The Real Housewives of Auckland

The Real Housewives of Auckland (abbreviated RHOAKL) is a New Zealand reality television series that premiered on 22 August 2016, on Bravo.

The Real Housewives of Auckland
Genre	Reality television
Based on	The Real Housewives
Starring	Anne Batley-Burton Michelle Blanchard Gilda Kirkpatrick Julia Sloane Angela Stone Louise Wallace
Country of origin	New Zealand
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	10
Production
Executive producer(s)	Kylie Washington Hayley Cunningham Cameron Craig Andrew Szusterman
Producer(s)	Philippa Rubira
Production location(s)	Auckland, New Zealand
Editor(s)	Dayna Climo Samantha Sperlich
Camera setup	Multiple
Running time	43 minutes
Production company(s)	Matchbox Entertainment
Distributor	NBCUniversal International Television Production
Release
Original network	Bravo
Picture format	1080i (HDTV)
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	22 August (2016-08-22) – 18 October 2016 (2016-10-18)
Chronology
Preceded by	The Real Housewives of Melbourne
Followed by	The Real Housewives of Sydney
External links
Website
Production website

The show is developed as an international installment of the American The Real Housewives franchise and the second installment of The Real Housewives franchise by Matchbox Entertainment, following The Real Housewives of Melbourne. The Real Housewives of Auckland focuses on the personal and professional lives of several women living in Auckland, New Zealand.

Overview and casting

The Real Housewives of Auckland was first announced on 24 January 2016.[1] The show is the first spin-off, of The Real Housewives of Melbourne.[2]

The cast of the series was announced in May 2016. The reality show will follow Anne Batley-Burton, Michelle Blanchard, Gilda Kirkpatrick, Julia Sloane, Angela Stone, and Louise Wallace. The first season is set to premiere on 22 August 2016.[3][4][5] Executive producer of the series, Kylie Washington, has described the cast of the first season as "people who are the life of the party – the party is them – it's around them, so it doesn't matter where they are, something's always happening." Also reported on the series, "there has been more 'explosive' drama than even Washington anticipated. ... 'We're pretty tongue in cheek with it as well. We know what we are, we're not pretending to be anything else. Already [the Auckland Housewives] are showing that they have the right spirit,'" said Washington. It is also reported that a season 2 looks likely.[6] The first season concluded on 18 October 2016, and did not feature a reunion. The network provided one-on-one interviews with the cast via their Facebook pages, following the final episode.[7]

Shortly after the airing of the first season in October 2016, the production company, Matchbox Pictures, confirmed that there is ongoing discussions for a second installment. The company also went on to say that the first season was a success for the network and that they would like to produce a second season.[8]

On 10 November 2016, it was announced via NZHerald that Bravo played a show reel for 2017 programmes, and The Real Housewives of Auckland was not on it. However, contract information was leaked by NZ Herald, and the cast apparently signed a three-year contract with Bravo.[9] The network has made no announcement if the show has been renewed or cancelled, although the production company Matchbox Pictures would love to bring the show back.[10]

In 2017, Burton said in an interview that her and her cast members had a blast filming season 1. She went on to say she would love to do season 2, but the cast has been left in the dark, not knowing if there will be a season 2. On 6 July 2017, Wallace on Instagram was asked if the show was returning, she replied "No, That ship has sailed", leading to fans thinking the show was cancelled. However Bravo (New Zealand) have issued no statement if the show has been renewed or cancelled. On 12 July 2017 it was announced the show will premiere in the United States in summer. The show premiered in the United States on Bravo on 22 July 2017.

On 28 October 2017 Louise Wallace announced in an interview "If you had asked me two or three months ago if there would be a second series I would have said no, it's dead in the water. But im not to sure now. Wallace also says if the show gets commissioned for a second season that she is interested however its not something shes hanging out for."[11] The network has made no comments or statements about a second season since the shows airing in August 2016 over a year ago.

On 5 April 2018 It was revealed by a Bravo spokesperson that there is no immediate plans to do a second season, however it is something they would love to do. Cast member Anne-Batley Burton also revealed that she asked somebody that was involved with production, and basically said it's a very expensive show to produce in New Zealand and that they haven't had enough support from the advertising market.[12]

Taglines

• Angela: “My name may be Stone, but everything I touch turns to gold.”[13]
• Anne: “I'm like a fine champagne, I bubble, I fizz, and I'm the life of the party.”
• Gilda: “I never start a fight I can't win.”
• Julia: “If people are talking behind your back, then you're the one in front.”
• Louise: “I made my money the old fashioned way, I inherited it.”
• Michelle: “I used to strut my stuff on the catwalk, now I'm a model housewife.”

