Reality TV- Bethenny Frankel Says “It’s Cool Until It’s Not!”

Bethenny Frankel is best known to reality television viewers for her time on Real Housewives of New York City. Bethenny was known for her fashion, business sense, and of course – the drama she brought to the small screen with her fellow housewives. Her feud with fellow cast mate Jill Zarin would secure her place in Real Housewives history as a fan favorite.

Once Bethenny decided to leave the Housewives franchise, she incorporated her popularity on television into her off-screen business – Skinnygirl. Skinnygirl sells everything from kitchen accessories to clothing to supplements. Skinnygirl proved itself to be a multi-million dollar empire for Bethenny in the years she left reality television.

Now Bethenny is becoming the leader of a movement. In a video posted to her TikTok – Bethenny says, “it’s cool until it’s not,” and it’s time for reality television to have “a day of reckoning well deserved.” In her video captioned in part -”I was the darling of this media space. I’ve had an open invitation to come back for millions of dollars & stayed away because I know the difference between right and wrong…I wouldn’t burn this bridge and many others if it wasn’t time” Bethenny drops some bombshell allegations.

Bethenny goes on in her video to explain “systemic change” is needed in reality television production. Bethenny starts to explain that “the problem is not with the talent but with production….preying on people who are weak…manipulation and exploitation with compensation. We are talking about workplace conditions and sexual exploitation”.

Bethenny concludes with this explosive statement: “Reality TV is the Wild Wild West. No union, no rules, no governor to say this is incorrect”. Bethenny reminds everyone, “This is the reason why I left and didn’t go back”. Check out her full TikTok below!

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRWXuSKB/

In a post on Instagram captured by user @andres_fay_thewaston in a now-deleted TikTok post by Bethenny, she expresses what exactly “triggered” her to get involved in a movement for change. Bethenny recalls, “I was lost at sea for 21 hours and no one believed me. And the network did nothing to defend me. I was on a boat with housewives, production and there was two vests on the boat. It was a disaster. We thought we were going to die. But of course, the network scurried together to do a meeting, be really nice to us to make sure we didn’t say anything”. Bethenny further details the experiences of Project Runway designers who threatened to be sued by the network if they used their designs. See more of Bethenny’s explosive claims here.

Bethenny has put her money where her mouth is and, along with Mark Geragos, Esq. and the Los Angeles firm Friedman & Taitelman, have served NBCUniversal – who is the parent company of Bravo and Peacock – a “Demand for Immediate Litigation Preservation Hold” notice.

In their letter written to the General Counsel of NBCUniversal – as reported by Deadline – list disturbing accusations against production by Bethenny and a growing list of past reality television cast members. Among the allegations listed were:

“While our investigation is still ongoing, we have reason to believe that cast members and crewmembers on NBC reality TV shows have been subjected to disturbing mistreatment by NBCUniversal and/or its employees, contractors, and third-party affiliates. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Deliberate attempts to manufacture mental instability by plying cast members with alcohol while depriving them of food and sleep;
• Denying mental health treatment to cast members displaying obvious and alarming signs of mental deterioration.
• Exploiting minors for uncompensated and sometimes long-term appearances on NBC reality TV shows.
• Distributing and/or condoning the distribution of nonconsensual pornography.
• Covering up acts of sexual violence.
• Refusing to allow cast members the freedom to leave their shows, even under dire circumstances 

Bethenny’s attorney acknowledges: “No doubt Bravo will aver that the cast members and crew members assumed these risks contractually, but the law does not countenance waiver of intentional misconduct or gross negligence. On innumerable occasions, which we will further detail in due course, NBC has exceeded the moral and legal limits permissible in a civilized society governed by the rule of law. Undoubtedly, when fully apprised, the legal system—and the public—will agree.”

One Bravo reality tv cast member recently posted to his social media, and it seems like he is addressing the “reality reckoning” situation. Chef Ryan McKewon left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Captain, guests, and viewers on Bravo’s/Peacock’s Below Deck: Down Under. Chef Ryan was shown as a foul-mouthed, disrespectful chef whose skills were subpar. He was fired after a disastrous English High Tea on the Seas. 

Chef Ryan recently posted a lengthy statement to Instagram. In part – he says, “Reality TV often thrives on manufactured drama, shallow values and exaggerated personas, presenting a distorted version of real life. It promotes unhealthy competition, materialism and an obsession with fame”. See his full post below.

Do you think reality television deserves a “day of reckoning”? Do you think reality television cast members should form a union like Bethnney suggests? Do you think once someone signs the contract, they should know “what they signed up for”? Please drop me a line below and let me know what you think!