Taylor Armstrong The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills kicked off season two with quite a predicament on its hands, but in true reality TV fashion, it got over it quickly.

Let's recap the absurdity of it all in THG's +/- review ...

Russell Armstrong, wife of Housewife Taylor, committed suicide earlier this summer amid controversy of abuse allegations, a divorce, and financial troubles.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Sneak Peek

There was talk of postponing the season. There was talk of a memorial special. Instead we got a five-minute opener of the cast talking about how sad, angry, or guilty they felt and then ... we moved on. 

So we start with Minus 25. I'm not saying they had to dwell on it but a man's death seemed to deserve more than five minutes. Maybe it's just me.

But, moving on… If Lisa asked her little dog if it had to go wee wee one more time I thought I might be ill. Minus 5. And what's with the big push to get her daughter married off. She's only 24 for goodness sake. Minus another 5.

To Jason's credit he did the cute, old fashioned thing and asked her dad for permission. Plus 3 for going traditional.

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Despite the suicide of Russell Armstrong, sources now say Bravo will air The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season two premiere as scheduled, on September 5.

A few days after Taylor Armstrong laid her husband to rest, she's reportedly been telling friends that his death "wasn't caused by the show or Bravo."

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 2 Trailer

"Russell just simply cracked over ongoing legal and financial issues," a pal tells Radar Online of what Taylor has been saying. "The show bears no responsibility for his death, neither does the network. In fact, Bravo has been extremely supportive of Taylor during this tragedy."

It's impossible to know what role the Real Housewives played, of course, but Russell is on record as thinking very poorly of the reality show.

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Russell Armstrong was laid to rest at the Church of the Hills-Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills yesterday.

There's little to actually report because, thank goodness, Bravo did NOT film the event, but we know all cast members from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills were on hand to support Taylor Armstrong.

Sources confirm that Russell's remains will then be sent to Texas for a second service, as Taylor has been clashing with his family. From there, the body will be cremated and the ashes divided between Taylor and her in-laws.

It's still unclear how Bravo will handle the season premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. In the most recent news related to this tragedy, Entertainment Tonight has discussed photos of Taylor in detail, taken after an alleged beating from her husband.

Details regarding the life and recent death of Russell Armstrong continue to pour forth, with the latest report painting this reality star in a disturbingly negative light.

According to a TMZ insider, just prior to filming on season two of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Russell struck Taylor Armstrong so hard that he fractured her cheek bones and sent her to the hospital. The injuries, and subsequent photos, were "horrific," this source states.

Taylor Armstrong, Kyle Richards and Camille Grammer are all smiles in this photo. But a new report sheds light on their private pain.

Unsure how to handle the situation - would Bravo fire her for appearing uncooperative if she didn't show up for filming? - Taylor reportedly confided in Camille Grammer and Kyle Richards. She then told Russell about this conversation with her castmates.

The Bravo mole says he reacted by emailing Camille a "very threatening" message that contained "the rantings of a lunatic."

Taylor's bruises and breaks, meanwhile, required weeks to heal, delaying production on the series. Now, the actual premiere has been pushed back as the network wonders what to do about Russell's suicide.

[Photo: WENN.com]

New information has been revealed about the life of Russell Armstrong, the estranged ex-husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong, the day after he committed suicide by hanging.

According to attorny Ronald Richards, Russell had been staying at a friend's house due to major financial problems.

"His credit cards weren't working," Richards told TMZ. "He was also extremely bummed out about the divorce with Taylor. As far as a will, even if he does have a will, they don't have any assets, so I'm not sure what there would be left to leave. I am extremely saddened... I had no idea he was depressed."

Armstrong's fellow Real Housewives have also expressed their shock and remorse:

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has turned more real than ever, in the most tragic of ways.

TMZ reports that Russell Armstrong, who appeared often on this Bravo series last season and who filed for divorce from Taylor Armstrong this summer in light of abuse allegations, hanged himself Monday night. He was 47.

Around 8 p.m. PST, authorities responded to a 911 call placed by one of Russell's roommates. They found his body hanging in the bathroom of his home on Mulholland Drive when they arrived.

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You've really gotta admire Taylor Armstrong.

Despite going through a painful divorce, the reality star was - somehow, some way, against all odds - able to rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars by exposing her personal life on season two of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

"There were a lot more tears, a lot more pain," Armstrong tells E! News, previewing the show's September 5 return. "It's been such an emotional ride for me this year. And it's one thing to experience it, but then to watch it again on television and know that millions of other people are watching, it's going to be tough."

We're guessing the padded bank account and increased fame will soften the blow a bit.

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So much for that amicable split.

Just two weeks after Taylor and Russell Armstrong filed for divorce, seemingly wishing each other well, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member has come out and made some serious allegations.

"I felt like I was dying inside," Taylor tells People of her marriage to Russell, a union allegedly built on physical and mental abuse.

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They're all coming back.

Following months of casting rumors regarding The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills - Will Camille Grammer leave due to her ongoing custody battle? Will Kim Richards' drinking cause her to take a step back? - Bravo has confirmed that all six cast members have signed on for season two, as evidenced by this new promotional photo:

Moreover, the show is introducing two new spoiled stars, both billed as friends of the cast: welcome, Brandi Glanville and Dana Wilkey!

Both appear in the following season two promo, which also highlights the main storylines coming our way in September: Taylor Armstrong's divorce, Camille's battle with Kelsey Grammer, Kim and Kyle working on their relationship... and many other developments that are in no way, shape or form scripted.

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The marriage between Taylor Armstrong and Russell Armstrong appears to be over.

And the couple has never sounded more supportive of each other!

“We still love each other, but after going through counseling it has gotten to the point that the stress is just too much for both of us,” Russell tells OK! Weekly. "I want Taylor to be the biggest actress on TV, and I want to feel happy not being on TV."

Russell has already moved out, but no divorce papers have been signed yet.

Expect some kind of drama to take place soon, though. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills producers wouldn't have it any other way.

UPDATE: It IS over! Citing "irreconcilable difference," Taylor has filed for divorce.

[Photo: WENN.com]