REAL Housewives of New York City alum Heather Thomson demanded that the show’s producers FIRE the cast and rehire new stars.
The 51-year-old made the comments following the Bravo show’s ratings drop and reunion cancellation.
While appearing on the Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast, the RHONY alum was asked how she would improve the show’s less than stellar ratings.
Heather said: “If I’m going to really put on a producer hat, I would recast the entire show. I would start from brand new.
“I would take all the lessons that I learned and I would recast the show in its entirety and I would relaunch the New York Housewives.”
‘RE-STRATEGIZE’
After reiterating her idea to “recast” the show, Heather explained she would want to “re-strategize.”
While thinking from the perspective of a producer, she said: “If I got a seat at the table, these would be the questions I would be looking at all the ratings.
“I’d be looking at all the shows. I’d be looking at what the diverse groups are. Who’s looking into it.
“I mean, there’s so many layers to a decision like this, but personally speaking, because I’ve been a part of the upset from the beginning- like where they fired half the cast- they were going to replace it, and be honest with you, initially, there was more than just three on the block.”
After noting that the show’s current stars “helped build the franchise,” Heather said it’s time for the show to have fresh blood.
She concluded: “There should be some sort of nice severance package and they should even, you know that that doesn’t work with this contract.
“But that’s what I would do if I were a producer of this show and I was running the Bravo network.
“I’d want to upset this apple cart and bring on some change and do some good work along with the dramatic toxicity that you know is addictive.”
Heather first appeared on season five before quitting RHONY in season seven.
HEATHER’S EXIT
After leaving as an official Housewife, Heather made cameos as the Bravo bosses reportedly “maneuvered” a more permanent return for her for season 13.
However, Heather butted heads with star Leah McSweeney, 39, while attending a trip with the cast and eventually “quit” the franchise completely.
“Shortly after she arrived, Leah and Heather butt heads. Their exchanges got messy and included some name-calling,” a source told Us Weekly in March.
“Heather could see Leah was acting up for the cameras and using behavior she considered demeaning and exploitative and frankly, crossed a line.”
The insider added: “Heather wanted no part of Leah so after she left that weekend Heather had no interest in continuing the season at all and stopped filming.”
The source claimed that Heather was “stunned” by the animosity with Leah, as they previously only had an “uneventful” meeting at Dorinda Medley‘s house in season 12.
CANCELED REUNION
Heather’s recent commentary comes after Bravo officially canceled the season 13 RHONY reunion.
Following speculation that RHONY would not have a reunion, a Bravo spokesperson revealed: “Due to scheduling challenges around taping the reunion of The Real Housewives of New York City in a timely manner, Bravo confirmed their will not be a reunion for this season.
“It’s disappointing to not be able to bring the cast back together, but we are happy to have ended on such a high note with the finale, and are now shifting our focus to next season.”
