RHONJ: Andy Cohen Talks About the Reality TV show's Future
"I can't imagine not filming The Real Housewives of New Jersey. It's a big franchise for Bravo, and I think whatever we do, we're going to do it the right way, so we're still figuring that out right now," Andy Cohen told US Weekly during the 12th Annual Woman's Day Red Dress Awards held February 10. With Teresa Giudice in prison for the next ten months, fans of the reality TV series have been asking whether there will still be seventh season for the reality TV show.
Teresa and her husband Joe in March last year entered a guilty plea to 41 counts of fraud, following a deal struck with federal prosecutors. The couple was accused of engaging in bank, mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud, which allegedly saw them net over $5 million over a 10-year period. On October 2, 2014, Teresa was sentenced to 15 months in a federal prison while Joe received a 41-month sentence, to be followed by a possible deportation to Italy. Together, they must also pay $414,000 in restitution. However, they were allowed by the court to serve their sentences separately, one after the other, so one parent may be able to stay with their children. Teresa began her sentence first on January 5, 2015. The Real Housewives of New Jersey aired its last episode for season six on November 20, 2014.
Asked by the celebrity news magazine whether there might be a way to still include Giudice even while she's behind bars, Cohen replied: "I don't know the specifics of what they allow, but I can't see them allowing [us to film people visiting her in prison]." But he added, "Anything is possible. There's a lot of people in New Jersey." One thing he did confirm was that Nicole "Snookie" Polizzi won't be part of the next season's cast. He tweeted inquiring fans: "She ain't joining." Snookie herself told her Twitter followers: "I'm NOT trying to get on nj housewives like magazines are stating."
Last season's RHONJ cast aside from Teresa counts Dina Manzo, Meliza George, Amber Marchese, Teresa Aprea, and Nicole Mauriello. Former cast members Jacqueline Laurita, and Kathy Wakile also appeared a number of times during the season.