The Real Friends of WeHo

California-based reality television series in the United States

Brad Goreski
Todrick Hall
Jaymes Vaughan
Curtis Hamilton
Dorion Renaud
Joey Zauzig

Country of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishNo. of seasons1No. of episodes6ProductionExecutive producers

Camilo Valdes
Glen Gottlieb
Glenda Hersh
Jessica Zalkind
Julie "Bob" Lombardi
Kenny Loeliger-Myers
Lauren Eskelin
Michelle Schiefen
Steven Weinstock
Todd Radnitz

Production companyTruly OriginalOriginal releaseNetworkMTVReleaseJanuary 20 (2023-01-20) –
February 24, 2023 (2023-02-24)

The Real Friends of WeHo is an American reality television series that premiered on January 20, 2023, on MTV.^[1]

Background

A small teaser of the series was released by MTV, on January 5, 2023, showcasing six costars living in West Hollywood, California.^[2] The series features Brad Goreski, a current judge from Canada's Drag Race; Todrick Hall, a choreographer and internet personality; Dorion Renaud, founder and current CEO of Buttah Skin; Curtis Hamilton, known from television series Insecure; Joey Zauzig, a social media influencer; and Jaymes Vaughan, a television host.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Cast

Brad Goreski
Todrick Hall
Jaymes Vaughan
Curtis Hamilton
Dorion Renaud
Joey Zauzig

Episodes

No.	Title	Original air date	US viewers (millions)
1	"Six Degrees of West Hollywood"	January 20, 2023 (2023-01-20)	0.186^[6]
2	"Thank You for Being a Friend"	January 27, 2023 (2023-01-27)	0.169^[7]
3	"Wigging Out"	February 3, 2023 (2023-02-03)	0.150^[8]
4	"Palm Springs Shade"	February 10, 2023 (2023-02-10)	0.130^[9]
5	"Family Matters"	February 17, 2023 (2023-02-17)	0.189^[10]
6	"He Said, He Said"	February 24, 2023 (2023-02-24)	0.185^[11]

Reception

The reception of the show following the release of the first episode was overwhelmingly negative.^[12]

The show has been criticized for its stereotypical and unrealistic representation of the gay community. Critic Coleman Spide of The Daily Beast called the show "a colossal gay nightmare" and described it as a "sad amalgamation of six arrogant gay men who would rather spend time talking about themselves than try to make good TV."^[13] Lawrence Yee of TheWrap called The Real Friends of Weho a "show we don't need about people we don't need to see more of" and pointed out its lack of diversity.^[14] While ensuring "equal parity between white and Black castmates," Yee notes "there's nary a Latin or Asian person (...) or trans person."^[14]

Further criticism of the series came from the viewers of RuPaul's Drag Race who argued that the recent season's runtime had been shortened from "60 minutes to 40 (without ads) in order to make room" for the reality series.^[15]

Shortly after the show began airing, cast mate Dorion Renaud was critical of the series in an interview. "They promoted the show as 6 gay men living in West Hollywood who are friends, first I don't live in West Hollywood, I live in the valley, I love the valley. I never go to West Hollywood, I'm not in that scene. Aside from Curtis I wasn't friends with any of the cast. I also have never confirmed or talked about my sexuality. I felt betrayed because they have me identifying as something I'm not. I'm Dorion Renaud." Renaud claimed he was told that the series would be a reboot of The A-List: New York titled The A-List: LA, and that it would be a Paramount+ exclusive which would focus primarily on his business. Renaud said that he would not have agreed to appear on the show had he known it would be on MTV.^[16]

