# The Real Housewives of New York City season 4

The fourth season of The Real Housewives of New York City, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It aired April 7, 2011 until August 1, 2011, and is primarily filmed in New York City, New York. Its executive producers are Andrew Hoegl, Barrie Bernstein, Lisa Shannon, Pam Healy and Andy Cohen.
The Real Housewives of New York City focuses on the lives of LuAnn de Lesseps, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer, Jill Zarin, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Sonja Morgan and Cindy Barshop. It consisted of 18 episodes.
This season marked the final appearances of original housewives Jill Zarin and Alex McCord, along with veteran Kelly Killoren Bensimon and newcomer Cindy Barshop.

## Production and crew

The Real Housewives of New York was a continued successes for the network with season three averaging 2.02 million total viewers as well as growing every season to new series highs since its spring 2008 premiere. In August 2010, the series was renewed for a fourth season with filming beginning September 20, 2010. The premiere date for season four of The Real Housewives of New York City was revealed in December 2010 for a February 14, 2011 premiere but was bumped to spring due to the premiere of The Real Housewives of Miami. In January 2011, the new premiere date for the season for was released.
The season premiere "Grin and Bare It" was aired on April 7, 2011, while the sixteenth episode "L.O.V.E. Duel" served as the season finale, and was aired on July 21, 2011. It was followed by a two-part reunion that aired on July 25, and August 1, 2011, which marked the conclusion of the season. Andrew Hoegl, Barrie Bernstein, Lisa Shannon, Pam Healy and Andy Cohen are recognized as the series' executive producers; it is produced by Ricochet and is distributed by Shed Media.

## Cast and synopsis

Six of the seven wives featured in the third season returned for the fourth instalment. Bethenny Frankel departed the series shortly after season 3. Frankel had expressed desires of departing the series prior to its conclusion due to not wanting to film two shows at once. Frankel had been starring in the first spin-off to The Real Housewives of New York, titled Bethenny Getting Married?. Shortly after the conclusion of season three, Frankel had announced her departure from the franchise due to the negativity saying "last season was scary and painful. It took all the joy out of it." Although Frankel had departed the series after season three, she returned to the series in full capacity in season seven and continued to star in season eight despite her claims of quitting reality television for her talk show Bethenny. Also departing the series was season three's recurring cast member Jennifer Gilbert. Gilbert exited the series claiming that she was too normal for the series and as it progressed saying "I'm probably not the right fit."
Season four saw the introduction of a new wife, Cindy Barshop, to fill Frankel's place. Barshop is a hair removal guru, often described as the "wax queen of New York," and is also a happy single mother of twins. The Vice President of Bravo, Christian Barcellos, described Barshop as a "very successful, entrepreneurial, self-made woman," as well as saying Barshop is "the epitome of the go-go New Yorker who lives downtown in an absolutely fabulous West Village loft."
Barshop begins the season hosting an art party, with Ramona Singer being invited by Barshop she brings all the other ladies. Barshop and Singer's friendship is soon tainted after Barshop finds out from her brother that Singer has offended his girlfriend. Barshop confronts Singer on her issues at her birthday at a horse farm in Quogue but Singer is more concerned that there is no pinot grigio. Singer tries to confront Barshop's brother on the issue, but Barshop hears the conversation and shuts Singer down. The two of them are left wondering if they want to continue their friendship. Singer hosts a party for the launch of her wine, but with Jill Zarin in attendance drama erupts after Singer addresses concern of Zarin talking about her behind her back. Singer hears some news from a fortune teller in Morocco, which leaves the rest of the ladies feeling unsettled. Later in Morocco, Singer and Zarin decided to chat about their tension as of late but leads to an all out explosion between the two, ending their friendship. Jill Zarin returns to New York after a trip to Australia with a new outlook of staying out of the gossip, but it doesn't last long when she attends lunch with some of the housewives. Zarin focuses on business with very own shapewear line. During a party Barshop is hosting, Zarin is approached by McCord husband Simon to address their issues. Zarin, Bensimon, de Lesseps discuss Simon's Twitter activity that they deem to be cyber-bullying. Bensimon informs McCord that she and her husband are odd and creepy and she needs to control her husband her she just may be iced out from the group. Alex McCord invites the ladies to walk in a gay marriage equality march by MENY across the Brooklyn Bridge, which her husband Simon will be speaking at. A few of the ladies gather at Sonja Morgan's house prior to the march to get dressed in their wedding dresses. McCord is excited because she's on the committee and Morgan is nervous because she's the Grand Marshall. Drama ensues at the march after McCord is informed Morgan has spoken to those in charge to prevent Simon from speaking. Tensions run high at a party Morgan hosts, which leads to Morgan kicking McCord out of her home. McCord begins a new career path as a model. Kelly Bensimon and Singer's relationship remains strained from the season prior but Morgan is determined to mend the two's broken relationship. Morgan feels betrayed by Barshop after Barshop breaks Morgan's confidence and later has Barshop at her house to lecture her on the pecking order in New York and the importance of attending to Singer's needs. The drama between to worsen when Morgan invites Barshop to her home for a second time, but Barshop takes a business call in the middle of the kitchen during breakfast. Morgan's bankruptcy becomes the talk of the town which leaves the other ladies, especially Zarin, wanting to know all the details. To get her life back on track Morgan hires a Feng Shui expert. Morgan later throws a party where she performs a burlesque number for the other ladies. LuAnn de Lesseps continues to enjoy her relationship with her wine exporter boyfriend, Jacques. De Lesseps feels a trip away will do the ladies some good so she hosts a vacation to Morocco. In Morocco, de Lesseps is offended when she catches Morgan and Singer attempting to sneak of the property. De Lesseps reprimands Singer on her poor behavior and McCord feels it's her duty to defend Singer. McCord storms in on de Lesseps, Bensimon and Barshop to tell de Lesseps off, however her awkward entrance leaves the ladies dismissing her before she can get a word out. De Lesseps and Singer plan sweet sixteen parties for their daughters but it's clear the two have very different ideas in mind. De Lesseps records another song, "Chic C’est La Vie" and invites Zarin to the studio to listen where her producer suggests a music video. De Lesseps heads to shoot her music video and has invited the other ladies to attend. De Lesseps later hosts a party for her and Jacques 1-year anniversary, all the wives attend along with Natalie Cole who accepts the offer to sing. At the party Singer reveals she'd be elated to have another child and to everyone's surprise she has brought a pregnancy test.

