If you were here with me for the last season of Real Housewives of Orange County you know I have a really hard time keeping the blondes straight in my head, and to some degree really caring too much about the show. I do not really keep up with the gossip over the off-season and I don’t have a reliable source for exclusive tea. So it may surprise you that I am very excited for this season after reviewing the first episode. Rather than recap it before y’all have seen it, I’m going to give you the rundown on the castmates and my general reaction to season 8.
The first episode seems to have a common theme. We are used to the ladies standing the friends chart on its ear every few episodes, but what struck me about the first episode and the previews, is the disharmony under everyone’s own roof. Let me run through the list of ladies and tell you who seems to be starting off as friends with whom and more importantly about the problems with their home life, because everyone has some major issues going on.
Vicki Gunvalson
Before we even get started with the OG, Vicki, we might as well address her new face. Vicki has a new nose (cartilage reconstruction), new cheeks (fat injections) and a new chin (chin implant). She pretty much says she did it so people would stop saying she looks like porky pig. I think she looks fine both ways. What I personally found disturbing is the huge caterpillar-like eyelashes she wears in her talking heads. It’s really all I could focus on.
Vicki is not good at living alone. She’s always been a helicopter mom close to Brianna so since Brianna is having a baby and Ryan is going to be deployed, Brianna and Ryan and eventually Troy move in with Vicki. This would have worked better if Ryan had actually been deployed during filming. But he wasn’t. In the season previews he calls Vicki a bitch. That would be a HUGE issue for me if I were Brianna. But Brianna is seen threatening to move out if Vicki continues to date Brooks. So basically no one is getting along in that household.
Vicki’s Friend List: Alexis and Heather But, I predict Tamra will be on her chart again by episode 2. When Lydia arrives she will be friends with Vicki Enemy List: Gretchen (maybe)
Heather Dubrow
In her second season, Heather gets the task of hosting the first “party” that is one of those all-in sort of affairs designed for drama. Heather does not invite Alexis. Vicki lets Alexis know about the “clam bake” that she is not invited to. The clam bake is pretty much episode two, but the premiere will have lots of lead up. The interesting things about Heather on the first season is when talking to Terry, she mentions “the girl who ate the bow off her cake”, Sarah Winchester. It seemed odd to bring that up, so it would not surprise me if we see Sarah this season. But what was most problematic, was Heather’s interactions with Terry. I really liked Heather on her first season; however, seeing how she talks to Terry on the first episode reminded me of Adrienne and Paul. They will have marital problems this season, in part because Heather is offered a couple of sitcoms that could disrupt the flow of the household. But I sense that these two are going through a rough patch.
Heather’s Friend List: Vicki, Tamra, Gretchen. Enemy list: Alexis. Big time. Lydia perhaps later.
Tamra Barney
Tamra has moved in with Eddie Judge with her three youngest children. Tamra is having some conflict with Eddie since they all moved in together. Tamra wants to make the house her own. Eddie has some pretty OCD housekeeping rules. Tamra is starting to think that Eddie is a bit controlling, mostly because she wants to redecorate his former bachelor pad. There is conflict in the relationship and Eddie is going to drag his feet about getting married this season. Tamra also claims that Alexis wants to sue her for calling her Jesus Jugs. What would a season be without threats of lawsuits?
Tamra’s Friend List: Gretchen and Heather. right now. Vicki, Alexis and Lydia later. Enemy List: Unclear for now, but I suspect Gretchen will end up here eventually. Two “friends” planning weddings at the same time never ends well.
Gretchen Rossi
Gretchen and Slade are living together. Slade has a job as a DJ this season so Gretchen has had to hire an assistant to help her with marketing. She also seems unable to take care of herself with Slade out of the house. I predict Slade being so focused on his own career will be an issue in their relationship. Also, Gretchen wants to have a baby and it looks like she may need to eat a lot of yams or seek some other fertility method. Her wedding plans will be a major storyline as well.
Gretchen’s Friends List: In episode one she is good with Tamra and Heather. Enemy List: Frankly, I am not sure anyone really has Gretchen’s back this season. I feel like everyone except maybe Heather ends up having a falling out with her. It will start with Tamra reconciling with Vicki…
Alexis Bellino
Allison Edmonds was supposed to replace Alexis but she backed out at the last minute so Alexis is back. I for one am glad. I am in the minority that actually likes Alexis and Jim. Remember when I told you that there were problems in everyone’s homes? Well on Alexis’s talking head, she makes it very clear that there are no problems in her home. Which is of course total bullshit. She will try to cover her marital problems but there is a seething undercurrent. Like for example when she mentions on the first episode that she is no longer working on her fashion line or a the news station because she wants to devote more time to Jim and the kids.