References

^ Tinoco, Armando (January 5, 2023). "'The Real Friends Of WeHo': MTV Sets Premiere Date For Show Starring Brad Goreski & Todrick Hall". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
^ Perkins, Njera (January 13, 2023). "MTV's New "The Real Friends of WeHo" Trailer Promises It'll Be a "F*cking Crazy Ride"". PopSugar. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
^ Manfredi, Lucas (January 5, 2023). "'The Real Friends of WeHo' Follows Brad Goreski and Todrick Hall in an Unfiltered Look at West Hollywood Life". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
^ Rude, Mey (January 5, 2023). "Meet the Cast of MTV's New Gay Reality Show 'The Real Friends of WeHo'". Out. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
^ Lavietes, Matt (5 January 2023). "'Real Housewives,' but make it gay(er): MTV introduces 'Real Friends of WeHo'". NBC News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 23, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Friday 1.20.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
^ Salem, Mitch (January 31, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Friday 1.27.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
^ Salem, Mitch (February 3, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Friday 2.03.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
^ Salem, Mitch (February 10, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Friday 2.10.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
^ Salem, Mitch (February 10, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Friday 2.17.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
^ Salem, Mitch (February 27, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Friday 2.24.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
^ Stillman, Andrew J. (2023-01-19). "'The Real Friends of WeHo' Respond to All the Negative Backlash". www.out.com. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
^ Spilde, Coleman (2023-01-19). "'The Real Friends of WeHo' Is a Colossal, Gay Nightmare". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
^ ^a ^b Yee, Lawrence (2023-01-20). "Real Friends of Weho Review: A Show We Don't Need About People We Don't Need to See More Of". TheWrap. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
^ Damshenas, Sam (January 20, 2023). "The Real Friends of WeHo cast respond to Drag Race runtime backlash". Gay Times. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
^ Walker (2023-01-27). "Exclusive: The Real 'Fake' Friends of WeHo, Dorión Renaud Spills About the Show, and What's Next for Buttah". Love B Scott. Retrieved February 15, 2023.

External links

The Real Friends of WeHo at IMDb

MTV original programming

Current
All Star Shore (since 2023) Catfish: The TV Show (since 2012) Caught in the Act: Unfaithful (since 2023) The Challenge (since 1998) Couples Retreat (since 2023) MTV Cribs (2000–2011; since 2021) Ex on the Beach (since 2018) The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist (since 2023) Help! I'm in a Secret Relationship! (since 2022) Jersey Shore: Family Vacation (since 2018) Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (since 2023) Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta: Run It Back (since 2023) The Love Experiment (since 2023) MTV Unplugged (since 1989) The Real Friends of WeHo (since 2023) Ridiculousness (since 2011) RuPaul's Drag Race (since 2023) RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked (since 2023) Siesta Key (since 2017) Teen Mom: Family Reunion (since 2022) Teen Mom: Girls' Night In (since 2022) Teen Mom: The Next Chapter (since 2022)

Current

All Star Shore (since 2023)
Catfish: The TV Show (since 2012)
Caught in the Act: Unfaithful (since 2023)
The Challenge (since 1998)
Couples Retreat (since 2023)
MTV Cribs (2000–2011; since 2021)
Ex on the Beach (since 2018)
The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist (since 2023)
Help! I'm in a Secret Relationship! (since 2022)
Jersey Shore: Family Vacation (since 2018)
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (since 2023)
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta: Run It Back (since 2023)
The Love Experiment (since 2023)
MTV Unplugged (since 1989)
The Real Friends of WeHo (since 2023)
Ridiculousness (since 2011)
RuPaul's Drag Race (since 2023)
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked (since 2023)
Siesta Key (since 2017)
Teen Mom: Family Reunion (since 2022)
Teen Mom: Girls' Night In (since 2022)
Teen Mom: The Next Chapter (since 2022)

