The Real Housewives of New Jersey

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The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Real-housewives-of-new-jersey-logo.png
Genre Reality
Starring
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 5
No. of episodes 73 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Lucilla D'Agostino Kuzminski
  • Nate Green
  • Rebecca Toth Diefenbach
  • Valerie Haselton
Camera setup Multiple
Running time 41 to 44 minutes
Production company(s) Leftfield Pictures[1]
Broadcast
Original channel Bravo
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Original run May 12, 2009 (2009-05-12) – present (present)
Chronology
Preceded by The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Followed by The Real Housewives of D.C.
External links
Website

The Real Housewives of New Jersey is an American reality television series on Bravo, which follows the lives of five women in and around several upscale communities in northern New Jersey. It is the network's fourth installation of The Real Housewives series created by Scott Dunlop, Executive Producer of the following: The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Real Housewives of New York City, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, The Real Housewives of Miami, among other international series in the franchise. Since season 3, New Jersey has been, and currently is, the only Housewives franchise with a main cast of women who are all actually married.

Contents

Production history [edit]

The show's first season premiered on May 12, 2009. The five housewives featured on the program were Caroline Manzo, Jacqueline Laurita, Teresa Giudice, Dina Manzo, and Danielle Staub. For the first time in the franchise, the series followed housewives who are related to one another: sisters Caroline and Dina are married to brothers Albert and Tommy Manzo, and Jacqueline Laurita is married to Caroline and Dina's brother, Chris Laurita.[2]

The show premiered its second season on May 3, 2010. Dina Manzo left the show after the seventh episode of the second season. On August 31, 2010 Bravo officially renewed the series for a third season.[3] On September 7, 2010, it was announced that Danielle Staub was not returning to the show.[4]

The third season of the series premiered on May 16, 2011, with a 90-minute episode.[5] Melissa Gorga and Kathy Wakile were the newest housewives to join the cast. Recording of Season 4 wrapped late-October 2011.[6] The third season also delivered the highest rated season premiere in the network's history and the highest rated season premiere in The Real Housewives franchise.[7]

On June 7, 2011 Bravo renewed the series for a fourth season due to record breaking ratings, which premiered on April 22, 2012[8] and became the highest rated season premiere in the network's history. The season 4 finale aired on September 23, 2012, and the three part reunion began on September 30, 2012. The reunion concluded on October 14, 2012, in which appearances were made by the husbands of the housewives and Kim D.

On April 2, 2013, Bravo announced that the series' fifth season is scheduled to premiere on June 2, 2013 at 8 PM with the season four cast returning: Caroline Manzo, Teresa Guidice, Jacqueline Laurita, Melissa Gorga and Kathy Wakile.[9][10][11] Kim DePaola and Jennifer Dalton have both been seen filming with the cast for the upcoming season.[12]

Current Housewives [edit]

Jacqueline Laurita, Teresa Giudice, Caroline Manzo, Melissa Gorga and Kathy Wakile (from left)

Teresa Giudice [edit]

Main article: Teresa Giudice

(Season 1 – present)

Teresa Giudice (née Gorga) (born May 18, 1972) was born and raised in New Jersey. Her parents immigrated from Italy and raised Teresa and her brother Giuseppe, also known as Joe, in an Italian Catholic home. She grew up in Paterson, New Jersey where she met her husband of more than ten years, Joe. Teresa has four daughters—Gia (born on January 8, 2001), Gabriella (born on October 4, 2004), Milania (born on February 2, 2006) and baby Audriana (born on September 14, 2009).[13]

After graduating from Berkeley College with a degree in Fashion Marketing and Management, Giudice worked as an associate buyer for Macy's in New York before deciding to stay home with her children.[14][15] She owns an online boutique, TG Fabulicious, and has co-authored three successful Italian cookbooks, each of which is a New York Times Best Seller.[16][17][18] The first, Skinny Italian, a lifestyle title that teaches authentic, healthy Italian cooking, was published May 4, 2010, her second cookbook, Fabulicious, was published May 3, 2011, and Giudice's third cookbook, Fabulicious!: Fast & Fit, was released on May 8, 2012. Giudice has also created her own line of Bellini called Fabellini, along with a haircare line named Milania Hair Care.[19][20][21][22]