Alexis’s Friend List: In the first episode it is basically just Vicki. However, I expect some editing miracle resulting in nearly everyone befriending her again. Or at least being cordial. Alexis’s Enemy List: For now, everyone except Vicki. But eventually just Heather and Gretchen.
Lydia McLaughlin
Lydia is not on episode one. Lydia did not have an intro on the press cut. HOWEVER, the intro on the press cut was last years intro and I expect it to be updated by the show. I would have assumed Lydia was just a “friend of the housewives” but on the Bravo site they refer to six housewives and Lydia has a cast bio. She is also in the press pictures. So I expect to see her holding an orange if not by the first episode then shortly thereafter. Lydia knows Alexis and is brought in as a friend of Alexis. Actually, Alexis used to live across the street from Lydia when Alexis was renting. Alexis informs us on episode one that she has purchased a house. I don’t think Lydia is really that tight with Alexis. She will be her ally on the show because they are both Jesus Freaks very religious. However, Lydia gets into it with Alexis here and there.
Lydia’s Friend List: Alexis, Vicki, Tamra Lydia’s Enemies list: Heather and Gretchen probably.
Lauri Peterson
Lauri is back as a friend of the housewives. She does not appear on episode one. I do not think she is going to make many friends during her limited return. She is being brought back to stir the pot.
The first episode is more setting the stage for the season than anything. I really liked it. It gave me the chance to figure out who is allied with who (at least for now) and I am excited about the season. Currently, I like all the cast members (I am not sure I will like Lydia) so for all the haters…you may not like my recaps unless something changes.
So who is going to watch Monday? The Season 8 Premiere is Monday at 8 pm on Bravo.
Why is Lauri back? Does she need the money?
Andy has been trying to get her to return ever since she quit. She drops a bomb this season and claims she witnessed one of the women having a threesome with another chick and a dude. It is not revealed who she is talking about though.
Thanks for the tea, Tamara. Should be interesting to see Lori back in the mix.
I am In, In, In, ALWAYS In. And can’t wait to read your recaps and comments!
Can’t wait!! I guess because they are the original HW, I am most excited about their show airing. Loved them from the beginning.
i love OC, it is my favorite of all the franchises. although i wish lauri would come back full time, and Jeana.
I like this franchise. I liked Tamra and Gretchen as friends, even though Tamra is the epitome of a mean girl. I never liked Alexis, but I found myself feeling sorry for her last season, actually. While I think the ladies made some good points regarding Alexis and her issues, I never thought she was as bad as Gretchen and Tamra made her out to be. I also found myself growing increasingly tired of Vicki. I was so ready for her to leave, but of course she couldn’t. I did like Heather, but she was very condescending and patronizing. Although she has got the goods to back it up, I guess.
I am excited to see what happens this season. I kind of wish that someone gives it to Tamra as badly as she gives it out. I am tired of her mean girl antics. My god, these women are too old for this shit.
Love your blog, TT!!!
Tamra is a horrid individual. I predict her fitness center will be out of business by year’s end; OC needs another fitness center like it needs more women with breast implants.
Okay, I have some sort of RHOOC amensia every season. I’m like the chick on 50 first dates when it comes to this show. Remind me why I should hate Tamra. I’m down with it, I just can’t remember a damn thing about her. Thanks in advance.
Tamara makes Kim z look warm and cuddly. If you look up famewhore in the dictionary, there is tamra. I am pretty sure she only befriended gretchen for tv, she has no boundaries, no loyalties, everything she says and does is at someone elses expense and for more camera time. She did an interview once where she said andy c called her “the perfect housewife” if that tells you anything. However-she is funny and outrageous and original.
I’ve never understood the hate Tamra gets. She’s a bitch but so are the other ladies. I find her to be the most real out of all the OC Housewives
Here’s one reason: Remember when she screamed at and threw a drink in Jeana’s face? She was irate because Jeana had been speaking to Simon and ostensibly discussing Simon’s point of view on their separation…and saying that she thought Simon wasn’t such a bad guy. Tamra made such a huge thing of it and played like, “How dare she get involved in my business?”
