The Real Housewives of New York City (season 7)

Production and crew

It was announced that The Real Housewives of New York City was renewed for a seventh season on October 20, 2014 when it was revealed that former housewife, Bethenny Frankel, would be returning to the series. It was revealed in January 2015, that filming for the season had begun and in March 2015, the full cast, trailer and premiere date for season seven were announced.

The season premiere "The B Is Back" was aired on April 7, 2015, while the nineteenth episode "New Beginnings, My Ass" served as the season finale, and was aired on August 11, 2015. It was followed by a three-part reunion that aired on August 18, August 25 and August 27, 2015, and a "Secrets Revealed" episode on September 3, 2015, which marked the conclusion of the season. Andrew Hoegl, Barrie Bernstein, Lisa Shannon, Pam Healy and Andy Cohen are recognized as the series' executive producers; it is produced by Ricochet and is distributed by Shed Media.

Following the final episode of the season, "Secretes Revealed", a special was aired on Watch What Happens Live tiled "100th Episode Watch What Happens Live Special". The special was hosted by Andy Cohen with many housewives, past and present, returning to discuss the series, the drama that occurred and how it affected their lives. Jill Zarin declined to participate in the special, but appeared on her own during an episode of Watch What Happens Live the following month in October, 2015. Zarin was shown footage of the special and spoke on her feud with Frankel.

Cast

Five of the six wives featured on the sixth season returned for the seventh. It was revealed that Aviva Drescher had been fired from the series, shortly after the conclusion of season six. Andy Cohen later spoke of the firing of Drescher on a segment called Ask Andy, saying "I think that that was a situation where we listened to the fans." I March, 2016, Drescher has said she would do The Real Housewives of New York City again, as it was good platform for her to "raise awareness for amputees, and opened up a lot of business opportunities" for her. De Lesseps returned to being a full-time cast member after recurring in season six.

Shortly after reports circulated on Bethenny Frankel's return to the series, on October 1, 2014 Frankel revealed to SiriusXM Radio host, Jennifer Hutt, that she was working with Andy Cohen on two different projects as well as revealing that Bravo have been asking her to return for years. October 204, it was announced that Bethenny Frankel was returning to the series in season seven after a three-year hiatus from the series. Frankel returned to the series dispute claiming she had quit reality television for her talk show Bethenny and that she wouldn't return to 'The Real Housewives of New York City. Frankel stated that she was excited for her return, saying "It feels like the first season when it was fresh and new and unknown," as well as speaking about the network, "Bravo has always been the place on television where I have the freedom to be unfiltered, honest and inappropriate." Cohen later spoke of how he convinced Frankel to return during one if his Ask Andy videos, relaying the story he said, "The thing transpired in her kitchen...I went over there to convince her to come back to the show and she had different ideas about things she wanted to do...I kind of said, 'I don't think that those are good ideas.'" Continuing he then proceed to convince her with his reasons for her return and after a few more talks between the two, Frankel agreed with saying, "I'm in." With the return of de Lesseps and Frankel, Ramona Singer was no longer the only remaining original cast member.

A new cast member was also introduced the seventh season, Dorinda Medley. With the addition of Medley, the returning wives from season six; Singer, Sonja Morgan, Heather Thomson, Carole Radziwill and Kristen Taekman, and the wives returning to the series; de Lesseps and Frankel, this marked the first time in The Real Housewives franchise that there were eight full-time cast members. The eight housewives formula later inspired the international versions of the series, The Real Housewives of Melbourne and The Real Housewives of Cheshire.

Medley returned to New York, after spending over a decade in London running her and her former husband's cashmere company, DCL Cashmere. She and her Daughter Hannah returned after the divorce, Medley navigated life in New York as a single mother. Medley eventually met a man named Richard Medley, they fell in love and married and together they raised money for charitable causes. Medley was devastated by the passing of Richard in 2011. After her and daughter found strength from their loved ones, Medley climbed the social ladder in New York. At the height of her social status, Medley met her current boyfriend, John Mahdessian who is owner of New York’s legendary couture restoration house, Madame Paulette. Medley is described as being known for her "trademark sequins, humor and exuberant perspective" as well as "there’s never enough glitz, glam and sparkle for this true New York City Housewife." During the airing of season seven, it was revealed that Hillary Clinton is a Medley fan, according to the white house staff. Medley's late husband, used to work for Bill Clinton and Medley received a phone call from Hillary Clinton's office and was told "you know I just want to tell you that Hillary really enjoys you on the show."

Synopsis

The season begins with the introduction of Bethenny Frankel, revealing her new transition in life. Frankel continues to go through a chaotic divorce, and left homeless from it. Frankel looks for a place to live and a place to belong. Luann de Lesseps begins the season after changing her name from "LuAnn" and is relishing in her new home in the Hamptons and invites the ladies to see it during a party. Ramona Singer copes with her divorce from Mario and tries to navigate life as a single woman. Carole Radziwill continues her work as an author as she is pressured by a deadline. Introduced is Dorinda Medley, Medleys struggles to live to separate lives- one with her Daughter Hannah and the other with her boyfriend John.