Fabulicious cookbook caused a dispute with fellow castmate Caroline Manzo after Giudice wrote that Caroline was "1/16th Italian" and "as Italian as the Olive Garden". The dispute spilled into the third season reunion, where Manzo also accused Giudice of causing the issues between Caroline and her sister, Dina, who are no longer on speaking terms, an accusation that both Dina Manzo and Teresa Giudice have denied.[23][24][25][26]

Additionally, she is a committee member for her former co-star, Dina Manzo's charity, Project Ladybug.[27][28] On February 19, 2012, Giudice was a cast member on season 12 of Celebrity Apprentice. She was fired on May 6, 2012 (episode 12), placing fifth after raising $60,000[29] for her charity, The NephCure Foundation.

Caroline Manzo [edit]

Main article: Caroline Manzo

(Season 1 – present)

Caroline Manzo (née Laurita) (born August 23, 1961) has been married for over 27 years to Albert Manzo, co-owner of The Brownstone, an event and catering facility in Paterson, New Jersey.[30] Albert Manzo's brother, Tommy Manzo, is the second husband of Manzo's sister and former cast mate, Dina Manzo, making the two sisters by both marriage and blood.

The couple have three children: Albert "Albie" Manzo IV (born May 27, 1986), Lauren Manzo (born in 1988), and Christopher Manzo (born May 23, 1989). Manzo is the owner of two businesses: Opus Properties, a real estate firm, and a children's accessories line. In addition, she serves on the board of her sister Dina's charity foundation, Project Ladybug.[31] In season 4, she is also portrayed partnering with daughter Lauren in a boutique store. It was rumored that Manzo was not going to return for season 5, but these rumors were confirmed false by fellow cast member Melissa Gorga.[32][33]

Jacqueline Laurita [edit]

(Season 1 – present)

Jacqueline Laurita (née Grippe) born April 26, 1970 is a stay-at-home mother married to Chris Laurita, brother of Caroline and Dina Manzo. Together, Jacqueline and Chris have two sons: Christopher "C.J." Laurita, Jr. (born in 2002) and Nicholas Laurita (born June 11, 2009). Jacqueline also has a daughter, Ashlee Holmes (born Ashley on December 1, 1990), from a previous marriage. After several miscarriages and fertility problems, which she discussed on the show, Laurita gave birth to Nicholas shortly after the Season 1 Reunion show. In 2012, Laurita revealed that Nicholas had been diagnosed with autism.[34]

Her father, Jerome "Jerry" Grippe, was an Army colonel, and Jacqueline moved with her family to locations such as South Korea, Germany and Virginia; she graduated from Chantilly High School in Chantilly, Virginia in 1988. Jacqueline spent most of her adult life in Las Vegas, where her parents reside.[35][36] In "How I Met Chris",[37] Jacqueline describes the roles her father (who was senior vice president of operations at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, his then-coworker Steve Schirripa, and a fellow convention model played in her meeting her husband in 1996 at a Chicago sporting goods trade show, their courtship, and jobs she held at Lancome and as a licensed cosmetologist, convention and product model, on-call cocktail waitress for Samston hotel and casino, and freelance makeup artist.

