“The Real Housewives of New York” Bravo franchise has been up and running since 2008 and is still a major staple in pop culture as it continues filming. The show was the second ever housewives show from Bravo following that of Orange County, and started off with the original cast of Ramona Singer, Bethenny Frankel, Jill Zarin, Luann DeLesseps and Alex McCord. 

   The show followed these women around their career and family journeys in the middle of a very busy New York. The women each have their own eccentric and luxurious lifestyle while trying to maintain a semi-normal life and family. Luann DeLesseps for example, was married to Count Alex DeLesseps (divorced; it’s a common theme in housewives) whose family was extremely wealthy from building the Suez Canal during the mid 19th century. Luann had the title of Countess, and more than demanded to be called such, which was called out frequently by the other women as being narcissistic.

   Each woman has their own quirks and diva moments, and the show captures every fight and embarrassing moment in 4K. One of the franchise’s most famous episodes is popularly known as “Scary Island” but is actually titled “Sun, Sand, and Psychosis” in season three, which features a botched girls trip in St. Barts. It showcases arguably one of the most insane housewives amidst a serious breakdown. Kelly Bensimon is one of the most well known housewives due to her concerning, yet entertaining behavior. Although she only lasted a couple seasons, she came back for the “Ultimate Girls Trip” RHONY spinoff this past season and refreshed everyone’s memory with some flashbacks to her Scary Island era. 

   Scary Island went a bit like this: “GO TO SLEEP!” Bethenny yells across the dinner table after Kelly goes on a tangent about how Bethenny is “not a chef, she’s a cook. It’s creepy.” Housewife Sonja Morgan chimes into the conversation and confronts Kelly, “You told people tonight that she’s channeling the devil, and that Bethenny was going to kill you in your sleep with a butter knife.” The entire scene at dinner was more than crazy, with Kelly shouting random phrases and causing the other housewives to realize that something is seriously wrong with her. Kelly was convinced that Bethenny had attacked her and her children in the press, and that she was going to harm her, and then said “What about when you attacked my friend Gwyeneth?” Kelly demands to know. “Who is Gwyneth?” “Paltrow.”

   I could go on all day reciting quotes from memory, but it’s better when you watch it for yourself. The Real Housewives of New York franchise is one you shouldn’t miss, and despite its complete recasting this past season, the long-lasting housewives like Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and Luann DeLesseps hold a special place in many of our hearts. Stream RHONY on Peacock or the Bravo app!