‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’: ‘You’ll have to watch and see what happens’
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The ladies of Franklin Lakes are back ... almost.
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” returns for its second season on May 3, and judging from all the “You’ll have to watch the show and see what happens” comments from Teresa Giudice and Dina Manzo during a conference call Tuesday promoting the show’s return, it’s sure to be filled with more drama than whatever stuffed-pasta recipe might be in Guidice’s upcoming cookbook, “Skinny Italian: Eat It and Enjoy it -- Live La Bella Vita and Look Great Too!”
“The first season, you got a taste of us,” Guidice said. “This season, you’ll get to know us better.”
During the freshman season -- which introduced us to sisters Caroline and Dina Manzo, their sister-in-law Jacqueline Laurita, family friend [Teresa] Giudice and outcast Danielle Staub -- viewers watched friendships get damaged and accusations turn into table-flipping blowouts. And with camera lenses focused on their lives, the ladies, in turn, watched their lives change -- getting recognized on the street; watching their businesses expand -- May is the official month of Manzo’s charity, Project Ladybug. Who knew? And, like Guidice and fellow “Housewives,” Manzo’s putting words to paper with book projects.
But, for now, attention is focused on the new season. There will be more footage of Guidice in the kitchen. More babies. A term that could replace “bubbies.” And the rift that developed last season between Dina and Laurita has been squashed.
“We’re all good,” Manzo said. “My favorite phrase is, ‘This too shall pass.’ I knew it would blow over eventually, and that’s how I live my life.”
And, sure, there might not be another table-flipping showdown (“I don’t just go around flipping tables every time I get mad,” Guidice assured), but the dynamics among the gals -- or just Staub and everyone else -- are expected to be just as intense.
Part of what sets this franchise apart from the rest, according to Manzo, is the realness.
“We have real relationships that exist. We’re family,” Manzo said. “I consider [Teresa] a sister. It’s genuine relationships with genuine problems.”
That applies to all ... except Staub.
“Before the show, we didn’t know each other,” Manzo said. “It’s like a working relationship. Obviously, we’re contracted to do a show with her.”
And although Staub is likely to generate a lot of air time, we’ll be seeing less of Manzo this time around.
“I just think I was very busy working,” Manzo said. “I have a very busy schedule. ... I’m probably the Vicki of this season” (Vicki Gunvalson, of “The Real Housewives of Orange County”).
Comparisons with fellow “Housewives” are OK. Just don’t be so quick to lump them together with the gals of “Jersey Shore.”
“I had a shore house, and I never made out with another girl in the hot tub,” Giudice said.
-- Yvonne Villarreal