## Episodes

The Real Housewives of New York City season 4 episodes :
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
| 43 | 1 | "Grin and Bare It" | April 7, 2011 (2011-04-07) | 1.97 |
| Ramona throws a rooftop cocktail party. Alex invites Ramona to participate in a gay marriage equality march. New housewife Cindy Barshop has an art party. LuAnn and Sonja go on a double date. |||||
| 44 | 2 | "March Madness" | April 14, 2011 (2011-04-14) | 1.86 |
| Alex, Kelly and LuAnn meet at Sonja's before going to the MENY march. |||||
| 45 | 3 | "Hairy Mess" | April 21, 2011 (2011-04-21) | 1.93 |
| Alex calls Sonja to meet for lunch. Ramona is asked to walk in another fashion show. Kelly continues to avoid Ramona. |||||
| 46 | 4 | "Ramona'd" | April 28, 2011 (2011-04-28) | 1.87 |
| Sonja confides in Cindy that she plans to get Ramona and Kelly together. LuAnn hosts a cocktail party in the Hamptons. At Cindy's birthday party, Ramona tries to confront Cindy's brother, Howie, about an ongoing issue. But when Cindy overhears the conversation, she quickly shuts Ramona down. |||||
| 47 | 5 | "Follow Pecking Orders" | May 5, 2011 (2011-05-05) | 1.83 |
| Jill returns from Australia. Sonja summons Cindy to her townhouse. Cindy and Ramona meet for drinks to settle things. |||||
| 48 | 6 | "The Mask Has Two Faces" | May 12, 2011 (2011-05-12) | 1.79 |
| Sonja throws a masquerade ball. Jill joins Cindy on a trip to the dentist. Ramona hosts a party for the launch of her wine. |||||
| 49 | 7 | "Travel Reservations" | May 19, 2011 (2011-05-19) | 1.80 |
| LuAnn takes the ladies somewhere exotic. Cindy has planned a spa retreat. Jill hosts an Anti-Bullying charity event. |||||
| 50 | 8 | "Misfortune Teller" | May 26, 2011 (2011-05-26) | 2.29 |
| The women are off to Morocco. LuAnn, Jill, Kelly and Cindy hit the town for some shopping. The night ends with dinner and an unexpected fortune reading prediction for Ramona. |||||
| 51 | 9 | "A Riad Divided" | June 2, 2011 (2011-06-02) | 2.28 |
| The women attend Brad's party and ride camels. |||||
| 52 | 10 | "Last Call, Morocco!" | June 9, 2011 (2011-06-09) | 2.26 |
| The dust settles after the fight between Jill and Ramona. Jill, Kelly, Sonja, Cindy, and Alex head out for a tour. Alex checks in on Ramona who stayed in all day, still upset from her fight with Jill the night before. Alex storms in on LuAnn, Kelly, and Cindy with the intention of telling LuAnn off for "reprimanding Ramona." But, Alex's entrance is awkward and bumbling, and the women quickly shoot her down before she can deliver her message. |||||
| 53 | 11 | "Debt Becomes Her" | June 16, 2011 (2011-06-16) | 2.04 |
| Sonja's debt issues come to light when everyone arrives home from Morocco. Jill is developing a shape-wear line and asks for the girls input but doesn't invite Ramona. Alex and LuAnn face off about the Moroccan tiff. |||||
| 54 | 12 | "Sixteen and Skip the Sweet" | June 23, 2011 (2011-06-23) | 2.14 |
