For the first time in a 14-season run of Real Housewives of New Jersey — and only twice in history Real Housewives franchise — the stars did not come together for a special reunion after the season finale.
To change, The toxically divided cast of the Bravo reality show met again, by the way, at the Rails Steakhouse in Towaco, New Jersey, on Saturday, for a viewing party of sorts, where they watched the finale together, variety reported on Wednesday.
The event was reportedly unusual in several ways: Andy Cohen did not participate — despite having hosted every reunion special in the show’s history — and the cast did not watch the finale together.
However, they are divided into two groups, and watch the finale of season 14 in different rooms, because their relationship has become divided and broken – especially between the sisters-in-law. Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga.
Teresa’s room includes her friends, Jennifer Aydin and former enemy turned pal Jackie Goldschneider.
Melissa, meanwhile, was joined by Margaret Josephs, Danielle Cabral and Rachel Fuda. Reportedly, cast members Dolores Catania have managed to remain impartial and spent time between the rooms with both groups.
Back in June, ET confirmed that the New Jersey housewife will not be attending in the customary reunion episode, mostly because of the significant division in the cast. Cohen later provided clarity on the matter while speaking on SiriusXM Reality Checked with Kiki Monique.
At Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen The host revealed that this decision was made after the producers saw the final cut of the last episode of this season.
“I think the main thing is that it all makes sense when you see the final. It’s one of those classics Jersey a finale that people will be talking about for a long time,” Cohen said.
He emphasized the importance of the finale, describing it as the conclusion of the season and the reunion as one. “When all the producers saw the final cut in the final, we all made decisions separately and then talked.”
Bravo executives described the finale as an epic and dramatic event, similar to the “Last Supper” for New Jersey housewives.
“It’s in the great tradition of surprise, drama Jersey finale and they have this last epic group meeting, which is like, like the Last Supper and stuff like that. Jersey, “Cohen explained. “And it’s shocking and creepy and amazing TV. I’m telling you, once you see it, I think you’ll feel complete. I really am.”
Cohen reassured fans that Bravo has plans to fill the void left by the traditional reunion, and teased so-called viewing parties.
“There’s something Bravo is cooking up for the reunion, so that needs to be announced,” he said at the time.
A source told ET in June that the cast had recently been informed of the network’s decision not to film the season 14 reunion. in the type of setting.”
In May, Bravo released a teaser trailer for season 14 yet another explosive table war. The scene opens with Dolores sitting alone at a table amid the aftermath of broken glass strewn across the floor at Rails Steakhouse – the same restaurant the cast is at this week for their viewing party.
ET’s Brice Sander spoke with Gorga ahead of the season 14 premiere, and he says he’s reached a point of no return with Giudice.
“Unfortunately, I finally accepted it,” he said he told ET through video chat. “I fought for many years for other people. I, honestly – more than me – I fought for my family and my wife and my children, and I know that this is not worth fighting for, and I’m right. I didn’t do anything- what to him.”
As for the future of RHONJ, Cohen before telling ET that’s the way Bravo took this season from New Jersey is “probably not” sustainable, a sentiment that Gorga agrees with.
“Whatever Bravo decides is fine with me,” he replied when asked what might happen in season 15. “I’m not demanding. I came to work. I have a very strong relationship with the show. So, I feel like anyone who wants to cast — or no cast — I’m fine, on my own path with my own family and kids, and I’ll deal with it when I need to deal with it.”
Real Housewives of New Jersey airs Sundays at 8 pm ET/PT on Bravo. The next episode will be streamed on Peacock.
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