Bravo fans love the reunions. It's their chance to catch up with the stars as they spill the tea and every juicy detail regarding the biggest moments from the season. When it comes to The Real Housewives Cinematic Universe, fans clamor to see who will get those coveted spots sat next to hostmaster Andy Cohen. The reunion is the place for stunts and shenanigans. So when a reality star is MIA, the reunion truly feels incomplete, sometimes unfulfilling. Those moments we're dying to hear about don't get fully addressed, or the said the party is not able to defend themselves. It can be a let down.
With the news surrounding Karen Huger's absence from The Real Housewives of Potomac Season 9 reunion, she joins a small but mighty list of full-time stars who ditched the reunion for one reason or another. Yes, Huger skipping hers has some merit behind it. There have been others who have had a rehab stint that conflicted. But all in all, there must be some sort of guardrail of consequences for missing that last contractual obligation of a season.
Some Housewives' Final Curtain Was Not Showing Up
As noted, whether The Real Housewives or Summer House, Vanderpump Rules or Southern Charm, the reunions are the culmination of a season. It's that eleven o'clock number before the curtain falls. Focusing mostly on The Real Housewives, the MIA train began all the way back with Jacqueline Laurita on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. At that time, the filming schedule was so rushed that Season 3 was still airing while Season 4 was in production. Needing to wrap up the season with the reunion, Jacqueline opted to ditch the reunion due to antics that occurred the night before as they were filming Season 4. With Teresa Giudice's actions surrounding "Strippergate," Jacqueline's refusal to film could not be discussed because it would have led to some massive spoilers. In his memoirs, Andy Cohen noted his displeasure, but there was nothing he could do. Because the story was underway, there were no consequences for Jacqueline.
The first time some real consequences were felt was when Adrienne Maloof completed her tenure on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills when she was a no-show for the Season 3 reunion. As Andy led off the night, "Adrienne Maloof's final act as a Housewife is not showing up tonight." With so much drama surrounding Brandi Glanville's unauthorized disclosure of Adrienne's surrogacy of her children. Cohen and Co. were furious at her refusal to show up, that it was curtains for Maloof. The irony of the moment was Lisa Vanderpump stated at the time that not showing up for a reunion should be grounds for dismissal. And lo and behold, when Lisa Vanderpump didn't come for the Season 9 reunion, it meant her departure as well. The fallout from her long-time friendship with Kyle Richards was enough for Lisa Vanderpump to say au revoir. Luckily for her, she will always have her namesake spin-off.
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Then there was Mary M. Cosby. The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star had been accused of racism and decided it was in her best interest to not attend. You know, having her feet held against the fire wasn't something she was interested. As one of the more eccentric characters to appear across any Housewives franchise, love her or hate her, there was something missing without Mary. While she did not return for Season 3, the show opted to bring her back in Friend Of capacity for Season 4 before welcoming her back with open arms for Season 5. So Mary did her time in "Housewives time out" before getting a chance to play with the ladies once again. And if Season 5 Mary is any indication of what's to come, we're glad the lady is back.
The Personal Reasons for Not Showing Up to a 'Real Housewives' Reunion Isn't Good Enough
Now, as discussed, there's now a precedent for abandoning contractual obligations and facing the consequences. But for some individuals, their absence may be slightly out of their hands. For Karen Huger, her decision not to appear for the Season 9 reunion is a bit of a double whammy. Not only has she decided to enter a "private recovery program," she is also on the heels of prison sentencing following her DUI conviction.
The Grand Dame is not alone in having major personal crises as a factor for their absence. For Kim Richards, she was a no show for the Season 2 taping of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, as she was dealing with her struggles with substance abuse. As Andy Cohen explained in his book, they were all looking out for her well-being, so they paid for her recovery in rehab. Kim Richards did return the following season. In a similar situation, Luann de Lesseps checked herself into a treatment center ahead of the Season 10 reunion. She was supported by Bravo and was allowed to return the following season.
And then there is the Jen Shah of it all. As one of the most infamous stars known for that infamous moment, Jen Shah was not in attendance for the season 3 reunion for The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City as she was awaiting sentencing for wire fraud. There was a back and forth about who exactly made the call for her not to be present, but because of her alleged inability to speak on her trials and tribulations, it appeared that the network was uninterested in having her there. In the end, it didn't matter, as Jen Shah is still enduring her prison sentence.
So What Happens to Karen Huger?
We're in a bit of a predicament when it comes to Karen Huger and her future on The Real Housewives of Potomac. Based on precedent, Karen Huger, simply based on her decision to get help, would support a return when she's ready. But the fact that she may be facing prison also says that she may not be able to return. At the end of the day, there needs to be consequences for Karen Huger. Should it be coming from the justice system and Bravo as well?
Karen Huger needs to take accountability for her actions. It's not happened on camera quite yet, and until that happens, it's likely her time on The Real Housewives of Potomac is on pause. There have been other Housewives who have had substance struggles and have been granted a second chance. Even Shannon Beador, who was also sentenced to a 9-month alcohol program, probation, and community service for a DUI hit-and-run, has taken accountability for her actions. Though no official casting has been given for Season 19 of The Real Housewives of Orange County, it's highly likely that Shannon Beador will be back. Her sentencing must come first, but for Karen to return, she too must publicaly acknowledge her actions. Perhaps she will sit down with Andy Cohen and tell all.
Now to the future. Let this be a lesson to all future Housewives: job security means showing up for the whole gig. The reunion is a major part of the Housewives experience. There must be consequences for not appearing. Those who did not appear through their own volition got what was coming to them. And that should be the official rule. I'd say let's see what happens next time, but do we really want a next time?
