The idea of a “Real Housewives” prison spinoff is off the table—at least for now according to Andy Cohen. After Karen Huger, known as the “Grand Dame” of The Real Housewives of Potomac, was arrested in March 2024, TV writer and producer Gary Janetti jokingly proposed the idea of a show featuring “Housewives” stars who are behind bars. The concept, which he shared on Instagram, humorously suggested, “Can’t they put all the Housewives serving time in the same prison and just do a show from there?”
Andy Cohen, host of Watch What Happens Live and the mastermind behind The Real Housewives franchise, quickly responded with a witty retort. “Too soon, Gary,” Cohen commented, to which Janetti, ever the provocateur, replied, “something to think about…”
The humorous post caught the attention of several former Housewives and Bravo fans, sparking a series of jokes and name suggestions. Lisa Rinna, known for her sharp wit on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, simply commented “GARY,” while Kathy Wakile of The Real Housewives of New Jersey responded with a shocked “Omg ?.”
Huger’s arrest added to a growing list of Housewives with run-ins with the law. According to reports, she was arrested after crashing her Maserati, which led to authorities discovering that she was intoxicated. But Huger isn’t the first Real Housewife to end up behind bars.
Jen Shah, a former star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, is currently serving a six-and-a-half-year sentence at Bryan Federal Prison Camp in Texas. She pleaded guilty in 2022 to a telemarketing fraud scheme. Shah’s sentence has been reduced three times, with her current release scheduled for November 2026.
Teresa Giudice of The Real Housewives of New Jersey also spent time in prison for fraud. In 2014, she pled guilty to charges including mail, wire, and bank fraud and was sentenced to 11 months in prison. She was released in 2015.
Luann de Lesseps of The Real Housewives of New York City faced a legal issue of her own. In 2017, she was arrested in Florida for disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest, and battery. However, she avoided more jail time by reaching a plea deal, which included treatment at a rehab facility.
There are also other Housewives with notable DUI arrests, including Shannon Beador, who was arrested for DUI in 2023, and Sonja Morgan, who was caught driving under the influence in 2010. Gina Kirschenheiter was similarly arrested for DUI in 2019.
While Cohen dismissed the idea of a “Real Housewives of Jail” spinoff, one thing is for sure: the legal troubles of these Bravolebrities continue to provide plenty of material for fans to talk about. Whether it’s a joke or a serious suggestion, the world of The Real Housewives has certainly had its fair share of wild moments, both on and off screen.
