How Can Bravo Move Forward With an Honest ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’ Reunion After Cancellation?

The Real Housewives of New Jersey will reportedly not have its usual reunion installment at the end of Season 14. It will be the first time in the history of the Bravo series this will not take place. Subsequently, a different type of wrap up than fans are used to could occur. How can the network move forward with an honest, new type of season ender when the divide is so deep between castmates?

How can Bravo move ahead with a different type of ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’ reunion?

Each year, as the newest season of the Real Housewives of New Jersey ends, the cast reunites to discuss the season’s highs and lows. It is a tradition viewers look forward to.

However, Season 14 will not end on that note. Subsequently, the tumultuous events of the season may go unresolved for viewers, and the women will not face off against each other as they usually would.

People Magazine confirmed that a traditional Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion will not take place. “A reunion is meant to have a resolution. It’s clear in the season finale that there is no path forward in that type of setting,” an insider explains.

“So the network is figuring out a different concept to wrap up the season,” the comment concludes. However, Bravo has yet to reveal how any reunion episode will proceed.

This decision could be based on the finale episode of Season 14. Filmed at Rails Steakhouse in Towaco, NJ, it shows Dolores Catania seated alone at a table with broken glasses on the floor. She looks visibly shaken.

Likely, Bravo will move forward in one of two ways for the reunion episode. The most effective way would be to film each woman separately versus having them in their respective friend groups. Here’s why.

Together, in their cliques, the women behave with a gang girl mentality, and there’s never really a different opinion between them. Filming separately, there could be a chance for some real honesty if they are not being watched by others in the group.

What are the current alignments within the ‘RHONJ’ cast?

Over several seasons, alignments within the Real Housewives of New Jersey cast have dramatically shifted. Thus, while there were always issues between certain cast members, in Season 13, a deep divide permeated the women and their husbands.

One group comprises BFF’s Teresa Giudice, Jennifer Aydin, and whomever they get along with at that moment in time. The second includes Melissa Gorga, Margaret Josephs, Danielle Cabral, and Rachel Fuda. Dolores Catania, Jennifer Fessler, and Jackie Goldschneider appear to be welcomed in both groups.

This deep division follows the women choosing sides. While many mitigating issues over the past several seasons caused mistrust, the most significant was caused by Teresa and her husband, Louie Ruelas.

During Season 13, Teresa’s husband was accused of hiring a private investigator to get information about each cast member. During the reunion episode, Teresa defended Louie, saying, “He did not do that. Why would he waste his money? He did say it because he was frustrated.”

The businessman confirmed his statement stemmed from frustration. However, series creator Andy Cohen clapped back, telling Louie, “That’s kind of an amazing thing to come up with out of nowhere.”

What does the explosive Season 14 trailer reveal?

The official trailer for Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey, Season 14, reveals the deep divide between castmates. Thus, these reasons reportedly put a period on any potential complete cast reunion.

People Magazine reported in September that Jennifer Aydin and Danielle Cabral were suspended for several days, pausing filming. Their fight began verbal and turned physical. It is unclear if their fight occurred during the dinner at Rails Steakhouse.

Battle lines remain drawn between those in the camp who support Teresa Giudice and those who support Melissa Gorga; Bravo attempted to mitigate this issue by separating the women throughout the season thus far. The friend groups were subsequently split into separate panels during BravoCon 2023.

Real Housewives of New Jersey airs on Sundays on Bravo.