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RH fans - what do you think Bravo should do?
Re Russell Armstrong's suicide and the new season starting in 3.5 weeks - What do you think they SHOULD do, what do you think they will do?
Re: RH fans - what do you think Bravo should do?
Haven't they been here before in some regards w/ the death of A.J., Kandi's fiance?
Was there any controversy in how they handled/addressed his death?
Well. .. AJ was killed after they filmed, before the Reunion and I don't think there was speculation that participation in the the show may have contributed to his death (since it was a nightclub shooting)
I think with AJ they had a message that said in Loving Memory at the end of the last episode, and like Daisy said he was killed outside and after filming. I imagine they will briefly touch upon it in the reunion but according to TMZ the entire cast was told to keep mum about the whole situation. I imagine they won't give too much attention to it due to the other circumstances surrounding his death, but it will come up.
I think they should address it, it would be weird not to.
Ohhhh- you mean from the standpoint of the season is already taped an in the can, and now this has happened, how can they show a season that we know results in this tragedy?
I know they have already taped and wrapped the reunion. I doubt that Taylor would want to participate in any sort of semi-reunion or interview w/ Andy where she addresses what went on, etc. On one hand I would find that tacky and gruesome, but on the other hand there are so many stories and rumors going around it might be good to hear her voice, if she was really in the house when he was found, etc.
W/ regards to the show being to "blame" for his death- he hung himself, Andy Cohen did not. Suicide is pretty f'in selfish, the only act more selfish I think is murder-suicide. From what I have read Russell had a lot of sketchy business dealings and a previous felony conviction for tax evasion- all pre-RH. Maybe his presence on the show brought attention to his continuing possibly-illegal business dealings- but probably not- considering his extensive history.
Obviously the show affected their lives and maybe because of the show Taylor grew a pair and decided to end the marriage maybe not. What if they weren't on the show and not separated and they would still going through all of the major legal and financial trials. People take their own lives over money all of the time. Spouses have killed their kids and spouses and then themselves in some of these instances. At least he only killed himself.
I think they should push back the premiere date and review the shows they have in the can. The footage has been shot, but I'm sure there are ways to limit how much of Taylor and Russell's relationship issues play into the series, even if it results in her receiving less air time.
I get that it's a "reality" show and he signed on for it, and I don't blame Bravo for his suicide. I blame him for his suicide. But with respect to a dead man's memory and the loved ones he's left behind, I don't think it's necessary to play out the last, what, 9 months? 12 months? of his angst-ridden life for all of the world to see. Less for his sake, more for his children and the rest of his family.
I don't think Taylor should be asked about it at future reunion shows. I think it's a given that she's distraught and asking her about it is unnecessary.
I don't watch the Atlanta franchise, so I can't comment/compare to how they handled the other person's death.
ETA: Sorry, forgot the second part. I really don't know what to expect from Bravo. I always hope for more compassion and less "what will earn the most ratings?", and I tend to think of Andy Cohen as a stand-up guy, but hell*, it's the entertainment industry. What do I know?
I thought I read yesterday that they were supposed to resume taping today but Bravo called an all-cast meeting instead. That's why I thought they were still shooting. But perhaps that is for Season 3?
Here is the article I read. And yes, I realize my source is TMZ.
http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-russell-armstrong-taylor-bravo-keep-quiet-silence-mum-no-talking-to-media-interviews/
And this article irritates me. I hate when so called "close friends" blab to the media after a tragedy. Yes, Russell had problems - we all go through sh*t in life, but no need to further drag his troubles into the media spotlight.
http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/17/russell-armstrong-pal-taylor-armstrong-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-asked-xanax-before-death/
I was basing the above on Andy Cohen's blog on Bravo's website (sorry, I'm on stupid Chrome and don't know how to link with this browser): http://www.bravotv.com/watch-what-happens-live/season-4/blogs/andys-blog/picking-up-the-pieces
"We're all still trying to process yesterday's very sad news, and looking at how to proceed with the series, which has finished primary production and was set to premiere on Labor Day. We'll let you know what we decide when we do. In the meantime, we're sending our thoughts and prayers to Taylor and the rest of Russell's family. "
The "finished primary production" portion is what led me to believe that the footage has already been shot.
Armstrong's family is talking of suing Bravo? Really? The man died yesterday and they're talking lawsuits? Ridiculous. Sad. Shameful.
As Perez says in the article, I get the desire to blame someone or something, but still, to talk about suing? Ugh.
http://perezhilton.com/2011-08-17-russell-armstrongs-family-looking-to-sue-bravo-for-his-suicide
That's just crazy! While I think RH may have triggered some problems with him, he obviously had a lot going on in order to hang himself, and that action cannot be blamed entirely on RH.
miscarriage on 11/26/09 at 5w6d
No kidding!
I get that the show very like exacerbated their marital troubles, gave the media cause to look at his past, his finances, charges made against him of abuse and shady business dealings - but the show certainly didn't *create* all of those issues or the mental illness that drove him to commit suicide.
And he chose to do the show. The family contends that Taylor talked him into it, and while I wouldn't doubt it was her idea (it is, after all, a show about the wives first and foremost), I find it hard to believe that Russell Armstrong was ever ****whipped. He knew, at least to some extent, what he was getting into. All he had to do was look at the other Housewives franchises to see how it goes.
OMG what???
::off to read the interwebz::
ETA: This is what I get for being out of the country for 2 weeks. I think it's incredibly sad, but like others, don't think the show should be blamed for it.
5 cats. 1 baby.