Old mansions, trolley tours, several local businesses and at least one valuable lesson on African American history will be featured prominently in an upcoming episode of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” as the frequently feuding cast members attempt to bond during a Savannah getaway.
Set to air this Sunday, the popular reality television show will follow the five affluent women outside of their Atlanta habitat as they learn about and tour Georgia’s oldest city.
Previews for next week’s episode show the housewives riding on an Old Savannah Tour trolley, getting drinks at a downtown bar and learning about the historic First African Baptist Church, a part of the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves during the 19th century.
An extended clip shows cast member Porsha Williams wondering aloud where the entrance to the railroad could have been, prompting ridicule from her fellow cast mates who explain that the Underground Railroad was not an actual transportation system.
Black History Tour owner and operator Johnnie Brown can be seen laughing during the clip. He confirmed he took the cast on the tour but couldn’t share other details due to Bravo’s strict non-disclosure agreements.
During filming, the women stayed at the Wedding Cake Mansion, an eight-bedroom luxury vacation rental on Monterey Square.
“It was exciting to see how it worked behind the scenes,” said Tammy Jo Long, owner of the Wedding Cake Mansion, who was the first to greet the cast upon their arrival. “I just introduced them to places and people in Savannah that were appropriate for filming and helped them get set up.”
“They had a good time fighting each other for the best rooms,” she added.
The cast also reportedly ventured to Tybee Island for kayaking and Club One on Jefferson Street to see The Lady Chablis.
Footage for the episode was filmed last August, according to the Savannah Film Office, and lasted for about a week. Other locations and businesses that may appear include riverwalk, cocktail lounge Rocks on the Roof, Savannah Gentlemen’s Club, Savannah Riverboat Cruise, Hearse Ghost Tours and Glow Savannah spa.
William Hammargren, interim film services administrator, noted that most reality shows won’t air everything they film.
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” first aired in 2008 and is now in its sixth season. Bravo’s “The Real Housewives” reality franchise has five other shows following the lifestyles of wealthy women in American cities.