During Season 2, the majority of drama around Jacqueline involved teenage daughter, Ashley. The drama led up to one of the most infamous moments in the show's history; Ashley pulled Housewife Danielle Staub's hair, causing Staub to slap Jacqueline's daughter with a lawsuit.[38]

Shortly following Season 3, Jacqueline had a dramatic falling out with cast member and longtime friend Teresa Giudice. The feud consisted of a long Twitter war,[39] which ended with Laurita's referring to Giudice as "scum" and claiming that Giudice had stabbed her in the back several times. The falling out was so volatile that Laurita decided not to attend the season 3 reunion.[40]

Melissa Gorga [edit]

Main article: Melissa Gorga

(Season 3 – present)

Melissa Gorga (née Marco, born March 21, 1979) is married to Giuseppe (Joe) Gorga, who is the younger brother of Teresa Giudice. Melissa and Joe have three children: Antonia, Gino, and Joey. Melissa, who in the past has worked as a teacher, has parlayed her fame from Real Housewives into a music career. Her single, "On Display", was released on iTunes dance chart selections on August 13, 2011[41] to mixed critical reviews. Gorga has stated that she continues to work on her music and has released several new singles, which have been previewed on several Season 4 episodes, as well as a four-track EP. As of July 5, 2012, she has released two additional singles on iTunes: "How Many Times", released Apr 29, 2012,[42] and "Rockstar", released June 10, 2012.[43]

Melissa, along with music superstars Pitbull and Fergie, is an ambassador for Voli Light Vodka, which bills itself as "the world's first low-calorie vodka".[44][45]

Kathy Wakile [edit]

Main article: Kathy Wakile

(Season 3 – present)

Katherina "Kathy" Wakile (née Pierri, born October 4, 1965) currently resides in Wayne, New Jersey with her husband of 21 years, Richard "Richie" Wakile, and their two children, Victoria (born 1994) and Joseph (born 1996). Her family is very close to that of her cousin Joe Gorga (Teresa Guidice's brother) and his wife, fellow Housewife Melissa Gorga. Unlike her cousin or her other castmates, she is the only one not married to an Italian-American husband. Kathy is passionate about food and one day plans to open up her own restaurant or catering business. Kathy has several arguments with her cousin Teresa throughout season three of the show and is often dragged into feuds between Teresa and her sister-in-law Melissa. Kathy has introduced several new product lines since joining the show. Additionally, she and Victoria frequently participate in events that raise awareness for brain cancer, an illness they take close to heart, as Victoria needed an operation to remove a benign brain tumor. This incident was discussed on Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Former Housewives [edit]

Dina Manzo [edit]

(Season 1 – Season 2)

Claudine "Dina" Manzo[46] (née Laurita) (born March 7, 1972) is a mother and interior decorator, and the founder of the non-profit organization, Project Ladybug.[47] She and her family live in the affluent town of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. She married her second husband, Tommy Manzo, co-owner of the event and catering facility The Brownstone, in 2005. Tommy's elder brother and business partner, Albert Manzo, is the husband of Dina's older sister and cast mate, Caroline, making the two also sisters-in-law. Their wedding was featured on the VH1 television show My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding.[48] In February 2013, Dina announced that she and Tommy had separated in October 2012.[49][50]

Dina has a daughter, Alexia ("Lexi", born on January 25, 1996[citation needed]) from her previous marriage to George Hadjiapostoli[49] (co-owner of Nisha nail salon in Wayne, New Jersey[citation needed]). Season 1 focuses on the struggles Dina, like many other mothers, faces as Alexia grows up. Dina's foundation, Project Ladybug, is dedicated to supporting St. Joseph's Hospital Paterson and helping children with cancer.[51][52]

In 2010, Dina produced the return of the Off-Broadway comedy, My Big Gay Italian Wedding, at the St. Luke's Theatre in New York City.[53] Dina also stars in Dina's Party, on HGTV. The show follows her event planning company, known for its outlandish celebrations and parties. It premiered on September 10, 2011.[54] Dina made an appearance on episode 18 of Season 4 ("Dinasty of Denial", airdate 9 September 2012), appearing at Teresa Giudice's Fabellini launch party.

