Cali 'Housewives' Hit Hard by Recession

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Dec 18th 2009 07:21AM

Peculiar things have been happening this season on 'The Real Housewives of Orange County.' Gretchen Rossi had a garage sale, Jeana Keough went shopping with her daughter at H&M and Tamra Barney is now doing her own housework. What? This is a dramatic turn from season three when Barney's husband gave her a diamond Rolex for her 40th birthday and Vicky Gunvalson debated over buying a yacht (she decided against it).

"All of them have been very much affected by the economic situation," explains the show's executive producer, Douglas Ross.

This means the downsizing we're seeing on camera is not just for show. A number of the cast members were involved in real estate that's been on a downslide the past two years. And this season, we'll see Lynne Curtin's family get evicted from their Laguna Beach home.

"We try to treat it as gently but as honestly as we can," Ross says. "We happened to have been there with our cameras ... as part of our normal schedule when they were served the eviction notice. It's one of those great reality TV moments that happened to be caught because we were in the right place at the right time."

Money is a sensitive subject and some people - even reality TV stars - may not want to expose their financial struggles to millions of people. But the housewives don't seem to mind sharing - they even fancy themselves as an inspiration to others in similar situations.

"It helps people across the nation because they realize it's not just them," says Keough.

Barney says the exposure is just her being honest.

"I'm pretty open. ... There's not too much I'll hide. It was difficult for my husband ... but the world's in this place right now and I think people are going to relate to it," she says.

So far it looks like Barney is right. Ratings for the fifth season have been strong and average about 2 million viewers an episode.

This could partly be due to the popularity of the "Real Housewives" franchise in general, which has taken off thanks to over-the-top versions of wig-pulling, table flipping and incredulous statements from women in Atlanta, New Jersey and New York, like, "I'm up here, you're down here." Their actions make viewers ask, "Are they for real?"

Perhaps this season we're finally getting the answer: Yes, they are.

While "The Real Housewives" are compensated for appearing on the show, Keough says it's not enough to support a family. "It's so minimal. It's not enough to make your house payments. It's more like a location fee to keep your house clean."

Keough only filmed three episodes of season 5 and then opted out of the rest - she said she wanted to focus on her real estate career and her family.

Not all the Orange County ladies are having a hard time paying their bills, though. Self-professed workaholic Gunvalson says her insurance business is doing better than ever. And she proudly reveals she's 42 and on target to retire comfortably at age 55.

"When I first started (on the show), I was working out of the house with two employees and now I have a huge office with 10 employees, 700 agents out in the field," she says.

Then there's new cast member Alexis Bellino, 32, who has three children and two nannies. On a recent episode, her husband gave her a 7 carat diamond necklace, just because.

This season, there have been some inconsistencies to the ladies' money woes. Curtin allowed herself to be filmed getting a face lift while her daughter got a nose job. Her husband, Frank, acknowledged the cost of the procedures on camera but said his family's happiness was more important.

Despite the eviction, Lynne Curtin says her finances are improving and predicts her family will be able to build a house next year.

"My husband is a builder in Southern California. It's not like he doesn't try. He's not sitting at home watching TV. He is going out and making an effort. ... I've been married for 20 years. ... We've had the high life we've had the low life. It's just reality."

Tags: the real housewives of orange county, TheRealHousewivesOfOrangeCounty

Comments

(32)

Friday 18 December

By shykiss3

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I can't believe that lady Vicki is 42.. she looks more like 52.. she looks really old..But anyway I'm sure everyone is struggling. The economic downfall just doesn't affect the poor and middle class it affects us all. But also some of these women live beyond their means. I mean its good to have money but that doesn't mean you spend, spend, spend. Because you never know what tomorrow may bring. Vicki looks old but she does seem like the smartest one out of the pack. The woman tamra Im glad she got a job and lynn what do you do? Also gretchen needs to get a job too. I think she's only using that guy Slade for his little bit of money. She got a boyfriend so fast after her fiance died. And the newest housewife Tamra. Why do you have two maids? I mean I understand you have 3 kids but you don't work and there are millions of women who can take care of 3 children without two nannies around. So i don't get that. And why not just one nanny , why two? Overall, I still enjoy watching the show and are looking forward to watching some more new episodes.

Sunday 20 December

By fiona

Vote down Vote up Report this

Wait til we find out soon enough that Gretchen has been doing Tiger Woods since 2004. Not that it would surprise anyone, eh??!!

By joy

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

it sure does hit us all, but not all of us act so ridiculously childish with our money either. these idiots threw money around like it didnt matter, then they go on tv and say oh well. yeah oh well right when you need to provide for your kids and cant because your too foolish to realize what is important

By annonymous

Lynne Curtin's family situation, doesn't make sense, you get evicted and then you go out and get a face lift and let your daughter have a nose job?

I guess when you live way beyond your means it can hard to break the cycle, but shouldn't they be saving that money for shelter and food for the family in stead? Talk about being materialistic.

By ohiobuck7

Who cares? Attention craving psychos.

By mel

The most surprising thing i read is vicki is 42...no friggin way! she looks early 50's easy.

By does it matter

I agree. I always thought she was at least late 40's.
Apparently the botox isn't working for her.

By Jean

Vicki & Tamra are ugly on the outside because they are ugly on the inside. They are ALWAYS negative, and I can't believe their men are still with them. Tamra should stop focusing on Gretchin's life, and start focusing on her children. And Vicky, well, .. there is no hope.

By Jannetta

There is NO WAY Vicki is 42.

By deb mckay

i watch all versions of housewives for the entertainment factor. i think alot of the behaviors we see are staged for our entertainment. the housewive that bugs me the most is orange county's vicki. she's loud and annoying with her whoo hoo's!, by the way she isn't 42. her birthday[according to google]is 03/27/62.that would make her 47. she even looks older than that! tamra is a joke!

By Donna

You got to be kidding. Lynn just had surgery a face lift and her daughter had a nose job and they are the ones that get evicted. They deserve it.

By BlondeEliz

I read somewhere she was 48.

By Dave

I think it is rediculus to get get plastic surgery,but don't have the money to pay your mortgage. WOW. How stupid. And last Vicky is like the biggest wet blanket. I wish she would leave the show.

By ocdude

The show is called housewives. But Gretchen isn't married and has not been anytime during the show.
And yes, Vicki looks way older than 42. Lynn is the big joke of the show with her plastic surgeries and her daughters (ugly)attitudes.

By pppsfan

BooHoo!

By Glenn

Vicki is 48.

By shelly

Why is Gretchen on this show, she isn't even a housewife. And oh god Tamra is doing her own housework, everyone feel sorry for her. And the lady with the two nannies, please learn how to raise your own children. I imagine she doesn't have a job so I am sure she has enough time to take care of her children. That is disgusting when parents feel they can opt out of parenting just because they have money. Good job everyone, full out embarrassment.

Friday 12 February

By bridget

the lady with the 2 nanny's has the creepiest husband i bet he is a wife beater

By stephentis

How did these people get so rich and important?

By Dean

On last nights episode it was very interesting from a male perceptive here...Alexis's husband on the boat told his wife to pull her dress down as he didnt want the world to see her ass and then refers to her as "a hot piece of meat". This guy is a pig with control,trust and insecurity issues. The guys should never had gone to Florida ..it was a "girls weekend" and can't blame Vicki for being pissed off...Alexis's husband and Simon need therapy badly! And Slade, well he's another loser story!

Page 1 of 2