Laura Turner Seydel is not joining ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’
In December, Laura Turner Seydel hosted the annual Captain Planet Foundation at the Georgia Aquarium in December. Here she is presenting an environmental award to TV host Jeff Corwin. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
The National Enquirer this week reported that Ted Turner’s daughter and Atlanta philanthropist Laura Turner Seydel would be joining “The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ as a cast member season five.
Her spokeswoman Denise Elsbree exclusively told me that this is not true.
It is true that Bravo asked Seydel to be a cast member after her appearance on the January 8 episode. Marlo Hampton, who knew Seydel, had invited NeNe Leakes to a fundraiser for Captain Planet Foundation, which Seydel runs. Bravo was charmed by Seydel’s presence and invited her to be part of the show.
“She really enjoyed that,” Elsbree said. “It was fun. She was able to promote Captain Planet. She works hard to get the message out about the group’s different initiatives.”
But Seydel is too busy to be part of the Bravo show. “She has a really complicated schedule. She’s on all sorts of boards of foundations and travels all the time,” Elsbree said. “She’s flattered to be considered but there’s no way she could do it.”
She said the inquiry happened soon after the January 8 appearance and Bravo sent Seydel an application January 25. This past Wednesday, Feb. 8, Seydel’s staff sent back a response saying no, she can’t do it, Elsbree said.
Already, speculation is rife who will stay and who will go for season five of “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Kim Zolciak has a spin-off show debuting after season four ends but there is no word on whether Zolciak will stay on or leave “Real Housewives.” Ditto with NeNe. She appears to be focused on getting acting gigs, like her well-received appearance on “Glee” as a swimming coach.
There is also a rumor floating around that Phaedra Parks is considering jumping ship to VH1’s new “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta,” but that sounds especially dubious.
In early December, Buckhead socialite Courtney Cloer Thompson was rumored to have joined “Real Housewives of Atlanta” as well.
Bravo has not officially indicated who will be on the show next year.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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65 comments Add your comment
Tom C
February 10th, 2012
9:38 am
Since she’s Ted Turner’s daughter (maiden name Laura Turner), and then married Rutherford Seydel, isn’t her current name Laura Turner Seydel? Google seems to think so (every link returned for a search of “Laura Turner” orders her name in “first maiden married” fashion).
Careful Rodney, you may have Rutherford a bit upset with you…
CmdrR
February 10th, 2012
9:47 am
Doesn’t it go by order of billions?
I keed. I keed.
Orlando
February 10th, 2012
9:50 am
Rodney’s articles are never correct. You just have to skipover the typos and mis-quotes. They are always interesting though.
Cousin Brucie Levenson
February 10th, 2012
9:51 am
Laura Seydel TURNER?
Really, Rodney?
REALLY?
(Another reason to be thankful for canceling my AJC subscription)
Cousin Brucie Levenson
February 10th, 2012
9:56 am
Besides, no RESPECTABLE L-A-D-I-E-S of ivory complexion would ever go on that show.
Kat
February 10th, 2012
9:56 am
It must be nice that everyone knows who you are and what you do, regardless of what order your maiden/married names fall in.
ATL Guy
February 10th, 2012
9:57 am
LoL!!! Now that’s some TURNER Broadcasting
Snoopy
February 10th, 2012
10:11 am
Hopefully another reason she declined the offer is that she has too much self esteem to be part of the gaggle of hooligans that are on that show. Daddy Ted probably pleaded with her not to appear as a regular on a show that defiles the very city he helped to build.
baby
February 10th, 2012
10:12 am
It’s true Kat, apparently everyone knows her but Rodney. She is a very well-known and connected philanthropist in Atlanta.
Bryant
February 10th, 2012
10:14 am
Has Bravo lost their mind? Ms. Seydel is a refined lady who does many wonderful things for Atlanta as well as the planet. What would she have in common with the current cast of no talent hacks. The self serving sisters from the hood would not be able to have an intelligent conversation with her.
Tom C
February 10th, 2012
10:14 am
Kat – personally I knew because I went to college with her husband. Plus her father is a tad well known himself. In fairness to Laura her wonderful philanthropy and environmental work has, yes, made her name quite well known no matter the surname ordering.
I’m glad Rodney corrected it though…it would have been really sad to see a writer using the byline “Ho Rodney” covering the Real Housewives of Winnipeg next year.
not a fan
February 10th, 2012
10:25 am
Yeah, she wouldn’t qualify since she is not a janky crazy white person or an angry black woman.
