Bravo To Enforce Psychological Tests On New 'Housewives'

It is common practice for every cast member who signs on to a reality show to sign a detailed contract waiving many of their rights. Show’s like "Survivor," "Jersey Shore," "Teen Mom" and even Bravo’s "Real Housewives" have clauses that make it almost impossible to take legal action against the show or fellow contestants. But now following the suicide of Russell Armstrong, husband to "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor Armstrong, expect to see even tougher contracts that cast members will be required to sign.

“I’m ashamed to admit I work on a show that once had in writing that contestants agreed we could humiliate them,” one producer told me. “I have even seen contracts for dating shows that say if you contract a sexual disease on the show the producers were not responsible. What’s the amazing part is that the people that go on these shows are so desperate to be famous, and have no real talent, that they actually sign these deals.”

It is no secret that even folks with talent performing on "American Idol" sign their careers away to the show for several years, regardless of whether or not they actually win. But now, after the tragic incidents surrounding the death of one reality star, expect to see way more psychological tests.

“We all have in our contracts that Bravo can force us to take a [psychological] test,” one cast member of "The Real Housewives of New York" tells me. “To my knowledge nobody did, but moving forward any new cast members will for sure. This isn’t to protect the talent but rather to protect Bravo for the next time something horrid happens.”

Hopefully there won't be a next time.

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Comments

[bjork rules]

01:28 PM on 09/05/2011

Basically, there shouldn't be a next time. This whole series needs to be canceled, and not just because it is linked to a suicide. Most of these women are ultimately ruining their lives to be on this show...they come across as catty, vindictive, desperate women that are devoid of any sense of reality, and have let the "fame" go to their heads, compromising their relationships and finances.

Their egos are now as unnaturally large as the silicone bags in their chest, and I don't find that to be entertaining. Can the whole thing; there are already enough negative stereotypes against women out there.

[Mike McClaren]

11:49 AM on 09/05/2011

Once the test are complete, it will reveal that the show needs to be cancelled because none of these so called house wives are fit to be on anything. No talent is correct but so no connection to reality.

[javaJimmy]

04:14 AM on 09/05/2011

Shouldn't they be enforcing Psychological Tests on anyone who actually watches this crap?

[YakittyGirl]

01:06 AM on 09/05/2011

Psychological testing is not needed. Merely appearing on a reality show makes you a certified nutcake.

[ehleonardh]

04:06 PM on 09/04/2011

Psychological testing? You're too late! Not watching this idiocy anymore.

[jillster47]

04:04 PM on 09/04/2011

I watch the RH but I'm still trying to figure out what's so real about any of them....

[soopershrink]

03:09 PM on 09/04/2011

Gee gosh Taylor you're just learning that these are people with no talent who want to be famous, what planet are you from??????

[KJLSanDiego]

02:29 PM on 09/04/2011

So, will there be almost all new casts on all these shows?!?

[Bessi]

02:24 PM on 09/04/2011

Since when does a cast member decide what Bravo will do "for sure". B.S.

Just because 'a cast member' says it, does not mean it is true, Rob.

[mc84414]

02:10 PM on 09/04/2011

LET THAT POOR MAN REST IN PEACE.

[whodo1952]

01:10 PM on 09/04/2011

How psychologically starved for attention are those who live their lives so out loud?
Askew comes to mind.

Something is totally out of balance when such an outward reach is required for self acceptance and peer validity.

As such, what does it say about those of us who reward this attitude and behavior with viewer acceptance by faithfully watching?

Voyeurism, and shallow, life affirming comparison, complements of the vile TV rating systems.

The self centered shame of it all. For sale, really cheap, my life, submitted for your approval.

Television has scraped the bottom of the imagination of it's viewers.

[nikkivo]

01:06 PM on 09/04/2011

There are two major misconceptions repeated in these blogs/comments. The first is that the housewives make spectacles of themselves merely for the celebrity and (relatively) meager salaries. While these delusional, intellectually-challenged, narcissists seem to crave as much attention as they can garner, it's how the RH franchises -- abetted by Cohen's "Watch What Happens" -- create and support multi-million-dollar industries that are the housewives' real pay-off. It's astounding how semi-attractive women who aren't just poor vocalists, but seriously tone-deaf, now have viable recording careers...or how a seeming illiterate authors best-selling books. And, just look at the amount of schlock jewelry, clothes, foodstuffs, and media produced and sold "out of" these shows! ALWAYS follow the money...and the money trail leads to the second misconception: that WATCHING the RH is what sustains them. Merely viewing ANY program (that isn't specially-ordered) doesn't help sustain it. HOWEVER, purchasing products from those programs OR THEIR SPONSORS, telling rating services you watch those programs, or helping to publicize those programs through (positive or negative) public reference DOES support them. So, if you're offended, watch the RH to your heart's content, but don't buy the margaritas, the pinot grigio, the books, etc....EMAIL the show's sponsors and producers and tell them you're going to boycott their products until they stop making more of these programs...and, oh, yeah, read the gossip, but stop contributing to the blogs. Otherwise, every time you join in, you only enhance the infrastructure.

[jessicajuliette]

07:18 PM on 09/04/2011

Good points, all....


the "fame" allows them to peddle their wares, in the same way Kim Kardashian became famous for peddling hers...(they kept their clothes on for the most part)

When Cris Jenner likened Kim's wedding to the royal wedding or something akin to that i choked on the canoli....

Kate Middleton's initial claim to fame was not a sex tape (Brandy's brother)and the family jewels really were in and of the family, she didn't have to return them to a jeweler...

[Rob Shuter]

01:03 PM on 09/04/2011

Alex McCod emailed me and wanted to make it clear that even though Kim K had her own, separate VIP room at her Welcome To New York bash and the Housewives were in a different area, Alex did in fact leave before Kim arrived.

[Adapt Vince]

12:52 PM on 09/04/2011

When I want to watch neurotic behavior I visit my relatives.

[YakittyGirl]

01:07 AM on 09/05/2011

Vince, I wonder if we are related. I have the same kind of relatives.

[lannetteramos]

10:13 PM on 09/05/2011

Neurosis is the norm, yakittygirl...I have the same kind of relatives =-))

[pook6578]

12:37 PM on 09/04/2011

Love love love the housewives. Love NY, Bev Hills, NJ.

Hated Wash DC & Miami--they failed because the have horrible people on the show.

Can't wait to see Bev Hills and all the ladies.'