“Basketball Wives” creator Shaunie O’Neal wasn’t kidding when she said in an interview earlier this week that if she had the choice, she would get rid of three cast members next season. Sources close to the show have revealed that (SURPRISE!) three of the ladies will NOT be returning to the hit VH1 reality series for the upcoming 5th Season.

According to TMZ … Kesha Nichols, Jennifer Williams, and Royce Reed have all been fired so that the show can drop what sources describe as “dead weight.” It’s unclear who will replace them, but the trio will be getting their pink slips any day now.

Royce was cut because she isn’t legally allowed to talk about her baby daddy Dwight Howard, on account of a 2009 gag order that blocks her from mentioning her ex in any way. She also can’t get along with some of the women on the show, who have reportedly “ostracized” her, and refuse to shoot scenes with her.

As for the other two … producers think Jennifer is a liability (after she sued Nia Crooks last month for slapping her on the show), and they say Kesha is just way too boring.

In an interview with The Insider, Shaunie O’Neal said that being with some of the women on the show makes her feel “uncomfortable,” and if she had the choice, she would drop “three” of cast members from the next season.

“There would be three who are out immediately in Miami. No questions asked. Not in anything personal, just not where I’m trying to go. Not on the same page,” she said.

Looks like Shaunie got her wish.

Are you going to miss Jennifer, Royce and Kesha? Why or why not?

After months of threatening, fighting, bottle throwing, neck rolling, face slapping and table jumping … the madness known as “Basketball Wives Season 4″ is finally over, following the airing of the last episode of the two-part reunion special Monday night (Jun 11).

In the final hour of the BBW 4 Reunion Special, tears flow and tempers flare as host John Salley holds no topic off-limits, and Shaunie reveals her thoughts on the 4th season of the show she created.

Part 2 of the “Basketball Wives 4″ reunion was also home to another reunion: the reconciliation of BFFs turned enemies Evelyn Lozada and Jennifer Williams, who hugged at the end of the special after they both apologized to each other.

Watch Part 2 (of 2) of the “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Reunion Special below:

Believe it or not, part one of the two-part “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Reunion Special was full of apologies, instead of the bickering and slaps to the face we’re used to seeing from the ladies who make up the cast — Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

Jennifer apologized to anyone she may have offended in a blog, interview, or elsewhere; Evelyn apologized for her fight with Kenya Bell, saying it was the one moment in the entire run of the show — not just this season — that she wishes she could take back; and not to be left out, even Tami Roman had her own apology for how she came at Kesha Nichols while they were in Tahiti.

Shaunie also apologized to viewers and fans of the show, promising to produce better — and less violent — content going forward with “Basketball Wives.”

Watch Part 1 (of 2) of the “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Reunion Special below:

[Yardie]

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, the ladies’ trip to Tahiti erupts when Jen is called out on her erratic behavior. After the trip, Shaunie seeks an assist from a higher power in making a life-altering decision.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 15 below:

[Yardie]

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, Jen lands in Tahiti … and her standoffish behavior and declaration that she’s “lawyered up” irritate Shaunie and Tami, turning up the heat on the final days of the girls’ trip.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 14 below:

[Props: Yardie]

“Basketball Wives” is a VH1 show that features eight women, not one of which is actually in a successful marriage to a basketball player. (However, to be fair, a few of them are in the middle of divorcing players, or former players).

The show features an episodic formula that, if narrated, always include something like this:

“Soo… we’re getting all the girls back together tonight because the last time we all had dinner, it got kind of out of hand.”

Cut to a scene of women, predominantly black women, yelling at each other, getting out of their seats, and eventually getting violent with one another.

“I don’t know what happened, but one second we were all eating dinner and someone said something about Tami, and before I could figure out what was going on, Tami was getting carried out by security.”

Tami. Tami Roman.

I generally don’t make a habit of singling out a person and putting the weight of the world’s issues squarely on their shoulders. Well, with the exception of Sarah Palin, but that’s a different story for a different person who shouldn’t be allowed in front of a camera.

