There’s already been some drama behind the scenes on Bethenny Frankel’s new daytime chat show, months before it starts.
Sources tell us the former “Real Housewife” is “very particular and difficult,” and her behavior has upset some staffers at the Ellen DeGeneres-produced show, which is headed into pre-production.
We’re told that Frankel’s executive assistant, named Marilyn, quit after just a few weeks, saying she couldn’t work with the Skinnygirl mogul.
“Marilyn quit after less than a month because Bethenny was so mean to her,” a source said. “Marilyn has a lot of experience working with celebrities and complained she had ‘never been treated this badly.’
“They have been interviewing other assistants, who had to sign nondisclosure agreements and were told not to talk to Bethenny unless she talks to them first. They have interviewed more than 40 people, but she doesn’t like anybody.”
While a source close to Frankel confirmed that things with the assistant “didn’t work out,” she insisted there’s complete harmony between Bethenny and her team. “They are testing out assistants. It is a very particular job with a lot involved, managing Bethenny’s TV and business interests. But there is absolutely no division between Bethenny and the staff on the show. For many of them it is a dream job. There’s lots of energy and excitement.”
The program makes its debut on Sept. 9, and Frankel has brought on a team of bookers to give Kris Jenner’s new talk show a run for its money.
Meanwhile, spies saw Frankel — who’s going through a bruising divorce with Jason Hoppy — with billionaire hedge-funder Warren Lichtenstein at his son’s New England summer camp last weekend.
“They were there for parents visiting day,” a spy said. “And they arrived via private jet to see Warren’s son.”
A friend of Frankel told us, “Warren has been very supportive during a difficult time. He and Bethenny have been best friends since college.”
A rep for Bethenny declined to comment.