"The Real Housewives of Orange County" Review: Watch The Claws!

You know that the “Real Housewives” shows are about the only Bravo show I’m not hooked on.
But after getting caught up in a bit of the drama involving the Atlanta “Housewives,” I figured I’d give the originals a try. And I have to admit, they’re a lot of fun…

If you’ve never watched, “The Real Housewives of Orange County” follows five wealthy women and their families who live in the exclusive gated community of Coto de Caza in Orange County, California:

There’s realtor Jeana who’s involved in a trying separation from her husband…

Vicki, the “insurance queen,” who loves to have fun and spend money…

Lauri, the happy newlywed, who’s moved out of Coto with her new husband and their seven children…

And Tamra, the realtor turned stay-at-home mom who considers herself the “hottest housewife in Orange County”…

The housewives are joined by their newest neighbor, Gretchen, who comes with a whole mess of drama…

In fact, Gretchen gets much of the focus in the season premiere. She’s engaged to Jeff, who is 23 years older than her. The other “Housewives” are immediately suspicious of her—especially when she tells them her breasts are real (which apparently is not the case for any woman in Orange County). But the 30-year-old Gretchen has other issues to deal with, namely Jeff’s diagnosis of acute leukemia…

Meanwhile, Lauri is planning her honeymoon, Jeana is trying to deal with her husband staying in her house while they’re separated and Tamra is getting botox and giving her mom moral support before her facelift.

But the real reason to watch is Vicki, the drama queen of Orange County. In the premiere, she sets her sights on a yacht (It’s on sale for $950,000.) and starts trying to convince her family that she needs it. And the drama continues in the second episode as Vicki plans a summer of vacations without her husband, Donn. She also upsets the other “Housewives” with her constant working and she takes more than a few shots at the new girl—most of them more catty than necessary.

But then that’s why we watch, isn’t it?

“The Real Housewives of Orange County” premieres Tuesday, November 25th at 10 p.m. on Bravo after the explosive reunion of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” at 9 p.m…

Photos Credit: Mitchell Haaseth/Bravo