Former

1980s debuts	MTV New Year's (1981–2014) We're Dancin' (1982–1983) I.R.S. Records Presents The Cutting Edge (1983–1987) Al TV (1984–1999) The Brawl to End It All (1984) Andy Warhol's Fifteen Minutes (1985–1987) Heavy Metal Mania (1985–1987) The War to Settle the Score (1985) Dial MTV (1986–1996) 120 Minutes (1986–2000) MTV Spring Break (1986–2014, 2019) Headbangers Ball (1987–1995) Stevie and Zoya (1987–1989) Club MTV (1987–1992) Remote Control (1987–1990) Yo! MTV Raps (1988–1995) Just Say Julie (1989–1992) House of Style (1989–2012) Camp MTV (1989) Street Party (1989–1992) Totally Pauly (1989–1994) PostModern MTV (1989–1993)
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2010s debuts	My Life as Liz (2010–2011) The Buried Life (2010) The Dudesons in America (2010) Hired (2010) When I Was 17 (2010–2011) Downtown Girls (2010) The Hard Times of RJ Berger (2010–2011) The Ride (2010) Warren the Ape (2010) If You Really Knew Me (2010) Lucha Libre USA (2010–2011) The Seven (2010–2011) I Used to Be Fat (2010–2011, 2013) World of Jenks (2010–2013) Cuff'd (2011) Skins (2011) Teen Wolf (2011–2017) Awkward (2011–2016) I Just Want My Pants Back (2011–2012) Death Valley (2011) Plain Jane (2011) Good Vibes (2011) Friendzone (2011–2014) Teen Mom 2 (2011–2022) Caged (2012) The Pauly D Project (2012) Savage U (2012) Snooki & Jwoww (2012–2015) The Inbetweeners (2012) This Is How I Made It (2012–2013) Underemployed (2012–2013) Money from Strangers (2012–2013) The Alectrix (2013) Buckwild (2013) Girl Code (2013–2015) Nikki & Sara Live (2013) Kesha: My Crazy Beautiful Life (2013) The Show with Vinny (2013) Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous (2013) Teen Mom 3 (2013) Big Tips Texas (2013) Scrubbing In (2013) Are You the One? (2014–2019) Faking It (2014–2016) Finding Carter (2014–2015) Snack-Off (2014–2015) Virgin Territory (2014) Happyland (2014) House of Food (2014) Slednecks (2014) Broke Ass Game Show (2015–2016) Eye Candy (2015) Follow the Rules (2015) Kingin' with Tyga (2015–2016) Todrick (2015) Middle of the Night Show (2015) One Bad Choice (2015) Scream (2015–2016) Acting Out (2016) The Almost Impossible Game Show (2016) The Shannara Chronicles (2016) Fail Army (2016) Fast Food Heights (2016) Greatest Party Story Ever (2016) Ladylike (2016) Loosely Exactly Nicole (2016) Mary + Jane (2016) Owning It (2016) The Racket (2016) Suspect (2016) Sweet/Vicious (2016–2017) Are You the One? Second Chances (2017) Dare to Live (2017) 90's House (2017) Stranded with a Million Dollars (2017) Promposal (2017) Shinesty (2017) Undressed (2017) Teen Mum (2017) Amazingness (2017–2018) The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars (2017–2018) Fear Factor (2017–2018) Floribama Shore (2017–2021) SafeWord (2017–2018) Catfish: Trolls (2018) Too Stupid to Die (2018) Winter Break: Hunter Mountain (2018) Pretty Little Mamas (2018) How Far Is Tattoo Far? (2018–2019) Teen Mom: Young and Pregnant (2018–2022) Game of Clones (2019) Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club (2019) True Life/Now (2019) Made in Staten Island (2019) Double Shot at Love (2019–2021) Ghosted: Love Gone Missing (2019–2021) The Hills: New Beginnings (2019, 2021) Teen Mom: Young Moms Club (2019)
2020s debuts	16 and Recovering (2020) The Busch Family Brewed (2020) Deliciousness (2020–2022) Families of the Mafia (2020–2021) Revenge Prank (2020–2021) True Life Crime (2020–2021) Adorableness (2021) Messyness (2021–2022) Becoming a Popstar (2022) Buckhead Shore (2022) The Challenge: Untold History (2022) Love at First Lie (2022)