Bravo bosses are trying to find a way to keep both Alexis Bellino and Shannon Beador on the Real Housewives of Orange County next season amid their ongoing feud.
Shannon, 60, and Alexis, 47, have been feuding all season after Alexis started dating Shannon’s ex-boyfriend John Janssen, 62, who is now her fiancé.
Complicating matters between the two is the fact that John is suing Shannon for an unpaid $75,000 loan – and Shannon has accused Alexis of having a hand in the lawsuit.
The drama has brought the series big ratings, but viewers’ reactions to Alexis have been so extreme that producers are now unsure how to move forward with the current cast.
“Bravo is so happy with how this season has turned out and they know that adding Alexis is a big part of what has made it such a success,” an insider told DailyMail.com.
Bravo bosses are trying to find a way to keep both Alexis Bellino (pictured) and Shannon Beador on the Real Housewives of Orange County next season
Shannon, 60, and Alexis, 47, have been at odds all season after Alexis started dating Shannon’s ex-boyfriend John Janssen, 62
Shannon has become the undisputed fan favorite this season as viewers rallied around her while vilifying Alexis
“Everyone brought their A-game this year, but it’s really the drama between Shannon and Alexis that has made this season a blockbuster hit,” they continued.
“Producers don’t want to change anything, but aren’t sure how to bring back both Shannon and Alexis given the current state of their relationship.
“They don’t want to film together and the public hates Alexis so much that Bravo may have no choice but to let her go unless something changes.”
Another insider said Alexis “did everything she shouldn’t have done” during the reunion, which only made things worse between herself and Shannon.
While things may look bleak, another production insider says an Alexis return is still on the table.
“Nothing has been decided yet and casting won’t officially begin until after this season airs, so no one has been fired or rehired,” the insider said.
“That said, there are a lot of people who want Alexis back next year. She is easy to work with compared to some of the other women and she is really friends with the cast, which is hard to find,” they continued.
“Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow, Jennifer Pedranti and Katie Ginella all want her back. Shannon and Emily Simpson would love to see her go… and Gina Kirschenheiter doesn’t care.”
Sources tell DailyMail.com that Alexis is keen to return for another season and redeem herself after being frustrated with her portrayal this year
One source also said that viewer reaction to Alexis won’t be the deciding factor in her future on the show.
“Bravo has fired a lot of great people before because of audience backlash and that usually just makes the shows boring and leads to more fan complaints,” they said.
Alexis could easily come back, but she and Shannon will have to find a way to coexist for that to happen.
“They can’t repeat the same fight endlessly and refuse to film together, no one wants to see that.”
Several insiders also confirmed that Shannon was originally on the chopping block until the most recent season — which many fans believe is her best season yet.
“Everyone thought Shannon would be phased out after her drunken spree and Alexis would replace her, but things turned out so unexpectedly that Shannon may now be the most popular person on the show,” one person said.
“And everyone hates Alexis and Tamra, but being hated as a housewife isn’t always a bad thing. It’s better than being forgettable.’
Producers are hoping that Shannon and Alexis can coexist so that both can return for another season
“Everyone brought their A-game this year, but it’s really the drama between Shannon and Alexis that has made this season a huge hit,” a production source said.
DailyMail.com understands that Alexis herself is keen to return and redeem herself and is ‘deeply frustrated’ with how the current season has gone.
“She was very angry about the way she came across and at one point even considered quitting, but ultimately decided it would be better for her to return and show viewers more of her real life,” said a source.
“Alexis also believes that Shannon’s true colors will eventually come out and she will be proven right, so she wants to be part of the show when that happens so everyone can see that she’s not the bad guy.”
In addition to Alexis, newbie Katie Ginella’s future on the series may also be up in the air.
Newcomer Katie Ginella’s future on the series could also be up in the air as some cast members try to ‘freeze her out’ behind the scenes, although producers are keen for her to return
“Producers are happy with Katie’s performance on the show and she has been well received by fans, but some other women are really taking it out on her,” the source said.
“Heather never got over Katie accusing her of taking paparazzi photos and was furious about it all season, and Gina says she now regrets bringing Katie into the fold.”
They added, “Some women think Katie moved to Orange County just to get cast on the show and they don’t trust her, but Katie feels like she’s being disenchanted and frozen as the new girl and just wants to move on everything goes. this little drama.’
DailyMail.com has contacted NBC Universal, Alexis Bellino and Katie Ginella for comment.
