Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • June 10, 2009
Franklin Lakes
‘Housewives’ TV show nets borough filming fee
by Frank J. McMahon The filming of “The Housewives of New Jersey” reality television show has resulted in $30,000 in revenue for Franklin Lakes for the 20 days the show was filmed in the borough. The revenue came from a filming fee paid by Sirens Media, the production company that created the programming of the show for the Bravo TV network. The borough has an ordinance that requires payment of certain fees for commercial filming conducted in the municipality. It covers the taking of still or motion pictures, either on film or videotape or a similar recording medium, for commercial or educational purposes, intended for viewing on television, in theaters, or for institutional uses. It does not include the filming of news stories within the borough. The ordinance sets the permit fees for different kinds of filming, and the cost of a permit for a major motion picture or a television series is $1,500 a day. When the producers for “The Housewives of New Jersey” learned about the fee for filming in the borough, they did not apply for a permit, but began filming the show in the spring and summer of 2008. Although the borough was notified of the scheduled filming in May of 2008, there is no record of a permit ever being applied for or issued for the filming of the TV show. Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart advised that, before the show was to be aired on national television this May, Franklin Lakes Borough Attorney Douglas Doyle contacted the production company and reminded them about their responsibility to pay the fee. A short time later, the borough receive a check for $30,000 covering the 20 days of filming that took place within the borough, according the Bravo TV. Hart said there is still a question about the number of days the filming took place within the borough, but given the tough economic climate, he said he was happy to receive the fee. The television series chronicles the daily activities of “five of the most affluent Jersey Girls as they live lavish lifestyles and deal with all the drama that money can buy,” according to Bravo TV. Filmed in the borough and other parts of New Jersey last spring and summer, the show features two sisters who are married to two brothers, and one sister-in-law who live
in the borough plus two other women who live in Wayne and Montville. According to Bravo TV, the show focuses on a new level of familial drama in which family remains a priority for each woman, along with their shopping, decorating, dating and even fighting, which are described as “over-the-top.” The women were chosen for this series on the basis of their affluence and the fact that they run households, have businesses, and they have an interesting story to tell, according to Kristen Andersen, the press manager for Bravo Communications. She said after one of the women was located, she opened up her circle of friends and family to the project. The series began on May 12, and has continued thereafter on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. Six episodes were filmed, and will be aired on Bravo TV, according to Anderson, who advised that a follow-up reunion may also be filmed and aired. Bravo Communications claims “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” enjoyed record ratings the night it aired, posting the highest rated franchise series premiere ever with 1.26 million adults ages 18 to 49 and 1.72 million total viewers.
Franklin Lakes Fire Department will dedicate its new 2009 Pierce Velocity rescue truck at a wetdown on Saturday, June 13 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Bender Court Firehouse. “The Shots” will be performing live. The event will include food, beverages, T-shirts, mugs, and a “bouncy house” for children. The public is welcome to attend.
Wetdown planned
The Franklin Lakes Republican Club will meet on Tuesday, June 9 in the Franklin Lakes Ambulance Corps building on Bender Court. The meeting will begin at 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Republicans plan meeting