Theyre baaaack. The lunching ladies of 'The Real Housewives of New York City' return for their second season on Bravo (Feb. 17, 11PM ET), with a new cast member -- model Kelly Killoren Bensimon -- and thankfully, the return of fan favorite Bethenny Frankel, the chef and businesswoman whose snarky reactions to her co-stars' antics is a highlight of the series.
Frankel, who was the runner-up on 'The Apprentice: Martha Stewart' reality series, was front and center during the 'Real Housewives of New York City''s first season, as her relationship with boyfriend Jason, a divorced dad, frequently factored into the drama.
The first episode of season 2 reveals the status of Bethenny's relationship with Jason, but the multi-tasking diva dished to AOL TV about her socialite and "fauxcialite" co-stars, her upcoming diet and lifestyle book and the catfights that will be commonplace in season 2.
1. The drama in the first two episodes of the new season trumps pretty much all of season 1. Does that mean we should be prepared for a crazy ride in season 2?
Oh yeah, the season premiere is pretty tame compared to what's coming. You have no idea. There are definitely some catfights that are even bigger than the one in the premiere -- lots of unexpected fighting.
2. Anything you get dragged into? In one of the promos it looks like you may have a tiff with the newest Housewife, Kelly?
Very well may be! But, I have to say, I sort of spearhead a couple of the arguments, so I can't say I'm dragged into anything. I'm not really one to be dragged into things.
The Real Housewives of New York City
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Reality T.V. star Patti Sanger attends "The Real Housewives of New York City" season 2 premiere party at Gilt at the Palace Hotel on February 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Reality T.V. star Ramona Singer attends "The Real Housewives of New York City" season 2 premiere party at Gilt at the Palace Hotel on February 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Reality T.V. star Ramona Singer attends "The Real Housewives of New York City" season 2 premiere party at Gilt at the Palace Hotel on February 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Reality T.V. star Alex McCord attends "The Real Housewives of New York City" season 2 premiere party at Gilt at the Palace Hotel on February 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Reality T.V. star LuAnn de Lesseps attends "The Real Housewives of New York City" season 2 premiere party at Gilt at the Palace Hotel on February 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Reality T.V. star Bethenny Frankel attends "The Real Housewives of New York City" season 2 premiere party at Gilt at the Palace Hotel on February 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Reality T.V. star Bethenny Frankel attends "The Real Housewives of New York City" season 2 premiere party at Gilt at the Palace Hotel on February 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: Reality T.V. star Kelly Killoren Bensimon attends "The Real Housewives of New York City" season 2 premiere party at Gilt at the Palace Hotel on February 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: (L-R) Reality T.V. stars Kelly Killoren Bensimon, LuAnn de Lesseps, Jill Zarin, Bethenny Frankel, Ramona Singer, and Alex McCord attend "The Real Housewives of New York City" season 2 premiere party at Gilt at the Palace Hotel on February 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - JUNE 24: "Real Housewives" star Alex McCord attends the premiere "of "Glamour Reel Docs" on June 24, 2008 at the Village East Cinema in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
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3. One of the best things about the NYC version of 'Real Housewives' is your commentary -- is it fair to say you look at this whole "society lifestyle" a bit more irreverently than the rest of your co-stars and that you don't really try to mask that?
Definitely. No one hates socialite life more than I do. And I don't mask anything. The only thing worse than a socialite is what I call a "fauxcialite." Someone who aspires to be a socialite -- that's even worse. To aspire to be someone who's known for just going out every night and pretending to do charity work by going to charity functions and wearing $10,000 dresses. That's even worse.
4. Anyone on the show that you would slap that label on?
Yeah, there are a couple of people who have their socialite moments, but don't worry, you'll see me call them on it.
5. Tell me about you upcoming book, 'Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting.' It sounds like a fun, non-diet dieting book. Basically, it's very democratic in the sense that my whole thing is, if Britney Spears and Oprah can't keep their weight down, then how is someone who [shops] at Wal-Mart supposed to? So the idea of the book is, your diet is like a bank account, where eating is like buying clothes. If you splurged at one moment, then at the next meal you're going to have to cut back. If you buy leopard pumps at one meal, then at the next meal, you buy a sweater or you buy nothing. If you want to wake up and eat chocolate cake for breakfast, then you should think about it and have it if that's what's right for you, but then at lunch youre going to have to account for that. So it's sort of liberating, because nothing is not allowed. And I address the whole body image thing, and how most men would rather be with someone like Beyonce or Jennifer Lopez than people like Lindsay Lohan or Lara Flynn Boyle. You know, women want to be skinny, and it's really for other women. I mean, only dogs like bones.
Reader Comments (78)
bigdeal at 6:47AM on Feb 18th 2009
Of all the Housewive show's , New York's are the ugliest women on TV..All of them!
noducati at 6:58AM on Feb 18th 2009
Can you say alcoholics.
Rocky at 7:07AM on Feb 18th 2009
What was the name of the vampiress that hosted the scary movie hour? Elvira? Whatever, this gal is the next one... and she won't need much makeup.
yolla at 6:41AM on Feb 19th 2009
The women are ugly ...they are on speed or something else ~it's like watching a bunch of pit bulls with rabies ...wow!! I feel sorry for the the poor guys who married them !!! Jolie P.S BUT IT'S FUN R. SHOW AND I LIKE IT !!
Kay Kay at 7:26AM on Feb 18th 2009
Yeah I must agree, unless they come out with a "Real Housewives of Schenectady" or something, this batch of ladies are by far the most busted crew of the franchise.
bttbmomma at 8:06AM on Feb 18th 2009
I think that these "Housewives" shows are all in bad taste- especially in these economic times- to watch these pampered women and their spoiled children is not worth my time. This is not reality for 99% of the country.....Kick them all to the curb
kelly W. at 8:31AM on Feb 18th 2009
I really enjoy the NY housewives
Griffith69 at 8:39AM on Feb 18th 2009
New York housewives are a joke. The real Housewives are in Orange County. Give the others the boot.
Typistgal at 8:50AM on Feb 18th 2009
I think the NYC Housewives are a riot! As for Bethany, she's great! I appreciate Bethany's attitude of telling it like it is. I get a complete kick out of watching Ramona, even though she gets a bit overbearing for the most part. I also like Jill and think she has a bigger heart than most realize. Anyway, I enjoy the show and am glad someone gets to live a lavish life because it certainly is not me.
karennabird at 8:55AM on Feb 18th 2009
Why is Bethany on Real Housewifes? She's not even married,muchless a housewife! The only one who seems not to be malicious is Alex. Thats probably why they diss her so much.