Manzo has signed a development deal with Al Roker Entertainment for her own reality-documentary series, which will showcase her life as she moves on from her divorce.[55]

Danielle Staub [edit]

Main article: Danielle Staub

(Seasons 1 – 2)

Danielle Staub (born July 29, 1962) is divorced and a single mother of two daughters, Christine Staub (born in 1994) and Jillian Staub (born in 1998). She was the only cast member who entered filming as a relative stranger to the group, being friends with only Jacqueline once filming began.

After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed by Bravo that Staub would not be returning to the show for season 3.[4] In the spring of 2012, Staub joined part of dialastar, a telephone service that allows fans to talk to their favorite celebrities. In the summer of 2012, Staub had filed for bankruptcy.[56][57]

Housewives History [edit]

Housewives Seasons
1 2 3 4 5
Current
Teresa Giudice Main
Jacqueline Laurita Main
Caroline Manzo Main
Melissa Gorga Main
Kathy Wakile Main
Kim DePaola Recurring
Jennifer Dalton Recurring
Former
Dina Manzo Main Mid-Season Guest
Danielle Staub Main
Kim Granatell Recurring

Episodes [edit]

Main article: List of The Real Housewives of New Jersey episodes
Season Episodes Season Premiere Season Finale Reunion
1 10 May 12, 2009 June 18, 2009 June 23, 2009
June 25, 2009
2 18 May 3, 2010 August 23, 2010 August 30, 2010
September 6, 2010
3 21 May 16, 2011 October 9, 2011 October 16, 2011
October 23, 2011
4 24 April 22, 2012 September 23, 2012 September 30, 2012
October 7, 2012
October 14, 2012
5 TBA June 2, 2013[58] TBA TBA

Spin-off [edit]

During the show's third season, a minor online spin-off was made starring Caroline's sons Albie and Chris Manzo. The series also featured their roommate, Greg Bennett. The spin-off called, Boys to Manzo, featured the three in their Hoboken, NJ apartment, living the bachelor life. The series was never intended to be aired on TV, and is uploaded to bravotv.com.[59]

Ratings [edit]

The first part of the second season reunion gathered 3.9 million viewers, making it the highest-rated episode of the season at the time of its airing and the second highest rated episode of the franchise after the January 30, 2011 episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.[3] [60][61]

The third season opener had the second to the highest rated season premiere ever for the network, and the highest rated season premiere within the franchise.[62] The fourth season opened with 2.95 million viewers, the highest opening of the series and the highest season premiere ever for the network.[citation needed])

DVD Releases [edit]

In April 2010, Target stores released the first season on DVD. The second season was released on January 9, 2011.

Season Episodes Release Date
1 10 March 2010
2 18 January 9, 2011
3 21 April 24, 2012

References [edit]

