PODCAST: ‘Real Housewives of Durban’ needs a reality check

For Real Housewives fans, who have been watching the latest instalments of Real Housewives of Durban and Potomac have noticed the glaring discrepancies in the script. 

It’s an open secret in reality TV, some parts of the cast’s storylines are scripted, and there as very few reality shows that are 100% based on real stories.  

There is an element of orchestration, as seen in Sane Bhengu’s introduction to the Real Housewives of Durban. 

She appeared out of nowhere, with no storyline, she is not a housewife nor did she appear to be friends with any of the cast. 

Her appearances since then have caused much chatter amongst viewers with many not happy with her recurring role and the clear lies she tells to keep her sit at the table. 

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As the Real Housewives has elements of fabrication, lately they have been blatant. Producers are deemed villains amongst some fans as they usually do the dirty work behind the scenes for the eventual drama on screen. 

The Hills and Laguna Beach reality shows were very popular between 2005 to 2007. It followed the lives of a batch of middle-class to rich white high school kids in California. 

Cast members have revealed years later the alleged shocking lengths producers would go to to make up a juicy storyline. 

Last year, The Hills star Kristen Cavallari revealed a producer bribed her castmates to tell a false story that she had a drug problem on camera, and unfortunately, many of her castmates revealed unbelievable similar stories of the wrongdoings of the producers. 

Reality TV based on lies

Internationally in the real housewives franchise, the end of the Potomac season seven, left a bitter taste in my mouth because the whole season was based on lies that many of the women made. 

The most notable was Candiace Dillard Bassett’s husband Chris Bassett, being accused by Gizelle Bryant of sexual assault. 

Just a bit of background information about these two women, Gizelle is an OG, appearing on Potomac since season one and is considered shady, mean, and only loyal to herself and her best friend Robyn who also appears on the show. 

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Candiace is a singer and dancer with a growing career, however, she has been criticised for her unfiltered words, also being shady and mean which has become an unnecessarily necessary to be a housewife. 

Back to the issue at hand. 

The language Gizelle used to accuse Chris of assault was deemed problematic, she said she felt “uncomfortable” after the conversation they had at end of the season six reunion. 

She further insinuated that Chris, a married man wanted to sleep with her. 

Giselle made this incident, which happened nearly six’s months prior to the shooting of season seven, her storyline.  

This not only angered Candiace because her husband was being accused of sexual assault but the other women joined in, to make it appear Chris was up to no good with the other housewives. 

Candiace and Chris stood up for each other, as producers this time didnt play along with the false allegations made by some of the women. Throughout the show, footage of what occurred was caught on camera and replayed for viewers to make their own judgments. 

I could do a whole essay and deep dive into this incident, however, it’s important to note in the Real Housewives of Durban many behind-the-scenes incidents are rarely shown. 

The women also rarely slam producers or the editing of the show as their international counterparts do. This may have ramifications because viewers are not stupid, and they will simply boycott a franchise or the show entirely. 

So when random appearances are made, storylines not adding up, dodging editing and outbursts from nowhere, one can’t help but wonder, couldn’t this script be better executed?