It's three weeks into season 5 of Real Housewives of New York City, and while that may not be long enough to have formed solid opinions on the three new housewives, it is enough for a RHONYC gossip roundup.

Fall From Grace
RHONYC, which was once one of Bravo's most popular shows whose success sprung even more Real Housewives spin-offs, is suffering in the ratings department, according to The New York Daily News. Total viewership is down 21 percent and, more specifically, the key demographic 25-54 is down 22 percent.

According to a source at the Daily News, the reason for the plummeting audience is the three new housewives, who are barely distinguishing themselves from the crowd, let alone living up to their former counterparts.

"The best thing they could do is bring back Jill and Alex and pretend this season never happened," the source said, referring to Jill Zarin and Alex McCord, who were fired after last season along with Kelly Bensimon and Cindy Barshop.

What do you think? Would this season be better if Jill and Alex were still starring?

One Viewer More
There may not be as many people watching RHONYC as there used to be, but one viewer remains loyal. Former cast member Bethenny Frankel says she still keeps up with the new episodes.

"Do I still watch it? I don't watch it religiously but I'll sometimes catch up," Bethenny said as a response to an audience question on her daytime talk show, Bethenny. "It's not anything against them. I've been busy planning the talk show and kind of doing my own thing. It was a long time ago."

But Bethenny still attributes much of her success to Bravo and the Housewives; she has nothing but kind words for her former co-stars.

"As far as Jill and Kelly and Alex being fired, it happens all the time in Housewives," she said. "They keep recycling and they kind of let you know that if you're a Housewife, you can be replaced. And they just want to spice it up a little bit... I wish Jill the best. I wish Kelly the best."

You Just Got Ramona'd
Say what you will about slightly crazed Ramona Singer, but you have to give her credit for having a sense of humor about her whole Real Housewives experience. On Watch What Happens Live last night, Ramona got a chance to come head-to-head with her Internet sensation imitator, comedienne Amy Phillips. Watch comedy ensue here:



Gina Pusateri
Contributing Writer

(Image courtesy of Bravo)