Catching up with Reality TV Star Gretchen Bonaduce about her Take on Reality Television

Entertainment Monthly News Staff

Photo by: Sherry Lee Photos

Reality TV is an opportunity to live vicariously through the lives of the show’s characters, one can start daydreaming of their own fantasies coming to life while influenced by someone like Gretchen Bonaduce who takes the initiative to create her own reality and present it to us on television. Gretchen has a talent for drawing us in as viewers into her moments of passion, pain,happiness, and real life ups and downs. She delivers emotion and truth on camera. This new possible reality TV show in the works is not her first rodeo; she has been the star of two network television reality hit shows. Let her tell us about her life now as an empty nester, moving from California to Bisbee Arizona and her challenges to become the success story she is dreaming and working hard to become in the hospitality business.

Breaking Bonaduce was the number one show during its prime on VH1 and the whole world watched your marriage full to pieces. Are you ready to share your world with others once again?

Absolutely! I am so excited to share what I have been able to accomplish on my own since leaving LA and taking a break from the TV world. After you have a hit TV show you spend a lot of time “chasing the dragon” if you will. I’m not sure people understand how hard it is to get a show on TV. Many people have a very difficult time walking away. Now, I totally don’t care about it. If I can accomplish another one I will be psyched. Icing on the cake. But I don’t need it. My life is so full in Bisbee. It would be a great opportunity to hang out with my wonderful friends and create something really fun. Plus, honestly, any TV exposure helps my business and my town. I’m 100 down for that!

Who is your favorite Reality TV show on air now that you admire?

I love reality shows that are more docu series than “reality shows.” I loved the shows on PBS that they did for a time. Frontier Families, Manor House, and 1940 House, I’m addicted to! I gravitate more towards the cerebral shows. I love British cooking shows. I am a huge fan of Escape to the Chateau and We Bought a Funeral Home.

Why did you decide now is a good time to create a new reality TV show associated with your life?

I think you have to have something interesting going on to film a reality show. I know many of them seem scripted, and they are, but I feel like the things I am doing right now for real are interesting. When you pitch a show to a production company or network they always ask what the stakes are. I think investing your life savings in anything that could fail are pretty high stakes. Can’t get any higher stakes than that.

What is the craziest or funniest thing you think would attract fans to watch you on TV for your new show?

Well, my girlfriends are incredibly goofy and fun. Not to mention gorgeous. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Bobbie Brown is a stand up comic. For a beautiful woman to be insanely profane and absurd, well, you don’t see that everyday. Suzanne Bach is ethereally gorgeous, an actress and mother to a blended family. (Just keeping up with Sabastian I am sure is a full-time job!) Athena Lee (Tommy’s sister), Is a traveling ER nurse and a badass drummer. Conchita Leflang is from Suriname, an actress and singer and a mother. She is our jet set girl. Sharise Neil was married to Vince in the 80’s. She’s probably the hottest house flipper you will ever meet, and has a great sense of humor as well. None of us take ourselves too seriously, and I think we are way more relatable than the housewives.

Are there any major fears you have about moving to Bisbee, Arizona, which is considered the wild wild west and opening two Lodging accommodations and a cafe? Do you also do weddings and events?

I do do (ha I said do do) weddings and events. My seance dinners at Greenway are such a hit I keep adding more dates. My Elvis in Bisbeeland dinner was a hit, and the food we catered for was so good. Who doesn’t like fried peanut butter and bacon sandwiches? I throw stuff out and see what works. I did not have any major fears about moving to Bisbee, Arizona and starting 3 new businesses. I only intended to do one, but when opportunity strikes, you have to jump and hope you are doing the right thing. I think people who take risks can end up being the most successful. I think I am missing the fear of failure chips! If I thought that way, I am sure I would not have been able to achieve the things I have been able to.

You have a roster of famous girlfriends associated with the music industry that are by your side no matter what you do. Please explain your possible character development.

The girls I mentioned above all have very interesting lives and friends. I think we have created a show concept that everyone would enjoy watching. I’m optimistic a network will agree with me. The first idea we threw out came so close to being optioned we were actually discussing budgets. I was disappointed it didn’t go. I have a good feeling about our new concept.

Would Danny Bonaduce make an appearance for old time sake?

I guess never say never, but I’m not sure with his current health situation he would not want to be on TV. Ha. I’m lying. He loves to be on TV..so maybe. Especially if it pays.

It looks like you are living your dream lifestyle as a host and business woman in hospitality. Do you see your brand expanding to other travel locations?

That would be my dream to find every quirky weird town in America and open an airbnb or boutique hotel. I adore weird towns and weird people. It’s my jam.

Not many women would take on the responsibility of starting a new business venture in hospitality like you are doing. You have a unique style that is attracting a large royal group of guests. Tell us your style. You seem very involved in the daily chores.

OMG..the toilets I have cleaned, the beds I change daily, the mopping! The dishes I have washed and the tables I have waited on in my cafe…actually, I don’t mind it, but not gonna lie. It can get exhausting. I am very hands-on, that is for sure. I hope one day to be able to hire more people to do those things so I can run for office. As of now, I wouldn’t have the time to concentrate on a whole city or region and try to make good decisions. One day I hope to. I’m probably one of the only girls in the US where you will find NO naked pics of me online. How many can say that. LOL.

You mentioned going to Mexico for some recent beauty treatments. I’m sure many of your fan base would love to know your tips.

I’m sure it is not a secret to anyone that things are cheaper in Mexico. I have found so many great dentists, doctors, and vets that are a fraction of the cost in the US. I agree that you have to be cautious, but I am trying to get a stable of doctors in Agua Prieta to refer people to. I think med tours are a great idea. Things are a fraction of the cost. You can come stay in Bisbee at one of my airbnb’s, which is 30 minutes from the Mexican border! We have a driver and can help set up appointments with people I have used and trust. The doctors down there are equally as good as the US.

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