• RHOBH executive producer says Lisa Rinna cannot be replaced.
• There are still a few openings to fill before “RHOBH” resumes production for Season 13.
• The choice was made when Rinna’s highly acrimonious contract.

According to executive producer Alex Baskin, replacing Lisa Rinna on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” is impossible.

Because there is only one Lisa Rinna, Baskin told during a discussion at the 2023 Realscreen Summit in Austin, Texas, “I think you never look to replace someone who recently departed.”

However, there are still a few openings to fill before “RHOBH” resumes production for Season 13 given Diana Jenkins’ further exit. (Season 12’s broadcasting concluded on October 2022.)

The reality TV veteran went on to say, “I think you seek for someone who is going to both fits in and stand out,” describing the kind of lady he envisions mixing with people like Kyle Richards, Garcelle Beauvais, and Erika Jayne.

Such a jewel can be “very hard” to find, according to Baskin. You want someone who is friendly with the other members of the group, someone who will be a true girlfriend to them, and someone who will also leave a lasting impact.

Rinna, 59, announced her retirement from “Beverly Hills” earlier this month following eight seasons of the popular reality series.

She said in a statement to People on January 5 that “this is the longest job I have had in my 35-year career.” And I want to thank everyone at Bravo and everyone who worked on the series.

The choice was made when Rinna’s highly acrimonious contract, during which she frequently sparred with “friend of the cast” Kathy Hilton, expired at the conclusion of Season 12.

A subsequent three-part reunion featured analysis of conflict, which Baskin discussed at Realscreen. He laughed and replied, “It was awful.

The CEO of 32 Flavors Entertainment, a recently established company that has produced “RHOBH” and “The Real Housewives of Orange County” for years, acknowledged that reunions are growing more difficult as the franchise develops.

“They keep becoming harder. I believe that we cover more, and that with concerts, nothing is off-limits. Everything under the sun is conceived of and questioned at reunions because the audience is so involved, he noted.

It does require a lot of endurance. The season is like a marathon, the reunion like a sprint, and you’re exhausted at the conclusion.

Other “Housewives” creators, including Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, SVP, Current Production at Truly Original, and Kathleen French, SVP, Current Production, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, joined Baskin on stage at Realscreen. Pamela Gimenez, VP, Unscripted Current Production, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

Each speaker on the panel, “Case Study: Inside ‘Real Housewives’ Phenomenon,” shared their professional experiences while highlighting how the program has evolved into a staple of pop culture with countless variations and spinoffs.

It’s a fantastic franchise. We’re quite happy with it. French, who works on “RHOBH” and “The Real Housewives of Miami,” noted that those who work on shows “enjoy shows.”

Speaking both as an executive producer and as a network executive, I’m really proud of franchise. I believe that women should be proud of what they do.

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