But Tami, I’m putting the weight of what’s wrong with reality television on you. And Shaunie O’Neal. And VH1. (What can I say? I’m feeling generous.)

WATCH: Basketball Wives Season 4 Episode 13

For those of you that don’t know, Tami Roman is a former MTV Real World-er from back when the show mattered.

According to her bio on VH1.com, “Roman left The Real World and started living in it.”

They refer to her has “an impact player,” which is a slight of hand way of referencing last season’s cat fight where Roman’s wrath was unleashed on cast member, Meeka Claxton.

Meeka is no longer on the show, probably because she was uncomfortable returning to a show that allowed her to be violently assaulted on camera, by none other than Banshee Tami (her new name).

While Roman is credited with having an acting career, heading a foundation for girls, and being a financial executive, the most interesting of her credits is probably her biggest responsibility… Roman is a parent.

In the most recent installment of the program, Banjee Tami is upset with fellow “basketball wife” (BBW) Kesha Nichols.

Nichols said something about Banshee Tami to someone else in the circle. Banshee Tami didn’t like that and decided to confront Kesha.

When she didn’t get the same level of angry response from Kesha, Tami escalates the situation by taking Kesha’s belongings, telling her that if she wanted them back she’d have to come get them from her.

Like a high school child, Roman goes on to rifle through the purse, read through the enclosed cell phone, and the like. She continues bullying Kesha until she eventually returns her things, only after having been reported to the authorities.

It baffles me… no, enrages… no, no… it bafflerages me that VH1 and Shaunie O’Neal can put this on television with a clear conscience.

Maybe they don’t have a clear conscience, but they definitely put this on TV. But I’m more extra-super curious how Tami watches her own show with her two daughters and discusses with them about their her behavior and decisions.

What does she say to them that would make them not want to go bully the other school kids, and treat them the way she’s treated other women on the show?

Here’s my problem: Women like Roman continue to perpetuate the image of black women as angry, violent, and altogether mean.

Even removing the black factor, Roman is the perfect example of a woman who, unfortunately, is a role model to young women, NOT by the virtue of her celebrity status on a television show, but because of the work she does in her private life with young girls.

Roman is the portrait of someone who needs professional help, much more than we’re aware that she’d received at the time of this episode’s airing. She has a voice and a platform that reaches millions every week and every week somehow displays like Monday night’s are the way she decides to use it.

I stopped watching the show before the premiere of the current season when I saw the promos for the return of the show for season four. It featured women yelling, arguing, climbing over tables and physically fighting with each other and I said I just wouldn’t watch.

I wasn’t alone, public figures and peers alike also had a similar response. Even reality television junkie, and friend in our heads, Wendy Williams said “no more.”

Tonight, at a friend’s house, the show happened to be on and before we could get 20 minutes in I had to get up leave the room because I was so irritated with what I was seeing and hearing. I couldn’t believe it was really playing out in front of me in high definition (and really well saturated color).

When will we stop allowing people like Tami and shows like Basketball Wives to depict the images and tell the stories of hate, anger, and violence as somehow being “real?” What is it going to take for us to say “enough is enough?”

VH1: shame. Shaunie O’Neal: shame. Tami Roman: double scoop of shame.

If you’re watching the show, stop. If you haven’t, don’t. If you’d never heard of it before, count your blessings.

But then again, what do I know?

PS: After the airing of the above mentioned episode Tami Roman posted an apology (below), Additionally, the victim of Roman’s wrath, Kesha Nichols decided to post a blog on bullying (also below, with a link to read the full thing).

Roman’s Apology: “I don’t apologize for it 2b accepted — that is ultimately the other person’s right to accept or deny it. My only responsibility is to acknowledge a mistake was made and own up to it. I apologize to my family, my REAL friends, my business colleagues, and my Project Girl ladies 4my recent behavior on BBW. I am NOT a bully as depicted on the show, but I did make poor decisions in handling my differences with my cast mate. I sincerely apologize to all of us, as well as to my castmate who was on the receiving end of my wrath.”

