Real Housewives, the Bravo TV franchise that purports to show America how the rich and powerful live in some of the country's hottest hot spots, is coming to Washington, D.C. Although it's still too early to say when actual filming will start - much less when anything might wind up on-air - potential "Housewives" are being interviewed and tested, according to Bravo spokeswoman Johanna Fuentes. "Bravo is scouting the D.C. area to identify the city's alluring and discriminating residents," a Bravo press release promises, "those women who have their pulse on the most important cultural events, political galas, gallery openings and fundraisers in Washington society." And why D.C.? Because it's "the most powerful city in the world," according to the press release. Previous Real Housewives series have spotlighted Orange County, New York, Atlanta and New Jersey.How many people are going to lose their reelection because their wives are on this shit fest?
I was thinking the same
thing. Can't wait to see which of the morons give their wives the green light to be on it. Probably none, it will turn out to be the Real Housewives of
Ashburn or Chevy Chase and they'll just call it DC.
The cast of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of D.C." is yet to be fully confirmed. But some decisions have certainly been made. Unfortunately for the producers, what some of Washington's real power women have decided is to decline.
The choice to steer clear of the cameras tells the true story of life inside the Beltway. Instead of welcoming television film crews into their lives, many local women have chosen to protect the high-profile careers and client lists that they - or their husbands - have built. And as a result, the show that is set to air next year might as well be called "The Real Housewives of McLean - or Bethesda," as one source dubbed it.
Among those who would have made the show more Washington focused - but chose to opt out - is Georgetown's Susanna Quinn, wife of Democratic lobbyist Jack Quinn. "My husband didn't achieve all his success so I could turn into an older, paler Lauren Conrad," Quinn told POLITICO, referring to the 20-something star of "The Hills."
Another hopeful for Bravo was Gwen Holliday, wife of Stuart Holliday, a former ambassador to the U.N. and George W. Bush White House aide. Now that Holliday is the president of the Meridian International Center, the producers would have had plenty to shoot at the Meridian Ball. But she, too, has reportedly said no.
Rima Al-Sabah, who is married to Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah, "didn't even return their calls," a source told POLITICO. The platinum-blond former journalist and mother of four would have been a good get. She and her highly social husband have hosted parties that included Angelina Jolie and Michael Douglas. For the Inauguration festivities, she threw a party for 300, and the guest list included Peter Orszag, Colin Powell, Tina Brown and Stella McCartney.
Juleanna Glover, lobbyist for the Ashcroft Group, said she was approached about Bravo's show, as well as a number of other reality programs. But she has consistently declined, saying that being on that kind of show is "not within [her] bandwidth."
As the Kalorama resident put it: "It's a concept that's impossible for me to get my brain around."
Jewelry designer Sissy Yates was also asked but said no, something that surely pleased her sister, actress Ali Wentworth, who is married to George Stephanopoulos.
Elizabeth Thorp, a friend of Wentworth's and president of communications company EDT, had her name thrown around by the network and the media but denies being a real candidate.
"I don't think I was ever a serious candidate ... and I'd like to stay married," she said, joking about the divorce rate of "housewives" who have appeared on the show.
Republican consultant Edwina Rogers - who can be seen on YouTube wrapping Christmas gifts in sheets of dollar bills - initially agreed to the show and was spotted filming at the DC National Mall Polo Cup Classic on Sept. 19. But Rogers has since backed out.
Republican fundraiser Lisa Spies, who could have been Bravo's one true political connection, gave the network a glimmer of hope but has now become a definite no, according to two separate sources close to Spies. The head moneymaker for Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) was "asked, considered it and turned it down."
So far, however, there are three ladies who are sure to be in on the action: Mary Amons, the McLean, Va.-based founder of several fashion-centered charitable events and a mother of five; Lynda Erkiletian, president of T.H.E Artist Agency; and Michaele Salahi, former model and chairwoman of America's Polo Cup.
And whereas some women have cited their husband's privacy as their reason for not appearing on television, this crop of couples is having fun with it. On Sept. 24, the show's hairstylist, Ted Gibson, hosted a salon opening party where Salahi's husband, Tareq, posed for the cameras with his wife and her fellow cast members.
When Washingtonian magazine threw a party to launch its Style Setters list, the "Housewives" were well-represented. Rich Amons, husband of Mary, and Lynda Erkiletian made the list and were filmed accepting their awards on stage.
Rumor has it that Erkiletian's husband, Chris Reiter, will be appearing on the show, as scenes for the show were filmed at his design shop, Muleh, which sells home furnishings and clothing on 14th Street Northwest.
If the show's going to work, it will need some serious D.C. power. But surely, after having tackled Orange County, Calif., New York, Atlanta and New Jersey, the "Real Housewives" producers will conjure up something that passes as an insider's look at life in America's capital - even if it meets with local shrugs.
I actually would have enjoyed having Ali Wentworth in the cast.
