'Real Housewives of Orange County': Making ends meet

The original Housewives are back, and much has changed for the busty ladies of Coto de Caza.  Last week's season premiere (still can't believe that this is the fifth season!) showed us that Tamra and Simon are possibly going broke. Jeana ... well, she's closer than they are. Lynne is trying to keep her family afloat with those gaudy cuff contraptions. Gretchen ... well, she spends her days in her garage with her new manfriend, Slade. And Vicki, our favorite Wahoo! gal, is still living the life of luxury.

But when it comes to the drama, not much has changed.

At a staged dinner party, er, showcase of Lynne's cuff line, Tamra and Gretchen took the opportunity to unleash their claws. About what? Bad reputations and a vibrator with a cord? Slightly reminiscent of Alex from the "Real Housewives of New York," right?  Their fighting, though entertaining to watch (especially as Jeana tries to ease the tension by asking folks to pass the macaroni), is getting a bit tired. For it to garner a "to be continued" when, really, there wasn't much to "continue" was pushing it. 

Gretchen dealt with the stress from that night by having a tanning party the next day -- the only logical solution. I don't know what was a more awkward moment: when Lynne's 16-year-old daughter, Alexa, asked if she could drink a beer (even Gretchen found that weird) or when Slade, with only a sock hiding his unmentionable, hammed it up for the cameras as he got coated with tanning solution. Will someone please click the stopwatch and end his 15 minutes of fame? 

But the economic bust continued its guest-starring role in this week's episode.

Tamra told Vicki over lunch that Simon is getting his income solely from selling tequila. They pay $2,000 a month in property taxes alone on their home and are thinking of moving. Meanwhile, with the Orange County real estate market drying up, so has Jeana's lavish lifestyle. She's sold watches, cars and some art -- anything to make ends meet.  And she and daughter Kara, who now waits tables to pay for her apartment, have mostly ditched the high-end department stores for H&M discount shopping sessions. Total damage done in the shopping fete seen in this week's episode? Just under $200. A sizable difference than what we saw from Kim of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" on her shopping sprees. How things have changed for the ladies. Gretchen even had a garage sale! Vicki, who seems to be the only one not affected greatly by the bad economy, took her mother and daughter to Italy, spending over $500 a night on their hotel room. And, I guess, Lynne isn't doing too shabby, given that she's considering getting herself a face lift and her daughter a nose job (getting into the issues with that requires a whole other blog post).

But there's a new housewife in the mix. Jeana is ditching the clan (as previews for next week's episode suggest) and a new blond, Alexis, will attempt to mingle with the brood. Tamra and Simon had dinner with Alexis and her husband, Jim. A very awkward dinner. The tension between Tamra and her ill-tempered hubby was more apparent than ever before. While Alexis and Jim were lovey-dovey (what is with her making him a plate of food? He has hands.), Tamra and Simon were bickering about nonsense. Is anyone else bothered that Simon seems to think Tamra should "obey" him? He married a woman, not a dog. He and Slade need a serious reality check. 

What are your thoughts on the return of the O.C. ladies? Will it be the same without Jeana? What do you think about Lynne considering letting her teen daughter get a nose job?

-- Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Gretchen Rossi Credit: Bravo

Comments

[Tony]

Love you Jenna and will miss you. I think you are one fine lady and have a very beautiful family (husband not included). Good for you that you are moving on with your life and reassessing what your priorities are for the future. With pretentious friends like the ones on this show you're better off by yourself. As for the show a lot of the things that go on are staged and fake. Just watch a little closer and pay attention people and you will see what I see.

[Char]

I thinjk Jeana was the best one in the show. I think Vickie was a snake to treat Jeana like she did. I looked up her web site and for her to resort to religion the way she drinks and treats people is a total sham. She is a phony snake oil salesperson with no class and a loud mouth drunk. Her housband in nothing more than her houseboy. I am not sure I want to watch with out Jeana on any more.

[Jim]

Real wealthy people would never be on this show or expose their lifestyles.

These are true nobody's. No class, no money, deadbeats.

[Otis]

I am fascinated by this show for two reasons: (1) Its a real world description of people living beyond their means, (2) it shows you what happens when people lose site of their values and priorities.

I think most of these women have been married at least twice. Yes they are physically attractive but there is something sexy about a women who is comfortable with herself - call it inner beauty; than someone who relies own our affirmations to feel like they have worth.

Who will be the second of them to pose for Playboy? My bet is on Lynne and Tamra.

[Annetta Belvin]

I, too, think that Jenna is the only I watch "Orange County". I think Tamra & Vicki should leave instead. Classless has a name and it's Tamra & Vicki. I think Jenna should remain on the show .... why not show someone that's struggling like the rest of us??? Previews show Vicki saying that Jenna might always be a neighbor but not a friend ... Congratulations Jenna, you finally got rid of that piece of dirt. Vicki just goes to show that money does not buy class. Gretchen and Jenna seem to care about others, have a good heart, and maybe just a little too trusting sometimes. Lynn showed where her loyalties were, in her checkbook, not with her friends. I'll miss you Jenna. You appear to be the kind of friend we are all looking for.

[Jerri]

If Jeana is leaving, I am through watching the show.

[Alana]

I don't watch the show as much as I used to. They need to get rid of Tamra and Vicki. They're just too mean-spirited for me. It was really disgusting when Tamra encouraged her son to sleep with Gretchen (who was drunk at Tamra's dinner party)

[ANNA]

I think that the O.C. House Wifes are funny. I think that Gretchen can do what ever she wants and she doesn't have to report to Tamara.I honestly think that Tamara is jealious of Gretchen because she can't do what she wants. I guess because you live in Coto De Caza you have a license to be a "bitch" and be so critical of others. One thing I know if you lose your high income you lose your fake freinds which in my opinion isn't such a bad idea. Jeanna needs her freinds and it looks like she doesn't have any right now. Vick works hard but she is very judgemental. Lynn I feel for you because you are so worried about how you look your not realizing that your kids need you to be comfortable with who you are, not what other people think of you. Actually that's the problem with our society today many moms trying to look like their teenage daughters.

