14 DAY TRIAL // Eileen Davidson, better known to fans for her roles on the hit soap operas “The Young and the Restless” and “Days of Our Lives,” is the latest addition to the cast of Bravo’s reality show Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. If you’re wondering how come she’s making this transition, wonder no more: it’s all about the Benjamins, as P. Diddy says.
Confirmation of this came earlier this week, with trade publications saying that Davidson and Lisa Rinna would join the series and replace Joyce Giraud and Carlton Gebbia, who will not be returning for season 5.
Lisa Rinna has done a lot of reality television since her golden days on “Melrose Place,” so that wasn’t the surprising part about the announcement. Oppositely, Davidson hasn’t. Moreover, there’s a real Emmy on display somewhere in her house, which she won for “Days of Our Lives,” in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, earlier this year.
Because the words Emmy and reality television don’t come together in the same sentence that often, many fans wondered what could have made Davidson take this jump. Radar Online has the answer: it was always about the money.
Because the show is proving such a hit and it’s clear that, no matter what, audiences love to tune in to the new adventures of this group of ladies, Bravo is willing to invest in their talent. Considering Davidson’s resume and appeal, the agreed to fork over a whopping $750,000 (€558,426) to secure her for an entire season.
This puts Davidson well above all her castmates, including newcomer Lisa Rinna.
“She has indeed signed on to join the cast for the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She was only working on a limited basis for DOOL and Y&R. Eileen has a huge fan following, and will be paid for $750,000, which is a record for a new cast member,” an insider familiar with the production tells the e-zine.
“There are very interesting dynamics between Eileen and fellow cast member and soap sudser, Lisa Rinna. Everyone will be extremely surprised by their relationship,” adds the spy.
However, you shouldn’t pity the other ladies (series regulars Brandi Glanville, Kyle Richards, Lisa Vanderpump, and Yolanda Foster) just yet: they might not be making as much money as Davidson, but they too got significant pay raises.
Moreover, the tipster hints, if things continue to work out for them in terms of ratings with this new season too, the sky’s the limit as regards the possibility of them making more money.
“Bravo loves the nucleus of these four women, even when they’re fighting with each other! They always bring drama and glamor to the show. The network has resolved that it wants to bring them all back,” explains the source.
Industry analysts say we’re now living in the golden age of television. A closer look at the figures would probably indicate that reality television is the place to do business right now.