Pebblebeach
February 10th, 2012
10:27 am
Why in the world would she want to associate herself with that mess for…
coolio
February 10th, 2012
10:27 am
i am sure when she was asked, that it was the fasest “no!” in the history of mankind. why would an intelligent woman even consider appearing on that show. come on…
Laura Turner Seydel is not joining ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ | ATLANTAboy.com | Gay Atlanta Celebrity, Film, Movie & TV News
February 10th, 2012
10:47 am
[...] more Laura Turner Seydel is not joining ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ at Radio & TV Talk… /* * * CONFIGURATION VARIABLES: EDIT BEFORE PASTING INTO YOUR [...]
Ed H.
February 10th, 2012
10:48 am
Of course she’s not joining the show. She’s not trailer trash like the rest of those bimbos.
ssalunkhe
February 10th, 2012
10:58 am
Its good news for audience as Real Housewives Of Atlanta is a very popular show like Colbert Report and I’m hoping that Show will bring his keep his unvarying popularity and rating till end of the show.
Rick James
February 10th, 2012
10:59 am
Laura is not new money and honestly is too classy for such mindless entertainment.
Michael
February 10th, 2012
11:01 am
Seriously, who watches these shows?
PleaseKillitWithFire
February 10th, 2012
11:05 am
Why is that show still on the air? If I want to see crazy, a walk through Woodruff Park, Little Five Points, or Piedmont Park would suffice.
ForRealTho
February 10th, 2012
11:09 am
for those of you who hold Mrs. Seydel to a higher level than the women already on the show saying she is “not trailertrash” or wouldn’t be on the show because “no RESPECTABLE L-A-D-I-E-S of ivory complexion would ever go on that show” remember her appearance on the show was because she knew and invited Marlo Hampton to her event. Now what respectable woman of Ivory Complexion would hang out with the likes of Marlo even if it is a fundraiser. Some money (especially when you have your own) you can do without. . Hmmmmm.. Just sayin…
Ilovethistrash
February 10th, 2012
11:11 am
Good for her. Now she needs to quit associating with the trash that is on the show…
Oh Gawd they should CANCEL this terrible show
February 10th, 2012
11:17 am
Shakes my head
Gail
February 10th, 2012
11:19 am
Saw Nene on GLEE! GREAT JOB!!!!
SafenSound
February 10th, 2012
11:25 am
@ForRealTho…THE TRUTH!! SMH!
c
February 10th, 2012
11:42 am
Good for her!!
True be that.
February 10th, 2012
11:44 am
She doent know Marlo “i’ll slash ur face” Hampton, and she would never associate with the gehetto trash thats on that show. What person would?
Chief Wiggum
February 10th, 2012
11:44 am
Of course she won’t be joining the show…she is actually married, and isn’t some ghetto trash “housewife” that they feature. Season five? How on earth does this garbage show last this long? Who are the idiots out there watching this nonsense?
jhfd
February 10th, 2012
11:50 am
i’ll bet rutherford is disappointed he won’t get a cameo appearance
Hockeyfan
February 10th, 2012
11:52 am
Maybe we could get Laura’s hubby Ruthie B to be on the show. He likes getting drunk and acting like an idiot as we can see at the 1 min 20 sec mark here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sefbeo1Qagw
That should make him a perfect “Real Housewife”
Mr. Ed
February 10th, 2012
11:52 am
“Kim Zolciak has a spin-off show debuting after season four ends”
Possible floated titles to her new television series.
“How to trap your future husband”
“Atlanta Goldigger”
“Plastic Woman”
“Big Poppa’s House” – Oh wait, nevermind.
“It all about the caSh”
“Shallow and more shallow”
Dwayne
February 10th, 2012
12:10 pm
anyone who is linked to the ASG LLC. sux….plain and simple…
Not Real or Representative of the ATL
February 10th, 2012
12:32 pm
If she was too busy, etc., why did it take 2 weeks for her to say ‘no’?
Rhonnie
February 10th, 2012
12:36 pm
The Housewives do have an over the top cast of characters. Some of the ladies are golddiggers and several of them had accomplished careers before the show. That sounds about like your ratio anywhere. However, for all of you that seem to look down on these ladies and up to Ted Turner’s daughter, remember it was her decision to be on the show as a guest. It is also highly rumored that Ted Turner was involved in an ongoing relationship with Marlo Hampton.
meme
February 10th, 2012
12:37 pm
If leaves Shree, then someone more popular may join. I know I am being mean but its the truth. Everyone on the show has a purpose except her. Kim has one because she married a ball player. I think Shree is decent but she has nothing going on.
Not Real or Representative of the ATL
February 10th, 2012
12:38 pm
Rhonnie, she did it only to spotlight her cause (charity work).
JB
February 10th, 2012
12:49 pm
LOL….Too much money and class to be on Atlanta Housewives……bunch of hood rats
Toodle Poodle
February 10th, 2012
12:54 pm
So….Marlo knows LTS. Marlo dated a “white, 80 year old billionaire”.
