The Real Housewives of Orange County:

How real are they?

 

            What really is life like in Orange County, California?   It's a land of celebrities, professional athletes, and business tycoons and its full of fortune.   In Bravo's new reality television show, The Real Housewives of Orange County , one can try to grasp the "real" life behind this elite social gate.   The show is about five women and their families that live in Coto de Caza, a luxurious gated community in Orange County; and, the women live as if they are on vacation every day.   Andy Wallerstein, editor for the Hollywood Reporter states, "In this show, the women are a lot like their mansions--impeccably maintained facades, but the show does a good job at pointing out their cracks" (NPR news).   The camera tries to portray them only as superficial beauty queens with breast implants and fake tans; but, through the analysis of visual rhetoric and emotional appeals it becomes apparent there is more to the women.   In part, they are trying to go against this social mold.   While appearing to be a stereotypical Barbie, the character Vicki Gunsvalson is actually a self-sufficient top selling insurance agent, who breaks the mold of the classic rich blonde housewife.   Even her good life has many real challenges.   So the question arises, "How real are they?"   In examining Vicki's not so stereotypical life, we may also find just what lies beneath this seemingly perfect community.  

The superficial physique of Vicki

            Yes, Vicki has a weakness with saying "no" to lavish shopping sprees and cosmetic surgery.   Her goal is to look young while enjoying her 40's--no matter how much Botox that encompasses.   Unlike a majority of mid-40's women, Vicki does not mind showing off her body in her bikini, even in front of her teenager's friends.   Examples of Vicki's pride in her body are seen in episode 4.   In this episode, Vicki and her family are at their 2 nd home on the Colorado River, enjoying a day on their boat, they are pulled over by the police for an expired inspection sticker.   However, Vicki is not concerned and says with "visual rhetoric" that she can flirt her way out of the ticket because of how sexy she looks.   And, her efforts were successful.   Also, in this episode, she states, "It's a compliment if my son's friends consider me a MILF."   These comments emphasize the idea of the stereotypical Orange County wealthy housewife.   The Denver Post Staff Writer, Edward Smith, states "The obsession with appearances and materialism--from houses to Botox to breast implants-makes 'Housewives' a case study for everything that is shallow and pathetic about our society" (Denver Post).   The Housewives of Orange County contributes to the stereotype of families who have more money than they know what to do with.

            As the show portrays her, Vicki is the woman with everything--a beautiful home, designer clothes, and a beautiful family.   But like any other women, she faces challenges.   One of her biggest challenges is of Lauri.   Vicki's could be classified as a "control freak," a trait that is particularly apparent through her interaction with Lauri at work.   She feels threatened by Lauri's sexy, blonde bombshell image.   This increases Vicki's desire to attain power by means of physical appearance.   Disguisedly, Vicki acts in a manipulative way toward Lauri in the workplace.   For example, before a convention, the two get emergency Botox in Vicki's living room.   In her house, Vicki is in her domain, which gives her empowerment.   Also, by receiving Botox next to the women she envies, Vicki realizes even Lauri is not 100% natural beauty.   This action illustrates Vicki's "hidden" insecurity and the desire to be more beautiful than Lauri.   Despite her physical insecurities, Vicki still knows she has the upper-hand.   For, she is Lauri's boss, lives a more luxurious life, and is still happily married--unlike Lauri who went through a recent divorce.   Vicki's envy of Lauri drives her to assume power materialistically.      

 An Interview's insight to Vicki's "real" side    

            During an interview with the cast from The Real Housewives of Orange County , Rebecca Schoenkpf, a reporter for Access Hollywood, came to the conclusion: "The Real Housewives of Orange County aren't different from you and me--I have met them, and they are us" (OC Weekly).    Schoenkpf's initial feeling about the interview was that the ladies were going to be stuck-up, spoiled snobs with attitude.   Anthony Greenwald, a psychology scholar, states: "Attitude is an implicit, drive-producing response considered socially significant in the individual's society" (Greenwald & Banaji).   From reading the interview article, it became clear that the camera perceived Vicki very similar to her real self.   She is as much a control freak on as she is off the camera.   Throughout the interview, Vicki tried to micromanage everyone--from telling the other women what she thought they should talk about during the interview to making sure things were not going to get too personal.   Vicki's attitude during the interview correlates with Greenwald's statement.   Through her social demeanor, she allows one to assume the stereotype of the rich housewife.   Yet, Schoenkpf does praise Vicki for her positive attributes, summarizing that Vicki works diligently to provide the best for her family and that all the women "try to make you feel at home."  

The audience perception of Vicki's "real" side

            Despite all the cosmetic surgery and extravagant shopping sprees to California's finest stores, Vicki still, shockingly, is very real.   She rules over her husband, Donn, who has been jobless for five months.   Through her hard-work and "go-getter" personality, she has become one of America's top selling insurance agents, enabling her family to enjoy luxuries such as vacations at their home on the Colorado River and a at condo in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.   Her career dominance over Donn helps counteract the typical American housewife stereotype.   There is a common conception that men are to be the financial supporters of the family.   However, in today's society the income gap between the sexes is lessening.   According to Greenwald, " In stereotyping, the individual categorizes other individuals, usually on the basis of highly visible characteristics such as sex or race" ( Greenwald & Banaji) .   The gender stereotype has been embedded in America's society from the beginning.   Not only does Vicki go against the gender stereotype, but her character contradicts the suburban housewife stereotype as well.   In the fictional television show, Desperate Housewives , the typical suburban housewife cleans the house, bakes all day, and socializes in the neighborhood.   Yet, Vicki Gunvalson goes against this mold in balancing a tough career, household chores, and maintaining her role as the nurturer.   In episode 6, when Vicki travels back to Chicago for her 25 th high school reunion, she realizes what she has made for herself.   She has gone from living in an $87,000 home in Chicago with her first husband to owning her current home in Orange County that is appraised at $3.5 million (Bravo TV).   Vicki's dominance in the professional world demonstrates her "real" side.   She is a woman of great strength, even if she has to have plastic surgery and live in a materialistic world to make her feel more powerful.

            Despite Vicki's desire to always be sexy, be socially accepted, and her challenges with jealousy, she proves to be a good provider and loving mother for her family, acting as the main bread-winner.   And, this shows her strength.   As her children are about to move out of the house, Vicki is faced with the same emotional challenges any mom goes through--from helping dress her daughter for her last prom to threatening her son that he will be kicked out of the house if he does not get a job or attend school.   In situations such as these it is revealed that the housewives of Orange County are just as "real" as any other American woman.   Behind the gates of Coto de Caza, they face the same challenges as any ordinary family.