The Real Housewives of Orange County

Once I'd seen the trailers for the show I knew it would be hard to watch and hard not to!

As for the complete reality of the show - which is like the other shows, doubtful - I can only draw a distinction in themes: in reality TV, the " little guy'" is pitted against an adversary larger than life, the message being that the little guy can win against the odds, that we are all, in some ways, heroes. This show gives the opposite message: that we are all victims of forces beyond our control. The show is bittersweet because these women, their communities, their families, are incapable of rising above the clichés and traps of too much cash, too much free time...and too much high hair!!

It is hard to stomach so much tackiness without a trace of irony or humor ( Footballer's Wives deals with the same kind of characters, but better). These women are deadly dull, and marriage looks less like a sacred institution worth protecting, and more like a form of prostitution! Thank god for the gates which keep them inside, an effective quarantine for the rest of us. I chuckled when I heard one of these dames complain about downgrading to a 2500 sq. ft home!

But as I considered it- or tried to consider it seriously - I decided that for women such as these that would be a calamity, which is disgusting if it weren't so pathetic. Conspicous consumption? how about contemptuous consumption! And where is CPS? Shouldn't they be alerted to the abused children in these gilded cages? But all this said I do think the show should be watched if only for its shock value: evidently hair hoppers and 80's has been skeezers do win out, even if no one else does. I hope this show does not see broadcast outside of America. We don't need another 5 reasons for the world to despise us

Theme 1: Extreme materialism is normal.

Theme 2: Wanting something for nothing.

Theme 3: Wanting something in exchange for something other than hard work.

Theme 4: "We have morals."

Theme 5: "I behave like X, but tell my children not to behave like X."

Theme 6: I work hard, so I deserve to play hard.

Theme 7: Knowledge is valuable if it helps you make money.

Theme 8: Wealth = achievement.

Theme 9: My family means everything to me--10 minutes a week.

Theme 10: Responsibility is cultivated through having something, not through doing something.

This is the worst reality show ever, because it is not reality, but a somewhat planned/scripted insult to the intelligence of the viewer. The people on this show are either actors (Jo/Slade) trying to get to the big screen without any talent or other wannabes who forgot that they have skeletons in their closet which inevitably would come out. No one actually is ever shown living normally and the participants seem to have their friends come onto the show just to get them air time. Notice, if you can bear to watch, the unemotional face of Lauri, who is so Botoxed/surgeried to show any type of reaction to anything. Notice the children who are abused over and over again. (Where is CPS??) But then these are wealthy families who want to be envied and are beyond rules and the law. (We're rich; we don't have to be good) Everything is so planned and semi-scripted that calling this reality TV is a joke to the viewer whose IQ is above 10. Don't waste your time.

Vicki, I am also a woman in my 40's approaching 50 like you and I have got to ask you, what in god's name are you doing with a man like Brooks. I have never written anything on the internet ever, so this is a first but I watch your show and when I see you and Brooks together I honestly think I'm going to puke. Why when you are talking to this man you look and act like a 13 yr. school girl with tears in your eyes looking pathetically desperate. I'm sorry but you should know how you look because I feel sorry for you. You are a intelligent, smart and beautiful woman and I see you with this guy you had to buy teeth for who has not always been so nice to you and for sure has an agenda of his own. You look at him almost in every scene asking him "Oh Brooks what are we, do you like me, I need a boy in my life, help me Brooks, I love you, I'm so in love with you, why can't we be together, are we together, I don't know what we are, what are we. Oh dear lord Vicki really, and on top of that you are asking your daughter to try to forgive a man she thinks is a pig and a loser that she does not want her mother with on any level. I'm with Brianna on this one. I mean what is it about this guy, what is it you can't live without? It has to be one thing and its the same thing that would make you run from a guy like you were on fire if it was bad and tiny and you know what I'm talking about. It always comes down to sex. Nobody and I mean nobody stays with bad sex and if you or they do... somebody is cheating. Listen, I am just voicing my opinion like everybody else and I guess just want to see you spared misery and heartache. One more thing, if you do end up staying with this guy, just own it, please stop with the we hardly see each other, we don't talk that much, why are you hiding it. Goodluck,KB

I have watched this in dis-belief...If this is how all rich people behave and raise their children they can rest assured their children will not have very much money themselves when they are adults...

I can tell they love their children but the children are so completely self absorbed!!!

The main character that I totally don't get is Slade. He is a good looking guy and he is dating/living with a total flake...obviously he is only after her looks and body and the fact that she is needy and he wants to take care of her.. She is totally aware of the camera and it is so clear she is acting.. Why can't he see how vain and shallow she is?

I like Lauri but I hope she is not rushing in so she can be financially secure. I don't see what she sees in him.. Not much personality.. SHe doesn't seem to acknowledge that she is the mom either she has two kids withproblems and all you see is her out having fun.

THe entire show is sad to me,but at the same time I catch myself watching and talking to the TV like they can hear me..

I do admire the women that make good money and pay the bills themselves I just wish they would teach their kids what life is truly about. Money and looks fade..These kids won't know what to do if they woke up broke and ugly.