‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’: Caroline Manzo to leave after season 5

For those of you who have felt like “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” has stayed too constant for too long, the following news is probably going to feel both good and bad: Caroline Manzo is reportedly checking out after five seasons as a part of the cast.

This news was first reported by Us Weekly, as the Manzo family matriarch is already in the process of filming “Manzo’d with Children,” a pilot that is already shooting for Bravo and will probably not have that much trouble being picked up to series. She is just that valuable a part of the network, and we have a hard time imagining that Bravo would not bite on it. Caroline is one of their most-popular reality stars, and she also brings with her something that has been sorely missing with some of the other cast members: A sense of fun. We’ve never really gotten the feeling that she cares more about stirring the pot than anything else, and we have felt that way when it comes to Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice.

In leaving this world for the time being, we see Caroline doing a very smart thing. “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” has become repetitive, and so long as the same people are still on the show, we don’t really see it changing. With her likely exit now, Teresa and Jacqueline Laurita are the only two stars who have been there since the beginning, whereas Kathy Wakile and Gorga both came on at the start of season 3.

In the end, the age of “dramatic” reality TV also seems to be dying down somewhat. When you look at the ratings for “Duck Dynasty,” you have proof that more viewers are flocking to family-based shows that have something more to offer. Who knows: Maybe the Manzo family can be that for Bravo?

In case you missed it earlier in the day, click here if you want to catch a preview for tomorrow night’s season finale.

Photo: Bravo