We have to believe that they’ll do all they can for her. We’ll be so utterly shocked if the network turns around and ignores her completely, airing footage that would surely stir up very hard memories and feelings for her.
In the wake of Russell Armstrong’s suicide and the impending season premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Taylor Armstrong has asked executives at Bravo to go back and re-edit footage of her husband. As the the first episode is set to air on September 5th, her request poses a difficult task for the team.
As we understand it, Taylor and Russell├óΓé¼Γäós marriage counseling sessions were to be the basis of her storyline this season. However, Taylor doesn’t want some of their private conversations aired for the general public, in an effort to give Russell some dignity, so she’s hoping to have Bravo cut those scenes out. A sources explains:
“Taylor will be asking Bravo executives to look at what they planned on airing, with the heightened awareness and sensitivity of Russell’s suicide. Taylor can only request this as Bravo owns all the footage and both she and Russell signed off on having any control with how they were portrayed on the show. It’s important to recognize, Russell agreed to appear on camera, no one forced him to. Russell agreed to have his therapy sessions with Taylor filmed with the expectation that it would be aired. In the end, Bravo will have the final say if any changes are made at all, period.”
Here’s hoping they do the right thing.
Will it make for more compelling television to see Russell with Taylor in his final days? Sure. Yes, people will be morbidly curious and will tune in just to see if they too could see the signs. But just because it will bring them ratings, doesn’t mean they should do it. Just because they have every legal right to air the episodes doesn’t mean morally they are doing harm to this woman and more importantly, her young daughter.
Do right by the Bravo. Do what you have to make sure that this man’s name is tarnished further than it already has and that his loved ones (the ones that aren’t using his death for their benefit anyway) don’t have to endure watching him suffer.
[Image via Ramey Pix.]