body confessionals, which feel odd as I watch Porsha swing her leg during question after question. Even the background screens feel uncomfortable, with some ladies looking as if producers superimposed them onto a non-matching background. The only confessionals I seem to remember now are Shamea’s because she never stops singing. Never.
Shamea Morton and Porsha Williams could be the stars of RHOA
Maybe we have been looking a gift horse in the mouth. Instead of looking around for fans of the show to star on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, we should be looking at the two friends. Shamea and Porsha have a history that makes them good housewives. They’ve been through significant life milestones and are currently navigating a mini-breakup. But there is so much more. Let’s bring in the friends of Shamea and Porsha — we saw them in Nashville, so we know they exist.
Personally, I want to know way more about their mother’s fight. I imagine Ms. Dinae would love to be in the spotlight a bit more. I would also like to see Porsha’s sister, Lauren, on the series. God knows she has tea on P, and the sisterly dynamic would be interesting to watch. The idea would be a mini-reboot in sorts, but keeping one familiar face. I think Porsha has worn out her welcome as a leading lady, so this is her best shot to keep a firm grip on her peach. As for Shamea, I imagine she has more than one hit mic moment left.
Whatever the network decides, something has to change, or viewers might start giving up on their once beloved franchise.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta is available to stream on Peacock and on Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK BRAVO SHOULD DO TO REVAMP THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA?
