Bravo: Where does Bravo draw the line with gross behavior?

Fans of the Bravo Real Housewives franchises know that bad behavior can equal good reality television. But there is a fine line between good TV and bad TV.

We’re used to seeing tables being flipped, glasses being thrown, drinks tossed in faces, and plenty of in-your-face-name-calling. We’ve even seen Teresa Guidice physically shove Andy Cohen back into his seat during a reunion special.  But at what point does Bravo say “ENOUGH!”

Vicki’s Show

Vicki Gunvalson’s appearance on the recent The Real Housewives of Orange County was ground-breaking, and not in a good way.  She screamed at the cast and crew, frequently stating her assertion that she “started this show 15 years ago,” and that it was her show.  Vicki pointed a finger in Andy Cohen’s face, demanding that he “remember where you came from.” She denied auditioning or interviewing for the show, clearly angering Andy, who growled, “I saw your interview tape.”  (Cue the audition tape playing).  And that was on the reunion set, where she was apparently on her best behavior.

Behind the scenes in the dressing rooms, Vicki screamed at the crew, infuriated that she had to wait her turn to go on set, angry that they were doing the final scene and toast without her, and insulted that she wasn’t being shown the proper respect.

Also completely off-camera, Vicki (under the name Jane Roe) sued Bravo and the production company Evolution in an apparent attempt to keep information about a lawsuit against Vicki from being discussed on the show.  She promptly dropped the suit.  

If her entitled attitude, rudeness, screaming, and bullying aren’t enough to make Bravo fire her, I think that her disrespectfulness toward Andy Cohen and Bravo, who’ve made her a very wealthy woman, might be the final straw.  My prediction for 2020 is that the cast, crew, Bravo, and fans have had enough of Vicki, and we won’t be seeing her back on RHOC, even as a “friend of.”

Porsha’s Attack on Kenya

Porsha Williams found this out when she physically assaulted Kenya Moore at a season 6 reunion show in 2014. As a result, she found herself demoted to a “friend of” during season 7. She apparently didn’t learn her lesson and kicked castmate Cynthia Bailey in the stomach during a physical brawl on a boat. However, it wasn’t enough for Bravo to cut ties with Porsha completely, and she returned as a full cast member in season 8.

LeeAnne’s “Mexican” Comments

It will be interesting to see what transpires with LeeAnne Locken over the next few weeks as The Real Housewives of Dallas reunion special plays out. A major topic is sure to be all the comments that LeeAnne made about Kary Brittingham being Mexican. True, Kary is of Mexican descent. But it’s the fact that LeeAnne kept pointing out that Kary is Mexican in the same sentence as many other unflattering and unkind statements about her. This made her castmates uncomfortable at best, and at worst, left them asking if LeeAnne is racist.  Will Bravo forgive her and bring her back for another season? Or has LeeAnne crossed the line?

Phaedra’s Rape Drug Allegations

Phaedra Parks, however, found out where the line was during the taping of The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 9 reunion special. During Porsha’s accusations that Kandi and husband Todd had been plotting to drug and rape her, it was revealed that Phaedra was the source of this information.

Understandably, this was an allegation over which Kandi had been very distraught. When Phaedra admitted that she had not only said this but had made it up, the shock and disgust over her actions were palpable. Her castmates were done with her, and so was Bravo. Phaedra has never been back on the show, even as a “friend of.”

Keep checking Champagne & Shade for more drama, fights, and over-the-top outfits!