Kristen Taekman finds herself not invited to Frankel's last minute birthday party and isn't happy about it. Taekman attempts to resolve her issues on the night of the launch of Singer's sports bar but Frankel is interested. Taekman continues with her fashion blog and has a photo shoot in streets for it. Taekman expands her realm of fashion when she takes part in a new nail polish line. Taekman new nail polish line, Pop of Color, is featured during fashion week as a part of the Elie Tahari presentation.

Heather Thomson attend a lunch between de Lesseps and Frankel, but it appears that Thomson and Frankel are both opinionated. The two women find themselves in a heated discussion of a war of words at Frankel's birthday dinner. The tension between the two women escalates after Bethenny surprisingly attends Medley's birthday in the Berkshires and Thomson is quick to fix a situation. In Turks and Caicos tensions arise when Thomson thinks Frankel is a know-it-all.=

Sonja Morgan meets Frankel after Frankel is warned by the other ladies of her questionable business aspirations and later in Atlantic City Frankel accuses Morgan of not listening and leaves her in tears. Morgan defends herself and her actions after refusing to let the ladies in her townhouse while it was raining. Frankel is still annoyed with Morgan's drunken behavior she later attempts to have a no-holds barred conversation with her Morgan is continued to be support by Frankel when Frankel invites her to a business summit.

Morgan celebrates life being debt-free but inviting the ladies to Turks and Caicos. On the trip Morgan defends herself against the other ladies' allegations of drinking too much and making advances at other peoples' boyfriends. Morgan tries to explains herself to Frankel but it leads to a fiery argument between them. In the morning, Morgan is reminded by Medley to stand up for herself. Later Singer informs Morgan that the other ladies think she's an alcoholic, which bring Morgan to a boiling point and forces her to confront them.

Frankel is taken aback when she is reintroduced to the group at de Lessep's housewarming in the Hamptons. Frankel continues to renovate her new apartment and on a shopping trip for furniture she invites Radziwill and opens up about the struggles of parenting and having a social life. Frankel's apartment is finally complete and Radziwill comes to see it. Having hard time opening up to the other ladies, Frankel takes a trip to Miami to reconnect with her estranged father which leads to new revelations. Back in New York after meeting her father, Frankel seeks the support of her therapist to help her tap in to her feelings so she can move forward with her relationships.

Singer continues to struggle will the separation from Mario, at her house Morgan and Medley affirm that she is better off. The ladies reach a consensus that Singer is a lot softer and less chaotic without Mario and appears better off. Singer reaches out to de Lesseps to discuss the past and apologize. Singer feels conflicted when Mario reveals to her that he want to get back together and reunite their family. Singer's decisions are made easier when her daughter, Avery, arrives home from college and gives an adult perspective on the situation. Singer bonds with the unlikely Frankel over their failed marriages. Singer endeavors in to a new business of a sports bar, and finds herself flirting with her business partner Peter. With a decision of her future made, Singer hosts a "new beginnings" party.

De Lesseps heads to Miami to support her daughter Victoria as she featured in the art festival, Art Basel. De Lesseps invites all the ladies along to a photo shoot for her new clothing line but Taekman confronts Frankel on her timing issues which leaves Frankel in tears. De Lesseps continues with business by hosting a launch party for her clothing line, but Singer confronts Taekman on her treating of Frankel. Later at the party, Taekman is again at odds with Frankel. The newly single de Lesseps finds herself in an argument after a fun-filled night in Turks and Caicos when Thomson is outraged after finding a naked man in the room next to hers that Singer is responsible for.

Radziwill flirts with de Lesseps' younger chef Adam while at de Lesseps' house. The two meet away from de Lesseps' home for a date. Radziwill and her new relationship with Adam heats up as they host a dinner party for Taekman and Thomson. Radziwill's new found friendship with Frankel reaches a new level after a sex dream. Radziwill invites Medley to London as she is going to pick up her late husband's ashes which turns out to be an emotional experience and the two bond over their woes of being widows.

Medley struggles balancing keeping the distance between her daughter and boyfriend. Medley also finds herself having to defend John after a cocktail party she hosts where he gets flirty with some of the other ladies. The struggle for Medley is made worse when Singer and de Lesseps call each other out on talking about John and Medley is left wondering who she should really be around and if the ladies should be invited to her birthday in the Berkshires. During the birthday dinner, Medley once again finds herself defending John over Taekmans's claims of inappropriate touching. In Turks and Caicos, Medley and Thomson find themselves in a confusing argument over etiquette. Medley is later conflicted after John reveals he wants to take the relationship to the next level.

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