  1. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 20, 2013). "Leftfield Pictures Acquires ‘Real Housewives Of NJ’ Producer Sirens Media". Deadline Hollywood. 
  2. ^ "The Real Housewives of New Jersey – Series 1". RadarOnline. Retrieved September 5, 2010. 
  3. ^ a b Hibberd, James (November 30, 2010). "Bravo renews two 'Housewives,' reunion sets record". The Hollywood Reporter. 
  4. ^ a b SHAHID, ALIYAH (September 7, 2010). "Danielle Staub to leave 'Real Housewives of New Jersey,' Bravo announces". Daily News. Retrieved September 8, 2010. 
  5. ^ "Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 3, Melissa Gorga, Kathy Wakile". People.  More than one of |website= and |journal= specified (help).
  6. ^ The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 3 – A Sneak Peek at Season 3 – Video – Bravo TV Official Site. Bravotv.com.
  7. ^ Seidman, Robert (May 17, 2011). "'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Delivers Highest Rated Season Premiere with 1.9 Million Viewers". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 18, 2013. 
  8. ^ http://www.facebook.com/#!/officialcarolinemanzo/posts/10150694390183276
  9. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 2, 2013). "Bravo Greenlights 17 New and 18 Returning Unscripted Series". TV by the Numbers. 
  10. ^ "Bravo Renews Bevy Of 'Real Housewives' Shows, Sets 'New Jersey' Premiere Date". The Huffington Post. April 2, 2013. 
  11. ^ Takeda, Allison (April 3, 2013). "See The Real Housewives of New Jersey's Cast Picture From Season Five". Us Weekly. 
  12. ^ Nsenduluka, Benge (December 27, 2012). "'Real Housewives' New Jersey Housewife Jennifer Dalton Joining Pal Teresa Giudice?". The Christian Post. Retrieved April 21, 2013. 
  13. ^ "New Jersey Housewives’ Teresa Giudice Delivers Baby!". Retrieved November 27, 2012. 
  14. ^ "The Celebrities: Teresa Giudice: Bio". nbc.com.  Unknown parameter |program= ignored (help)
  15. ^ "Bios: Teresa Giudice — Cast". bravotv.com.  Unknown parameter |program= ignored (help)
  16. ^ "Best Sellers June 13, 2010 - Paperback Advice, How-To & Misc. - Also Selling". nytimes.com. June 13, 2010. 
  17. ^ "Best Sellers: Paperback Advice, How-To And Miscellaneous: Sunday, June 26th 2011". nytimes. June 26, 2011. 
  18. ^ Guidice, Teresa with MacLean, Heather (June 10, 2012). "Best Sellers: Paperback Advice, How-To And Miscellaneous: Sunday, June 10th 2012". nytimes.com.  Unknown parameter |http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res= ignored (help);
  19. ^ Guidice, Teresa with Maclean, Heather (September 30, 2011). Skinny Italian. Hyperion Books. ISBN 978-1401310356. 
  20. ^ Guidice, Teresa with Maclean, Heather (May 3, 2011). Fabulicious. Running Press. ISBN 978-0762442393. 
  21. ^ Guidice, Teresa with Maclean, Heather (May 8, 2012). Fabulicious!: Fast & Fit. Running Press. ISBN 978-0762445448. 
  22. ^ "About Milania Hair Care". Retrieved November 27, 2012. 
  23. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (September 3, 2010). "Best Sellers – Paperback Advice". The New York Times. Retrieved September 4, 2010. 
  24. ^ "Skinny Italian: Eat It and Enjoy It: Live La Bella Vita and Look Great, Too! – Teresa Giudice – Paperback (ISBN 9781401310356) – Buy Books, Music and Movies at Borders". Borders.com. May 4, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010. 
  25. ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (June 26, 2011). "Best Sellers: Also Selling". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2011. 
  26. ^ Giudice, Teresa and MacLean, Heather (2011). Fabulicious! (Running Press). ISBN ISBN 0762442395; ISBN 978-0-7624-4239-3 Check |isbn= value (help). 
  27. ^ Teresa Giudice official biography on Bravo. Bravotv.com.
  28. ^ ''People'' magazine, May 21, 2009. Tvwatch.people.com (May 21, 2009).
  29. ^ http://www.nephcure.org/Teresa-Check-Presentation
  30. ^ "Caroline Manzo — Biography". Retrieved November 28, 2012. 
  31. ^ "Cast — Caroline Manzo". Retrieved November 28, 2012. 
  32. ^ PERRICONE, KATHLEEN. "Caroline Manzo, Jacqueline Laurita will not return to 'Real Housewives of New Jersey': report". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2012. 
  33. ^ "'RHONJ' Exclusive: Melissa Gorga Puts Caroline Manzo Rumors to Rest: She’s Coming Back!". Retrieved November 28, 2012. 
