Summer is right around the corner, and The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is finally here to help us ring in the warmer months. Bravo’s latest iteration in its beloved Real Housewives franchise is taking fans to the Ocean State, where drama runs deep and loyalty is everything. The series introduces a new slate of Bravolebrities into the mix, including Alicia Carmody, Ashley Iaconetti (from The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise), Jo-Ellen Tiberi, Kelsey Swanson, Liz McGraw, Rosie DiMare, and Rulla Nehme Pontarelli. The Real Housewives of New Jersey icon Dolores Catania even appears as a “friend of.” So, in terms of Housewives shows, how does The Real Housewives of Rhode Island compare to the rest of them? We watched the first episode, and Bravo fans are certainly in for a treat.
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF RHODE ISLAND: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
Opening Shot: The Real Housewives of Rhode Island opens with Alicia stress-drinking ahead of her big Italian family’s arrival at her home. There’s nothing like a glass of wine to take the edge off when you know your six aunts will be coming over to grill you about your marriage plans.
The Gist: The Real Housewives of Rhode Island stars a group of tight-knit, affluent Rhode Islanders ranging from their early 30s to their late 50s. With ties that run deep and personalities larger than life, drama is bound to rear its ugly head at any given moment. We just never thought it could happen so soon!
What Shows Will It Remind You Of? Andy Cohen once likened The Real Housewives of Rhode Island to the early days of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and we think we might’ve been right! Italian families, fiery personalities, and genuine bonds that existed long before the show ever came around … need we say more?
Our Take: Entering the Bravo universe as a new show can be daunting. There are decades of established franchises, characters, and beloved moments, so when someone or something new comes into the mix, there’s always a feeling of excitement, followed by a sense of: can they live up to what we are used to seeing? Well, I am happy to report that The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, in only the two episodes I’ve watched so far, certainly lives up to its hype.
As of recent years, many reality shows have started to feel more “cast” than organic. When authentic, long-standing relationships are not being portrayed, it reads immediately to the viewer, and, at least for me, it takes the “real” out of “reality.” Getting to watch a show like The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, where many of the women grew up with each other, or made communion with one of the husbands, or became friends through a shared Botox lady, brings back that nostalgic reality television feel — one that has been severely lacking across the board. Because their friendships are so deeply-rooted, the drama we see on-screen feels even more natural, more deep-cutting, and, overall, more entertaining. I, for one, would much rather sit around and watch a group of women from a small town accuse each other of being swingers than be subjected to some sort of blogger-manufactured drama that stems from a bunch of hearsay.
Another thing I’ve really enjoyed about The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is the self-awareness of its cast members. I don’t mean the self-awareness that takes the fun out of the quirky, sometimes out-of-touch personalities that make these types of shows a hit. I’m referring to their ability to acknowledge and own up to their unique characteristics. Liz says from the get-go that she’s scary, Kelsey practically admits to being a gold digger, and Jo-Ellen acknowledges that she has a big mouth, so anything that’s told to her could end up as front-page news the next day. These are the type of women I want to see in a Real Housewives show. Not someone polished, careful with words, or hiding parts of their life. Rhode Island might be the smallest state, but this show has the biggest personalities — and, because of that, there’s no doubt it will thrive.
Sex and Skin: None.
Parting Shot: The premiere episode ends with a quarrel between Kelsey and Rosie at Jo-Ellen’s 4th of July party. With Rosie digging around for information on Kelsey’s unorthodox relationship, it’s no surprise that Kelsey gets defensive.
Sleeper Star: Maybe I’m biased since I’m a journalist, but I do have high hopes for Rosie. With her background in reporting and her nickname “Nosy Rosie,” she seems like the one who’s going to ask the questions we all want answered, and get to the bottom of things.
Most Pilot-y Line: “Rhode Island is different, because it’s so close-knit,” Ashley says, to which Alicia replies, “If they didn’t see you in kindergarten, it’s a problem.”
Our Call: STREAM IT. A Real Housewives show hasn’t had this much promise since The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
