Real Housewives of Orange County: Let the Catfights Begin
November 8, 2009 by Renata Sellitti
Filed under Feature, feature overlay, Television
Well, well, look who’s back for a fifth season – it’s the Botox mafia, otherwise known as the Real Housewives of the OC. They open the show with a bang – or rather, a drop – as Vicki is talked into going skydiving with her kids. And people criticize their parenting, pshht!
As usual, Vicki is being her old spastic self, trying to get her ‘who hoo!’ moment out but finally deciding that she will not repeat her jumping out of the sky performance ever again, thankyouverymuch. Back at home, she and her husband Donn seem to be trying to mend fences, after last season when she complained that he didn’t meet any of her needs and made her miserable. Donn apparently didn’t appreciate Vicki’s observations, and they decided to try and rescue their ailing marriage. For the moment, at least, they might actually be holding it together.
Tamra and Simon, being the understated and humble parents that they are, throw their daughter Sidney and her theater friends a ‘wrap party’ complete with a red carpet and faux paparazzi. Nothing says wholesome self-image like telling kids to pose and look perfect for the cameras. If there exists a more contentious relationship than theirs I dare someone to find it – I don’t even think he can stand being in the same room as her. At the party Simon gets upset that Tamra was amused by a dirty joke, telling her that it was neither classy nor in good taste. He may have lots of money and like having a trophy wife, but he has no sense of humor whatsoever, good luck with that Tamra. I don’t see these two lasting very long into season 5, let’s be honest.
The recession is finally starting to seep into the lives of the OC wives, and Jeana is hit the hardest. Facing the loss of “two thirds of her income,” she decides that downsizing to a smaller mansion would be in her best interest. Only 5,000 square feet to live in now, like the commoners do, sigh… Her son seems to be the only one with the good sense that God gave him, reminding her to curb her spending and reprimanding her for indulging in $200 lunches. Apparently Jeana’s run this season will be short-lived and we’ll meet the new housewife – I know she has a name, but for now we’ll just call her “blonde #4,” whatever.
Gretchen seems to have gotten over that whole “tragic loss of fiancé” thing just fine, as she is already dating a new (or, not so new) guy, Slade. Apparently she doesn’t mind picking up other peoples’ leftovers, as Slade has previously dated two other housewives. Gretchen spends lots of time talking into the cameras about how much she misses Jeff, and the other ladies spend lots of time talking about how trashy she is as a result of the recent leak of some racy and ill-advised photos. Tamra’s assessment of the situation was the funniest (if you missed it, I won’t spoil it – it’s worth the watch), but the moral of the story is that no one likes Gretchen and her slut-tastic ways. At a dinner party at the St. Regis for Lynne’s new jewelry line, things really come to blows as Gretchen and Tamra finally come face to face for the first time since the reunion show.
Poor Lynne, she was just trying to showcase her tacky jewelry and make some money to support her husband’s failing business, and her friends have to go and ruin her nice little event. I don’t know if she thought it would turn out well, but the ladies went from cordially ignoring each other to exchanging insults surrounding Tamra’s accusations that Gretchen cheated on Jeff and that her relationship with him wasn’t really legit. Ouch. They went from zero to b*tch in less than sixty seconds, but I’m pretty sure that’s why we love them. Not to mention the fact that Vicki wouldn’t wear one of Lynne’s bracelets (“I don’t like the biker look”) and she and Jeana aren’t speaking because Vicki refused to lend her money.
All in all, I’d say it was a pleasant evening with classy women, wouldn’t you? If past seasons are any indication, we’re in for a bumpy ride. Orange County may be known for its beaches, but its housewives are even better at making waves.
Season 5, Episode 1: When the Times Get Tough, the Tough Get Blonder (originally aired November 5, 2009)
For more on The Real Housewives of Orange County, click here.
Thursdays at 10/9c on Bravo
Photographs courtesy of NBC Universal, Mitchel Haaseth, Isabella Vosmikova, and Evans Vestal Ward
If Tamara would act like an adult and speak with Gretchen instead of barking at her, then maybe the two could at least get to the point of being in the same room without the back stabbing remarks
Grow the hell up and I would love to know which of them is so damn perfect to pass judgement on anyone.
I think the new wife will be refreshing as she at least sounds like she has some religion in her life. She may not be so quick to judge, but by the commercial, I hope like hell she gives Vicki a taste of her own. That woman really needs a good slap to snap out of it
I will miss Jeana. She really did come off as the only “normal parent”
So excuse me for missing where she is the toxic one. The only toxic people on the show are Tamara and Vicki
Tamara better get off her horse and realize what she has. Hell I will come and take Simon and I have money so I will support his ass for a change of pace, for a short while anyways….I am not looking for a male whore now!!
