RHONJ star Dolores Catania talks to Andy Cohen about the show on 'Watch What Happens Live'/Photo credit: Bravo
With Season 14 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey in the rear-view mirror, fans and RHONJ cast members alike look forward to Season 15.
The reality show powerhouse is facing some possible changes for the upcoming season as the current cast, which includes Jennifer Aydin, Danielle Cabral, Dolores Catania, Rachel Fuda, Teresa Giudice, Melissa Gorga, and Margaret Josephs, begs for a change. RHONJ, which is known for its in-fighting and expletive-laden dialogue, most likely won’t start filming for Season 15 until 2025, leaving producers with the task of finding new ways to keep the show fresh.
In an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on August 4, Catania talked to the host about possible changes. She said that while change is needed, she would bring back Giudice and Fessler. Giudice, being an original cast member, would help with a viewer connection as she’s tied to the show’s beginnings. Additionally, her built-in drama could follow, considering the sour relationship between her and three other cast members.
As for Fessler, despite never being a full-time cast member, fans connected with her as she tried to befriend everyone on the show. Catania also says that she, too, receives a bit of backlash for getting along with most members of the cast.
“You know the abuse I take off camera…I don’t play both sides of the fence, I try to keep the peace. I do nothing behind anyone’s back,” Catania told Cohen.
The success of RHONJ has inspired several spin-off series, including Teresa Checks In and Manzo’d with Children. Since beginning in 2006, the Real Housewives franchise has produced 11 similarly named shows, making the entire phenomenon one of Bravo’s most successful TV franchises of all time. Other cities featured include Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Salt Lake City, Potomac, and Miami.
The Real Housewives franchise follows the lives of uber-wealthy socialites as they forge friendships, enemies, and successful business ventures outside of their spouses’ careers. Restaurant mogul Lisa Vanderpump has a net worth of $90 million dollars, and Clothing developer Kyle Richards has a net worth of $100 million dollars.
A Bravo success, RHONJ airs on Sundays at 8/7c, and the previous 14 seasons can be streamed on Peacock.