The Bravo Thread

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

Honestly, I doubt it's anywhere close to that; reality TV stars are paid a lot less than you'd think. The cast of RHONY were each paid only $8000 for the entire first season, and I would guess Zoila earns less than that. She doesn't have much to bargain with--whereas Bravo risks losing viewers if a popular housewife walks, a maid could be replaced relatively seamlessly. Nor can she supplement her income substantially with appearances or book deals, as the housewives do. I think it's actually plausible that she's still a maid.

That was per episode, not the entire season! I believe I read that the going rate now is $30,000 per episode, which puts them on a par with actors on scripted network shows. So it's no wonder these shows are re-broadcast 20 times per week- that's a big investment to recoup. I suspect Zoila has to get at least in the low five-figures per episode. After all, she is a featured "character" and is in the opening credits. I do wonder whether the husbands and kids get paid, e.g., Simon, Albie, Donn, Slade, etc.

Okay... so what do you think about Million Dollar Design? I think it's painful to watch. Not only because it haunts me with memories about my own (ongoing) construction nightmare. It's just that interior design is just inherently not interesting enough to make into a reality series. I kid you not... there was actually this "tense" scene where one designer and his partner (professionally and personally) are fighting because one wants to put a floor lamp next to the couch, and the other wants to put an end table with a table lamp. It even featured that "fight music" soundtrack in the background. Really? You would think they were fighting over custody of the kids or something.