The Real Housewives of Potomac season 5 reunion filming is near and the one question that’s on everyone’s mind is whether or not the reunion will be virtual or in-person. Bravo honcho Andy Cohen is praying that an in-person reunion is possible, despite safety concerns related to COVID-19.

“Potomac is happening pretty soon and I think, at this moment, it looks like it’s going to be in person,” Cohen revealed during the November 5 episode of the Everything Iconic podcast. Cohen explains that they tried a virtual test via Zoom and it proved to be difficult, making the case for an in-person reunion instead.

“There was a hiccup a couple of days ago where maybe it wasn’t [but] I’m hopeful that it will be in person. I do not aspire to do more Zoom reunions,” he shared. Both RHOA and RHOBH resorted to virtual reunions. While the viewership was good, fans prefer in-person.

The big discussion will center around the fight between Candiace Dillard-Bassett and Monique Samuels. When speaking of the fight, Cohen admits executives typically do not air brawls on their shows but this case was different.

“We did something we really almost have not done. Usually, we cut away from something like that cause it’s not something we ever want to happen. We don’t like it. We don’t think it belongs on this franchise,” he said. “In this case, we actually leaned into it because we had so many people saying, ‘Why don’t you show it?’ And also, it became such a point of contention for the rest of the season,” he explained. “We were artfully cutting around stuff and then we were like, ‘We’re going to show it.’”

The fight resulted in a legal battle between Dillard-Bassett and Samuels. A judge through both cases out. The two have not spoken nor been in the same room since their fight nearly a year ago, but that will change for the reunion. 

Dillard-Bassett has vowed to not participate in the show as long as Samuels is part of the cast. But Cohen makes it clear that he does not foresee any cast changes for season 6.

“No, I don’t [think the RHOP cast will change]. I think that’s one of the reasons why Potomac is so great,” he explained.

RHOP airs every Sunday on Bravo at 9 pm EST.

 

Photo: Getty