Andy Cohen is brimming with excitement as he teases Bravo’s upcoming series, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, promising fans a fresh and fiery addition to the franchise.
Speaking exclusively to Page Six at a Cinema Society screening of Lilly on Wednesday night, the executive producer couldn’t hide his enthusiasm: “The cast is incredible,” he said with a smile. “They’re very Italian, very connected, and deeply rooted in Rhode Island culture.” He went on to explain that, despite the state’s small size, the women involved have long-standing relationships, overlapping histories, and plenty of personal drama that promises to fuel compelling storylines. “This is not just another Housewives city—it’s a unique, tight-knit community with bold personalities and unexpected twists. I really think it’s going to surprise people in the best way possible,” Cohen added. Bravo fans, brace yourselves.
Andy Cohen thinks fans are going to love “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.”Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images
The executive producer told Page Six that the upcoming show is “very Italian.”Eric Kowalsky / MEGA
He teased that the cast “all kind of know each other and overlap.”GC Images\
When Page Six noted that “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” also has a primarily Italian American cast with family drama, Cohen, 56, explained why the two differ.
“Well, they’re in Rhode Island. It’s coastal,” he pointed out, calling the yet-to-be-announced stars even “more Italian” with “deep families.”
The “Watch What Happens Live” host did, however, concede that the upcoming series, which Bravo announced Wednesday, “does kind of remind you of early ‘Jersey’ in a weird way,” which led us to our next question: Did the network do a thorough background check this time?
“When we started ‘Jersey,’ nobody had [done] anything illegal,” he replied.
Page Six pointed out to Cohen that “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” is also heavily Italian.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
He conceded “RHORI” reminds him of early “RHONJ” episodes.Jocelyn Prescod/BravoIndeed, it would be several years into “RHONJ” before original cast member Teresa Giudice and her then-husband, Joe Giudice, were sentenced to prison for fraud and tax evasion.
That said, Cohen did admit the screening process has changed.
“As the show has evolved,” he explained carefully, “the diligence has evolved.”
We also asked Cohen whether there was a tougher vetting process to ensure there would be no legal drama.AP
OG “RHONJ” star Teresa Giudice and then-husband Joe Giudice both served time in prison for tax evasion.Getty ImagesWhen “RHORI” hits the airwaves, it will become the 12th installment in the juggernaut franchise, which started with “The Real Housewives of Orange County” in 2006.
Cohen went to Wednesday’s NeueHouse screening to support his longtime pal John Benjamin Hickey, who stars in “Lilly” opposite Patricia Clarkson.
Other bold-faced names in attendance included Hillary Clinton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Gayle King, Jim Parsons, John Slattery, Victor Garber, Cherry Jones, Tony Shalhoub and Katie Couric.
