Here’s what Bravo subscribers didn’t see coming: The Real Housewives of Potomac Season 10 premiered Oct. 5 without its original star Karen Huger – and 2 returning cast members say the ratings dynamic could completely shift before Halloween.
RHOP Season 10 Premieres Oct. 5 Without Original Housewife Karen Huger
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The Real Housewives of Potomac kicked off its milestone 10th season Oct. 5 on Bravo without one of its founding stars. Karen Huger, known as the Grand Dame, won’t appear after serving 6 months in jail following her DUI conviction Feb. 26.
The supersized premiere aired 8 p.m. ET with returning housewives Gizelle Bryant and Ashley Darby – the only remaining original cast members. Wendy Osefo, Stacey Rusch, and Keiarna Stewart returned alongside newcomers Tia Glover and Angel Massie.
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Season 8 pulled 2.1M total viewers in its first 7 days back in Nov. 2023, marking the show’s most-watched season premiere in 8 years. That season featured Huger prominently and scored a 20% increase among adults 18-49 compared to Season 7.
Why Bravo Subscribers Worry More Than Casual Viewers About Huger’s Exit
Bravo loyalists who’ve watched since 2016 understand Huger’s central role in the show’s drama. The Grand Dame anchored storylines across 9 seasons, while casual viewers might not notice her absence until ratings reveal the impact.
The first episode titled “Second Bloom” showed Gizelle Bryant writing Huger a letter, narrating how “life has been moving on” without her. That opening scene signaled how the cast would address the elephant in the room.
“In a lot of ways, life has been moving on…and some things haven’t changed at all,” — Gizelle Bryant, RHOP Season 10 trailer.
Lock These 4 Viewing Decisions Before Oct. 31 – Step By Step
With Karen Huger gone and new cast dynamics unfolding, Bravo fans need to track whether RHOP maintains its 2.1M viewer baseline before Halloween. Here’s what to watch.
| Step | Detail | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stream RHOP Season 10 premiere on Peacock to see new cast chemistry | Oct. 6 |
| 2 | Compare Gizelle Bryant and Ashley Darby screen time to previous seasons | Oct. 12 |
| 3 | Track Monique Samuels return impact as friend role in Episode 3 | Oct. 19 |
| 4 | Monitor Bravo social media mentions for RHOP versus RHOBH ratings | Oct. 31 |
Watch For These 4 Signals Before Nov. 15 As RHOP Battles For Viewers
Bravo releases streaming data within 7 days of each premiere, so the first real indicator arrives by Oct. 12. Here’s what ratings watchers should track before mid-November.
Peacock next-day streaming numbers for Season 10 Episode 1 compared to Season 8 premiere. If viewership drops below 1.8M total in the first week, that signals Huger’s absence matters to the baseline audience.
Social media mentions of RHOP on X (formerly Twitter) during Oct. 5-12 premiere week. Season 8 generated significant buzz with Huger’s DUI storyline dominating conversations. Without her, the show needs Gizelle Bryant and Monique Samuels reunion drama to compensate.
Bravo renewal decision timing becomes critical. Networks typically decide before Nov. 15 whether shows maintain their slot. If RHOP Season 10 underperforms by more than 15% compared to Season 8’s 2.1M viewers, that could impact Season 11 negotiations.
Competing Real Housewives franchise ratings on the same Sunday night matter. If RHOP falls below The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills or other franchises airing simultaneously, that shifts the power dynamic within the portfolio.
Will Gizelle Bryant or Ashley Darby Dominate RHOP Ratings First?
With Karen Huger gone, the question becomes whether Gizelle Bryant and Ashley Darby can carry RHOP as the sole remaining original cast members. They’ve each anchored storylines before, but never without the Grand Dame’s polarizing presence.
Season 8 proved RHOP could hit 2.1M viewers with Huger’s controversial DUI arrest driving narratives. The show ranked as Bravo’s most-watched RHOP premiere in 8 years and scored 20% higher in the key 18-49 demographic.
Which cast member will fill the ratings void left by Huger’s departure before Nov. 15 when renewal decisions typically get made?
SOURCES
- https://deadline.com/gallery/the-real-housewives-of-potomac-season-10-cast-photos-bravo/
- https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/karen-huger-sentenced-after-dui-case
- https://deadline.com/2023/11/real-housewives-potomac-real-housewives-miami-married-to-medicine-premiere-ratings-bravo-1235613335/
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.
Anyone else notice the void Karen Huger left on RHOP? Its like a pot without seasoning! Wonder if the show can spice things up or if viewers will switch channels. Your bet: will the premiere ratings flop or soar without the OG housewife?
Karen Huger is like the secret ingredient that makes the whole dish pop, right? Without her, its like watching a movie with the sound off – somethings missing. But hey, sometimes change can be a good thing. Maybe the show will surprise us with some fresh drama thatll have us glued to the screen. Who knows, maybe theyll even bring in a new housewife wholl shake things up in Potomac. Whats your take? Are you ready for a new flavor, or do you think RHOP will lose its spice without Karen?
Remember when Karen Huger brought the sass and class to RHOP? Now with her gone, will loyal Bravo fans stick around or bail? Whos the real MVP to keep the show afloat post-Karen? Any bets on the ratings rollercoaster this season?
Anyone else notice Karen Hugers absence on RHOPs premiere? Feels like a key ingredient is missing from the reality TV recipe. Will the show survive without its OG housewife? What do you think?
I cant believe RHOP premiered without Karen Huger! Whos gonna bring the sass now? Will viewers stick around for the new dynamics? What do you think?
Oh, the drama without Queen Karen Huger? Its like a party without the main guest! But hey, sometimes a shakeup can be just what a show needs, right? New dynamics, fresh faces, unexpected twists – could be the recipe for a whole new level of sass. Viewers might stick around just to see how it all plays out. Who knows, maybe someone unexpected will step up and steal the spotlight. Change can be a good thing, right? Or are you team No Karen, no show? Whats your take on the new RHOP lineup?
I heard Karen Hugers out of RHOP – will the new season flop without her? Whos gonna bring the drama now? Will the OG fans stick around or bail? Predictions, anyone?