| Ramona and LuAnn are planning Sweet 16 Parties for their daughters, Avery and Victoria. During the planning, it becomes clear that both moms have a very different idea in mind for their daughter's party. Jill goes to Dr. Pat Wexler's to get a liquid face lift. Later on, it's Jill's birthday and LuAnn surprises her with a party at Chez Josephine. Alex supports Simon through a hypnotherapy session in order to quit smoking. |||||
| 55 | 13 | "Your Tweeting Heart" | June 30, 2011 (2011-06-30) | 1.93 |
| Sonja is trying to get her life back on track. Ramona is throwing a surprise party. Simon approaches Jill to discuss some of their issues. Kelly, Jill and LuAnn discuss Simon's cyber-bullying. |||||
| 56 | 14 | "Burlesque is More" | July 7, 2011 (2011-07-07) | 2.02 |
| Sonja is throwing a burlesque-themed party, where she will be performing. Jill visits Ally at college and is surprised to discover that she is interested in becoming a sex columnist. LuAnn invites Jill to join her at the recording studio to hear her latest single and is elated when her producer suggests that she makes another music video. Simon confronts Jill at Sonja's party to defend himself against Jill's accusations that he is cyber bullying her. |||||
| 57 | 15 | "Video Killed the Countess" | July 14, 2011 (2011-07-14) | 2.17 |
| LuAnn is shooting a music video. Sonja invites Cindy over. The van Kempens are throwing an art party. |||||
| 58 | 16 | "L.O.V.E. Duel" | July 21, 2011 (2011-07-21) | 2.45 |
| LuAnn decides to throw Jacques a surprise party for their one-year anniversary of dating. While at her producer’s studio, Natalie Cole shows up and LuAnn invites her to the party. At a dinner party Ramona is throwing for Alex, Simon, Sonja, and Brian, Ramona reveals that she would like another baby. All the ladies attend LuAnn’s anniversary party. Sonja brings a pregnancy test for Ramona. |||||
| 59 | 17 | "Reunion — Part 1" | July 25, 2011 (2011-07-25) | 2.33 |
| The ladies sit down in a Moroccan themed setting with Andy Cohen to discuss the drama of the season. Alex hashes out her problems over the marriage equality rally. Sonja breaks down over her financial troubles and disciplines Kelly for her disparaging remarks over her home and lifestyle. The tension between Ramona and Jill continues. Cindy disapproves of the etiquette displayed by the "blondes." The first part concludes with Jill threatening to walk off set after Ramona has a go at Luann's parenting skills. |||||
| 60 | 18 | "Reunion — Part 2" | August 1, 2011 (2011-08-01) | 1.78 |
| The reunion continues as the ladies continue to reflect on the drama from the past season and answer some of the viewers most burning questions. |||||

## DVD releases

The fourth season was released on DVD by Bravo Media on December 6, 2011. The box set features all 16 episodes plus the 2 heated reunion specials on 5 DVD discs. The fourth season is also part of The Real Housewives of New York - Complete Series a 47 disc box set that includes season 1 - 9 and that was released on November 17, 2017. The fourth season has never been released on Blu-ray.