Credit: Janet Mayer/startraksphoto.com/Cover Images, Bravo
Dorinda Medley reacted to Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey casting news on her radio show on Tuesday.
After the network confirmed that Teresa Giudice, 53, Melissa Gorga, 47, and Dolores Catania, 55, would be back for a 15th season following a nearly two-year pause, and cast members reacted to Margaret Josephs, 58, announcing her exit, the 61-year-old Real Housewives of New York City alum wondered why the series was put on pause in the first place.
“This is the same people they left with. Why’d they go off air … all this to just come back with the same?” Dorinda wondered on the March 24 episode of SiriusXM’s Reality Checked before mentioning Margaret’s departure.
“Some of them, like I’m surprised, like [Rachel Fuda]. I really liked [Rachel] as a cast member,” she continued. “People are very happy. I mean, we love our New Jersey, but I feel like, why didn’t they just keep them on all this time?”
Although Dorinda didn’t understand the pause, she acknowledged that Teresa, Melissa, and Dolores were a “strong group.”
“It’s interesting. Teresa, Dolores, and Melissa. Wow, that’s amazing. We do love that Dolores and Melissa, and Teresa. Yeah, those are three strong women,” she stated.
As RHONJ fans have surely seen, Margaret revealed she was leaving the show on Tuesday.
“Hi guys, it’s the Marge. I’m dialing in. I have to tell you something that might come as a little surprise to you, but not for me: I’ve been thinking about a lot of different things, and I am moving on from [RHONJ],” she said in a video seemingly shared from the Dominican Republic, where she’s rumored to be filming a new show for Amazon Prime. “I’ve been in the talks with the network and Andy since December. We’ve discussed it, and I think the timing is right.”
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After Margaret’s announcement was shared, a number of RHONJ cast members weighed in.
“Marge … You’re one of the good ones … Your one liners were my favorite part of the show … I completely understand this decision. Your next chapter will be a fantastic one and I can’t wait to see what’s next for you … You’ll always be my Aries queen … I love u,” wrote Melissa.
“You’ll always be our Marge … the powerhouse and pigtails … love u,” Dolores agreed.
Meanwhile, Rachel, 34, told Margaret she loved her, and Jennifer Fessler, 55, thanked her for bringing her to the show.
“Thank you for taking me along on your ride, my dear friend. Being a ‘friend of’ the Marge was an honor and a privilege. Love you so much,” she stated, as Antonia Gorga, 20, admitted she was “really sad” about Margaret’s exit.
“Thanks for being my moms besti and having her back … WHOS GONNA ROAST EVERYONE LIKE YOU DO??? You are too funny,” she noted.
Also speaking out was Andy Cohen, 57, who said, “No thank YOU. What a ride. Also I LOVE your house and taste – always and forever.”
Melissa then shared a video of her own in which she spoke of the RHONJ return while promoting a couple of upcoming appearances for her line of sprinkle cookies.
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey is back, baby. Let’s go!” she declared. “I know you miss us Jersey girls, so super excited about that. I have so much I want to say about that. I could just keep going on and on, but I think I’m just gonna say, it’s about time. Okay? Jersey is in the house.”
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The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 15 is expected to go into production sometime this spring.