Bravo To Exploit Russell's Suicide For Ratings
Bravo has decided to keep the season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and just to get more mileage out of the Russell Armstrong suicide has decided to air a special dealing solely with his death.
The special features all the wives except Taylor and they are sitting around as they would during a reunion show and they discuss Russell and his death. I am sure there will be some PSA's about suicide prevention, or at least I hope there will be, but lets face it, the show is to try and get ratings and make some money from ads from what will be a big ratings show. Translate it however you want, but Bravo wants to make money off Russell's death directly by talking about it.
The show is either going to air, immediately before or after the premiere episode which originally featured Taylor shopping for lingerie to spice up her marriage which I think is not true because I think they had already split or knew they were going to.
What are they going to do with Taylor all season??
ReplyDeleteThey "story" with Russell (their divorce) was in the can.
I feel bad for his kids.
I think Bravo is screwed if they do and screwed if they don't.
ReplyDeleteThis morning's NY Post made some disparaging comments about Russell in its reporting of this special episode.
Gross. I don't watch this show, and this just ensures that I'm never going to start.
ReplyDeleteSo what, Ent? Aren't you kind of profiting from his death too? I mean, how many hits from Google do you get with a title like that?
ReplyDeleteI have never watched and never will
ReplyDeleteWatched before for the Grammer stuff but, this is just for ratings. They will use his death all season for help with the ratings. Won't watch.
ReplyDeleteIt would be weird and "elephant-in-the-roomish" if they didn't address his suicide. So yeah, its impossible for Bravo to do the right thing (in this case).
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ReplyDeleteI was about to say that there must be a way they could mention the death on the show in good tast but -- *snort* -- please. That is so not their brand.
ReplyDeleteI agree with califblondy and M. No matter what they do, Enty will say it's exploitation. Sorry, Ent, you always jump to the worst to get a good post title. I think ignoring it and just sweeping it under the rug like nothing happened is irresponsible. Not addressing it would be a huge disservice for suicide prevention in general. Think about something besides the worst for once.
ReplyDeleteWhy would they not??? Russell was a paid and willing participant on the show. Period. He is the one who decided to commit suicide. While it is certainly tragic and heartbreaking for his family-it is REAL LIFE!!! It REALLY happened!!! This is REALITY TV at its very highest level, is it not???
ReplyDeleteWhy is everyone so shocked that Bravo would air this??? And who does his family think they really are to say they can't use footage on one of their paid participants???
As long as they don't air the actual death scene, I think it is completely appropriate for them to address the subject, as it personally effects every single person on that show!
Oh...and by the way...if Russell had passed away from a heart attack, would everyone be thinking it would be wrong to include that in the storyline? What if it were one of the other husbands or family members? What if it was one of the stars?
ReplyDeleteThese people signed up for reality television and people tune in to watch reality television. While it is surely extremely scripted-this is about as real as you are going to go get!
Just my opinion.
Yeah, if they are going to go ahead with the season they kind of have to mention him...
ReplyDeleteIt IS like the elephant in the room, they should address it and hopefully in a tasteful manner considering the cause of death.
ReplyDeleteOk, but as much as I like the promo photo of the ladies, (cannot forget Giggy though), the only ones who look normal from the first season are Kim and Camille, what have these ladies done to their faces.....Stop with the surgeries and botox..please!
Absolutely tasteless.
ReplyDeleteThe right thing to do is to cancel the stupid show and not give these bimbos a forum to crap on a dead man's memory with their crocodile tears and inane ramblings. (Is one able to actually cry with that much plastic surgery?) Good lord, Bravo, show some respect instead of trying to profit from and pimp out someone's tragedy.
Greedy, greedy, greedy. No amount of sanctimony and bland "public service" announcements (hey kids, don't commit suicide) can cover it up.
ReplyDelete1. There is no 'tasteful' presentation of a person's actual, real suicide, not even the aftermath.
2. "Reality" TV is not real, it's entertainment. Everyone knows this unless they're stupid or dishonest. Live your own life if you want reality. Turning a tragic suicide into entertainment is not 'tasteful.'
3. Gossipping about a dead guy who you mercilessly slimed for a year and were preparing to slime again for another year is not 'tasteful.'
Look, have at if you disagree. But admit, at least to yourself, that you agree that corporate profits should trump individual privacy and good taste. And then be consistent in your application of this rule!
boycott!
ReplyDeleteRespect boundaries? Privacy? For whom? A man that gladly cashed the checks given him by Bravo to appear in this show? I do feel that it is beyond hypocritical to pretend that anyone is on a HouseWives show by accident or by fraud. They know what it is, what will be shown and still they sign on. For Russells family to point a finger at Bravo (or its audience) is ridiculous. If anyone is to be blamed it is the man himself who fucked over how many investors?
ReplyDeleteHis family doesn't want any footage aired! That's why they shouldn't do it! I don't care what he signed, the man is dead. If the family is requesting them not show the footage (we all know it'll be bad), I think they should honor that request.
ReplyDeleteThe special is...whatever. As long as they do a PSA I GUESS. I just think showing footage of lingerie shopping is EXTREMELY tacky.
I wouldn't miss reading about Russell if he were not on here and I certainly wouldn't log on or view anything to hear about him.
ReplyDeleteI think enought has been said already.
But, I am not into any of the reality shows so I suppose it might be different if I watched the shows.
Just trying to see I don't think his name is an automatic moneymaker now. Maybe to some but I hope not many.
Amartel: "mercilessly slimed"? How so? He signed up for a TV SHOW. He wasn't dragged to prison. You people are being pretty dramatic. I guarantee they won't show him or his suicide in nearly as bad a light as is the truth (multiple accusations of physical abuse toward his ex and his estranged wife, multiple financial issues). The show must go on. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve respect, but all of a sudden making it seem so "distasteful" that they're even mentioning it is melodramatic.
ReplyDeletegee, i know i haven't been around in a while, but since when does enty make money off the blog? i mean, since you brought it up and all...
ReplyDeleteI'll watch the train wreck.
ReplyDelete@Bionic Bunny
ReplyDeleteHow does he make money besides asking you all for "donations"? The blog ads.
Bravo going to use some footage whether his family likes it or not. They have dealt with death before on the show. RHOA Kandi fiancé who was killed outside a club but this is a totally different situation.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll feel uncomfortable watching it so I probably won't. I don't know how Taylors storyline is going to be addressed without his family thinking it's disrespectful. Damn I was looking forward to this season too.
Rawsterdam said...
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who doesn't buy the suicide, but think it's some erotic asphyxiation gone bad? He had a reputation for kinky sex.
@Rawsterdam: Yes. Yes, I believe you are. All published reports (that I have seen) have indicated that he was fully clothed at the time of death. It's not as if you can get up there, cut off/restrict your air supply via a makeshift ligature, and then undress and get down to gettin' busy.