TV
Tiberi caught up with us ahead of the “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” season one finale on Sunday.
Alicia Carmody (left) and Jo-Ellen Tiberi of “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.” Scott Eisen/Bravo
When Bravo announced “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” was a thing, initial shock for New Englanders was simply that it would exist.
The real surprise, though, came around Episode 4, when the series found its groove. It wasn’t just the drama— these women are hilarious, each in their own distinct way.
The internet fell in love.
“But he is, Ma.”
“I love a crackah.”
“I love Jane’s Fonda.”
Quotes became memes became Etsy hats, mugs, candles.
I wasn’t surprised when Bravo renewed the ratings-magnet season 2.
Cast star Jo-Ellen Tiberi had a similar ride.
“Initially we were like, ‘Is this show even gonna happen?’ Then it happened. Then as we started watching it, we’re like, “Wow, this is really funny,” Tiberi says in a recent Zoom from her Cranston home.
“We assumed we were going to get a season two, but when we heard it [officially], we were like, ‘Yay! That’s incredible,’” she says. Rhode Island itself is “the perfect mix of like attitude, funny, beauty— I’m just so proud of the show and the girls.”
Now act like you’re getting in a car with Alicia, and buckle-up: the Season finale is Sunday at 9 p.m. The gang takes a ferry to Block Island. Grab your Fig Newtons.
There are no date, cast changes or confirmations announced to date. Tiberi says she’s excited for season 2 filming this summer. And she hopes there are more Boston scenes.
We asked Tiberi about the highs and lows of the first season, the Boston episode, and more. (Dunkin’, she’s ready for her close-up.)
So how did you get cast?
I was seven months pregnant, sweating and massive, and my spray-tan girl told me, ‘Hey, they’re casting for this Italian show in Rhode Island, you should interview.’
I did. A couple months later, people said, ‘You know, this potentially could be a ‘Housewives.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, right.’ No one said anything about Bravo. Then it progressed, and we were like, ‘This might be a ‘Housewives.’ When we got the greenlight, I remember being on this group call, and everyone was just speechless. I was just: ‘No, sir. This is wild.’
[laughs] What have been the highs and lows of filming?
The high: getting to be around Alicia and listening to the things that she says.
[laughs] She’s quotable.
The lows, obviously no one likes to fight. This is real life and it’s hard to show sometimes. Especially my mother and me.
That the scene when you confronted your mother moved me. I’m betting you heard from people with similar family situations.
A lot. I can’t believe how many other people have been in a similar situation— whether it’s being sent away, or dealing with a parent who didn’t show them love, or favored one child. I feel like I’m not alone.
Was your mom okay filming that?
I mean, my mom knows what she put us through. When I told her, ‘Hey, do you want to go on a scene? We’re going to talk about my childhood and upbringing.’ She knew what we were going to discuss. I think it was difficult for her to watch it back.
I couldn’t believe episode 10– your fight with Liz on the drive to Boston– and inside Capo. Was it scary?
I wasn’t scared in the car. I was just trying to calm the situation. The peacemaker– that’s not exactly my favorite role. It was uncomfortable. But it escalated when we got into Capo, and was scary at that moment. I was crying. The hair pulling, the chair-kicking, the chair-pushing— there were a few moments. I brought them up to Liz afterwards, and felt gaslighted when she said, ‘That never happened.’
Right.
I’m glad Liz and I moved past that in our friendship, but that was hard to rewatch.
You said you watch all the episodes. Do you read comments online?
[groans] I do. But I’m doing better— I’m 75 percent not reading the comments. I don’t know why people think it’s OK to write mean things on the internet. I wish people would realize we’re human beings. But 95 percent of the fans are amazing.
Favorite moment to film?
Talking to Alicia on the Cliff Walk in Newport. That was really touching. I think it blossomed our friendship even more.
I’m from Rhode Island, so I love how Rhode Island the show is — hating to drive, or red pizza.
Yes! “What’s the name of the Big Blue Bug” was a trivia question at Audrey’s [in episode 9]
They don’t show it, but I was like, ‘Nibbles Woodaway!’ I mean, who doesn’t know that?
[laughs] Going into season two, are you excited? Nervous?
Last summer everything was like, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing.’ Now I feel more confident. I think more places will be welcoming to film. I’m really excited for season two.
Boston has been so welcoming to the Rhode Island Housewives, I can’t even tell you. They’ve been more welcoming than anyone else, put it that way. So thank you.
I love that you were all at Fenway, and at TD Garden for the Celtics game. There are always Housewives events here, too.
A lot of meet-and-greets. Boston has been so welcoming to the Rhode Island Housewives, I can’t even tell you. They’ve been more welcoming than anyone else, put it that way. So thank you. Massachusetts as a whole has been super welcoming. Now I just need to meet Mark Wahlberg and Ben Affleck. Do you guys want me to do a Dunkin’ commercial? I’ll do a Dunkin’ commercial.
Interview has been edited and condensed. Lauren Daley is a freelance culture writer. She can be reached at [email protected]. She tweets @laurendaley1, and Instagrams at @laurendaley1. Read more stories on Facebook here.
Lauren Daley is a longtime culture journalist. As a regular contributor to Boston.com, she interviews A-list musicians, actors, authors and other major artists.
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