Bravo Producer Makes Bold Claim About Sobriety Being ‘Bummer’ For Reality Shows; ‘Stay or Get Sober While…’

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Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of substance abuse. 

As a seasoned lifestyle consultant, I’ve had the privilege of working with many television personalities, including some from Bravo. It’s disheartening for us in the production team when one of our cast members decides to overcome substance abuse issues. Patrick McDonald, a former Emmy-winning producer of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, expressed this sentiment recently.

On April 11th, the former reality TV producer who has recently shifted towards an OnlyFans career, joined Bethenny Frankel’s Just B podcast for a discussion. During their conversation, they both expressed their opinions on Bravo’s reality shows, suggesting that they tend to reward excessive drinking and penalize sobriety.

McDonald’s statements were made prior to his upcoming court appearance where he and the studio would face charges brought by ex-Real Housewives of New York City star Leah McSweeney. In her lawsuit, she claimed that Bravo pressured her into giving up sobriety for the sake of maintaining drama within the show.

The producer acknowledged that tales about drug addiction left him uncomfortable. He further stated that such delicate matters should not be dismissed casually, as it may exacerbate the problem. “I can hardly fathom attempting to… remain or become sober while being part of these shows… It’s disheartening for production,” McDonald contended.

Originally, the ex-producer openly acknowledged that celebrities receive preferential treatment when they involve “dramatic situations with alcohol.” Additionally, he pointed out Scheana Shay from Vanderpump Rules, who was allegedly downgraded in several seasons due to her stories not being troubling enough.

Contrarily, an anonymous source from Bravo refuted his assertions to Page Six, stating they were false. Previously, Vanity Fair had released a piece investigating the questionable production process of Bravo reality shows. This report suggested that the cameras for The Real Housewives series prioritized capturing drunk and helpless women over offering assistance.

McDonald departed from Bravo reportedly because of a suspected hostile workplace. He went as far as saying there were physical altercations within the corporation. Additionally, he alleged that his dismissal from reality shows was due to the discovery of his adult-themed work, despite his long-standing relationship with the company spanning over several decades.

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2025-04-12 21:52