Jill Zarin

Jill Zarin is no longer a Real Housewife of New York City. She sounds okay about this development, but her mood may change after reading the following rumor:

Sources tell Us Weekly that Ramona Singer played a significant role in ousting her rival from the series, actually going to Bravo "with a few pals she thought would make good additions."

The network proceeded to heed this advice - reportedly hiring Heather Thomson, Carole Radziwill and Aviva Drescher in place of Zarin, Alex McCord and Kelly Bensimon - meaning Singer "basically ran [Zarin] off the show," the insider says.

Ramona doesn't really deny talking to producers. She told the tabloid:

"We can recommend people to come to the show, but it's not my decision."

Like Alex McCord and Cindy Barshop, Jill Zarin is no longer a Real Housewife of New York City.

Also like Alex McCord and Cindy Barshop, though, Zarin doesn't sound bitter about her firing.

"I've had four amazing years on The Real Housewives of New York City," Zarin wrote on her website "I'm grateful for the experiences and friendships I've made on the show. I've certainly learned a lot about myself and others. The show has decided to take a different direction and unfortunately I will not be a part of Season five."

Like the aforementioned narcissists, Jill also plugged a product and an alleged new show in her statement:

"For all the people who have supported me and wished me well, you can see me on a new show that will be announced soon. I will also be making personal appearances around the country promoting my new line of shapewear and leggings called SKWEEZ COUTUR."

[Photo: WENN.com]

Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon and Cindy Barshop have all been let go from The Real Housewives of New York City cast, according to a Bravo source.

Rumors about the casting change began last week amid reports that Zarin, McCord and Bensimon were fired from the show. At the time, their reps denied it.

Looks like there was obviously some truth to it, sadly.

"Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and LuAnn De Lesseps will be returning for Season 5 of The Real Housewives of New York City," a network spokesperson said.

"We've had a fabulous run with all the ladies and appreciate them sharing their lives with our viewers. It is a friendly departure among the other ladies."

"We continue to have on-going discussions with them."

Whatever the hell that means. McCord told People:

Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon and Alex McCord will not be returning to the Real Housewives of New York City for its fifth season, according to a new report.

The Huffington Post story, citing sources inside Bravo, claims the trio has been pink-slipped and they were given the news on Thursday. But is it true?

Bravo has not officially commented. A rep for Zarin said, "Jill is still in discussions with Bravo for season 5 and no final decisions have been made."

Just recently, Zarin implied she would be back, so it's unclear what to believe. Bensimon's rep said no immediate casting decisions have been made.

McCord Tweeted, "Speaking for myself only, there is no decision yet whether I'm in or out of #RHONY. Nothing's finalized, though I'd like to do another year."

If those three were bounced, Ramona Singer and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps would be the only remaining original cast members on the reality show.

Sonja Morgan and Cindy Barshop joined later. What do you think? Would you like to see all or none of these NYC Housewives back next season?

Jill Zarin would like to clear up the rumor she started: this Real Housewife of New York City isn't going anywhere.

Soon after the most recent season of this entirely scripted series concluded, the self-centered star told People "I don't know if I can film with these girls." But, come on, folks, why would you interpret that as her leaving the franchise?!?

"Rumors that I am leaving the show are simply not true," Zarin tells Us Weekly. "Everything that has been reported is simply rumors, gossip and speculation. I personally have been busy with my shapewear line, Skweez Couture and am still very much part of the Bravo family."

Let the casting speculation begin!

Just days after The Real Housewives of New York City wrapped up another drama-filled season, earning a total of negative 14 points in the process from THG, Jill Zarin teased that she might not return to the Bravo franchise.

"The damage is done," Zarin told People. "I don't know if I can film with these girls."

Why might Zarin exit the series that made her famous? She cites the feud viewers witnessed during the reunion, where Ramona Singer was "hitting below the belt," according to Jill.

It's part two of The Real Housewives of New York City reunion and for the last time this season, The Hollywood Gossip is ready to recap the insults, the backstabbing and the bickering in our +/- review. Here goes:

The never-ending bickering continued last night. We started off at a Minus 5 because these women couldn't seem to stop talking over one another.