Meanwhile, she is shit-talking Gretchen and Slade’s relationship and speaking to Slade’s ex-wife , putting out information gotten from her
and her view of things. Basically, the exact same thing she is so upset with Jeana for doing.
Hypocrite much? She did not seem to have any awareness of it either…no statements like, “I know I was doing something similar, but I was justified by XYZ reasons”. Just blind stupidity and hypocrisy.
There’s also her creepy, rapey son, but that’s another discussion…
Did you just describe him as “rapey” ??? What does that mean?
More importantly, how do you bold text???
Oh, I was referring to his highly inappropriate behavior with Gretchen…remember when Tamra got her “naked wasted” at her “etiquette” dinner party? Ryan was very agressive amd grabby with her…taking advantage of Gretchen’s vulnerable state…it was disgusting.
Disgusting too was Tamra’s reaction: “Ha ha he’s so horny ha ha!” If I had ever behaved that way toward a guest who was inebriated, my mother would have kicked my ass, ripped me a new one, then kicked it again! Well brought up men do not try to take advantage of women like that.
i am i luv heather, i hate alexis someone should slap her with a cross.
I only started watching this franchise last year, thanks to Tamara. All the women on this series drives me nuts.Though I did love the woman who bit the bow off of Heather’s cake. But after Tamara’s synopsis of the first show, I am eagerly looking forward to it.
How did you get to review the first episode? Thought you had to have media credentials to access to stuff like this?
I have media credentials…
I like your site and you. I want to make that clear. I hope you do not take offense to this, I am a straight and direct person and would rather tell you what I think instead of being phony. Fair?
I do not believe that. If you did then this whole law suit/case that Sheree is handling would be held differently.
You may have them but ti access to stuff like this your site has to be registered to an LLC or business. Or whoever is publishing it has to have publish with a site that does. If you did have media credentials you would not have crossed the line and entered Sheree’s house. And you wouldn’t have sources or twitter friends linking you gossip, it would come to you in a completely different way. But Kudos for you, go girl. I personally am tired of O.C. and the enabling of Tamara Barney mean girl ways.
Let me clear something up. When I said “your site has to be registered to an LLC (business or free lancer that still must be registered) views stuff like this”
I mean that bravo or any network has a contract. Second, you would be getting paid as well. am aware if how it works and know people who have media credentials from other experiences they had. If you did have credentials you surely wouldn’t say some of the things you say to people. I am not going to elaborate because I am not looking for a fight, just wanted to explain why I said what I said.
🙂
lol
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Darn, I was nice, even. Guess my comment won’t be posted.
Just don’t want to see you say something, then it not be true to then see you in more of a mess with these non factoring so called housewives. If you do have them, then things must of changed.
These housewives should be more appreciative to smaller blogs (small blog could be TamaraTattles compared to UsWeekly) considering how much promotion and work you all put in to them. Credentials or not.
Why would she lie about having credentials? To impress you? And there are different level of credentials and what you have access to. But seriously? You come across as way obsessed.
Good lord, are you that account that is harassing Bravo?
I don’t understand this post. This “Time for” nic is supposedly asking the “Question” nic this. But it seems they are the same person. And why are they trying to bring up something about bravo being harassed? What’s the story?
My question was directed to “question please”
Okay here is my response to “drank too much of the Kellyade”:
1) send her a private email; anything else is completely contrary to your purported motive of “just trying to help”;
2) look up “nice” in the dictionary again;
3) completely off topic and unnecessary. Go away now.
When you pay my bills then you can tell me what to do.
I just was giving my opinion and if you do not like it, we’ll, that is your problem.
I don’t have access to other commenter emails, I was asking “question please” if that was the same person.
I am still here and click on every ad, and link people to read.
When you get your own site then you can tell people what to do or give lists of instructions.
Tamara is quite capable of taking care of herself.
Your shift of blog patrol shift is Puravidacostarica.
Off topic? That’s funny, I didn’t bring up, “question please” did. I have my opinion, again, you no like? Don’t read my comments. *shrugs*
Shut up DICKFACE.
Don’t like it? Don’t read my comments.
I’m MEHHHHH about the OC franchise. It used to be my favorite, but I don’t find any of them to be likeable and some of them to be downright despicable. And the fact that Bravo continues to feature and pay Gretchen and Slade Slimey in a manner that allows him to avoid child support/medical bills makes me sick. Only the scenery is nice to look at!
