Opinion: Why RHONJ Getting All-New Faces Would Devastate Me

Dear Bravo/Whoever is reading this,

Even if you have been living under a rock, any Real Housewives of New Jersey fan can see what is going to happen from a mile away. Andy Cohen stated that no decisions had been made about the franchise’s future only a few weeks ago. I had hope. We all did. But this week, the Bravo kingpin all but proclaimed a change was near. Even with this proclamation, I still find myself mourning the loss of what RHONJ used to be. Is anyone else as devastated as I am?

RHONJ was a solid franchise

So, Andy let slip on his radio show that the franchise will be getting all new faces. However, I still hold out hope that the irate call was coming from inside Teresa Giudice’s home and that this was all just a ploy. Andy seemed aggravated by the line of questioning, so maybe he just said what the caller wanted to hear to get her off the line. A disgruntled Andy noted, “Maybe just all fresh faces.”

But I remember a time when the Real Housewives of New Jersey couldn’t be beat. The women were the epitome of Bergen County. The Garden State series was a solid franchise for so long.  I never thought it topple. The first few seasons with a naive Teresa, the Manzo kids’ ham game, and Rich Wakilie’s odd comments were some of the most fabulous reality TV moments. I used to find myself laughing out loud uncontrollably, but that rarely happens now. But perhaps the best part was when the cast fought because it wasn’t a scripted brawl. It was a fight between two people who knew each other. They had history. The insults cut deeper and gave a more realistic feel to the whole franchise.

RHONJ had one of the best cast dynamics

I genuinely loved the cast dynamic until Seasons 13 and 14. I could ignore the one-and-dones that were Siggy Flicker and Amber Marchese because the core group always stood firm. But now I can’t think of one believable friendship in the group anymore. The entire vibe of the series has become toxic and hostile. And dare I say dark. It has started to feel very icky. But during the early seasons, the friendships were light and legitimate.

The franchise peaked from Season 3 to Season 5. It had hilarious moments like Joe Gorga dressed as Snooki and real-life drama that kept us coming back for more. Fans were given the trip to Napa Valley, which showed the group traveling in an RV. When has that happened since? Unless you count the sprinter vans that have become synonymous with the Real Housewives .

No other franchise does family like RHONJ

I will die on this hill. The Real Housewives of New Jersey was all about familia (imagine my hands doing a chef’s kiss.) No franchise since has put such heart and soul into the episodes or shown me another family dynasty I would be willing to commit to watching every week. I loved watching Joe evolve over the years from a macho man to an inclusive husband. Joe’s special relationship with his cousin, Rosie Pierri was also sweet. Season 3 showed Rosie bravely coming out to her niece and nephew.

No other franchise gave us so many family reunions like RHONJ. It was a full house between Teresa and Joe, Melissa Gorga and her mother and sisters, Kathy Wakile, Rosie and Richi, Dina Manzo, Caroline Manzo, and Jaqueline Laurita. Early on, the Real Housewives of New Jersey was unique in terms of the ties that bind. With this Garden State franchise, there was always an actual crafted story thanks to the family tree. When it came to series, the family connections have always been there.

What I love the most about the Real Housewives realm is that different franchises offer different flavors. I just am not convinced that new, fresh faces on the Real Housewives of New Jersey are going to give me that warm and fuzzy feeling. In Marlo Hampton’s immortal words, “Today has drained me.”

Real Housewives of New Jersey can be streamed on Peacock.

TELL US — DO YOU AGREE WITH BRAVO THAT FRESH FACES ON RHONJ MIGHT BE THE WAY TO GO?

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