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The ‘Real Housewives of New York City’ Weigh In on the ‘Real Armpits’ of New Jersey

We’ve obviously been desperately awaiting the new reality series The Real Housewives of New Jersey (we’ve even French-manicured our toes in their honor). But we couldn’t help but wonder if the Real Housewives of New York City were feeling like, well, a bunch of ousted ex-wives. Nothing says “hoochie new stepmother” like a spinoff series about the Jerz, after all. But there are no hard feelings, according to the New York cast. At a party for Tumi’s Alpha Collection and exhibition of Matthew Modine photography in support of his “Bicycle for a Day” initiative, natural-foods chef Bethenny Frankel told us she believes that the New Jersey–based show will be “phenomenal.”

There are going to be big hair, big mansions,” she said. “You’ll see the big long nails and big Mercedes driving into the city to go out.”

She told us that the third incarnation of Bravo’s hit reality show will be just as different as hers was from the original series, The Real Housewives of Orange County.

It will be totally different — like the East Coast and West Coast housewives,” Frankel said. “With the West Coast, it was apples and oranges.”

Frankel’s publicist interrupted: “Isn’t New Jersey the armpit of America?”

Yes, it will be like apples and armpits!” Frankel laughed.

Meanwhile, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps claimed never to have been, you know, over there. “I have no idea what New Jersey is like. I have never been to New Jersey,” she said. “It’s like another country.”

And, then, just to make us salivate for the bitchery of next season, she went on. “I think Bethenny is from New Jersey, actually,” she sniped. “In fact, I know she is from New Jersey.” —Shira Levine

The ‘Real Housewives of New York City’ Weigh In on the ‘Real Armpits’ of New Jersey