Reports last week of a casting bloodbath at 'The Real Housewives of New York City' have been confirmed.

A Bravo source told 'People' that Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon, Alex McCord and Cindy Barshop have all been axed: "Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and LuAnn DeLesseps will be returning for season 5 of 'The Real Housewives of New York City.'"

The source added, "We've had a fabulous run with all the ladies and appreciate them sharing their lives with our viewers. It is a friendly departure among the other ladies and we continue to have on-going discussions with them."

Zarin and McCord initially denied the rumors that they hadn't been asked back for Season 5, but now McCord has told 'People' that "Simon and I are sad not to continue with RHONY but it's a friendly decision and discussions with Bravo are ongoing for other projects."

There was talk of excessive drinking on the fourth hour of 'Today' (weekdays, 7AM on NBC), and for once, it wasn't centered on Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. Jill Zarin and Ramona Singer of 'The Real Housewives of New York City' appeared on the show, each upset with the other for allegations of alcoholism, in what quickly turned into an uncomfortable segment.

"She keeps inferring that I have a drinking problem," said Singer of Zarin. "You girls like to have a drink now and then, so do I." She then lobbed the same charge right back at Zarin, saying she had heard Zarin was the one with a drinking problem. Zarin denied she did, but said it would be wrong for Singer to talk about it on TV even if it were true.

Andy Cohen had Denise Richards and New York 'Housewife' Ramona Singer on 'Watch What Happens Live' (Thu., 11PM ET on Bravo), and what happened was a less-than-compelling arm-wrestling match between the two women. It wound up in a draw.

But Cohen did talk to Richards about her time with Charlie Sheen, and some of her stories elicited genuine shock from Singer. Particularly when she discovered that Sheen had invited her to dinner with a bunch of prostitutes.

"I asked him what part of the night did he think I wanted to be a part of," Richards said of her reaction.

"The whole thing, probably," Singer said. And actually, she's probably right.

'The Real Housewives of New York City' is missing its most recognizable face this season without Bethenny Frankel. But that hasn't hurt the show, said Jill Zarin on Wednesday's 'The Talk' (weekdays, syndicated on CBS). Zarin said she was happy for Frankel and all of her post-show success, and then got into the details that make the show popular, the interpersonal friction between the different housewives.

At the insistence of Leah Remini, Zarin addressed her troubles with fellow housewife Ramona Singer. "Have you sat her down, seriously, off camera and said, 'Ramona, come and watch the show and look how you look," said Remini. Zarin said she was having problems with Singer lying about small details, like whether Zarin owned the Ferrari she drove in season one.

Remini was so passionate about the feud that Holly Robinson Peete asked Zarin if she thought Remini would make a good addition to the cast. Zarin said she would, and Remini seemed open to the idea, saying she loves the show.

Previews for this week's 'Real Housewives of New York' look unbelievable, with yelling and tears putting a damper on the already shaky Morocco trip. Could Ramona Singer finally be hitting her breaking point?

AOL TV has the exclusive preview of Life & Style's interview with Ramona, including answers about her big fight with Jill, her drinking and her marriage, which the Moroccan fortune teller predicted was in trouble last week, saying there's another woman.

The wide-eyed Pinot Grigio lover has become this season's busybody, but can she handle vacationing with the ladies in Morocco for the next two weeks, or will she catch the next flight back to NYC?

Keep reading for more ...

On Tuesday's 'The Wendy Williams Show' (weekdays, syndicated), Williams stepped into a feud between two of the women from the 'The Real Housewives of New York City.'

On TVSquad.com's sister site, PopEater.com, Ramona Singer said she didn't think Bethenny Frankel actually sold her Skinnygirl Margarita business for the reported price of $120 million. Singer has her own alcohol business, the Ramona Pinot Grigio line of wines.

Singer said she thought Frankel might have made $30 million, split between partners. "I don't care if that is an inflated thing," Williams said on her show, "if you cut that in half and cut it in half again, that's still 20 million dollars that she didn't have when she started as a housewife."

Williams reminded Frankel, who was not on the show, that she is rich and has a husband and a baby, and advised Singer to "Get over it." What might help is a lot of wine.

Ramona Singer nearly popped her eyes out of her skull the last time she walked a fashion runway, but she was determined to do it again on 'The Real Housewives of New York City' (Thu., 10PM ET on Bravo). Only this time, she was going to be calm and collected.

At least until the director started making last minute changes and freaking out a little bit. Ramona was already struggling to remember when she was supposed to go, and worrying about how it would go once she was going, so the director getting antsy only put her even more on edge.

Finally, though, her turn came and she did fine walking down the runway. Until she reached the end, that is, and decided to try a "fierce" look again. At least, that's what it looked like she was going for. The eyes weren't as buggy as last time, but it was still a little close. Maybe a facial coach before she goes for a "third times the charm"?

Bethenny Frankel is not afraid to speak her mind. The star of Bravo's 'Bethenny Getting Married?' had a famous falling out with her then-'Real Housewives of New York City' co-star Jill Zarin last season, and now Frankel says she does not want to go back to 'Housewives.'

