I don't watch any of the Real Housewives franchise.  I wouldn't even know about this if not for an opinion piece by a columnist I like.

The gist is this, though:
One of the couples were in the middle of a split.  Divorce proceedings had been started.  Husband kills himself and, according to friends, said that the show had ruined his life on multiple levels.

(Gawker article about Barry Armstrong's death)

On the one hand, it seems like a logical conclusion to me.  TV shows of this type have to be disruptive to the people involved, so it was probably just a matter of time until something like this happened.

On the other hand, I'm still kinda shocked by it.  And disgusted that We, The People, let it get this far by tuning in to these kinds of shows.

What do you think?  Has reality TV gone too far (Bravo, the network that produces the franchise, has said they are not going to stop filming)?

I watch these shows and have been following the aftermath of Russell Armstrong's suicide.

Bravo has definitely gone too far with all the housewives shows. So many marriages are ending up in divorce, bankruptcy, kids on drugs or whatever. As fascinating as it is on a psych level to watch this stuff, it's very hard to keep watching now. It just gets worse every year.

Out of all the housewives shows, Russell was the only one I can think of who gave off vibes of not being able to handle it or being comfortable/equipped to deal with tv. The fact they let him and his wife on this series really makes no sense as they don't fit well with the others either.

This series was due to start airing new season Sept.5th. So far, Bravo still alluding to pushing that date back and re-editing as his Mother threatened to sue Bravo if they air ANY footage of Russell. But the thing is, Bravo apparently set up this entire season to be about Russell's marriage troubles - counselling on air included. Ugh.

"The fact they let him and his wife on this series really makes no sense as they don't fit well with the others either."

That was mentioned in the article I read, caribou.  Part of the pressure his friend talked about was that Armstrong was in debt / bankrupt and there were other couples on the show that are public-record billionaires and Armstrong felt ... I don't know what word I'm looking for ... belittled?  Ostracized?

Since you watch the show, can you explain this side of it a bit?  (I've never caught a single episode.)

What I mean is, was he really mistreated or was he just in over his head?

I saw Russel's lawyer interviewed and he said that the Armstrong's were trying to keep up apperances(monetary) on the show. They were in a financial disaster but they were buying expensive items to keep up with the other people on the show to make it look like they had it all together. And there was also the Domestic Violence rumours surounding the couple as well. Airing all the dirty laundry is not a recipe for a happy life.

"Airing all the dirty laundry is not a recipe for a happy life."

I hear that, miss.  *fistbump*

I'll admit, though, that I just don't understand the general appeal.  I like the reality shows where there's a competition (like Top Model or similar) but watching other people's drama (a la the Kardashian empire)?  Nah, I can't hang.

Shit...  I just realized I got his name wrong on the original link and it's too late to edit!  :(  I think I read two names at once and mixed 'em together.

Sorry, Russell, where ever you are!

Damn.  :(  Now I feel like I slandered the dead.

I've never watched the shows. the commercials with the women yelling at each other, were annoying enough. 

Yep, all the things you both said. He was putting on a show and ripped people off to do it apparently. And his wife, Taylor, has same sort of history - fake past, etc.  People are really digging on their histories now and both seem to have been con artists to a large degree. And yeah, people on Bev Hills series are loaded financially. Taylor and Russell could not hope to keep up.

He also had a vibe about him that was scary a bit. I mean, he sounded calm and agreeable enough but lacking social skills, not at all outgoing (altho he could have been just been very stressed out) and tight rein on his wife's time and attention. They don't seem a match at all. I think she married him for money but sort of got conned herself. Unless they were running this lifestyle knowing they were both con artists. It's all very odd.

I watch these shows because i'm home sick all the time. lol  It gets me through the bad days. It's pathetic I know.

Also, Taylor has some serious weird single white female stuff going on with a few of the housewives. Only one is still buying into it last I read. But now maybe Kelsey Grammer's ex Camille might be on board. Taylor is weird - very weird.

Very interesting, caribou!

Now I'm wondering about Bravo's motives behind including them on the show.  You know they expected tension!

SaD, that's what everyone else is thinking too! You called it exactly. Especially this upcoming season was focused mainly on their marriage - Taylor and Russell. They started the set up scenario suggesting spousal abuse LAST season between these two.

Bravo sets up a housewife each season, usually a different one. And they get raked over the coals, set up in situations, it's really dangerous how they seem to play with people's lives. It's a shame because Bev Hills was the best one of all the housewives series. I was soooooo looking forward to this season! But now, if they air it, I don't know if I can watch. It's all horrific now given what happened with Russell.

Not pathetic! I'm looking up TV shows on Primetime On-Demand right now, because I'm antsy, and I'm going to be up all night. I've gone through DVD's in the past, of shows - whole seasons, within a week, if not two of three days (Big Love, four years ago). 

Oh good, glad I'm not the only one. It's the only reality tv I watch really. Like you Salai I'll miss weeks at a time sometimes and then have a marathon day catching up.

Everyone's allowed a guilty pleasure or two, caribou.  ;)  "Trash" TV is pretty innocuous.

I dunno, man...
I thought planning to air the footage (even with liberal editing) was pretty despicable out of Bravo.  Now, with this new info, I'm wondering if it's more sinister than that.  :/

Oh like what are you thinking? Sinister how? I mean, what more could they do???

I'm worried they're free to air it due to contracts and signatures. The whole thing is a mess. I'd prefer they cut out all Taylor and Russell but obviously they can't if whole season was about them primarily.

Sinister like they expected some kind of gigantic fall-out -- maybe not this suicide, but definite exposure of fraud.  I don't know, it's where my mind went.

I also wouldn't put it past 'em to have a contingency for this kind of thing, either.  "If someone offs themselves we'll X, Y, Z to maximize ratings."

Oh my god, I didn't even think of that. You're onto something there.

There was a photo of Taylor at the funeral home and she had herself almost completely hidden. I wonder what is going on. And what was filmed. Also she and Russell were hit with a million+ lawsuit about 2 weeks before he died? That's all on her alone now.

Hmmmm....this is very sinister.

Yeah, it is.  *shiver*

Blech...  I've creeped myself out.  Right now I'm feeling like this is all a little too much "playing God." 

I'm in the same boat with you caribou - I'm home sick these days. I watch all these shows - why? Because truth is stranger than fiction. Always. You can't make this stuff up.

I'm very sorry this specific incident happened - suicide is devastating for all involved, but I don't think we can say whether it was due to the show or not. Only Russell could say.

I personally know and have acquaintances who have been on reality TV and it's not the picnic that these women seem to think it is going to be when they sign up.

By now these shows have been running long enuf that anyone who agrees to be on them should know that it is par for the course in the media these days that all dirty laundry will become public knowledge.  

(((Josephine))) I'm sorry you're sick too.

Yeah these shows....you can't make this stuff up. Makes my life as a sick person much more bearable. Which is the point I guess, or something.

This IS airing as scheduled starting September 5th...that's Monday!!