Frankel in contract talks for ‘Real Housewives of New York’

The B is back. “Real Housewives of New York” cast member Bethenny Frankel is in final negotiations on her contract for an upcoming season eight of the reality series, Confidenti@l has learned.

Her fellow cast members LuAnn de Lesseps and Carole Radziwill are also deep in negotiations and are seeking raises to restore to the Bravo show.

The two are at war off screen as well as on, and producers want that to play out, we hear. Radziwill is still going strong with boytoy Adam Kenworthy, a much-younger chef. At her 52nd birthday in August, Radziwill posted a picture on Instagram of the two overlooking Manhattan, prose: “#cutepairdontcare and #summerlovin.”

Network execs and the show’s producers have not yet extended new season contracts to Ramona Singer or Kristen Taekman, who was rumored to be on the chopping block for being “dull.” But Taekman is back in play again after it was revealed that her husband, Josh, had an account on cheating site Ashley Madison.

In a “Real Housewives of New York City Secrets Revealed” special, which aired previously unseen footage of the ladies, producers included footage from the Taekmans’ 10th anniversary have fun. Those scenes now look much more salacious because of the cheating scandal. “Kristen beyond doubt isn’t dull any more,” says one network insider. “She was perfect and pretty, and now she has problems like everyone else. That makes for good TV.”

We hear Dorinda Combination will also be existing a contract because she is “lovable” and just kooky enough to appeal to viewers. Heather Thomson will not be returning.

“Heather says she quit, but it was a mutual choice after meeting with the network,” says our source. “Kind of like a, ‘Hey, I don’t want to come back,’ and ‘We don’t want you to come back’ kind of thing. Heather didn’t like the drama and said it was terrible for business and her personal life in the end.”

Frankel has also played casting agent, in person emailing Jenny McCarthy to invite her to join the series.

“I like watching the drama. The problem is I’d have to go in with a choice, and that is to be the peaceful fighter or the s— starter,” McCarthy said following the email. “I don’t know which one I’d delight in doing. I don’t want to ruin anyone’s life, but a lot of those bitches need to be slapped in the face.”

AZIZ HAS BREAK FROM LAUGH TRACK

Aziz Ansari is a very busy man — even when out for a romantic stroll with his girlfriend. A Confidenti@l spy saw the comedian — who has a best-selling book on shelves and a standup tour in progress — walking with chef Courtney McBroom in Williamsburg. “They were kind of in their own world and obviously very pleased to be together,” said our source. “They held hands even when he took a call on his buzz. He was kind of dragging her along and holding her hand while on the buzz.”

‘ELLEN’ RETURNS WITH CAIT BAIT

Caitlyn Jenner kicks off season 13 of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” giving Ellen an exclusive interview . Jenner said she feels “fabulous” and admits she doesn’t miss Bruce Jenner because she can do all the fun things he used to do. Jenner, a political conservative, says she is “on board” with same-sex marriages: “I don’t ever want to stand in front of anyone’s happiness. That’s not my job.” Meanwhile, an insider tells us media watchers find it shocking that Matt Lauer will be doing a “Today” interview with Jenner after she appears on “Ellen.” “With Caitlyn’s show airing on E! (owned by “Today” parent NBCUniversal), you’d think he could have at least (done) his interview when it started,” says our source.

SEEN AND HEARD

Rachel Zoe hair stylist Joey Maalouf will work the Panasonic Beauty Bar during Fashion Week. … Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Boris Becker and Andre Leon Talley celebrated the U.S. Open at “An Evening With Venus & Serena Williams” in the Versailles Room at the St. Regis. … Luke Wilson discussing an upcoming project with a friend at the Chester. … Retired Chicago Bull Richard Hamilton dining at Philippe. … Former Duke Blue Devil and new Miami Heat swingman Justise Winslow dining at Madisons New York Grill & Bar in Boca Raton, Fla.

BERNHARD IN RUGGED TRAINING

Perhaps this is why they call it the “F” teach.

Subway riders may have been surprised to see a fellow straphanger having an expletive-filled meltdown because of missing a teach — in anticipation of they saw who it was.

A Confidenti@l spy blemished particularly fiery comedian Sandra Bernhard arrive on the platform at 23rd St. just as an upscale F teach was pulling away.

We’re told the “King of Comedy” star, who was with her 16-year-ancient daughter Cicely, seemed to be in something of a rush.

“She slammed her bag into a bench and yelled, ‘F—,’ ” said our subterranean source. “Then she was saying to her daughter, ‘We are going to be late now. We’re f—-ed’ over and over again!”

“She kept ranting in anticipation of finally another (teach) came,” marveled our onlooker.

It seems that it takes the star a while to cool down. She later tweeted, “Took the F teach upscale walked to York and East River if you saw me muttering to myself please don’t hold it against me! one hot mother.”

IT’S A HAPPY STATE OF THE UNION

Gabrielle Unionposes with pal Keshia Knight Pulliam at the Grass is Greener event at Bowlmor Lanes in Atlanta.

THE OVERFLOWING BANKS

Elizabeth Banks has a dress mishap at the premiere of “Beasts of No State” during the Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande in Venice. Banks won the battle with the flowing, floral Elie Saab gown after her strappy black Christian Louboutins got trapped in the fabric. After nearly falling, she in excellent health nicely for a pose. Tens all around!

BLEND IT LIKE ALESSANDRA

Alessandra Ambrosio blends into the social class — well, her dress does — as the face of Dafiti’s new collection. The model is also trying her hand at acting, and has a role on the Brazilian soap opera “Verdades.”

HOWARD & BETH’S TEST OF METAL

Beth Stern got her favorite photographer, husband Howard Stern, to snap her for her favorite charity, North Shore Animal League America, for the Get Your Rescue On campaign. The drive has metal bracelets, “rescue cuffs,” that people can snap a selfie with (or with their rescue animal) and post with the hashtag #GetYourRescueOn. The cuffs are on sale and proceeds go to charity at animalleague.org.

B’WAY BRITISH INVASION

Staffers at the Roundabout Theater Company better get used to smelling fish and chips backstage. We’re told British stars Keira Knightley and Clive Owen have been in town a lot as they preparing for their Broadway debuts. Owen will appear in “Ancient Times” on Nov. 29 and Knightley (above with husband James Righton) will star in “Thérèse Raquin” on Dec. 27.

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