The Real Housewives of New York City’s Legacy series is seemingly in trouble as multiple sources are sharing that Bravo and the potential cast have reached a stalemate as contract negotiations have “hit a pause” over salary disputes.
As previously reported, the short-list for the spinoff included Kelly Bensimon, Dorinda Medley, Sonja Morgan, Jill Zarin, and Luann de Lesseps. The spinoff came to be after Bravo decided to split the RHONY franchise into two different series, one a complete reboot and the other featuring fan-favorite veteran Housewives. Tinsley Mortimer was also rumored to be in talks with Bravo for the series.
However, sources close to network executives are claiming that the “talent” is pushing their luck as they allegedly assert that “they should be making what the cast of Friends made in their heyday.” The hit ’90s sitcom’s cast made a historic and groundbreaking $1 million per episode for the show’s final season.
According to Page Six, there are two main points of contention between the network and the cast — the actual salary the cast is to be paid, and the guaranteed number of episodes each cast member is allotted. Bravo is reportedly only guaranteeing four episodes to each Housewife.
“It’s not worth it,” a source who is close to the cast claims. “And it’s insulting. These are women who have made the show a hit in the first place. They don’t deserve to be nickel-and-dimed.”
However, a second source close to production alleges that Bravo’s offers are “generous,” but some of the women are overvaluing themselves and holding out for more money.
“The network seems to have just lost interest in pursuing the ‘Legacy’ edition at this point,” said another production source. “It seems producers are more focused on the ‘RHONY’ reboot, which we are hearing is fun, funny, and aspirational.”
The RHONY reboot hasn’t been without its challenges either. Many fans are wary of the new cast and are unsure how it will translate to the small screen. Plus, former cast member Lizzy Savetsky abruptly quit the rebooted series amid filming due to online hate and antisemitic remarks. Still, executive producer Andy Cohen is confident in the new and diverse iteration of the iconic franchise.
“They’re super fashionable,” he said of the new cast during a recent Watch What Happens Live Q&A segment. “The things that they are arguing about are as ridiculous as early RHONY. I think it’s going to be a different show. It’s so hard because everyone is going to compare it to RHONY, which was so perfect. And I hope this is perfect in a totally different way.”
The new cast will be comprised of Jenna Lyons, Sai De Silva, Jessel Taank, Erin Dana Lichy, Ubah Hassan, and Brynn Whitfield.
No premiere date has been announced yet.