Earlier today, we caught wind that Bravo TV might be looking to haul over the entire cast of their longstanding (in the world of reality TV, anyway) Real Housewives of New York series, in the interest of getting "rich, rich women, dripping in glamor and $10 million penthouses," at least according to Page Six. But Househusband Simon "I Am Real" van Kempen isn't so sure. more ›

Before Bravo started implementing Real Housewives in every state from Jersey to Georgia, there was New York City. And while the cast of catty, wealth-obsessed ladies particular to our hometown has shuffled a bit over the past four seasons, there has been one constant: Alex McCord and her husband, Simon van Kempen. Over the years, the Australia-born van Kempen has emerged as a serious scene-stealer, earning himself the nickname "the first Househusband." Recently, he's been the focus of a series of webisodes on BravoTV.com , and last month he released his first single, "I Am Real." We recently caught up with the reality star and overall Brooklyn champion to chat about some of his recent projects and favorite neighborhood spots. more ›

The recession is really hitting home for one well-to-do Brooklyn couple. Real Housewives of New York's Alex McCord (betrothed to the creepy Simon Van Kempen) has just lost her job as visual merchandiser at Victoria's Secret (she was 1 of 90 axed at the NYC offices). More shocking is that she even had a job! Seeing as how the couple spend most of their time shopping and plotting the huge renovation on their Cobble Hill home, this is just very sad news. What purpose could they possibly serve on the show now? Perhaps they can form a troupe of triste Parisian mimes with their French-speaking spawn, Francois and Johan. For now, McCord says they will still jet off to St. Barth's even though it was her salary "that tended to pay for their infamous shopping sprees, not to mention the cost of their full-time nanny." [via Cobble Hill Blog] more ›

A Katrina refugee who resettled in Texas following the flooding of New Orleans is suing a Manhattan hotel for $100 million, after she was nearly burnt to death in her room's shower. Ethel Tropez, a 79-year-old woman who had to resettle in Live Oak, TX after Katrina, was visiting NYC and staying at the Hotel Chandler on 31st St., near 5th Ave. more ›