  34. ^ Bauer, Zoe. "Celebrities With Autistic Children". Yahoo OMG!. Retrieved 18 April 2013. 
  35. ^ "Jacqueline Laurita official biography on Bravo". BravoTV.com. 
  36. ^ "Jacqueline Laurita". Internet Movie Database. 
  37. ^ Jacqueline Laurita. "How I Met Chris". Retrieved September 29, 2012. 
  38. ^ Christina Boyle (January 30, 2010). "N.J. 'Housewife' Jacqueline Laurita's daughter found guilty of pulling out Danielle Staub's hair; It was said Jacqueline Laurita is leaving the Housewives series during the fourth season saying quote(I want to spend more time with my family and go back to a semi normal life)...". NYDailyNews.com DAILY NEWS Gossip (New York: NY Daily News). Retrieved May 14, 2011. 
  39. ^ Corneau, Allison (June 18, 2012 AT 10:45 am). "Teresa Giudice: Jacqueline Laurita Has 'Lost Her Mind'". US Weekly. Retrieved July 13, 2012. 
  40. ^ Nededog, Jethro (October 3, 2011). "'Real Housewives of New Jersey's' Caroline Manzo Addresses Jacqueline and Teresa's Feud (Video): On Sunday's 'Watch What Happens Live', the housewife stays diplomatic about her cast mates' catfight". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved July 13, 2012. 
  41. ^ "On Display". itunes.apple.com. August 13, 2011.  Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |copyright= ignored (help)
  42. ^ "How Many Times". itunes.apple.com. April 29, 2012.  Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |copyright= ignored (help)
  43. ^ "Rockstar". itunes.apple.com. June 10, 2012.  Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |copyright= ignored (help)
  44. ^ "Voli Vodka Presents Melissa Gorga — The Wine Guy Smithtown". cityguideny.com. June 8, 2012. 
  45. ^ "Bios: Melissa Gorga: Cast". bravotv.com.  Unknown parameter |program= ignored (help)
  46. ^ "Project Ladybug 2008 990 tax return". (PDF) .
  47. ^ Internet Movie Database: Dina Manzo
  48. ^ http://www.vh1.com/video/my-big-fat-fabulous-wedding/full-episodes/my-big-fat-fabulous-wedding-dina-and-tommy/1562895/playlist.jhtml
  49. ^ a b "Dina Manzo Separates From Husband: 34 Other 'Real Housewives' Who Have Divorced". Huffington Post. February 4, 2013. 
  50. ^ Rachel Maresca (Saturday, February 2, 2013, 2:23 PM). "Dina Manzo, former 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star, separated from husband of seven years: The reality star announced the October split from husband Tommy on Twitter to her 297,000 followers". New York Daily News. 
  51. ^ Dina Manzo official biography on Bravo. Bravotv.com.
  52. ^ Project Ladybug website[dead link]
  53. ^ http://www.biggayitalianwedding.com My Big Gay Italian Wedding Official Website.
  54. ^ http://tvovermind.zap2it.com/tv-news/rhonjs-dina-manzo-returns-reality-tv-hgtv/54307
  55. ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "‘Real Housewives’ Alum Dina Manzo To Star In Docu-Reality Series Produced By Al Roker". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 13, 2013. 
  56. ^ "Former 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Danielle Staub files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy". Retrieved November 27, 2012. 
  57. ^ "Former 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Danielle Staub files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy". Retrieved November 27, 2012. 
  58. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 2, 2013). "Bravo Greenlights 17 New and 18 Returning Unscripted Series". TV by the Numbers. 
  59. ^ http://www.bravotv.com/search?query=boys+to+manzo
  60. ^ Bravo TV (August 31, 2010). "Breaking News – Bravo's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" Reunion Earns Highest Rated Episode in "Real Housewives" Franchise History Delivering 3.9 Million Total Viewers". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 22, 2010. 
  61. ^ Bravo’s ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey Finale Pulls In Season High 3.4 Million Viewers – Ratings. TVbytheNumbers (August 24, 2010).
  62. ^ Nbc Media Centre – Bravo Shatters Records As “The Real Housewives Of New Jersey” Delivers Highest Rated Season Premiere In Network History. Nbcuniversal.presscentre.com (May 17, 2011).
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