"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" has been on a hiatus for almost a year, but a new report claims that the Bravo show is set to begin filming as soon as mid-November and that certain original cast members will be coming back to the show.
According to E! News, it is almost certain that Teresa Giudice, Jacqueline Laurita and Melissa Gorga are coming back to the show. Tiki Barber's wife, Traci Lynn Johnson, who was rumored to be joining the show, will not be featured. A Bravo insider told the website, "It just didn't work out," referring to the reality star's apperance on the show. A second source told the website that relationship expert Siggy Flicker is in talks to join the show.
Entertainment Tonight reports that season 6 newcomers Nicole Napolitano, Teresa Aprea and Amber Marchese won't be returning for the new season, while Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri will be back as "friends" of the Housewives. "Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Gerardo Rivera's wife Erica Levy were also said to have been invited to be in the cast, but Levy reportedly declined the offer.
The website claims that while filming will begin in November, Giudice, who is serving the remainder of her prison sentence, will be joining the cast in December. The 43-year-old TV personality will be released from the Danbury federal prison on Dec. 23.
Before her "RHONJ" return, the Giudice family will be featured in a three-part Bravo special called "The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa Checks In." The special will focus on Teresa's husband Joe as he takes care of their four daughters while she is in jail, and she will be heard in a series of phone calls made from prison.
Series creator Andy Cohen has previously said that he wanted to have the cookbook author back for season 7 and he told E! that he has been staying in touch with her through email.
"I'm hoping to get her back in front of the cameras," Cohen told E! "That's how I would like to handle it."
No premiere date has been announced for season 7 of the Bravo show.
