Bravo's "Real Housewives" franchise is such a con.

[no_hypocrisy]

Last edited Tue Oct 25, 2022, 10:03 AM - Edit history (1)

It's a geographical estrogen-spurred worldwide wrestling match in an endless loop.

The participants don't realize that the producers are setting them up for tasteless cat fights. Table-flipping. Family wars. Insults that are outspoken hit jobs or clothed in silk. Divorces. Weddings. Jail. And introducing the children to join the franchise when they get older.

Some of them are real bitches and then act dainty and ladylike, "I would NEVER do/say that . . . . "

And elevating these flawed individuals to be celebrities. Bravo has public relations for some of them. The worse you are, the more the fans love you.

Andy Cohen sits during the recap at the end of each season, preening his housewives, pretending innocence on his and Bravo's part.

[Skittles]

1. I think less of anyone I know who watches that crap

FACT

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. Me too. The only 'reality' shows I ever watch is shows like Trailer Park Boys

Where the 'reality' aspect is clearly tongue-in-cheek.

Things that are reality-style but so over-the-top that anyone would know within minutes it's completely staged.

That kind can be amusing IMHO.

[Raster]

3. Pro Tip: Anything with "Real" in the title is probably not.

And yes, EVERYTHING in the "Real Housewives" stable of "entertainment" is heavily scripted, with cliche plot points and even more obvious characters.

That shit will rot your mind. I stay away from BRAVO as much as possible.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Exactly. . . . nt

[erpowers]

4. Participants Know

I too believe the show is largely fake. My concern about the fakeness of the show is with the fact that many of these women are presented as wealthy and owning fabulous home when in fact they do not become wealthy until they get on the show and they do not own the fabulous home they live in during the show; they actually rent some of those homes. So, for me it is the presentation of fake wealth that is problematic.

However, the participants are aware that they will be engaging in fake catfights and fake drama. They are willing to participate in order to get the money and the publicity. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, a number of the women who signed up for those shows were not wealthy before appearing on the show, but after appearing on the show they were able to sing lucrative deals that made them wealthy. They want their kids to get shows because that keeps they money flowing. So, these women are not victims; they are eager and willing accomplices.

[tanyev]

6. Sigh. I remember when Bravo, A & E and the History Channel had really interesting programming.

It's sad how far they've fallen.

[snowybirdie]

7. I'd opine

that show is as true to life as The Apprentice.

[Better Days Ahoy]

8. One of the original producers of OC Housewives was at my undergrad, Occidental College

Even back then, he would have drowned in the shallow end of the kiddie pool.