How Will Bravo Handle Russell Armstrong’s Death On “The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills”?

The second season of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” is set to premiere on September 5th. Bravo had already sent off screeners of the first episode to the press, which features Russell Armstrong‘s then-wife, Taylor Armstrong, buying lingerie in an attempt to spice things up and talking—and even bursting into tears—about how they were going to couple’s therapy. A week before Armstrong was found dead in an apparent suicide, he talked to People about his role on the show and said that he was feeling extreme emotional distress about it. “It got really overwhelming,” he said. “When you get a TV show involved and all the pressure, it just takes it to a whole new level. … We were pushed to extremes.”

It’s still unclear what exactly pushed Armstrong over the edge. It could be the fact that his wife was divorcing him, or that as a venture capitalist, he was having financial difficulties and had been slapped with a $1.5 million lawsuit. Also, in Taylor Armstrong’s divorce filing on July 15, she charged that he was physically abusive. The court documents also revealed that he got into a physical altercation with his first wife and was sentenced to community service and anger management for it. That ex-wife eventually took out two restraining orders against him and claimed he also was violent toward their child.

Armstrong actually talked to People about his ex-wife. “Did I push her? Yes, maybe things happened in the heat of the moment,” he said. “It was during a time in our lives that was not characteristic of who were.”

Even though he might not have been the best guy, it’s still very sad that he took his own life. So how will Bravo handle this? Will they cut Russell’s scenes? Will they cut ones where Taylor references him? Will they postpone the premiere? Will they put a disclaimer before the show? The network has been very quiet on the subject. “All of us at Bravo are deeply saddened by this tragic news,” the network said in a statement shortly after Armstrong’s body was found. “Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Armstrong family at this difficult time.” Still, there are whispers that Armstrong’s family may sue the network.

How do you think Bravo should handle this very delicate situation?