Nichols’ Post: “As a person who prides myself on turning lemons in lemonade, I had no idea how to turn the negative display of human behavior seen in Episode 12 into something positive, until now. Instead of knit picking, pointing fingers and calling names, I decided to educate myself on the issue at hand. I would like to share some of this information with you now, because when we know better, we do better.” To read Nichols’ complete comments click here.

Written By: Jarrett Hill
Contributing Editor for Gossip On This
Follow Jarrett on Twitter: @JarrettHill

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, the girls play a practical joke on Kenya. Also, Tami and Kesha’s conflict escalates, driving one of them to cut their island vacation short. Which one of the ladies headed back home to Miami early? Find out when you watch the episode!

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 13 below:

[Props: Yardie]

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, Evelyn and Chad discuss their upcoming wedding, while Royce and her father get into it over Royce’s relationship with football player Dezmon Briscoe.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 12 below:

[Props: Yardie]

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, Evelyn and Chad discuss their upcoming wedding, while Royce and her father get into it over Royce’s relationship with football player Dezmon Briscoe.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 11 below:

[Props: Yardie]

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, the fallout from Evelyn, Jen, and Nia’s altercation at the racetrack deepens the divides within the group. Also, Royce introduces her new boyfriend Dezmon Briscoe to the girls.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 10 below:

[Props: Yardie]

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, a trip to the races turns explosive when Evelyn’s friend and assistant Nia challenges Jen’s recent behavior. Also, Tami and her mother work through some of their issues.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 9 below:

[Props: Yardie]

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, Evelyn and Kenya’s feud over loose talk escalates to the point of no return; and Suzie’s penchant for peacemaking returns as she takes a stab at squashing Royce and Jen’s beef. Also, Kenya debuts her “highly anticipated” (LOL) new music video to the ladies, who give their honest opinion about the result.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 8 below:

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, Kenya tries (and fails miserably) to explain herself after Kesha tells Evelyn that Kenya said she was “loose.” But things really heat up when Kesha brings in a friend to corroborate her version of the story, which results in some name serious name calling and bottle-throwing. (Poor Kenya…)

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 7 below:

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, the fallout from Jen and Ev’s confrontation at Shaunie’s birthday party continues, and Ev lays into Kenya for calling her “loose.”

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 6 below:

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, Royce and Suzie visit Kesha’s North Carolina roots, then later at Shaunie’s birthday party, Evelyn and Jennifer have a minor altercation.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 5 below:

OR

CLICK HERE TO WATCH!

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, Tami sees red over Kesha talking behind her back. Also, the ladies are conspicuously absent from one of Jen’s lip gloss launch events.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 4 below:

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, Shaunie, Evelyn, and Tami take Kenya to task over throwing Kesha under the bus at her music video auditions, Suzie’s behavior at a charity event raises eyebrows, and Tami takes to the therapist’s couch to combat her anger issues.

Watch “Basketball Wives” Season 4 Episode 3 below:

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

In this week’s episode, Jennifer’s attitude is questioned by the ladies (mainly Shaunie, Tami and Evelyn), and the women make fun of new girl Kenya when they find her YouTube videos. Meanwhile, Evelyn and Chad have a sit-down regarding some social media accusations of infidelity.

Missed Season 4, Episode 2? Watch below!

The original “Basketball Wives” are back for a fourth season!

This season’s cast includes regulars Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, Royce Reed, Tammy Roman and Suzie Ketcham, along with two new additions, Kesha Nichols and Kenya Bell.

The explosive fourth season opens up in New York City, revealing that Jennifer and Evelyn’s 10-year friendship is on the rocks. We also get to meet newcomers Kesha Nichols (whose was famously “dumped” by her fiance via e-mail the day of their wedding) and Kenya Bell (an aspiring recording artist currently finalizing her divorce from a basketball star).

Missed last night’s season 4 premiere? Check it out below!