EXCLUSIVE'Firm Pass': Joe Giudice Having A 'Hard' Time Selling His Dating Show To Bravo, Insider Divulges
Feb. 2 2021, Updated 2:30 p.m. ET
After it was revealed yesterday that Joe Giudice is planning his reality TV comeback after his divorce from Real Housewives of New Jersey legend Teresa Giudice, OK! has learned that Bravo — the network that has aired RHONJ for the past 10 seasons — is not interested in his new show.
“After appearing on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Joe sees himself as a reality TV expert," a source exclusively tells OK!. “Now, he thinks he can develop, produce and star in a new show after all his experience. Joe loved the fame and money that went along with being on a reality show and wants that back, which is why he is developing a dating show in Italy. However, the hard part is selling the show — and Bravo isn’t interested.”
The insider stresses that “Bravo shows all need to appeal to women,” and “they all need to star someone we root for. After Joe was convicted for bankruptcy fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and failing to pay taxes, he is not that person.”
Adding insult to injury, insiders add that Bravo didn’t even know about Joe’s plans for a reality TV show until they read about it in the press. “It is a firm pass from Bravo,” the source concludes. Ouch!
As OK! previously reported, Joe is in talks with a production company about creating a new show, with the emphasis being on his life post divorce and navigating the dating pool in Italy after his stint in prison.
Teresa and Joe finalized their divorce after 20 years of marriage in November 2020. Joe is living in Italy after a judge deported him following his 41-month prison sentence for bankruptcy fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and other charges.
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The former reality TV power couple share four daughters together: Gia, 20, Gabriella, 17, Milania, 16, and Audriana, 12.
While Joe is searching for love of his own, his ex's relationship with her new beau, Luis "Louie" Ruelas, appears to be heating up. Nearly two months after they were first linked, OK! reported that Teresa has already “discussed moving in" with Ruelas.
WHO IS LUIS RUELAS? TERESA GIUDICE'S BEAU WAS SUED BY HIS EX, PLUS MORE ON HER NEW MAN
"That's long enough for Teresa to know it's the real deal," a source previously dished exclusively to OK!. "Luis is everything she's looking for — he's financially stable, he's sweet and generous and romantic, and with two kids of his own, he gets along great with her four girls.”
"The whole family loves him," a second insider gushed about Ruelas. "Even her kids enjoy having him around, not just because he's a great guy but because they can see how happy he makes their mom."