Controversy

During the first season's episode 6, titled "Healing Hands" which aired on 20 September 2016, cast member Julia Sloane made a racial slur against fellow cast member Michelle Blanchard, referring to her as "boat nigger".[14] During the broadcast of the episode, the network had cancelled all advertising.[15][16] Before the episode aired, the network released a statement on the issue saying, "We have taken this matter very seriously. Bravo has given much consideration to ensuring the events are accurately represented, in order that the context of the remark and subsequent events can be fully understood. While the nature of Bravo programming is unscripted, it is a deeply regrettable incident which we are endeavoring to deal with in a responsible manner".[14][14][17][18] Sloane has also made a statement admitting that there was "no excuse for using offensive word" and that she has apologized to Blanchard.[19] In October 2016, it was reported that ratings for the first season continued its decline following the controversy.[20][21]

Since the racial slur was made and broadcast, Sloane's husband Michael Lorimer has claimed the remark was taken out of context to make his wife look bad and said that the couple also had taken legal action to contact Bravo to have the episode amended.[14][17][22] The couple also has hired Deborah Pead, "one of the public relations industry's heaviest hitters".[23]

On 26 September 2016, Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy was contacted by The New Zealand Herald and commented, "I do not think that overt racist behaviour is a part of kiwi culture so we all need to call it out when it rears its very ugly head, People like Julia need to understand that using words like that is not how we roll here. That is not us."[24][25] Since Devoy's remarks, the couple has contacted their lawyers who have claimed Devoy as a bully, however Devoy has since denied those claims.[26]

During the season in episode 8, titled "You Drive Me Crazy" which aired on 4 October 2016, it was revealed that Kirk Hope, chief executive of Business New Zealand, had allegedly left Angela Stone on 12 occasions.[27] Mr Hope was criticised for telling Angela that he wanted to spend more time with "his mates".[28]

Episodes

Episodes of The Real Housewives of Auckland

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Original air date	Total NZ viewers
1	1	"Model Behaviour"	22 August 2016 (2016-08-22)[29]	632,600[30]
Things don't got to plan at a fashion show when Angela manages to upset the table. During lunch at an exclusive Auckland restaurant, for Julia's birthday, Angela is put in her place.
2	2	"Loose Lips"	August 2016 (2016-08)[31]	632,600[30]
After feeling like she got off on the wrong foot with the ladies, Michelle invites them to dinner where Julia reveals some gossip about Gilda.
3	3	"Pussy Galore"	30 August 2016 (2016-08-30)[32]	N/A
Anne hosts a fabulous "pussy galore" event, where the housewives attend dressed like cats. Louise attempts to reconcile with Gilda by apologizing, but the other ladies just can't seem to leave the drama behind.
4	4	"Tickle Me Pink"	6 September 2016 (2016-09-06)	N/A
Michelle meets Angela to work out their problems after Anne's "pussy galore." Whether they reconcile or not remains to be seen. Anne has bird issues with a seagull.
5	5	"Tropic Thunder"	13 September 2016 (2016-09-13)	599,000[20]
Louise has invited the girls on a holiday to Port Douglas. The girls are having fun and forming friendships. But on a boat trip they enter stormy waters when one drops a comment that will change everything.
6	6	"Healing Hands"	20 September 2016 (2016-09-20)	824,000[20]
Tensions are running high following the boat trip and the ladies attempt to navigate the fallout. With Michelle and Julia still not talking to each other, the rest of the group try to resume the holiday.
7	7	"Hit Me With Your Best Shot"	27 September 2016 (2016-09-27)	N/A
The housewives are regrouping in Auckland after the Port Douglas fallout. In an attempt to lighten the mood, Michelle takes Anne to a hip hop class. Angela has a special photo shoot and Julia invites the others to another kind of shoot.
8	8	"You Drive Me Crazy"	4 October 2016 (2016-10-04)	N/A
The wives get behind the wheel for some competitive car racing. Gilda and Anne get a surprise at an art class, while Angela opens up to Louise.
9	9	"Launch Off"	11 October 2016 (2016-10-11)	784,000[20]
Tensions arise between Gilda and Angela over the two launching their books, resulting in the two facing off again.
10	10	"Surprise!"	18 October 2016 (2016-10-18)	616,000[20]
Gilda invites all the ladies to a surprise birthday party for Michelle.

Broadcast

In Australia, the series premiered on 28 August 2016, on Arena, the same network that initiated The Real Housewives franchise by Matchbox Pictures.[33][34][35] In the United Kingdom, the series premiered on 28 March 2017, on Lifetime.[36] The show premiered in the United States on 22 July 2017 on the American Bravo network.