Tamara is a jealous, evil uneducated moron. Her marriage won’t last until the end of 2009. Gretchen is okay, she’s single and can do whatever she pleases. Lynne should hightail it out of there. One of her daughters is a drunk, the younger girl has a lot of promise. And then we have VICKY. She’s ugly, fat, false teeth, no chin, fat horrid legs. and she has wings under her arms. good grief. Her mother is a real winner too. She is just as disturbed as Vicky. I would hate to have to travel with Vicky’s mother. What a crabby old gal she is. Hates everything… her favorite expression on the trek through Italy was “who cares”. Vicky’s hubby should hightail it out of there too. Jeanna is a doll. I am so sorry to see her leave. She has her heart in the right place. She is too good for that bunch. I pray that Jeanna’s business picks up. The new gal seems to be happily married and not so self absorbed as the rest of them.
First off, this is not a reality show. It’s scripted. Having said that I hope when they were filming that tanning segment and Slade (stupid name) was wearing nothing but a sock (probably bought at baby gap) the young, underaged girls were told to leave the area by the director/producer. Not cool to do that in front of them in this day and age.
If this were a real show, Lynn would have pitched a fit. NOT REAL FOLKS.
Tamara is such a witch. She a middle aged jealous overbearing woman with no life. She needs to find a hobby or something to do besides sit around and tearing down Gretchen. She deserves to be headed towards divorce with all her poor behavior. She does nothing but judge others…maybe she should heed that there is only one judge in this world and its not her.
Lovee the show and all the women. Each one represents a part of life many of us women have survived: working too hard, loss of ourselves, our kids walking the fine lines of lazy, self-centered, mouthy and inconsiderate behavior – then going off to college; marriage growing tired; back-stabbing, phony parties, etc. It’s going to be interesting to watch them all go thru menopause and how their lives are turned upside down. I hope the show stays on that long.
I think a really great spin-off would be to have Gretchen move next door to one of the Househusbands of Hollywood and watch what happens !! Especially when she wears her version of ‘daisy dukes’ outside to wash her car.
Speaking of Gretchen: could she possibly convince Slade to lose the baseball cap turned backwards? Doesn’t he realize he’s almost 50, and is not a sixteen year old skateboarder?
Ok people…do you have your head in the sand or what? Tamra is a total BITCH and so is VICKI for sure! But, there is nothing classy about Gretchen. She is with that low life Slade Smiley who will not support his sick son and hasn’t seen him on over a year. But, that is who she belongs with. I mean OMG what the hell with that sock on his penis. But you’ve got Gretchen allowing pictures to be made of herself with a vibrator up to her vagina, so they go together very well. I like Lynn, but she needs to get over her obsession with her looks. Jeana is definitely the only one with any sense and class about her. I hate that she is leaving…I also loved her family, esp. Kara.
I am sad to here Gina is leaving she was the only one who was “real” and as for tanara she is a horrible jealous,evil wretched,fake,twofaced woman!!! If she was here in the fabalous hamptons she would not stand a chance if I was sitting across from her at that table on the fisrt episode I would have jumped over that table and bitch slapped that bitch into reality!!!
u know this
love watching women who are so selfish and insecure that they can’t hide it as much as they try to act confident. I’m talking about Tamera & Vicky.yuk!!!
I wonder how their husbands stand them, but then I guess they like the attention they get from being associated with trash. It just goes to show money can’t buy class. The more they pick on Gretchen, the more I like her. Love Jenna, she’s the only one I would even want as a friend. I don’t know how any of them can call themselves friends. Tamera should look at herself when she talks about being trashy. I remember her saying how her husband sold more cars when they have lots of sex before he goes to work. TMI…
Why is Jeana leaving? She is the only one I like!
Oh my! It seems that these women all live to hurt others and convince themselves that they are better than anyone else. Vickie continues to be controlling, and always need to be the center of attention. Tamera is just mean and toxic. Gretchen is adolescent and has bed judgment. Jeana has her head in the sand. Lynn is clueless and gutless. I wonder why we find them so entertaining….perhaps it’s like watching a terrible accident, you just can’t look away!
I wanted to go through my tv and smack Tamara right in the nose LOL!! She has some kind of obsesive complulsion to go off on Gretchen when Gretchen has done nothing to her!! Tamara needs help and i am so embarrassed she is the same age as me and she is younger than i am i believe .. I am going to be 42 this December and i feel like when i watched Tamara go off it was like i was back in junior high again my god LOL!! Tamara get a life dear and save your marriage and stop worrying about Gretchen she is awesome and wonderful and beautiful spirit so does Jeana and i so wish she would not leave the show like Laurie did i miss her to..
