Russell Armstrong's Mom Upset Real Housewives Is Continuing
Credit: Todd Williamson/WireImage.com
There's at least one person who won't be tuning in to the September 5 premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: John Ann Hotchkiss, the mother of the late Russell Armstrong. (The venture capitalist's body was found hanging from an exposed rafter in a pal's L.A. home on August 15.)
VIDEO: How Taylor and Russell struggled during their marriage
Though Bravo recently made the decision to air the series as originally scheduled, the premiere episode will now include taped commentary from the various Housewives regarding the suicide of Taylor Armstrong's estranged husband.
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"When I was informed of this, I thought, 'I hope Bravo will take the high road and keep it tasteful,'" Hotchkiss said in a statement to HLN's Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell. "Let's not murder my son twice."
Frances Berwick, the President of Bravo Media, released a statement Wednesday detailing how Russell's death would be incorporated into the new season.
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"Given that these episodes were filmed months ago, the producers of the show taped a brief interview this week with several of the cast members to introduce the premiere. Re-editing of the episodes is still underway," he said. The network has also "partnered with the Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) to raise awareness about suicide prevention."
Still, Hotchkiss believes her son's martial and financial problems became unbearable when they were exposed on national television. "I began to notice things starting to fray when the television thing came into being, and I was very concerned," Hotchkiss said.
"What bothered me the most was. . .he would be bashed by some of the other castmembers. . .The program itself really brought him down."
At one point, Hotchkiss says, Russell broke down. "'Mom, they're just going to crucify me this season,'" he told his mother. "And he said, 'I don't know what to do. I'll never survive it.'"
Tell Us What You Think
9Taylor Armstrong is a stoopid gold digger. $ 60,000 for a 5 y/o B'day party!!! She contributed to her husband's downfall, Disgusting. She looks like a plastic nightmare. Those bee stung lips of her's are gross. Maybe she should have been a wife to her husband instead of celebrity hoe
I won't be watching it this season. I did last year but not this year. I've despised that fake Taylor since she got rid of the dog her husband gave their little girl. Her soul is as ugly as that hideous MOUTH. Maybe she could find work as a circus performer swallowing whole tigers or elephants.
Melissa, the abuse ALLEGATIONS are just that, unless of course you are Taylor's confidante and you witnessed it. In the melodramatic world of this BH housewife, abuse is not getting a credit raise on her Black Amex card so she couldn't charge her botox treatment. Get real ladies. Unless you have proof of the abuse, I would take one look at Taylor's over-indulged puss and doubt it until she provides evidence. This is a woman who knew they were in financial trouble and still spent $$$ all the time. All she did was pile on the pressure - on the FATHER OF HER CHILD. The highly edited completely scripted show you enjoy so much manipulates the women on it so they believe they are stars. Both Andy Cohen and the other producers could have taken the high road and not ran this series but the thought of losing money was not allowed. Its obnoxious..but the stupidest statement I've ever read on this US website is "he obviously had deeper issues than things that were portrayed on the show..." OH PLEASE.
I don't think the show is responsible in any way!! They chose to be on that show. I think mama is wanting to cash in on her son's death. I think she is despicable!! He obviously had deeper issues than things that were portrayed on the show!!
Funny how she doesn't mention that her son was physically abusive to his wife, and that just maybe it was his fault that people perceived him they way they did.
First, the women on here are insanely selfish. He chose to be on the show? You saw the wife -- she wants to be a star, he tried to please her. Obvious. I think his demeanor on the show more than backs that up. And Ashley, its so impressive that you know so much about what goes on behind closed doors in a marriage, I'm presuming you are one of Taylor's closest friends so this is why you have the insight right? I mean, you saw him beat her right? Women are amazing. Taylor is looking to make a buck off this, she should be ashamed. Her insecurity and her insane need for attention and Andy Cohen's amazing greed should be checked at the door. I remember when Bravo had quality programming. Now its all these out of control women. But again, what is the fan base for this whole scripted totally unreal reality show - women..sad. Very sad. But typical.
Coming from the mother whose son beat his wife!
You cant blame anyone for his suicide but himself, I don't mean to sound nasty,he chose to be on the show, as for his wife shes not to blame , he obviously was a sick man, and a very selfish one...Let his family grieve in peace, stop speculating on why he killed himself, it was by his hand alone... he was a coward...
I'm sorry that Russel Armstrong chose to end his life, we've all gone through shameful things, you bare it and hold on to the real people in your life, lisa was just re actingto his behavior which is human nature, I would have re acted the same, because he was cold, and remember as far as they were concern he was nore than fanicanally stable, how could they know, He chose to be on the show, and present himself in an unreal way. sucide is one of the most selfish acts, as well as taking his own life he could have turned to his mother or a family member, in stead to blaming people for what is clearly a horrible and selfish act this should betrayed for what it is a vain and selfish act. to detur others, sucide's want you to be stunned and guilty, look what you've done to me and its what they do to their family and love ones, what about his little girl what has he done to her, did he think of that, leave Lisa alone, its not her fault, she didn't hound Russel, she made a few comments, and besides if that all it takes half the populatin would be dead.