RHODubai: Andy Cohen Shares His View On Fans Adverse Reaction to New Franchise
By Favour Adegoke on November 14, 2021 at 1:15 PM EST
Seems like Andy Cohen has some explaining to do, as Bravo fans are furious. Is this anger justified, or are they tripping? Find out.
Bravo is ready to premiere a new spin-off to its already burgeoning Real Housewives franchise. Currently, its collection consists of multiple reality shows across different locations.
With expansion always on the mind of the studio execs, it is not surprising that they set their sights on conquering Dubai this time around. The wealthy trading hub of the Gulf has affluent families, which will be the perfect choice for the reality show.
Recently, the network revealed their plans to launch a new installment in the Middle East tagged "The Real Housewives of Dubai." The announcement led to an unexpected backlash from die-hard fans who felt that it was a terrible idea.
After a while of silence, executive producer Cohen has shared his opinion on fans' views. Get more details about the controversy below.
Andy Cohen Reacts To 'RHODubai' Drama
After Bravo made the announcement, fans launched a tirade expressing their disdain for the decision. The consensus was that the proposed location was complicit in human atrocities, making it not ideal for the franchise.
The network gave no response to the backlash until recently. In SiriusXM show, Andy Cohen Live, the executive producer, glossed over the issue when a fan inquired about "RHODubai." The fan, who called in, sought Cohens's view on the network's proposed plan and why they were still moving on with the show despite the backlash.
In response, Cohen expressed that the proposed show would be an exciting and great addition to the franchise. He also disclosed that the show plans to cast an incredible group of people, and fans can expect to get the usual razzmatazz peculiar to the franchise.
The "Watch What Happens Live" host then hinted at a possible political experience for viewers alongside the entertainment thrill. The call concluded with Cohen telling the caller that he believes the show could "impact some change."
Fans Reaction To The Announcement
When a network releases a new statement about a show, one can expect varied reactions on all sides. However, for "RHODubai," fans' reception of its news was mainly a thumbs down.
"I will not be watching this and find this incredibly irresponsible of Universal television. Dubai is home to slavery in addition to other human rights atrocities. I don't care how 'glamorous' it is, we have a responsibility not to support that city and country," wrote one Redditor.
"Dubai is run by slave labor. It's criminal to be gay in Dubai, it is a death penalty criminal, and women are subjugated by the State. This is a terrible idea," added another.
Regardless of fans' reactions, the network is moving on with the production schedule as planned. The series will premiere in 2022, but the reality television network is yet to disclose the official release date.
Andy Cohen Is Enthusiastic About The New Spinoff Dubai
While appearing on the Today show, Cohen spoke excitedly about the upcoming show, asking viewers to get ready.
"Get your passports! Our 11th city, we're going to the billionaires' playground, the city of gold, the desert oasis — The Real Housewives of Dubai," he said on the show.
The radio host expressed that the new show would "blood the lid off of the entire franchise" and why he thinks basing it in Dubai is beneficial. In addition, he informed the public that the network was working around the clock to ensure the new show airs.
The upcoming series is the first international city reality show produced by Bravo. The network also owns 11 other installments inside the United States. Other Real Housewives shows airing outside the U.S are under several networks that bought the rights from Bravo and produced their versions of the show.
Who Is In The Cast Of 'The Real Housewives Of Dubai?'
Like the previous installments, the show will center on the lives of a bevy of affluent women living in Dubai. Fans should see how the reality stars navigate their careers, relationships, friendships, and ultra-luxurious lifestyles.
All this will backdrop on a rich collection of buildings and structures of various architectural styles. With the stage almost set for the show, all that remains is info about the cast members.
Sadly, fans would have to wait on this as Bravo did not give any details about the cast in their announcement. Already, various sources have touted different speculations about the six real housewives to be chosen.
One name mentioned is Bravo fan-favorite and Former Ladies of London Alum, Caroline Stanbury. The star moved to Dubai in 2016 and might be interested in returning to reality television. Who knows!