Described as “The Real Housewives on steroids” by its creator, a new show about Staten Island women involved in the mob lifestyle may become the latest hit on TV.
Premiering April 17 at 8 p.m. on VH1, "Mob Wives" follows four friends at a crossroads, struggling with their identities and families as they start over while their husbands or fathers do time for alleged mob-related activities.
The cast features: Karen Gravano, daughter of Mafia turncoat Salvatore (Sammy the Bull) Gravano; Drita D’avanzo, whose husband Lee is in prison for bank robbery; Renee Graziano, daughter of Anthony Graziano, an alleged high-ranking member of La Cosa Nostra, and Carla Facciolo, whose husband Joey Ferragamo was convicted of stock fraud.
“I want everyone to know that these women are just like anyone else, like any other single mom out there,” said Jennifer Graziano of JustJenn Productions, the show’s creator and executive producer. “The show to me is really about the struggles, trials and tribulations these women go through and hopefully conquer throughout the season.”
Ms. Graziano, who grew up in New Springville and then moved to Huguenot, originally wrote a scripted drama based on her life and friends. But when reality TV started gaining momentum, she changed the show’s format figuring it was an easier way to get into television.
Picking the cast was simple. Renee Graziano is her older sister and she’s known the other women for years. All come from similar situations and each has a loved on in jail.