"I do not want to do any housewife episodes [this season]," Frankel told HollywoodLife.com. "Let's just leave it at that."

Despite hugging on camera during 'The Real Housewives of New York City' reunion this summer, Frankel's relationship with Zarin did not get any further repair.

"I'm not friends with Jill and we don't speak to each other," Frankel said. "I'm so happy right now in my life that I could never ever wish anyone any ill will anyway. That is so 2009 -- the show and the argument!"

More 'Real Housewives' news after the jump!

According to Us Weekly, Ramona Singer punched a producer last week when she was filming a scene for 'The Real Housewives of New York City' with costars Alex McCord and Sonja Morgan.

It's unclear what set off the star, but a source told Us, "She was furious and felt like the producers were ganging up on her. She literally lost her mind." Another observer told the magazine, "No one is really sure what exactly spurred her craziness. But she got herself worked up over filming this scene and one thing led to another, and she punched the producer. Literally."

A Bravo spokesperson would not comment on the story.

In other TV news ...

• Police have finished their investigation into 'Sister Wives' star Kody Brown and his three wives. However, it will take months for authorities to review the case. If convicted, the star could be sentenced to five years in jail, which would effectively end the series. [E! Online]

• 'The Biggest Loser' season 9 contestants Sam Poueu and Stephanie Anderson are engaged. The couple met on the show, and Poueu proposed to Anderson while on the ranch. [TV Guide]

• Apparently, an upcoming episode of 'The Office' will involve the Dunder Mifflin crew watching an episode of 'Glee.' But it's not an official crossover, so no 'Glee' actors will appear in the episode. This isn't completely surprising, since Michael Scott totally would be a 'Glee' fan. [The Ausiello Files]

Kelly Bensimon has yet to convincingly defend herself against allegations that she had a mental breakdown when she and the Housewives were in St. John. On 'The Real Housewives of New York City' (Thu., 10PM ET on BRAVO), more footage of the ladies' Caribbean trip further cemented her behavior as erratic and nonsensical -- and at the very least, really annoying.

In one scene, Ramona Singer joins Kelly in the workout room and (quietly) starts lifting weights. Kelly, meanwhile, has an almost entirely one-sided conversation, discussing (among other topics): bikinis, ex-husband Gilles, the wedding caterer, her sensitive taste buds and "planet Kelly."

"I was getting really annoyed with Kelly," Ramona later admitted. "She was making no sense. She was going on and on, and I just wanted her to stop ... Sometimes she was just rambling. It just didn't make sense."

Well! After all the fussing, feuding and fighting, the 'Real Housewives' season ends here. And it ends with two women who seem to hate each other deciding to hug and make nice.

This is the last installment of 'The Real Housewives of New York' reunion special (Thu., 9PM ET on Bravo). Naturally, some weirdness happened. In fact, the show was so odd that it forced us to ask a bunch of important philosophical questions. Like, was what we saw before all a mirage? And what is reality, anyway?

Previously, Jill and Bethenny got into such a big fight that Jill stormed out of the room. This was followed by another Bethenny-related fight where Kelly stormed out of the room. But now, apparently, it's all good. The women suddenly decide to make up, while hanging out in their strange pink couch-filled reunion room.

Jill and Beth "hug it out," and Jill says this: "I really miss you ... it's not bullsh#t." Um, say what now? Have we been watching the same show? Don't you guys hate each other?

It's time for part two of 'The Real Housewives of New York' reunion special (Mon., 9PM ET on Bravo). If you were paying attention for part one, you might recall that both Jill and Bethenny acted crazy. In fact, Bethenny was so mean that Jill ended up storming off of the set.

Now ... on to part two! Who will act insane this time around?

[Spoiler alert.]

It's a bridal shower on 'The Real Housewives of New York City' (Thu., 10PM ET on Bravo). A double bridal shower, actually, which is being thrown for both Bethenny and Ramona. And the presents handed out at the party are weirdly inappropriate -- but are also somehow completely expected, given the nature of the show.

[Spoiler alert.]

Ramona Singer had some sad news for the women on 'The Real Housewives of New York City' (Thu., 10PM ET on BRVO). But instead of a sobering response, Jill Zarin launched into yet another fight with a castmate.

Ramona said, "Actually, guys, I got a really upsetting email that I just read now. Bethenny [Frankel]'s father passed away at 2AM last night." Instead of reacting to that news with sympathy and sadness, Jill got upset that she wasn't told, because "you know how long I've been friends with her."

Ramona said that if Bethenny "wanted you to know she would have told you." Makes sense. Especially since any amicable relationship between Bethenny and Jill officially ended a few episodes back.

A new cast member has arrived on 'The Real Housewives of New York City' (Thu., 10PM ET on Bravo). Divorcee Sonja Morgan has joined the show, and apparently she's a fan of sex, shopping and plastic surgery. (This is according to the description of her on the show's official website). Wow. A 'Real Housewife' likes sex, shopping and surgery. What an unexpected surprise.

Watch the video after the jump.