The series that sparked the entire ‘Real Housewives’ phenomenon and countless spin-off shows is back! Bravo’s ‘Real Housewives of Orange County,’ which centers around the lives of six wealthy ladies living in the gated communities of Orange County, Calif., has returned for its eighth season.
This year’s cast members include all the women from last season — Tamra Barney, Gretchen Rossi, Alexis Bellino, Heather Dubrow and, of course, the “OG from OC” Vicki Gunvalson — plus one new bonus housewife, Lydia McLaughlin. Lydia, the granddaughter of Canadian media mogul Geoff Sterling and the mother of two young boys, runs a SoCal lifestyle magazine with her husband.
Although only one episode of the show has aired so far — in which Heather hosts a fancy clam bake and invites all the housewives except her nemesis Alexis, quelle horreur! — the producers have been kind enough to give us a good idea of the storylines to expect in upcoming episodes. Vicki has a new face — having received a great deal of plastic surgery in the “off season” — and is also a grandmother after the arrival of her daughter Briana’s first child. Tamra has moved in with much younger fiancé Eddie, and the pair is struggling to get along.
In other Orange County news, Alexis and husband Jim have bought a new house and Gretchen’s boyfriend — and notorious ‘Housewives’ hanger-on — Slade Smiley has finally gotten a job at a radio station after spending last season following Gretchen around and not doing much of anything. Also, Gretchen and Tamra still hate Vicki, Vicki still hates Slade, Alexis hates Tamra because she “stole her best friend,” and most everyone still hates Alexis, except Vicki who has to pretend to be her friend or risk not having any allies in the dangerous world of Orange County. First world problems!
I must confess that reality shows are my guilty pleasure — that is, a good reality show is my guilty pleasure. ‘Orange County’ is one of the few that makes the cut. The franchise’s original installment has managed to avoid much of the ugly drama and tragedy that has plagued the other versions of this show — a cast member’s husband of the Beverly Hills version recently committed suicide and the New Jersey housewives are frequently being charged for license fraud and assault.
Instead, ‘Orange County’ focuses on the petty drama and extravagant lifestyles of these woman, creating a wacky and entertaining time for any viewer who chooses to follow the unpredictable actions of the ‘Orange County’ women as they navigate yet another season together.
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