'Real Housewives of Orange County': Out with the old, in with the new

We’re three episodes into the season and I’m starting to wonder if things will ever heat up. The whole Gretchen-Tamra feud can only sustain me for so long.  I’m thisclose to suggesting one of them — Vicki, perhaps? — team up with Atlanta housewife Kim Zolciak for a follow-up to “Tardy for the Party.” When all else fails, hideously catchy tunes are the way to go.

And all the airtime Gretchen and Slade are snagging is enough to make me take the show off my DVR recording list. The two are the poor man’s version of Heidi and Spencer. I don’t care what Slade thinks of the housewives. Or whether he is capable of producing sperm. And Gretchen, I too find it “kind of scary” to think you’re seriously considering having kids and being married to Slade.

But, thanks to new housewife Alexis, there was some freshness to the episode (get to know the newest addition to the OC clan by reading this Q&A).  She’s young. She’s blond. She’s busty. And she confuses "neurotic" for "persnickety." We learn she’s already friendly with Tamra and Gretchen,  but at a lingerie soiree, she finally meets the other housewives. The gals are trying on lingerie, except for Jeana — more on that later — and except for Alexis, who feels that parading out in slinky pieces in front of onlookers is inappropriate — yet, as Tamra pointed out, she has no trouble being flashy in a barely-there bikini at a BBQ gathering. Whatever the case, I was slightly underwhelmed. Where was the showdown between her and Vicki that Bravo had been hyping? Also, how awkward was the exchange between Alexis and Lynne? I was just waiting for Lynne to bring out some of her cuff pieces to ease the silence.

Guess the producers thought the riff between Vicki and Jeana was more than enough for this episode. Our favorite Playboy Playmate and our favorite Wahoo! gal have slowly drifted apart. While they remain cordial, the tension could be cut with a knife. How sad was it to hear Vicki say, “Jeana’s always going to be my neighbor unless one of us moves, but she’s not always going to be my friend”? Ouch.

So like Jeana said: “It started in Coto de Caza, it ended in Coto de Caza.” She’s decided to leave the show to focus on her real estate business and her family.

So, Show Trackers, will Alexis be able to fill Jeana’s void?  Anyone else growing tired of Slade’s screen time?

— Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley. Credit: Bravo

Comments

[phyllis]

Yes, I agree with you on many points. I really liked the idea of Gretchen with Slade, however he acts so weird and is apparently "putting on" too much for the cameras! That is what is annoying me about him....I wonder if there is really something wrong with him. He doesn't act very sexy..just dorky. Gretchen on the other hand, is being affected by his behavior. She is also getting extremely lewd and I wonder if she is way into porn as she is becoming less of a lady and more crudely suggestive. This is a sign of a porn addict. The line of decency is becoming way too blurred for her. Also, when Slade put on the sock, that was way inappropriate to do in public with Lynne's daugher nearby (she took a peek to check out what he was up to.) I hope they take Slade out of the picture and get Gretchen back to being more ladylike as she is really a fun person to watch. Not so much with the idiot around.

I do like Alexis,but her husband is a hypocrite, big time. They brag about respect and she picks him up for lunch and the next thing you know, he is being rudely critical about her speaking too loud and drawing embarrassing attention to herself. No one was really in the cheap damned place to validate the attack anyway. He is exercising his control over her all of the time. I would have removed that big rock off my finger and thrown it at his big ugly head. Stuff like this makes me sick because these women are never considered as equal to the man when he is buying her "beat down" behavior at the cost of the woman's self respect. The price of wanting an expensive home and things comes way too high....as there goes your self respect and your voice to keep the money man in line! Alexis needs to criticize him back or he will become a bigger monster every year. This is a form of slavery and control and usually men have to go outside of our country to "buy" this type of relationship as it is much cheaper to get a Peruvian, Korean, or Cambodian instead. These ladies make me grateful to be free and with a voice. To heck with materialism, the price is too high!

[KV]

Tamra is bitch! WHAT IS HER JOB IN LIFE? Did that bitch ever have a job? Give me a break, leave Gretchen alone. Like you are an angel Tamra. U look like a 60 year old witch who got so much work done. Get a job like real woamn do and stop talking to paparazzi you back stabber. U r not innocent! Where did you come from. U had a child at 17...ugh. Most kids at that age should be going to college and thinking about a career.
I am soo sick of you talking about Gretchen. What has Tamra ever been successful in? Nothing...she is a pig who just services her husband because she has no life! She is not a good person and I hope you replace her. She makes me sick and is a two faced. Who is she to judge Gretchen? Let it go you dumb biotch.

[mmc]

I actually like Slade. He's handsome , likes to have a good time, and he and Gretchen seem to get along . It's their business.Gretchen drinks too much and that can turn into a big problem.Tamra should watch what's going on in her lfe and keep her nose out of everyone elses business.Vicki is a control freak but good with finances.I think Lynne and Frank have been living way beyond their means.I think Alexis has good values but I did not like the way her husband talked to her when they were at lunch and he told her she was talking too loud, etc. it was not what he said but how he said it. Not nice.I hope Jeana finds happiness. She had a heart and I'll miss her.

[erica stephens]

OMG,Grethan,s behavior is beyond pornographic,she is cute has a great body and she hooks up with this over the hill,greasy haired loser? He is obviously using her.As for Alex and her husband,are you serious? they are good Christians? hanging with this crowd? I don.t think so,I think they are doing it for the money,and trying to hold themselves out as superior,give me a break.

[TinaInDC]

There is nothing real about these "Housewives" their bodies or minds are all FAKE.

[Susan]

The housewives are going to wish they could trade their new friend for their old friend Jeanna. You can tell from the most recent episode, the chick wouldn't even take her pimp hat off inside the house (manners?), as her children ran all over their hostesses house. Have fun, kids !