The Real Housewives of New Jersey returned a couple of weeks ago for its sixth season premiere, and though we've lost veteran wives Caroline Manzo and Jacqueline Laurita as well as Teresa Giudice's cousin Kathy Wakile who's now a 'recurring housewife', we've gained some fantastic characters as well.
Teresa Giudice is of course on-board once more, and her legal dramas seem to be taking centre stage. This time round she's joined by close friend Dina Manzo and sister-in-law Melissa Gorga - a trio which thankfully seem to all be on good terms.
Credit: WireImageThen comes the addition of Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano - fun-loving twins that are fantastic to watch and have a mother named Santa - one of the most hilarious housewife mothers we've been allowed to see in the franchise. She may even trump Miami's Mama Elsa.
Amber Marchese is a cancer survivor and whilst a little over-bearing at times, also adds a whole new dynamic to the show with her hilarious approach to how to avoid a disaster in the home and annoyance at guests she invited over being sloppy in her home.
Sidenote: Who couldn't fall in love with Teresa when she dropped the F bomb leaving Amber's season opener party? "That little f**king kid took my shawl." Brilliant. And her friend Antonino Buzzetta is very, very easy on the eyes. More of him, please.
We've seen so much drama in the past couple of seasons and people were growing tired of watching and going through the same cycle with Giudice-Gorga clan, but now all that seems to have been put behind them. They're actually rallying together and propping each other up when needed, and it's a beautiful thing to see.
From the season preview we know it's not all going to be plain sailing. In fact, it looks like the husbands are to bring a lot of the drama, but at least this time round it's fresh. It's not the same thing all over again. Other than Milania being the stand-out star with her bratty yet hilarious one-liners.
So for now The Real Housewives of New Jersey has reinvented itself as a more interesting and unique look at some of the women of the state. Whilst we're hoping it stays that way, we know nothing in Real Housewives land can be plain sailing.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey season six continues on Bravo Sundays at 8/7c.