I’ve only watched a season and a half (watched some older episodes via Netflix) of this franchise. I liked what I saw last season, the Jesus Jugs nickname was hilarious to me.. I’ll probably buy a season pass via iTunes next week. I am also in a minority, I love Tamra.
Damn all those girls have skinny legs. I’m jelly, jelly. Despite hating this franchise I will be watching, damn me.
Hi guys
Can you please tell me of a site i catch the Real Housewives episodes online?
Thank you so much!
itunes season pass.
Oh Jesus. Don’t make me laugh at dickface flames on Easter Sunday. My eternal soul is in enough peril. #COMPASSION2013ASSHOLES
Sorry. Just illustrating the level to which insightful, smart conversation can sink when the “don’t like it, don’t read my posts” mentality rules. Overall, the “don’t like it find another blog” thing works quite well.
P.s. Amen to that!
TeeCee: I couldn’t answer your question up where you asked it as there was no “reply” button there…but without going into mile-long tutorial: just google “HTML text formatting tags” and you should be able to get some cheat sheets with the codes for bold, italics, underline, strikethrough, etc.
Just my two cents again (love the blog patrol snark by Kelly-needs-more-ade — sign me up!):
1) how can one have an “opinion” on a “I have media credentials” statement — unless that opinion is to call TT a liar;
2) love how Kelly-drank-too-much-of-her-own-ego-ade is quick to slam someone for having an opinion on her post (dish, but no take, I gather?);
3) I do pay your bills (insert TeeCee hash tag here). I had to read that load of crap and, by doing so, I paid some of your karma debt load.
4) my guess? @question please and @Kellyade are one and the same.
*3) And by “your bills”, I of course mean Kellyade. 🙂 Not TT or TeeCee. I would have posted this after KellyAde’s snarky reply but TeeCee beat me to it and there was no reply button up there. And, TT, love your RHOA recap!
OC is my least favorite franchise. These women are all so plastic inside and out. It seems they never have a thought in their heads except how to one up and destroy someone else. Heather makes me sick and she’s beyond pretentious. Tamra is the worst mean girl I’ve ever seen and her ability to lie is unreal. I’ve grown to like Alexis, she’s like a naive puppy. Gretchen blows with the wind, is pretty but tacky. (PLEASE get Slade off the show!). Vicki is a wanna be, ugly girl who’s always desperate for attention, any attention pro/con will do, Selfish helicopter mom for sure. Can’t wait to see her new look. I’d love to have the $$, good health, and ability to withstand pain to get a new face. We’ll see if that works.
Did Gretchen have a boob reduction?
Yes. They SHOULD have had onion rings. The poor guy is footing the bill for this party and he had one tiny request that she was too twatty to give him? Why???
Gretchen complains about everything. She’s so small minded. You really have never heard of a clam bake???
100% agree. Paragraph #1: Because she’s a bitch.
Paragraph #2 Because she’s a bitch.
Vicki’s eyelashes look like tarantulas.
Yeah. They don’t help the whole “not looking like miss piggy” thing.
I think her nose was improved.
I’m late in reading your OC recap, but was wondering if you had any “ideas” on which HW Laurie is referring to, regarding the threesome?
I think Vicki’s “new face” looks nice – subtle improvements. I’ve read other blogs saying it “wasn’t enough work,” but imagine what they’d say if she had more. Poor Vicki cannot win. I always end up feeling a little sorry for her, even though I know she causes a lot of her own issues….
Love reading your blog. 🙂
Thanks Bb! I think Lauri is going to be talking about someone she knows, like perhaps her husband…I don’t think it is any of the HWs as much as they try and make it look that way. Lauri likes to talk about Lauri. Could be she walked in on one of her adult kids or something. If I am remembering correctly, Lauri started yelling at me on twitter a long time ago when I was included in someone elses conversations. I really don’t remember much about her. I might totally have her confused with some one else.
This was not helpful at all. Sorry.
No, it was helpful. 🙂 Thanks. I was wondering if Lauri’s comment could be “much ado about nothing.” Lauri making a fuss about you on Twitter? You get some of these HWs all stirred up! 😀 Thanks, again!
Wouldn’t it be a hoot if Lauri was talking about Slade being the person she walked in on – as she did date him after his relationship with Jo went south …
Time for Kellyade needs a time out ….