One plus one equals….Ted Turner!
John
February 10th, 2012
1:03 pm
She is too Classy to be apart of the mess know as Real Housewives of Atlanta
Niss
February 10th, 2012
1:09 pm
To Cousin Brucie Levenson, your absolutely right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Terry
February 10th, 2012
1:10 pm
I watched an episode of that show a month or two ago. I was so freakin embarassed not only for them but for this city. Even the supposedly educated girl on the show, she’s a lawyer. She spoke absolutely garbage English language and this was while she was at work in her office.
Good for the Seydel lady to have more class than to go on the show though the captain planet thing is laughter.
Better in The Hood
February 10th, 2012
1:32 pm
I’ve seen better class of women in Jonesboro South, Thomasville, and Bankhead ….need I say more about the ( THESE ARE NOT HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA)
PURE ENTERTAINMENT PEOPLE, IT'S NOT THAT SERIOUS
February 10th, 2012
2:03 pm
Ok unintelligent, can’t separate fact from pretend people, the Housewives Shows, “ALL OF THEM” are pure entertainment, an upscale soap opera/Jerry Springer. It started with the Real Housewives of Orange County, their lives are a WRECK, along with RHNYC, RHMIA, etc., don’t get your panties in a bunch people. It’s just for entertainment & high rating purposes, in other words, MONEY. Yep, I watch most of them when I can stay awake. The RHOA is the highest rated show of all the Real Housewives Episodes. I find them all quite funny. None of the women get along on ANY of the Real Housewives Shows. For the money if Bravo asked me to be on the show, I would jump at it. Not rich, but I would get paid & have fun pretending. That’s all it is. So I guess The Show JackAss is something to be proud of since you people want to call the ladies on Real Housewives of Atlanta trash & ghetto. Who are you?????? I don’t care for people who try to put themselves ABOVE others, with this holier than thou crap. They are getting paid, I would take a check from Bravo anyday to just PRETEND!! SMH!!
JROLL1
February 10th, 2012
2:12 pm
WAY TO SHOW SOME CLASS….AND STAY AWAY FROM THAT TRASH!!!!!
notaracist
February 10th, 2012
2:28 pm
How does she know Marlo Thomas?
NotSoBlind
February 10th, 2012
2:31 pm
@ Toodle Poodle: Good catch!
ABC
February 10th, 2012
2:42 pm
Must be nice being on all those boards and traveling everywhere. I wouldn’t mind that life for a week.
Rhonnie
February 10th, 2012
2:51 pm
Seydel has many avenues to choose from, to put the spotlight on Captain Planet. She chose RHOA because she wanted to be a part of the show. I don’t blame her. She has gotten more attention than if she was on Good Day Atlanta, or any of the other Atlanta based programing. It took her two weeks to turn the offer down. I say it took two weeks for people to convience her not to do it.
notaracist
February 10th, 2012
2:51 pm
Marlo Thomas and Ted Turner! No freaking way! She is pretty. And he is sexy and rich. But together, no freaking way!
Rodney Ho
February 10th, 2012
3:02 pm
I’ve seen no confirmations that Marlo and Ted have ever dated…
Casual Observer
February 10th, 2012
3:16 pm
Seydel is one smart lady (to know better than to join that mess).
Leigh
February 10th, 2012
3:25 pm
She was FLATTERED? to be asked to join that show? FLATTERED? Ahem. She must not get very many compliments.
denni macklin
February 10th, 2012
4:41 pm
Someone earlier said that “No respectable ivory woman would do such a show”. I would like to change that and say NO RESPECTABLE WOMAN WOULD DO THAT SHOW. I have friends in Atlanta who are housewives and would NEVER do such a show.Mrs. Seydel just wanted to promote her fundraiser and Captain Planet Foundation. I wonder if she would ever invite Marlo to go out of town with her! Somethings is terribly wrong with all of those females on the show. Phaedra is supposedly a respectable lawyer but she is on such a show. Are times that hard? Do you have paying clients? We won’t even get into the wannabes like Nene, Sheree, and Marlo and please don’t forget that sad sack of a female, Cynthia. She is a follower and in such need of friendship, FROM THE WRONG PEOPLE. She needs to listen to her sister and leave those zeroes and get with the heroes. Peter is not a hero…neither are Nene and Marlo. Trashy Show and I am done!
Toodle Poodle
February 10th, 2012
5:07 pm
Marlo Thomas was Phil Donahue’s wife. She was also on a television show in the 70’s called That Girl which was very popular in its day. She was a star in her time.
