Bethenny Getting Married?: Premiere Episode Scores Bravo Its Highest Debut Episode Ratings Yet

Bravo's new reality TV show "Bethenny Getting Married?" has scored the network two million views, its highest ratings yet according to Fox News . I can't say that I'm surprised, I mean Bethenny Frankel (of Real Housewives of New York City) has become America's favorite sharp tongued mogul over the last three years. She is currently working on a new book, has launched her Skinny Girl brand, starred in and left one hit Bravo reality series to start a brand new one, has gotten pregnant, engaged, and married; all in a few short years, and all without sugar coating a single moment of it. Frankel's new reality show "Bethenny Getting Married?" allows fans to avoid petty Housewives style drama and instead come along for the ride on Frankel's many and varied home/family and business ventures.

Bethenny Getting Married?: Bravo's New Hit Reality TV Show (Premier Episode Recap)

In the very first episode of the new Bravo reality show series, Bethenny hires a personal assistant, gets stuck hosting a housewarming party alone, buys a wedding band, and goes to therapy.

Bethenny Frankel Hires a New Assistant:

A six and a half months pregnant Frankel has a new book due in one month, a wedding to plan, and a Skinny Girl brand to continue building; so at the start of the premier episode we find Frankel on the hunt for a personal assistant. Frankel ends up with two prospective candidates, one whom she dubs Napoleon Dynamite and a 24 year old, good looking former football player who is ultimately chosen for the job. There are so many great moments and Frankel one-liners in the hiring of the personal assistant; watch for the humorous banter between Frankel and fiancé Jason and the interview with Napoleon Dynamite.

Bethenny Frankel Goes to Therapy:

Frankel decides to go to therapy to work through her lifelong issues with her now dead father, Bobby Frankel, and her relationship damaging commitment problems so that she can enter marriage and motherhood on strong footing.

There certainly aren't any amusing moments of note in this scene, but it is an endearing look at who Frankel is and why.
In some ways I think that the key to enjoying life is learning how to go from a tear-filled moment like this straight into a hilarious moment like the housewarming party; and this is what Frankel does best, she adjusts to the moment and lets us join her.

Bethenny Frankel Hosts Housewarming Party Alone:

Following the hiring of the personal assistant, Jason reminds Frankel that he will be out of town the following day (the day of the housewarming party). Frankel isn't happy but proceeds with the party tending and cooking, thinking he'll arrive in time for the event. When Jason calls Frankel minutes before the guests arrive to let her know that he won't be able to make it, she promptly gives him what for, and then entertains the house guests with typical Frankel wit and sarcasm. What makes this scene so wonderfully tense and funny is the fact that most of the guests are Jason's good friends (people that Bethenny doesn't really know) and she's left alone basically trying to throw a party she didn't want, for people she doesn't really know. You will probably however, recognize two of the guests in attendance: Alex and Simon, of the Real Housewives of New York City; I was glad to see the two familiar faces there, I always liked them and it made the transition from Housewives to the new show seem more natural.

Bethenny Getting Married?: Bravo's New Hit Reality TV Show (Premier Episode Thoughts and Reaction)

All in all, I think Bravo's reality show "Bethenny Getting Married?" marked a smooth transition for Frankel from the Real Housewives of New York City, and it was so refreshing to be rid of all that petty Housewives drama for an hour and just watch someone who is fun to watch.
All the best to you Bethenny, can't wait for the second episode!

Related Sites:
Bravo
Bethenny Getting Married?
Bethenny.com

Sources:
Ratings information obtained from Fox News Article, "Ratings: Bethenny Getting Married? the most Watched Series Debut in Bravo History" posted June 11, 2010.