Summary
The Real Housewives of Orange County is a reality TV program on Bravo. The show was initially set primarily in the gated community of Coto de Caza, Calif., following lavish lives of five "housewives" and their families who resided within Coto McMansions.
The exception was one housewife, Lauri Waring, who lived in a Ladera Ranch townhouse. Waring, her townhouse, and self-disclosed reduced financial state was used in season 1 to contrast with the money-laden existence of the other housewives who lived behind the Coto gates.
However, after seasons 2 and 3, the show expanded to include Ladera Ranch, San Juan Capistrano, and Talega of San Clemente, downplaying the exclusivity of living behind the gates of Coto de Caza.
For example, the opening credits removed the commentary saying, "There's a mystique of living behind the gates."
The show's title and intro alludes to ABC's Desperate Housewives as well as the FOX drama The OC and touts itself as these two fictional shows' "real-life" counterpart. Unlike a true documentary, however, Bravo monetarily compensates the show's participants.
The show premiered on March 21, 2006, featuring Kimberly Bryant, Jo De La Rosa, Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough and Lauri Waring.
The show's second season premiered on January 16, 2007 with four of the original stars, with Bryant replaced by Tammy Knickerbocker.
Season 3 premiered on November 9, 2007 with De La Rosa replaced by new housewife, Tamra Barney. Additionally, midway through this season, a sixth housewife was introduced to the cast, Quinn Fry.
With the introduction of Barney and Fry and Waring's move to San Juan Capistrano, the scope of the show widened its narrow focus that used to emphasize the privilege and exclusivity of living in gated Coto de Caza to purport the general luxury and materialism of Orange County.
For example, Waring comments in season 3 that she is "living the Orange County lifestyle again" with her new wealthy fiance.
A spin-off series, The Real Housewives of New York City, premieres on March 4, 2008.
News
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