Kimberly
Of all the Orange County housewives, I like Gretchen and Jeana the best. They are both classy ladies who deserve a break in life. Vicki and Tamara only think of themselves and don’t really care about anyone else. If Tamara and Vicki lost everything I believe the other ladies would be there for them and that speaks volumes. Lynn bless you, you are clueless about alot of things! But you do have a good heart.
I hope things work out between Gretchen and Slade, they look happy together and life is too short to deny yourself some special moments, however they come!
Jeana leaving could translate to me no longer watching. She really was the only sane one on this show. Tamra is a miserable wannabe with fake everything. Cut the straw you call hair Tamra and grow up. I love how Vicki gives the impression she is always working. Sure Vicki, can’t let clients who may be watching think otherwise can you? We know the real truth though don’t we? Vicki is completely intolerable and should be the one exiting this show. Pulling business away from Jeana, and then refusing to loan her money really shows her character. Another miserable excuse for a human being. Why Don stays with her only he can answer.
Gretchen is very naturally pretty and very likeable. Lynn seems like a very nice person. Here’s hoping the new housewife can fill Jeana’s shoes, but I am not holding out much hope.
Give Gretchen a break. She is very sweet and lonely. Stay out of her personal life ladies. She’s a grown woman and none of you classy women are perfect. It is obvious that Tamara has some anger issues and very judgemental. Jeana is the classy one of the group and I would like to see her stay over all of the ladies. Vicki is the crazy one and needs to tone it down. I look forward to watching the new season.
Kudos to Gretchen for telling Tamara to “F” off! She is headed for disaster in her hooker outfits. Dianne Carr
Why oh why can we not get this in Canada??? I live in Vancouver and we have Bravo TV so where is housewives?? I am really sorry to hear that Jenna is leaving the show, she is the only classy one on the show!!!
Okay really Tamra, you are the trashiest women I have ever seen, you and your loser son (by ANOTHER man). Simon should RUN not walk but Run from the trash he brought home from the bar, isn’t that where you two met? HAHA I laughed at how ridicules you make yourself look. You are SO jealous of Gretchen that it is killing you. And Vickie PLEASE you need medication you are just a miserable person, no wonder your family can’t stand you. Lynne you better hide the knifes if you are hanging out with Tamra.
After watching the first episode I was appauled with Tamara’s actions and constant judgment of Gretchen. Tamara needs to realize she isn’t the foremost authority on morality. Kind of ironic that Bravo shows highlights of problem that Tamara is having within her marriage …. of course she says that isdue to economic issues. I believe that karma cab sneak up and hit you and this is exactly what has happened to Tamara. Gretchen turn the other cheek, in my personal life I have experienced tragedy and everyone handles themself differently. Don’t apologize for behavior “the girls” seem to think is bad, before they can judge they walk in your shoes.
Why in the world would tamra be a self appointed loudmouth and defamer of Gretchen and why is she so hot about it?? I think its because her son liked her and maybe her husband had a kind word about Gretchen. She is so vicious about it, more than is even acceptable. Gretchen should sue tamra for defamation of character. And we are all witnesses. As far as I am concerned she is so yucky and ugly too. Do not like Tamara at all. Where is the soul in this group? In my book when someone goes out of their way to hurt someone I consider this a sin. Nothing worse. My philosophy is do as you will harm none. And that includes yourself.
I love Gretchen she is beautiful, funny and fun!! Vicki and Tamra are old haters!!! They make their self’s seem nasty and trashy while they are always trying to put down Gretchen’s choices!! I love watching all of them they are my favorite housewives!
Watching these women are like watching a train wreck in slow motion, their lives are a mess, their kids are a mess, don’t they have a mirror at home? They dress like cheap hookers……..but I watch it every week! My family and life look great after I spend an hour with them.
I was so hoping this season,Vickie would chill and not be such a snooty bitch to the other housewives.I did not like her saying she was glad Jeana was leaving the show, because she is toxic……Vickie, YOU are the TOXIC one..you have so much venom built up inside you, you look as if you are going to explode.You do not want to met new people and if you do, you are so negative abt them and nothing is right for you…you are so jungemental all the time, as if you are perfect. You will never change and that is a shame, since you are not the housewife that people really associate with…Tamara and you need each other,since no one else really wants to be around either of you.But aren’t you worried abt your reputation,since Tamara always looks like a hooker?? Aren’t you afraid others will think you are just like her????????
Can you tell me why I can’t get this on my Bravo Chennel. I live in Ontario Canada