Rick Leventhal, Kelly Dodd Are Unemployed With Health Issues

Both Kelly Dodd and Rick Leventhal are out of work. Earlier this week, TV Shows Ace reported that Kelly will not join the cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 16. While Bravo host Andy Cohen promised a cast shakeup, it was lukewarm at best. Kelly, Braunwyn Windham-Burke, and Emily Lyn Vargas announced they won’t return to the series.

Former cast member Heather Dubrow will make her return, alongside Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, and Shannon Storms Beador. Kelly caused controversy among the show’s fans for her controversial comments about the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. Now, it looks like her husband, Rick Leventhal, is also unemployed as the couple deals with health issues.

Rick Leventhal leaves Fox News

Following Kelly Dodd’s shoes, Rick Leventhal is leaving his position at Fox News. He held that position for over 20 years at the conservative news network. On Thursday, June 17, Page Six was the first to report on Rick’s departure.

“Rick Leventhal’s work as a senior correspondent for Fox News Channel has been remarkable — from being one of the first reports at the scene on 9/11, to covering the Iraq War, the War on Terror in Afghanistan, decades of major hurricanes, the death of Osama bin Laden, the Sandy Hook massacre, the Boston Marathon bombing, and a prisoner manhunt at Dannemora — he delivered vivid and powerful journalism that became a signature part of the network’s history,” a spokesperson for Fox News told the outlet in a statement.

This is an interesting move as it comes one day after Kelly’s RHOC exit. However, his exit was followed by his desire to relocate to California in order to spend more time with the reality star, whom he married in October 2020.

“When Rick came to us and asked to cease reporting breaking news nationally and remain in Los Angeles where we relocated him at his request in 2020, we understood and respected his decision to spend more time with his wife building a new life in California,” the statement continued. “We wish him much luck and happiness in all his future endeavors and thank him for his incredible contributions to Fox News Media over the last 24 years.”

As a result, Rick will reside in California instead of traveling back and forth between the O.C. and NYC. He tried to negotiate for a higher salary, but it didn’t work out. Rick’s last day on the network is June 28.

Kelly Dodd and her husband contracted Lyme disease

It’s a bad week for the couple. Kelly Dodd revealed that she and Rick Leventhal contracted Lyme disease. She took to her Instagram Story to share the shocking news. Kelly filmed Rick as he took an antibiotic used that treats the autoimmune disease.

“So we tested positive for Lyme disease,” Kelly said via her Instagram Story, per Page Six. “I’ve never had contact with a tick in my life.”

As for Rick, it’s his third time being stricken with the tick-borne illness. Kelly is unsure where they both contracted the virus, but they’ve been traveling for most of the COVID-19 pandemic. They just returned from a vacation to Turks & Caicos where they celebrated a friend’s birthday. A fan accused Kelly of acting drunk during a recent sighting.

Check back with TV Shows Ace for more news on Kelly Dodd and Rick Leventhal.