[heather stewart]

Could someone tell me why an unattractive insurance saleslady with absolutely no class or culture, who is really nasty, should be of interest to the rest of this country ?
Shouldn't these programs be called Rich White Trash - except perhaps Atlanta ...
Remember, the rest of the world looks on and thinks that this is America !

[kissmary]

i think Mom should be ashamed of herself. that girl is pretty and if she has self esteem issues mom is helping to created them. That teen is pretty enough as is. why not buy her a book instead and enhance her mind.

[Chris]

After Jeana leaves, I probaly will not watch the show. Maybe once in a while just to see how Grectchen and Lynn are doing. I can not stand to watch Tamera, or Vicky. If they keep them on I really do not think the show will last. I think Lynn will end up being the sweet one like Jeana once she's gone.
Grectchen brings fun to the show. To bad she's seeing Slade. I never did like him. For having four kids, he sure doesn't seem like a good father. I think he's using Gretchen so he can be on the show. Vicky is too old to be on the show. She is so jealous. But her daughter is very sweet. Jeana was one of the older ones, but she wasn't trying to be young like the other ones and she wasn't mean like Vicky. They need to get Tamera off this show. She is a jealous miserble person. How she made it on, I'm not sure. Anyway I will not be watching anymore.

[farmers wife]

all the gals are fake. but this newest addition should be very quiet and not say too much. you see, as soon as these housewives open their mouths and says something, then you can tell what they are truly made of. remember what the tongue speaketh, is what is in the heart. it was funny to see the newest addition, alexis say that she wanted to put GOD first, then husband, then family. i really do not think that it is GOD honoring to even be on the show. She just wants to glorify herself and not her god! If you wanted to honor GOD, then get rid of the nannies.. sell the diamond ring and do something of lasting value!

[jara]

I used to find this show amusing, but now it is just plain sad. Faux drama is funny up to a point, but how many times are we supposed to enjoy the same lame catfights and speak-to-the-camera self-righteous sermons. UGHHH!

Without Jeana as a counterbalance to the bitchiness, I doubt I'll watch much. More Vicki and Tamra will not be a good thing. The novelty of Lynn's loopy vapidness has grown old. Gretchen has an entertaining attitude, but Slade just creeps me out, what a tool. Alexis is straight out of The Stepford Wives.

Time for a major recast and a new production team with new ideas. But that won't happen if people continue to watch this crap.

[may]

I think Jeanna is too goody. She never stood up to Vicky, her kids, or her husband. Gretchen is a golddigger and when she hooked with that NASTY Slade, my opinion of her just went down hill. Vicky is mean but I respect her for providing for herself and not having to rely on a man just like the other housewives. Tamra is also mean but at least she call Gretchen out for her misdeeds because Gretchen likes to portray herself as innocent. Lynn, is just plain boring except for her brainlessness because she is clueless most of the time. The new girl Alexis is obviously a trophy wife. I just like to watch the show to feel good about myself because these people are a mess!

[judy from long island]

Jeana is the only DEPTH this show has to offer. Without her counter point, this show is worthless to me. Watching the older and judgmental slam the younger and prettier is transparent and tedious and thats all this show offers anymore.

[Mary]

Wow, hadn't watched for awhile. Serious cat fight.
I agree with the majority here, Jeana is the most likeable and most beautiful. She just needs to stop letting her family treat her so poorly, they learned it from her pathetic ex I guess.
Gretchen is definitely young, entertaining and Tamra should mind her own business. Tamra acts like she's better and yet she seems to be the one fighting like gutter trash all the time. Just jealous, I think.
Vicki is admirable for her work ethic, but domineers everyone and sucks the air out of the room and everyone in it. Amazing she's still married. She treats her husband like hired help. I can see why she was upset with Jeana on the real estate deals. Jeana seems to think Vicki should accept what she thinks is okay on a transaction rather than making sure the transaction is what her client is comfortable with.

[Gary]

Tamra is the biggest joke that lives. I grew up in Arkansas and became rich by working not bitching. YOU CANNOT DO THIS

[Josephina]

Vicki appears bi-polar with her grandiose, controlling, over-bearing and constant attention-seeking behavior. I do give her credit for her success in business but the comments about that she's always "working" are sickening. Despite all that she appears miserable anyway. She's just plain nuts. Tamara is the mean, nasty girl, who is highly insecure and needs to blame everyone else for her own short-comings. Her son Ryan is the poorest example for a man with his laziness and entitled behavior. Jeana is arrogant and constantly has to remind us that she posed for Playboy. OMG! Enough! It's really painful to see how she squeezes herself into those inappropriate clothes that make her look like a bloated sausage. She looks terrible and needs to also remove that mole from her chin. Gretchen's cackling is annoying and I don't like her anymore because she's now with the other attention seeking DB named Slade..ugh! And as for Alexis and Jim, who the eff cares? Phony, phony with all that church going nonsense..give me a break! And lastly, Lynne is an airhead with two of the laziest, snottiest and most irritating teenage daughters. If I ever dared to talk back or disrespect my parents, I would have been beat to shreds...what a poor excuse for a parent. Be a mother and stop with all the spending sprees on horrible plastic surgery and clothes that are not appropriate for a woman in her 50's with leathery skin. I love this show!!!!!!!