Marlo Hampton is a recurring character on a trashy “reality” show called Real Housewives of Atlanta. She was married to no one and will never be a star in anyone’s time.
notaracist
February 10th, 2012
5:14 pm
@Toodle Poodle Thanks for the clearing that up.
Kat
February 10th, 2012
5:58 pm
I definitely knew who she was when Rodney mentioned her name. I just didn’t choose to relay the mixup in her name. But yes, I know a lot about her and her father’s history in broadcasting, with the Braves, philanthropy, etc. Thanks.
Atlanta blows
February 10th, 2012
6:18 pm
The Atlanta housewives aren’t even wealthy like the other housewive series and why would she want to be on with a bunch of nigs.
losers
February 10th, 2012
7:15 pm
I don’t watch this clown show but I do enjoy reading Rodneys column to keep up with some things in the world or radio and TV. But, Sydel joining that clown show with that pack of hussies would be like Peyton Manning going to play arena football.
Maybe they will ask the Runaway bride to join or maybe Arthur Blanks ex(I hear she gets around).
Lizza
February 13th, 2012
3:13 pm
Marlo, Nene are so ignorant. The nerve of Marlo with her nappy head butt had the nerve while visiting another country to say those kids needed a perm, are U that stupid, I guess so. Nene with her moose teeth, I really use to enjoy her, but this woman has done a 150 degree change..yes change is good but this heffer is a user. And poor stupid Cynthia wanted to be with the other girls so she could enjoy herself but didn’t have the backbone, LOL. I will say this Sherre could whip Marlo in a fair fight if It came to that, Marlo isn’t stupid. Marlo called Sheri “UGLY” has Marlo looked in the mirror she wish she did look half as nice as Sheri..enough until next week. one more thing.Phedra was good because there was no way Marlo would have stayed in the villa I rented for the other girls and those who didn’t like it the door could have hit them in the rear too. And NeNe telling Phedra she didn’t beleive she didn’t have an issue with her and Phedra should have told her,” I care less about what U believe and are we having an intervention session? NeNe will drop Cynthia like she has with Dianna..watch
another comment
February 13th, 2012
5:45 pm
Laura Turner has not always been the brightest light. As a teen when Ted Turner and Family were living up in East Cobb at the Atlanta Country Club, Laura “sold” her Ford automobile that Daddy Ted had given her to drive to my late Brother -in- law Jon. E. Then My mother-in law who lived with her family over in the Indian Hills Country Club Estates at the time, went with her son to register the car that he had bought from Laura Turner. Surprise Surpise, the Ford was leased to Turner Enterprises, and not owned by Laura Turner or even Ted Turner. My mother-in-law then took Jon and marched over to Ted Turner’s door and knocked on the door with the car. Ted Turner promptly wrote them out a check for the amount that Jon had paid for the Turner company car that was leased.
These was always our funny family story about my ex-husbands family growing up in East Cobb. Uncle Jon’s encounter with Laura Turner and the leased car sale. We have always had a good laugh about Ted having to quickly write a check to cover her sale of a car she did not own.
phaeydra
February 13th, 2012
6:04 pm
CAN WE JUST CANCEL THIS SHOW?!
Marlo's man
February 13th, 2012
7:11 pm
Afro girl, Rhonnie, Toodo Poodle. Get your fabricated stories straight. Marlo was with a 60yr old Caucasian male if you listened last night. The 80yr old story was just a schtick for you hicks who have no life’s.
Ted Turner’s daughter used Real Housewives as a vehicle to generate more publicity for her charity. She has too much money and class to join a tacky reality show. Bravo realizes most women in Buckhead who are influential live far too productive lives to ever have time for this nonsense.
@another comment
February 13th, 2012
7:17 pm
What’s your point @another comment? First I doubt the story. Second I’m sure your panties stink. Give us the real mess about you’re life. Crickets Chirping.
Really Now!
February 13th, 2012
7:41 pm
Any woman that has an ounce of sense or class would not think about going on this show! I really think it is going downhill. Ignorance is the order of the day every episode! I thought Phaedra would “class it up” some, not! Then this last trashy tramp Marlo that they added is CLASSLESS! I really wish that black women would think about how they show themselves to the rest of tbe world. When given an opportunity to be role models, they should be ashamed!
S2C
February 17th, 2012
8:48 am
Believe me, I know that the HOA is strictly entertainment, and over the top, IT IS!!!! Only for our viewing pleasure. HOWEVER, if Ghetto Marlo is going to be a permanent cast member, I’m out. There’s only so much I can take. It went from being fun, funny, and purely unbelievable to ghetto, trashy and embarrassing. Guess THIS is the formula for great ratings. PEACE OUT my fellow HOA viewers!