Reception

The Real Housewives of Auckland premiered with two episodes that aired to a combined total of 632,600 viewers. A spokesperson for the network praised the ratings also revealing that the episodes were number one in the 25-54-year-old female demographic as well as commanding a 19 percent share of female TV viewers.[30] The first half of the first season averaged a total of 339,000 viewers, with episode five airing to a 599,000 viewers. Episode six saw an increase in viewers, rising to a total off 824,000 viewers. Following the controversy in episode six viewership declined with episode nine being to lowest rated episode in the season, airing to 784,000 viewers. Following the decrease in viewership in episode nine; episode ten, that served as the finale for the series, rose to 616,000 total viewers. Despite the slight decline in rating, general manager for the network, Maria Mahoney, has claimed that the ratings have been a success for the network and aided in a 50 per cent increase in peak viewing.[20][21]

References

1. Simich, Ricardo (24 January 2016). "Real Housewives of Auckland: Reality show woos the blonde and beautiful". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
2. "Real Housewives of Auckland is happening – meet the first one". Stuff.co.nz. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
3. "Watch: The Real Housewives of Auckland revealed". The New Zealand Herald. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
4. "The Real Housewives of Auckland clashes with New Zealand Fashion Week". Stuff. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
5. "The Real Housewives of Auckland premieres on 22nd August Thursday, 11 August 2016, 12:18 pm Press Release: Bravo New Zealand". Scoop. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
6. Black, Eleanor. "Real Housewives of Auckland: 'Explosive!'". Stuff. Stuff. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
7. "The Real Housewives – what happened after the show". Spy. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
8. "Producers would 'love' to bring The Real Housewives of Auckland back for season 2". Stuff. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
9. "Revealed: Contract signed by Real Housewives". New Zealand Herald. 23 October 2016. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
10. "No second run for RHOAKL?". Stuff. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
11. "Louise Wallace on playing for laughs and resurrecting Real Housewives of Auckland". Stuff. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
12. "No plans to make season two of the Real Housewives of Auckland". Stuff. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
13. "#RHOAKL The Official Housewife Taglines". Facebook. Bravo. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
14. Hunt, Elle (19 September 2016). "'It's an old boating term': New Zealand reality TV star admits racial slur". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
15. Shaw, Aimee (26 September 2016). "Advertising pulled after Real Housewives of Auckland controversy". NZ Healrd. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
16. McKee, Hannah (18 September 2016). "Real Housewives of Auckland racial slur affects advertisers". Stuff. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
17. Meng-Yee, Carolyne (19 September 2016). "The Real Housewives of Auckland's racial slur stoush". NZ Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
18. "Episode Six of Real Housewives of Auckland deals with an incident where a cast member makes an offensive comment to another cast member". Facebook. Bravo New Zealand. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
19. Black, Elenore (19 September 2016). "Real Housewives of Auckland: PR and lawyers involved". Stuff. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
20. "Real Housewives' controversy backfires". Spy. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
21. "Real Housewives of Auckland racial controversy saw viewers tune out". NZ Herald. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
22. Meng-Yee, Carolyne. "Real Housewives of Auckland: Star's husband consults with lawyers in racial stoush fallout". NZ Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
23. "Real Housewives of Auckland's Michelle says 'it's better to face uncomfortable issues'". Stuff. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
24. "Real Housewives of Auckland star Julia Sloane claims she was 'defamed' and 'bullied' by Dame Susan Devoy". NZ Herald. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
25. "Real Housewives racial slur not OK, says Devoy". Otago Daily Times. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
26. "Human Rights Commission deny Real Housewife's 'bully' claim". Stuff. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
27. "Housewives: Angela is 'human'". Stuff. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
28. "Housewives: Angela is 'human'". Stuff. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
29. "The Real Housewives of Auckland premieres on 22nd August Thursday, 11 August 2016, 12:18 pm Press Release: Bravo New Zealand". Scoop. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
30. "Real Housewives of Auckland a 'solid' start for Bravo?". Stuff. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
31. "The Real Housewives of Auckland premieres on 22nd August Thursday, 11 August 2016, 12:18 pm Press Release: Bravo New Zealand". Scoop. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
32. "The Real Housewives of Auckland premieres on 22nd August Thursday, 11 August 2016, 12:18 pm Press Release: Bravo New Zealand". Scoop. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
33. Knox, David (5 July 2016). "Airdate: The Real Housewives of Auckland". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
34. "The Real Housewives of Auckland". Arena TV. Arena. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
35. "Hot Off The Press! The Real Housewives of Auckland Coming to Arena August 28". Arena TV. Arena. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
36. "The Real Housewives of Auckland". 25 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.

External links

• The Real Housewives of Auckland on IMDb