NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Bethenny Frankel, former 'The Real Housewives of New York' star, has released a video to Instagram explaining what she considers "exploitation" of the reality television industry and saying that Andy Cohen "ambushed" her on his program. Fans swiftly defended her, claiming that the Bravo chief "has made a living off the exploitation of women."
Bethenny recently chastised Bravo for reportedly failing to obtain Jill Zarin's permission to shoot outside her late husband Bobby's funeral in 2018. During an appearance on her former 'RHONY' costar's 'Just B' podcast on July 17, the mom-of-one claimed she did not sign permission for the network to record any aspect of her spouse's burial, which was conducted at the Riverside Memorial Chapel. Jill said she never granted her permission for 'RHONY' cameras to film Bobby's burial, but Bethenny claimed Andy informed her, "Jill said you can bring the cameras to the funeral." Jill told listeners that when she saw her estranged friend at the funeral, her heart plummeted, and she was "so happy."
Felt 'ambushed' on 'WWHL'
Bethenny has now shared a video on Instagram and TikTok, doubling down on the funeral crash charge and making a number of other claims against the non-union industry, which has been agitating for its own union since SAG-AFTRA went on strike. "We deserve a response from the entertainment industry acknowledging that we have been heard," Bethenny said in the video's TikTok caption.
Bethenny begins her diatribe by describing how she and Andy "came up together" and shared numerous secrets on beach walks during their "parallel" journeys. She said that Andy's main concern (above the demands of the talent) is the network Bravo, and that she felt "ambushed" when she appeared on his show 'Watch What Happens Live'.
"I have had opinions on the [Real Housewives] franchise in particular and reality TV in particular," she stated. "I’ve grown increasingly uncomfortable with certain things. I’ve been put in situations where I felt that it wasn’t safe. I recently found out that I crashed a funeral, and that was very jarring because it’s felt like there is exploitation without compensation for many people."
"I have now, in the past couple of days, heard stories about people whose spouses have lost jobs and people who have been threatened with contracts where they cannot use their own business or work on their own projects afterwards ’cause the network was to own them."
"There’s the Bethenny clause, of course," she said, alluding to a clause in her contract that specifically states that the television network will have no rights to any future business endeavors she may acquire as a result of the program. She says she's been thinking about a lot of things that "aren't equal and fair" and that "reality talent isn't properly compensated by and large." Despite "gag orders" from some of her business colleagues, Bethenny determined that she would receive answers from the entertainment sector. "We deserve an answer," she declared before concluding her outburst.
Bethenny has shared two more identical rants in the last 24 hours, explaining the parameters of the reality talent union she is seeking to organize.
'They have made millions upon millions on bashing women'
On Instagram, fans were quick to call out Bravo boss as they wrote, "Andy Cohen has made a living off the exploitation of women. That's a fact." Another person chimed in, "Yes Bethenny, you do not owe him one ounce of loyalty, He certainly has none for anyone, especially women. You’re right in doing this, they have made millions upon millions on bashing women, and reality shows." One fan noted, "Andy Cohen is looking out for one thing: money and ratings. He keeps trying to resuscitate a dying breed@of television. It’s time to move on. Your shoes have outstayed their welcome." A fourth user claimed, "Andy is the reason Bravo is dying."
Some fans also claimed, "first and foremost, Andy is looking out for himself." Others agreed, "Of course he is! Why do you think he hypes up Bravocon so much, and charges a fortune for the (is it 3 days long?) sh*t show?🙄 $$$." One user further commented, "Andy is so shady. He has made millions off of people treating each other badly. Bravo discriminates against aging housewives." Someone also wrote, "You can tell based on watching his Watch what happens live show, whenever he had someone from Bravo on, there was a stark difference in the treatment and his attitude vs a traditional “movie star”. It’s blatantly obvious he has no respect for Bravo talent and it doesn’t surprise any of us to know he’d be willing to exploit them and screw them on the contracts."