After Part 1 of the reunion, Andy even mentioned that three people don't have to talk at once to get a point across. The ladies weren't listening.

Ramona tried to explain that the reason she didn't want to be in Luann's music video was because it was so public it would embarrass Avery. I didn't begrudge Ramona the decision not to be in the video but that explanation seemed pretty lame when she's on a reality show. Minus 3. The entire season was public fodder and embarrassing Avery rarely seemed a huge concern.

It was hard to figure out if Alex jumped into every conversation or if everyone wanted to beat up on Alex. She was certainly asking for a smack down when she told the brunettes that associating with them was a liability to her social standing.

Overall I would have been happiest if someone could have made Alex shut up. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. Minus 5.

At least Luann admitted that she insults people. Plus 7. Although she said she does it in the nicest way possible. I'm not sure how nice Alex felt Luann was when she told her she had Herman Munster shoes.

The Real Housewives sat down to dish about the season and poor Andy was exhausted before it was over. Get ready to relive it with our +/- review!

The name calling didn't stop as the ladies rehashed our favorite fights. It seemed to be blondes versus brunettes ... and Alex against everyone.

In fact, Alex seemed to try and insert herself into everyone else's drama, even when it had nothing to do with her. I know all of these woman are in it for the attention but Minus 7 to Alex for being so obvious about it.

Sonja blamed someone else for the Marriage Equality debacle. Of course Bravo didn't air the person's name but some anonymous person wouldn't let Simon speak, not Sonja. And Alex was looking to make nice and brush it all under the rug. 

Plus 5 to Kelly for calling them on their bullshit and revisionist history. Speaking of Kelly, Cosmopolitan just rated her one of their nicest celebrities and she seemed to believe her own press. Minus 3 because that's always dangerous.

Viewer question: Why did Kelly call Alex weird? Well, all of these women are weird and Alex does always turn red when she speaks. Yeah. It's a little weird. Plus 2.

We had a look back at Kelly dissing Sonja's house, cleanliness, and finances. Are those the type of comments that get you on Cosmo's nice list? Minus 5.

As Season Four of The Real Housewives of New York City draws to a close with one last party, let's recap it all in THG's +/- review ...

The best thing about the Housewives season finale is knowing that I won't have to listen to Luann try and sing for several months. Plus 10.

Her inability to carry a tune is only highlighted when she attempts to sing a duet with Natalie Cole. No, money certainly can't buy you class ... or a voice.

Luann thinks she's a singer. Alex thinks she's a model. At this rate Ramona should try out for the WNBA.

Why can't Simon ever leave his wife alone? If the magazine photo shoot is a real, paying job then Simon needs to go home and let her work. Talk about being clingy. And then he let's everyone know Alex made US Weekly's worst dressed list. Gee, thanks honey. Minus 7.

Cindy really was incredibly rude to Sonja last week but do we have to keep hearing about it. Cindy is boring. Rehashing the same fight doesn't make her any less so. Minus 5.

Was there a contest this week between The Real Housewives of New York City to see who could be the biggest b!tch? Watching it, you'd think so!

Let's run down all the sniping, back stabbing, and name calling in THG's +/- review:

Luann was pitching her latest music video. As if the last one wasn't bad enough. She wanted the video to exude class and elegance, but it came off as amateurish silliness. Minus 10 for subjecting me to another song from the Countess.

Luann wanted all of the Housewives to appear in her video but not everyone wanted to play. Ramona and Luann had a sit down where Ramona says the video isn't the message she wants to send her daughter.

I could see both sides of this one. Ramona's generally not very concerned about Avery's reaction when she's wearing skimpy dresses or photographed while out partying.

At the same time Luann's last video had her sprawled on a bed cavorting with several scantily clad men. I'm with Ramona on this one. Plus 15 for taking a pass.

Of course Ramona couldn't do it without insulting Luann's parenting abilities. OK, she didn't come right out and say Luann's an absentee mother but Luann couldn't miss the insinuation. Ramona could have handled that better so Minus 5.